Chronicology

23/11/2025

And that's a wrap! 1 week, 25 cemeteries, 11574 photos taken, 2 State Archive trips and very sore legs! Time to get ready to go home...

Here's a few pics of my little cat friend I made in June on my last visit who came back to see me this time plus a few friends and a ginger sibling? (cat pics for pure clicks)

22/11/2025

There were lots of possible pics I could have taken on the road today. The view from the troodos mountains being one. But if I'd stopped each time I'd wanted to take a pic, I would have got no work done!! This picture is of sunset tonight over Klavdia, Larnaca. 8 Cemeteries completed today in Limassol. #

19/11/2025

I'm Back in Cyprus researching. The work I'm doing isn't just important to preserve the heritage of Cyprus's people and history, but also has some personal 'yay' moments for me too. I have finally managed to find my great uncle's grave in Kolossi, Limassol.

It always feels incredibly emotional finding a close relatives grave, but it reminds me why I do what I do. Finding evidence relating to a person from your ancestry proves that they didn't just live in your memories, but they had a whole life; and that life may be backed up with records and monumental inscriptions and documents that prove they were here. Even if they lived a hundred years ago, records exist to show they were alive. In the UK, we take that for granted how easily records are available for us. In Cyprus, records are not easy to come by. Documenting headstones reminds us that they lived once and that their memory should not be forgotten.

19/11/2025

14/11/2025

Today my Cyprus Cemetery Database hit the 10,000 mark! This project often reminds me of the film Coco, as I like to think (and hope) that by documenting all of these headstones, I am keeping a little bit of the memories alive for each and every Cypriot who has been before. This is made even more poignant when their pictures are still available on the headstones and you stop to wonder what their lives were like.

Using these records in my research forms a vital part of filling in missing jigsaw pieces for those who wish to find out more about their ancestors. Next week, I will be back in Cyprus and my list of cemeteries to visit is far bigger than the time I have available to cover them.

13/11/2025

Congratulations to all of my colleagues!

We congratulate all Strathclyde graduates on completing the programme — well done!

06/11/2025

It has taken 5 Years of Study and I am now fully graduated with a Masters Degree from the University of Strathclyde. I couldn't be happier about what I have achieved and this journey that I have been on. I've met some amazing colleagues whom I consider friends and the future looks very bright.

22/10/2025

🧬 The Genealogical Six Hats: Decision Making in Genetic Genealogy

How can you make clear, confident decisions when faced with tricky DNA research questions? Discover the Genealogical Six Hats method, adapted from Edward de Bono’s concept, to help you think creatively, logically, and critically about your family history evidence.

Join Dr Sophie Kay for this live, interactive workshop as she demonstrates the Six Hats approach through a real DNA case study. Learn how to assess evidence, challenge assumptions, and improve your decision-making in genetic genealogy.

Tuesday 4 November 2025, 19:00–21:00 (Online)
Book your place: https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1170355

💡 Led by Dr Sophie Kay – professional genealogist, geneticist, and AGRA Member.
Please note: this session will not be recorded to encourage open participation.

22/10/2025

I'm looking forward to seeing what the new interface is like for a site that I use daily as part of my research.

🌟 The new FreeBMD launches tomorrow! 🌟

We’re excited to announce that the new FreeBMD will be live from 10am tomorrow! You’ll find the link right on the FreeBMD website: just click through and explore.

The new site has been designed for today’s users: it’s faster, easier to use, and works beautifully on phones and tablets. You’ll also find new features such as:

🔹 Autosuggest for names, counties and districts
🔹 One-click searches across all of England & Wales
🔹 Improved accessibility and modern design
🔹 Download and share your results easily

👉 Visit www.freebmd.org.uk
from 10am tomorrow to try it out and let us know what you think!

10/10/2025

The British Newspaper Archives is an invaluable resource for genealogists which is run in partnership with The British Library and Findmypast. It has an incredible amount of papers for research. More recently, I was excited to find that they added the British publication Jackie to its' library, a weekly teens magazine that ran from 1964 to 1993 and includes 1525 issues. This includes the popular Cathy and Claire' pages which was like an agony aunt page for young girls with what might be considered now, some questionable advice! This is an amazing addition to the collection for those who remember the paper fondly! here are just a few snippets from 1965.

( Images © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.)

04/10/2025

Call for papers - We are inviting abstract submissions (deadline 16 Nov) for the RQG Conference to be held in Birmingham 25 April 2026. Presentations welcome on the theme 'Exploring the Past, Embracing the Future' https://www.qualifiedgenealogists.org/2026-conference

29/09/2025

Huntingdon Library
Saturday 25th October
10:30am-2pm
Get online week: Cambridgeshire & Huntingdonshire Family History Society Research Session
If you are looking to start tracing your family history and don’t know where to begin, or need some help with an elusive ancestor - do come and see our friendly volunteers from the Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Family History Society. You never know what you might discover...

FREE Drop-in session. No need to book.

Image of two Cambridgeshire & Huntingdonshire Family History Society members