Findmypast

26/02/2026

"I think he would love to know that he lives on" ❤️

How much do you know about your grandfather's childhood?

Alex never knew much about her beloved grandfather’s beginnings — just the smiling man in old photos. But his childhood was far from simple.

Born in 1917 in the coal‑stained South Wales, he lost his mother six days later and was taken in by a neighbour, not family. His early years vanish from records, then reappear miles away in Shropshire, living under a Reverend’s care. Another move followed, then loss again… and at twelve, he was sent to Farningham Boys’ Home, a place we discovered through newspapers that was investigated for harsh treatment.

And yet, he was described as “clever.” He learned, he adapted. By his early twenties, we found him in the 1939 Register: he was working, building a life from nothing, and soon after, he became the smiling man Alex recognises — a man who created the family and stability he never had.

Now, when Alex looks at her favourite photo of him, she sees more than a gentle grandfather. She sees a survivor who built a home out of hardship ❤️

25/02/2026

If it were permitted, what note would you leave on your census return for future generations to read? ✍️

Perhaps you'd write about your cats, your work, or the census itself, like Constance Halstead in 1921 😅

24/02/2026

🇬🇧 What is the most memorable British moment in your lifetime? Let us know in the comments ⬇️

From the General Strike of the 1920s to the coronation of Elizabeth II, what moments from history stand out to you? 🤔

18/02/2026

“I can’t believe I finally solved the mystery of my missing grandfather" 😮
For Andrew, his family tree had a broken branch as grandfather vanished in 1950, this is how he solved it ⬇️

Andrew had no photos. No birthdate. Not even a place of birth.

But decades later, the truth finally surfaced thanks to a late-night search of Findmypast's newspapers.

What did he uncover? A bigamist, a deserter, a man who abandoned two families. And in a 1928 newspaper article… a long-lost photograph. The first face to match the mystery.

“I almost woke my wife up at 2am to show her,” Andrew said. “Now I have a photo of both my grandfather and my father, both in uniform, the same age. The resemblance is uncanny.

It was many years after my father passed away that I found the death certificate of my grandfather. He died in 1955, so not long after he left home and also hadn't moved far, from Leicester to Coventry."

Thank you, Andrew, for sharing your remarkable discovery ❤️

Search newspapers - who will you look for? ➡️ Search newspapers: https://bit.ly/4r7ElGE

16/02/2026

We've published 100 million pages of history 🗞️ 😮

Delve into our historical newspaper archive for free until 16 February
👉 https://bit.ly/4rhzPoT

15/02/2026

Today's Poll: Why do you research your family history? 🤔 🌳

To feel closer to my heritage - choose the LIKE emoji
To trace my family tree as far back as possible - choose the LOVE emoji
To uncover stories and secrets - choose the CARE emoji
To preserve my family's legacy - choose the HAHA emoji

14/02/2026

We just love this advice for writing love letters from 1888 🩷😂

What would you add to this list? 😅

13/02/2026

Was this the UK's longest marriage? Read John and Harriet's story, and their advice for a long and loving marriage 💖

The year is 1893. 18-year-old farmhand John Orton and 16-year-old farmer’s daughter Harriet Harris meet at a church hall party in the Rutland countryside. Perhaps they share a dance or two by candlelight or get to know each other over a cup of tea. Whatever it was, it sparked something neither of them could have imagined: the start of a love story that would endure for 88 years.

Fast forward seven years, and the childhood sweethearts marry on 9 July 1900. Though Queen Victoria is on the throne, the world is on the brink of a new century, and it’s just the beginning of John and Harriet’s married life. The couple had welcomed one child, Winnie, born in Medbourne in late 1902, and by 1905 they settled into a family home in Great Gidding, Cambridgeshire.

Their marriage is a partnership in all aspects of the word. John has many talents, working as a carpenter and wheelwright throughout his life, and Harriet helps him in the blacksmith forge, welding rims to cartwheels. And they don’t neglect their farming roots either, helping to rear sheep until their retirement.

By Valentine’s Day in 1980, their love story makes headline news. They appear on local television to celebrate their upcoming 80th anniversary, thought at the time to be Britain’s oldest and longest married couple alive. They make it into the Guinness Book of Records and receive special congratulations from Queen Victoria’s great-great-granddaughter, Elizabeth II.

Throughout all those years, John and Harriet never sought fame – just a quiet life of mutual love and respect.

Their advice for a long life and loving marriage?

💘 “Carry on courting your sweetheart for the rest of your life, just as you did before you took them to the altar.”

💘 “You’ll have ups and downs, but the best part is the making up and that is great fun.”

💘 “Treat everyone in the way you like to be treated.”

💘 “Bring your partner flowers and read to them every day.”

💘 “Believe your partner is the finest person in the world.”

Harriet died in 1981 aged 103, while John lived to earn the title of Britain’s oldest man, dying in 1984 aged 108. Their story, built from simple beginnings, remains a testament to what happens when two people walk through life side by side: never perfect, but always real, and always enduring.

12/02/2026

Think you know the “good old days”? 👀

Behind every headline, there’s a family with their very own, very personal story.

🩷 You might stumble across the street your gran grew up on.
⚽ Or spot the football scores, your Dad still talks about.

Watch until the end to discover how you can unlock it all.

11/02/2026

Today’s Poll: Can you guess what shocked the golf world in the 1930s?
In 1933, Gloria Minoprio appeared on a golf course and the sport was scandalised. What do you think caused the outrage? ⬇️

Her clubs: click LIKE emoticon
What she wore: click LOVE emoticon
Something she said: click CARE emoticon

Cast your vote below and we'll share the answer in the comments soon

09/02/2026

Behind every headline there’s a family - find yours with one simple search 📰 FREE newspaper archive access until 16 February ⬇️

Celebrate the publication of Findmypast's 100 millionth newspaper page by exploring real stories from the decades the British public calls ‘the good old days.'

09/02/2026

What would you say if you came face-to-face with your ancestor? 📽️ Watch as research, archives, family history and technology come together for a very special ending...