Paul Chiddicks
@chiddickstree.bsky.social
Columnist for Family Tree Magazine, avid family tree researcher and blogger, local history writer and a full time Lego builder
Pinned
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
Discover the Dark Tales of the Past in My Brand-New Series: “Stories From the Grave” Sometimes history grows in unexpected ways, like roots pushing through stone, or a story taking on a life far la…
chiddicksfamilytree.com
🌳🪦 NEW BLOG POST
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
The next in my new series, “Stories From the Grave”, exploring the real history and the myths, that grow around burial places.
Read it here: chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/23/t...
#Genealogy #History #London #Graveyard #Cenetery
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
The next in my new series, “Stories From the Grave”, exploring the real history and the myths, that grow around burial places.
Read it here: chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/23/t...
#Genealogy #History #London #Graveyard #Cenetery
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
🌳🪦 NEW BLOG POST
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
The next in my new series, “Stories From the Grave”, exploring the real history and the myths, that grow around burial places.
Read it here: chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/23/t...
#Genealogy #History #London #Graveyard #Cenetery
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
The next in my new series, “Stories From the Grave”, exploring the real history and the myths, that grow around burial places.
Read it here: chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/23/t...
#Genealogy #History #London #Graveyard #Cenetery
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
Discover the Dark Tales of the Past in My Brand-New Series: “Stories From the Grave” Sometimes history grows in unexpected ways, like roots pushing through stone, or a story taking on a life far la…
chiddicksfamilytree.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:39 AM
🌳🪦 NEW BLOG POST
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
The next in my new series, “Stories From the Grave”, exploring the real history and the myths, that grow around burial places.
Read it here: chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/23/t...
#Genealogy #History #London #Graveyard #Cenetery
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
The next in my new series, “Stories From the Grave”, exploring the real history and the myths, that grow around burial places.
Read it here: chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/23/t...
#Genealogy #History #London #Graveyard #Cenetery
The annual Battle of Nantwich reenactment took place yesterday commemorating Nantwich’s place in the English Civil War - you can read the full story here #Nantwich
#Genealogy #CivilWar #History #Parliamentarians #Royalists #Cheshire
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2023/09/17/t...
#Genealogy #CivilWar #History #Parliamentarians #Royalists #Cheshire
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2023/09/17/t...
The Battle of Nantwich
After recently moving house, I was absolutely delighted to discover that there is a vast amount of history that surrounds the market town of Nantwich in Cheshire, where I live, and as someone with …
chiddicksfamilytree.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:32 PM
The annual Battle of Nantwich reenactment took place yesterday commemorating Nantwich’s place in the English Civil War - you can read the full story here #Nantwich
#Genealogy #CivilWar #History #Parliamentarians #Royalists #Cheshire
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2023/09/17/t...
#Genealogy #CivilWar #History #Parliamentarians #Royalists #Cheshire
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2023/09/17/t...
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
#WhatsOn this week at @fhsofcheshire.bsky.social
BUSY BUSY!
Helpdesks: #Chester #Nantwich #Wallasey
Discussion Groups: #DNA #Publishing
Zooming in on #FamilyHistory
F2F meetings: #Bebington #Chester #Macclesfield
Research Buddies: Nantwich
Details of our events 👉 www.fhsc.org.uk/events.html
BUSY BUSY!
Helpdesks: #Chester #Nantwich #Wallasey
Discussion Groups: #DNA #Publishing
Zooming in on #FamilyHistory
F2F meetings: #Bebington #Chester #Macclesfield
Research Buddies: Nantwich
Details of our events 👉 www.fhsc.org.uk/events.html
January 25, 2026 at 9:48 AM
#WhatsOn this week at @fhsofcheshire.bsky.social
BUSY BUSY!
Helpdesks: #Chester #Nantwich #Wallasey
Discussion Groups: #DNA #Publishing
Zooming in on #FamilyHistory
F2F meetings: #Bebington #Chester #Macclesfield
Research Buddies: Nantwich
Details of our events 👉 www.fhsc.org.uk/events.html
BUSY BUSY!
Helpdesks: #Chester #Nantwich #Wallasey
Discussion Groups: #DNA #Publishing
Zooming in on #FamilyHistory
F2F meetings: #Bebington #Chester #Macclesfield
Research Buddies: Nantwich
Details of our events 👉 www.fhsc.org.uk/events.html
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
Join the Family Tree Brickwalls webinar, 27 Jan, with Helen Tovey on creating a winning genealogy plan, plus special guest Karen Evans sharing DNA goals to smash those brick walls in 2026. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/making-a-great-genealogy-plan-for-2026-tickets-1978888802679?aff=oddtdtcreator
January 23, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Join the Family Tree Brickwalls webinar, 27 Jan, with Helen Tovey on creating a winning genealogy plan, plus special guest Karen Evans sharing DNA goals to smash those brick walls in 2026. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/making-a-great-genealogy-plan-for-2026-tickets-1978888802679?aff=oddtdtcreator
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
So many amazing discoveries in my dad’s house this week - I could post one a day for the rest of the year! This is probably my favourite. A wooden case which formerly contained a cutlery set presented to my grandfather ‘on the occasion of his marriage 5th September 1931’.
#SortingOutMyDadsStuff
#SortingOutMyDadsStuff
January 23, 2026 at 10:12 AM
So many amazing discoveries in my dad’s house this week - I could post one a day for the rest of the year! This is probably my favourite. A wooden case which formerly contained a cutlery set presented to my grandfather ‘on the occasion of his marriage 5th September 1931’.
#SortingOutMyDadsStuff
#SortingOutMyDadsStuff
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
📢 Announcing.... my first new blog post since November 2024... 😬
The moral of the story is that, when it comes to identifying mystery faces in old family photos, you should never give up. The answer might turn up in the most unexpected places...
lifelinesresearch.co.uk/2026/01/24/w...
The moral of the story is that, when it comes to identifying mystery faces in old family photos, you should never give up. The answer might turn up in the most unexpected places...
lifelinesresearch.co.uk/2026/01/24/w...
Who’s That Man?
A slight, dapper man, with a small, neatly trimmed moustache, well turned out, sometimes carrying a cane and, more often than not, sporting plus fours and a natty pair of argyle socks, his eyes alw…
lifelinesresearch.co.uk
January 24, 2026 at 8:51 PM
📢 Announcing.... my first new blog post since November 2024... 😬
The moral of the story is that, when it comes to identifying mystery faces in old family photos, you should never give up. The answer might turn up in the most unexpected places...
lifelinesresearch.co.uk/2026/01/24/w...
The moral of the story is that, when it comes to identifying mystery faces in old family photos, you should never give up. The answer might turn up in the most unexpected places...
lifelinesresearch.co.uk/2026/01/24/w...
It’s taken some time to grow but I’m rather proud of the fact that my blog site chiddicksfamilytree.com has now reached 1000 subscribers thank you to each and everyone of you 👏🏻👏🏻 #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #FamilyTree
January 25, 2026 at 1:03 PM
It’s taken some time to grow but I’m rather proud of the fact that my blog site chiddicksfamilytree.com has now reached 1000 subscribers thank you to each and everyone of you 👏🏻👏🏻 #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #FamilyTree
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
The story of a love letter from the Amgueddfa Cymru collections 💌
Sarah was 20 years old when she received the letter. She fell in love with a butcher and they kept a public house together 🍻
hellohistoria.substack.com/p/my-dearest...
#Wales #History
Sarah was 20 years old when she received the letter. She fell in love with a butcher and they kept a public house together 🍻
hellohistoria.substack.com/p/my-dearest...
#Wales #History
'My dearest Sarah' | A Bridgend Love Letter.
While going through the National Museum of Wales Collections, I came across a love-letter.
hellohistoria.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:55 AM
The story of a love letter from the Amgueddfa Cymru collections 💌
Sarah was 20 years old when she received the letter. She fell in love with a butcher and they kept a public house together 🍻
hellohistoria.substack.com/p/my-dearest...
#Wales #History
Sarah was 20 years old when she received the letter. She fell in love with a butcher and they kept a public house together 🍻
hellohistoria.substack.com/p/my-dearest...
#Wales #History
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus 💞
Here's a blogpost about Welsh tokens of love 🏴
"The heart is the universal symbol of love... It is a sign of passion and strong emotion which surely signifies the carver’s depth of feeling for his beloved."
museum.wales/blog/1894/Lo...
#Wales
Here's a blogpost about Welsh tokens of love 🏴
"The heart is the universal symbol of love... It is a sign of passion and strong emotion which surely signifies the carver’s depth of feeling for his beloved."
museum.wales/blog/1894/Lo...
#Wales
Love tokens | Museum Wales
To celebrate St. Valentine’s day, and the recent St. Dwynwen's day, here are images of items ...
museum.wales
January 25, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus 💞
Here's a blogpost about Welsh tokens of love 🏴
"The heart is the universal symbol of love... It is a sign of passion and strong emotion which surely signifies the carver’s depth of feeling for his beloved."
museum.wales/blog/1894/Lo...
#Wales
Here's a blogpost about Welsh tokens of love 🏴
"The heart is the universal symbol of love... It is a sign of passion and strong emotion which surely signifies the carver’s depth of feeling for his beloved."
museum.wales/blog/1894/Lo...
#Wales
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
The Battle of Nantwich ⚔️
We’re taking to the field at the annual reenactment of the Battle of Nantwich in less than 24 hours. We recently looked at the buildup to the clash in 1644, but what about the battle itself?
📷: Levitt Parkes
We’re taking to the field at the annual reenactment of the Battle of Nantwich in less than 24 hours. We recently looked at the buildup to the clash in 1644, but what about the battle itself?
📷: Levitt Parkes
January 23, 2026 at 6:32 PM
The Battle of Nantwich ⚔️
We’re taking to the field at the annual reenactment of the Battle of Nantwich in less than 24 hours. We recently looked at the buildup to the clash in 1644, but what about the battle itself?
📷: Levitt Parkes
We’re taking to the field at the annual reenactment of the Battle of Nantwich in less than 24 hours. We recently looked at the buildup to the clash in 1644, but what about the battle itself?
📷: Levitt Parkes
1854 list of the 100 most populated cities in Europe
January 23, 2026 at 5:52 PM
1854 list of the 100 most populated cities in Europe
So sad to hear that Peter Calver, best known to the #FamilyHistory community as the founder of Lost Cousins, has died.
Condolences to his family and friends. The genealogy community has lost someone who gave so much.
Condolences to his family and friends. The genealogy community has lost someone who gave so much.
January 23, 2026 at 10:11 AM
So sad to hear that Peter Calver, best known to the #FamilyHistory community as the founder of Lost Cousins, has died.
Condolences to his family and friends. The genealogy community has lost someone who gave so much.
Condolences to his family and friends. The genealogy community has lost someone who gave so much.
🌳🪦 NEW BLOG POST
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
The next in my new series, “Stories From the Grave”, exploring the real history and the myths, that grow around burial places.
Read it here: chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/23/t...
#Genealogy #History #London #Graveyard #Cenetery
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
The next in my new series, “Stories From the Grave”, exploring the real history and the myths, that grow around burial places.
Read it here: chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/23/t...
#Genealogy #History #London #Graveyard #Cenetery
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
Discover the Dark Tales of the Past in My Brand-New Series: “Stories From the Grave” Sometimes history grows in unexpected ways, like roots pushing through stone, or a story taking on a life far la…
chiddicksfamilytree.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:39 AM
🌳🪦 NEW BLOG POST
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
The next in my new series, “Stories From the Grave”, exploring the real history and the myths, that grow around burial places.
Read it here: chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/23/t...
#Genealogy #History #London #Graveyard #Cenetery
The Hardy Tree – A Tree That Remembered the Dead
The next in my new series, “Stories From the Grave”, exploring the real history and the myths, that grow around burial places.
Read it here: chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/23/t...
#Genealogy #History #London #Graveyard #Cenetery
For the avoidance of doubt……
January 22, 2026 at 4:13 PM
For the avoidance of doubt……
The actual Abdication papers signed by Edward VIII in 1936 when he renounced the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. Currently on display in The National Archives’ Love Letters exhibition, which opens on Saturday
#History #RoyalFamily #loveletters #thenationalarchives #abdication #edwardviii
#History #RoyalFamily #loveletters #thenationalarchives #abdication #edwardviii
January 22, 2026 at 8:42 AM
The actual Abdication papers signed by Edward VIII in 1936 when he renounced the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. Currently on display in The National Archives’ Love Letters exhibition, which opens on Saturday
#History #RoyalFamily #loveletters #thenationalarchives #abdication #edwardviii
#History #RoyalFamily #loveletters #thenationalarchives #abdication #edwardviii
Something dark and fascinating is coming…
Every Friday, uncover stories that time almost forgot in my new series: Stories From the Grave.
Introducing: Tales from the Tomb Friday 👻
#TalesFromTheTomb #HiddenHistory #FridayReads
#Genealogy #History #Graveyard #Gravestone
Every Friday, uncover stories that time almost forgot in my new series: Stories From the Grave.
Introducing: Tales from the Tomb Friday 👻
#TalesFromTheTomb #HiddenHistory #FridayReads
#Genealogy #History #Graveyard #Gravestone
January 21, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Something dark and fascinating is coming…
Every Friday, uncover stories that time almost forgot in my new series: Stories From the Grave.
Introducing: Tales from the Tomb Friday 👻
#TalesFromTheTomb #HiddenHistory #FridayReads
#Genealogy #History #Graveyard #Gravestone
Every Friday, uncover stories that time almost forgot in my new series: Stories From the Grave.
Introducing: Tales from the Tomb Friday 👻
#TalesFromTheTomb #HiddenHistory #FridayReads
#Genealogy #History #Graveyard #Gravestone
Did Thomas Hardy really arrange gravestones around a tree in a London churchyard… or is that just a story that grew over time?
A new blog coming soon. 🌳🪦
#StoriesFromTheGrave
#London
#History
#Blog
#Genealogy
A new blog coming soon. 🌳🪦
#StoriesFromTheGrave
#London
#History
#Blog
#Genealogy
January 21, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Did Thomas Hardy really arrange gravestones around a tree in a London churchyard… or is that just a story that grew over time?
A new blog coming soon. 🌳🪦
#StoriesFromTheGrave
#London
#History
#Blog
#Genealogy
A new blog coming soon. 🌳🪦
#StoriesFromTheGrave
#London
#History
#Blog
#Genealogy
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
Peace now grows where once there was chaos. Walking these fields on the Western Front made history real. Names on stones became lives, sacrifices became stories. Read about my emotional Western Front journey here :
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2025/12/12/w...
#WW1 #Ypres #France #History #Flanders
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2025/12/12/w...
#WW1 #Ypres #France #History #Flanders
Walking the Great War: My Journey to the Western Front
The land is silent now, peace prevails where once there was chaos. There was a time when the earth here was ripped apart by bombs and tanks, when men were torn apart by machine guns, shrapnel, bayo…
chiddicksfamilytree.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
Never underestimate the value of death certificates. An elderly couple die within 3 years of each other, husband following wife. However, informant on husband’s death certificate is his widow. Aged 85, he had married again, a woman 40 years younger. Never would have known. #genealogy #ancestry
a grim reaper is sitting on a throne holding a scythe and skulls .
ALT: a grim reaper is sitting on a throne holding a scythe and skulls .
media.tenor.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Never underestimate the value of death certificates. An elderly couple die within 3 years of each other, husband following wife. However, informant on husband’s death certificate is his widow. Aged 85, he had married again, a woman 40 years younger. Never would have known. #genealogy #ancestry
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
Looking for some #genealogy #blogging ideas and inspiration for #2026 then look no further everything you need is right here……
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2022/01/25/w...
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2022/01/25/w...
When All You Need is a Little ‘Prompt’
Over the last few years, I’ve been steadily working my way through writing the biographies of my eight great-grandparents and my sixteen 2× great-grandparents. It’s been a hugely rewarding process,…
chiddicksfamilytree.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Looking for some #genealogy #blogging ideas and inspiration for #2026 then look no further everything you need is right here……
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2022/01/25/w...
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2022/01/25/w...
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
During the summer of 2025 I visited the WW1 battlefields and I made a promise. At every cemetery I visited, I would choose one individual, not known to me, and tell their story. This is the final story……..#WW1 #Genealogy #MilitaryHistory #History
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2025/12/05/b...
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2025/12/05/b...
Before the Guns Fell Silent: The Final Days of Private Crump
Private William Richards Crump was born in Birmingham in 1893, the youngest of two boys born to Minnie Crump. His baptism, alongside that of his older brother Francis, took place on 11 August 1894 …
chiddicksfamilytree.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:21 AM
During the summer of 2025 I visited the WW1 battlefields and I made a promise. At every cemetery I visited, I would choose one individual, not known to me, and tell their story. This is the final story……..#WW1 #Genealogy #MilitaryHistory #History
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2025/12/05/b...
chiddicksfamilytree.com/2025/12/05/b...
I wonder what new and exciting discoveries will be made this morning at the @fhsofcheshire.bsky.social research centre!
#Cheshire #FamilyHistory #Genealogy
#Cheshire #FamilyHistory #Genealogy
January 19, 2026 at 8:56 AM
I wonder what new and exciting discoveries will be made this morning at the @fhsofcheshire.bsky.social research centre!
#Cheshire #FamilyHistory #Genealogy
#Cheshire #FamilyHistory #Genealogy
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
🪦 NEW BLOG POST 🪦
Discover the dark truth behind Pinner’s famous Floating Coffin a monument surrounded by myth, mystery, and quiet devotion.
Why does it float?
Who lies beneath it?
#Grave #Genealogy #History #Graveyard #London
Read now:
👉 chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/16/t...
Discover the dark truth behind Pinner’s famous Floating Coffin a monument surrounded by myth, mystery, and quiet devotion.
Why does it float?
Who lies beneath it?
#Grave #Genealogy #History #Graveyard #London
Read now:
👉 chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/16/t...
The Truth Behind Pinner’s Floating Coffin
Discover the dark tales of the past in my brand-new series: “Stories From The Grave.” Tucked away in the peaceful churchyard of St John the Baptist Church in Pinner, Grea…
chiddicksfamilytree.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:33 AM
🪦 NEW BLOG POST 🪦
Discover the dark truth behind Pinner’s famous Floating Coffin a monument surrounded by myth, mystery, and quiet devotion.
Why does it float?
Who lies beneath it?
#Grave #Genealogy #History #Graveyard #London
Read now:
👉 chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/16/t...
Discover the dark truth behind Pinner’s famous Floating Coffin a monument surrounded by myth, mystery, and quiet devotion.
Why does it float?
Who lies beneath it?
#Grave #Genealogy #History #Graveyard #London
Read now:
👉 chiddicksfamilytree.com/2026/01/16/t...
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
The Dear Paul column is looking for two kinds of hidden gems this year: newspaper stories and parish register curiosities. Did your ancestor make the headlines for something unusual. Plus what did you discover hidden in those parish registers. If you’ve uncovered a story, I’d love to hear from you.
January 17, 2026 at 9:32 AM
The Dear Paul column is looking for two kinds of hidden gems this year: newspaper stories and parish register curiosities. Did your ancestor make the headlines for something unusual. Plus what did you discover hidden in those parish registers. If you’ve uncovered a story, I’d love to hear from you.
Reposted by Paul Chiddicks
My latest Scottish GENES #genealogy newsletter is now available to read online eomail6.com/web-version?...
Scottish GENES Newsletter 17 January 2026
The latest family history news from Scotland and Ireland
eomail6.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:25 PM
My latest Scottish GENES #genealogy newsletter is now available to read online eomail6.com/web-version?...