Dave Annal Lifelines Research
@davelifelines.bsky.social
Family historian, lecturer, author. Former Principal Family History Specialist at The National Archives. Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. 42 years in the business. Loves a good map. #Genealogy #FamilyHistory
https://lifelinesresearch.co.uk/
https://lifelinesresearch.co.uk/
Before writing your will you need to decide who to leave your violin to. Hubert Hacon a Norwich surgeon, writing his will in February 1700/01, left his to his nephew:
I Allsoe give to his Sonne Hubbert my Violin I bought of Saml Sirffield and a bow to itt...
I Allsoe give to his Sonne Hubbert my Violin I bought of Saml Sirffield and a bow to itt...
February 7, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Before writing your will you need to decide who to leave your violin to. Hubert Hacon a Norwich surgeon, writing his will in February 1700/01, left his to his nephew:
I Allsoe give to his Sonne Hubbert my Violin I bought of Saml Sirffield and a bow to itt...
I Allsoe give to his Sonne Hubbert my Violin I bought of Saml Sirffield and a bow to itt...
Some of the documents that we use in our research have a real history of their own. Like these muster rolls for the 1st Battalion of the 7th Regiment of Foot, which would have followed the regiment through Portugal, Spain and France between 1809 and 1814.
February 5, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Some of the documents that we use in our research have a real history of their own. Like these muster rolls for the 1st Battalion of the 7th Regiment of Foot, which would have followed the regiment through Portugal, Spain and France between 1809 and 1814.
It’s #OnePlaceWednesday and I’m recommending a book written by a friend of mine. The Lindens has a One Place theme - and I’m not going to let the fact that it’s a work of fiction get in my way.
The Lindens: One House, All The People Who Called It Home
www.goodreads.com/book/show/22...
The Lindens: One House, All The People Who Called It Home
www.goodreads.com/book/show/22...
The Lindens
The Lindens spans 150 years in the life of a house in t…
www.goodreads.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:10 PM
It’s #OnePlaceWednesday and I’m recommending a book written by a friend of mine. The Lindens has a One Place theme - and I’m not going to let the fact that it’s a work of fiction get in my way.
The Lindens: One House, All The People Who Called It Home
www.goodreads.com/book/show/22...
The Lindens: One House, All The People Who Called It Home
www.goodreads.com/book/show/22...
Three years ago today we lost this absolute legend.
There's hardly a day goes by that I don't think about something I'd like to ask her or recall some of her words of wisdom. How else would I know how to spell necessary ('one collar two sleeves' - so, 1 'c' 2 's's)?
RIP Audrey Collins (1954-2023)
There's hardly a day goes by that I don't think about something I'd like to ask her or recall some of her words of wisdom. How else would I know how to spell necessary ('one collar two sleeves' - so, 1 'c' 2 's's)?
RIP Audrey Collins (1954-2023)
February 4, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Three years ago today we lost this absolute legend.
There's hardly a day goes by that I don't think about something I'd like to ask her or recall some of her words of wisdom. How else would I know how to spell necessary ('one collar two sleeves' - so, 1 'c' 2 's's)?
RIP Audrey Collins (1954-2023)
There's hardly a day goes by that I don't think about something I'd like to ask her or recall some of her words of wisdom. How else would I know how to spell necessary ('one collar two sleeves' - so, 1 'c' 2 's's)?
RIP Audrey Collins (1954-2023)
Place #3
The National Archives
The National Archives
February 3, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Place #3
The National Archives
The National Archives
Place #2 (and a bit)
Kennedy’s, Goswell Road*
*it had to be done 😎
Kennedy’s, Goswell Road*
*it had to be done 😎
February 3, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Place #2 (and a bit)
Kennedy’s, Goswell Road*
*it had to be done 😎
Kennedy’s, Goswell Road*
*it had to be done 😎
Place #2
The London Archives
The London Archives
February 3, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Place #2
The London Archives
The London Archives
Place #1
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society
February 3, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Place #1
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Today’s lesson is, ‘You can’t do it all online’.
As my dear friend Audrey Collins used to say, ‘Sometimes you need to go to a place and look at a thing’.
With that in mind I’m visiting 3 places today: one that I’ve never been to before, one I haven’t been to in a year & one that I visit regularly.
As my dear friend Audrey Collins used to say, ‘Sometimes you need to go to a place and look at a thing’.
With that in mind I’m visiting 3 places today: one that I’ve never been to before, one I haven’t been to in a year & one that I visit regularly.
two men are standing next to each other in a kitchen and one of them says " london baby "
ALT: two men are standing next to each other in a kitchen and one of them says " london baby "
media.tenor.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:12 AM
Today’s lesson is, ‘You can’t do it all online’.
As my dear friend Audrey Collins used to say, ‘Sometimes you need to go to a place and look at a thing’.
With that in mind I’m visiting 3 places today: one that I’ve never been to before, one I haven’t been to in a year & one that I visit regularly.
As my dear friend Audrey Collins used to say, ‘Sometimes you need to go to a place and look at a thing’.
With that in mind I’m visiting 3 places today: one that I’ve never been to before, one I haven’t been to in a year & one that I visit regularly.
My dad was born in 1933 in his parents' house at 18 Sciennes Road, Edinburgh. He only lived there for a couple of years before they moved out to Carrick Knowe but the house stayed in the family until the 1940s and was later owned by friends who lived there until the 1980s.
#MyFamilyHistory52Maps
#MyFamilyHistory52Maps
February 2, 2026 at 9:49 AM
My dad was born in 1933 in his parents' house at 18 Sciennes Road, Edinburgh. He only lived there for a couple of years before they moved out to Carrick Knowe but the house stayed in the family until the 1940s and was later owned by friends who lived there until the 1980s.
#MyFamilyHistory52Maps
#MyFamilyHistory52Maps
I've never been to Colne in Lancashire and I don't think that this item from the Burnley Advertiser of 25 February 1865 is going to encourage me to visit anytime soon!
"Not a single event of more than passing interest has transpired during the past week... Trade is dull in the town."
#SlowNewsDay
"Not a single event of more than passing interest has transpired during the past week... Trade is dull in the town."
#SlowNewsDay
January 31, 2026 at 2:11 PM
I've never been to Colne in Lancashire and I don't think that this item from the Burnley Advertiser of 25 February 1865 is going to encourage me to visit anytime soon!
"Not a single event of more than passing interest has transpired during the past week... Trade is dull in the town."
#SlowNewsDay
"Not a single event of more than passing interest has transpired during the past week... Trade is dull in the town."
#SlowNewsDay
This has gone straight into my top ten of the ‘Best Maps I Have Ever Seen’.
I mean, will you just look at the colours!!! 😍
I mean, will you just look at the colours!!! 😍
Thanks to @thefnl.bsky.social this exceptionally rare Tudor map of Kingsbridge in Devon has been acquired for public research at the Devon Heritage Centre, after more than four centuries in private hands.
January 30, 2026 at 10:14 PM
This has gone straight into my top ten of the ‘Best Maps I Have Ever Seen’.
I mean, will you just look at the colours!!! 😍
I mean, will you just look at the colours!!! 😍
I'm on the road again this afternoon, heading for east Hertfordshire where I'll be speaking to the Thorley U3A. I'm on stage at 2 o'clock and I'm giving my latest talk. It's all about newspapers, but it's also about stories...
January 30, 2026 at 11:05 AM
I'm on the road again this afternoon, heading for east Hertfordshire where I'll be speaking to the Thorley U3A. I'm on stage at 2 o'clock and I'm giving my latest talk. It's all about newspapers, but it's also about stories...
A rare example of a death certificate with the person's names the wrong way round. His name was actually Townsend Howard NOT Howard Townsend. An understandable error perhaps but a bit depressing that the official from the workhouse registering the death didn't know Townsend's proper name...
January 29, 2026 at 5:59 PM
A rare example of a death certificate with the person's names the wrong way round. His name was actually Townsend Howard NOT Howard Townsend. An understandable error perhaps but a bit depressing that the official from the workhouse registering the death didn't know Townsend's proper name...
This is a new one to me. A child who was born in 1847 was baptised in 1853, some distance from where he was born. The clerk wrote in the margin:
"Bapt[ised] Hypothetically"
Apparently this is an option where it's uncertain whether the child had already been baptised or not.
#EveryDaysASchoolDay
"Bapt[ised] Hypothetically"
Apparently this is an option where it's uncertain whether the child had already been baptised or not.
#EveryDaysASchoolDay
January 29, 2026 at 12:44 PM
This is a new one to me. A child who was born in 1847 was baptised in 1853, some distance from where he was born. The clerk wrote in the margin:
"Bapt[ised] Hypothetically"
Apparently this is an option where it's uncertain whether the child had already been baptised or not.
#EveryDaysASchoolDay
"Bapt[ised] Hypothetically"
Apparently this is an option where it's uncertain whether the child had already been baptised or not.
#EveryDaysASchoolDay
Is there a better way to start the day than by immersing yourself in a small section of William Faden's 1819 revision of Richard Horwood's "PLAN of the Cities of LONDON and WESTMINSTER the Borough of SOUTHWARK, and PARTS adjoining Shewing every HOUSE"?
No, I don't think so either...
No, I don't think so either...
January 29, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Is there a better way to start the day than by immersing yourself in a small section of William Faden's 1819 revision of Richard Horwood's "PLAN of the Cities of LONDON and WESTMINSTER the Borough of SOUTHWARK, and PARTS adjoining Shewing every HOUSE"?
No, I don't think so either...
No, I don't think so either...
A couple married in 1900 but soon separated (no divorce). He's living with his uncle in 1911 and listed as 'single' and joins the army in 1916 giving his next of kin as his wife 'Address not known'. He's gassed on the western front, discharged and has three illegitmate children with another woman 1/
January 28, 2026 at 10:10 AM
A couple married in 1900 but soon separated (no divorce). He's living with his uncle in 1911 and listed as 'single' and joins the army in 1916 giving his next of kin as his wife 'Address not known'. He's gassed on the western front, discharged and has three illegitmate children with another woman 1/
It's always nice when you can pinpoint the exact place where a client's ancestor worked. The 1921 census is a great source for this information and I can now say for certain that the person I've been researching worked as an Attendant at the Public Lavatories on Edmonton Green...
January 27, 2026 at 12:16 PM
It's always nice when you can pinpoint the exact place where a client's ancestor worked. The 1921 census is a great source for this information and I can now say for certain that the person I've been researching worked as an Attendant at the Public Lavatories on Edmonton Green...
Off to Hillingdon this afternoon to do my first in-person talk of the year. I'm speaking to the Hillingdon FHS and U3A Group - a great example of how Family History Societies and U3As can work together to their mutual benefit.
This afternoon's talk is all about using newspapers in our research.
This afternoon's talk is all about using newspapers in our research.
January 27, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Off to Hillingdon this afternoon to do my first in-person talk of the year. I'm speaking to the Hillingdon FHS and U3A Group - a great example of how Family History Societies and U3As can work together to their mutual benefit.
This afternoon's talk is all about using newspapers in our research.
This afternoon's talk is all about using newspapers in our research.
Reposted by Dave Annal Lifelines Research
Our latest exhibition, Love Letters, is now open at The National Archives, revealing 500 years of love. From paupers, monarchs, queer networks & quiet acts of affection found in government records.
Very proud to have been lead curator on this one, working with so many wonderful people! 💌
Very proud to have been lead curator on this one, working with so many wonderful people! 💌
January 26, 2026 at 10:57 PM
Our latest exhibition, Love Letters, is now open at The National Archives, revealing 500 years of love. From paupers, monarchs, queer networks & quiet acts of affection found in government records.
Very proud to have been lead curator on this one, working with so many wonderful people! 💌
Very proud to have been lead curator on this one, working with so many wonderful people! 💌
My mum was born at 1 Orwell Place, off Dalry Road, in the west of Edinburgh. Her grandparents had moved into Orwell Place in 1913 and her brother (my uncle) was still living there until he died in 1996. 83 years of occupancy by the same family!
#MyFamilyHistoryIn52Maps #MapMonday #MappyMonday
#MyFamilyHistoryIn52Maps #MapMonday #MappyMonday
January 26, 2026 at 1:13 PM
My mum was born at 1 Orwell Place, off Dalry Road, in the west of Edinburgh. Her grandparents had moved into Orwell Place in 1913 and her brother (my uncle) was still living there until he died in 1996. 83 years of occupancy by the same family!
#MyFamilyHistoryIn52Maps #MapMonday #MappyMonday
#MyFamilyHistoryIn52Maps #MapMonday #MappyMonday
“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 always staring directly into the camera.”
How I discovered the identity of the mystery man in the photos…
How I discovered the identity of the mystery man in the photos…
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 26, 2026 at 8:17 AM
“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 always staring directly into the camera.”
How I discovered the identity of the mystery man in the photos…
How I discovered the identity of the mystery man in the photos…
I'm working on a new talk on the benefits of AI in historical research. I've completed my opening slide...
a blurred image of a desert landscape with trees and bushes
ALT: a blurred image of a desert landscape with trees and bushes
media.tenor.com
January 25, 2026 at 2:55 PM
I'm working on a new talk on the benefits of AI in historical research. I've completed my opening slide...
📢 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...
I'm on a train heading back south after my week in Edinburgh and I've been doing some research for an upcoming blog post. Watch this space...
January 23, 2026 at 6:23 PM
I'm on a train heading back south after my week in Edinburgh and I've been doing some research for an upcoming blog post. Watch this space...