Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

The Dead Sleuth

@deadsleuth.com

270 followers 200 following 66 posts

Ancestral Hawkshaw. Research Fiend and Genealogist for Hire Sleuthing YORK and Beyond. Sometime Speaker. Storyteller. Whatever... Genealogist: deadsleuth.com Grave Hunter: @graveyardsquirrel.com Between Worlds: @teebylo.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · Jul 8

If I'm not buried within an archive somewhere, wandering among the tombstones with camera in hand, or storytelling in an unquiet street in York or beyond - I will probably be getting messy with wood, glue and paint inside my cluttered den.

Now, did someone say the word CAKE?

#StillSleuthing 🔍

2 7

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · 1d

Are you intrigued or perplexed about the history of your ancestors?

The Dead Sleuth is a registered company located in the City of York offering professional genealogical services for those looking to solve the riddles of their own family history.

#DeadSleuth #GraveyardSquirrel #StillSleuthing 🔍

3 7

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

The Graveyard Squirrel @graveyardsquirrel.com · 12d

A broken wing, a halo and with one tiny perfect foot peeking out from under an elaborate stone gown while protected by a delicate cobweb are all that remains of an angel perched upon an tombstone.

⚰ York Cemetery. UK.

#DeadSleuth #GraveyardSquirrel #TombstoneThursday #StillSleuthing 🔍

3 7

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · 13d

Are you intrigued about the history of your ancestors?

The Dead Sleuth is a registered company located in the City of York offering professional genealogical services for those looking to solve the riddles and absurdities of their own family history.

Curious much?

#DeadSleuth #StillSleuthing 🔍

3 9

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

The Polite Tourist True Crime Walks @politetourist.com · 14d

I. 'GHOST Maybe disappearing from the world is the only way to be seen' ~ Anonymepoet21

Alas, a stroll through the stone arches of old bridges in the ancient City of York, and along the cobbles of a riverside path steeped in history AND heartache with The Polite Tourist one evening is now no more.

1 2 7

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 15d

Great day at York Unlocked & Bishophilll, York history walk with @deadsleuth.com

2 5

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · 18d

Trawling through the parish registers from the City of York for sight of an elusive betrothal at @yorkfhs.bsky.social is not proving easy this morning.

Thank goodness help is at hand during my sleuthing hour of need.

Still Sleuthing 🔍

P.S. Those registers are paper copies and NOT the real deal!

2 11

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

Tee @teebylo.com · 24d

"Meet me where the sky touches the sea. Wait for me where the world begins." ~ Jennifer Donnelly

The view from my world this afternoon.

#DeadSleuth #GraveyardSquirrel #TeeAndTombstones #YorkyHistoryLass #FamilyHistorySleuth #Genealogist #StillSleuthing at Scarborough 🔍

3 28

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

Tee @teebylo.com · 24d

II. And, in defiance of that Victorian spoilsport - I have ventured forth to Scarborough once more to catch the final day of the exhibition 'The Yorkshire Coast By Rail' at the fabulous Old Parcels Office.

#DeadSleuth #GraveyardSquirrel #YorkyHistoryLass #StillSleuthing 🔍

1 7

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

Tee @teebylo.com · 24d

I. "Scarborough has no wish for a greater influx of vagrants and those who have no money to spend." ~ George Knowles.

Despite the missive fired off in 1844 from his smart abode at Woodend in Scarboro', Knowles was unsuccessful in his campaign to halt the rail connection from York to his hometown.

1 3 8

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

Tee @teebylo.com · 24d

Against a backdrop of aged soft stone under a dappled blue cloudy Scarborough sky and stretching to a quarter of a mile long - the longest railway bench in the world awaits at Platform 1.

The view from my world this noontime.

#DeadSleuth #GraveyardSquirrel #YorkyHistoryLass #StillSleuthing 🔍

1 3 15

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

The Polite Tourist True Crime Walks @politetourist.com · 26d

II. However, the poignant tale of this discarded slipper would be lost to the ravages of time - until now!

WHO HIDES BENEATH? A WALK LIKE NO OTHER.

Tickets await the curious to walk awhile every THURSDAY and FRIDAY from 7pm through SEPTEMBER month.

#PoliteTourist #LadyBrigante #StillSleuthing 🔍

2 7

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

The Polite Tourist True Crime Walks @politetourist.com · 26d

I. It all began with the discovery of a slipper in the year 1898 on the doorstep of an abode in the Middle Water Lane of the City of YORK.

With the hunt for the wearer now underway, a tragic discovery was soon sadly revealed...

1 4 8

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

The Polite Tourist True Crime Walks @politetourist.com · 27d

I. Shortly after midnight one August day in the year 1902 - a young mother left her home in the Hungate area of YORK with her youngest child safely nestled within her arms.

Their last moments together under the shadow of Skeldergate Bridge would ignite a perfect firestorm throughout the city...

1 3 7

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · Sep 9

School's OUT!

In the SEPTEMBER publication of The Yorkshire Dalesman, I muse on memories of my school days, and the controversial antics of the clergyman of Boston Spa who would trigger the Victorian equivalent of a viral internet phenomenon in the year 1877.

#DeadSleuth #StillSleuthing 🔍

2 8

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

Tee @teebylo.com · Sep 9

On a gloriously sunny morning and with an early arrival into the city - I have seized a few stolen moments wandering around the majestic seat of local justice here in York before a noon meeting beckons.

And, strictly for the purpose of sleuthing - I might add!

#DeadSleuth #StillSleuthing 🔍

3 7

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

Tee @teebylo.com · Sep 4

A tempting treat or three for ME from my fabulous fellow sleuth after their annual prison visit.

📸 The Sleuthing Room @yorkfhs.bsky.social

#DeadSleuth #GraveyardSquirrel #TeeAndTombstones #YorkyHistoryLass #FamilyHistorySleuth #Genealogist #CravingChocolate #StillSleuthing 🔍

2 8

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · Sep 4

A little early morning tombstone appreciation before I resume my desk and kettle duties for @yorkfhs.bsky.social

And, if you have ancestors to sleuth, you can find me at the RAYLOR CENTRE in YORK at YO10 3DW.

I vanish at 4pm.

⚰ Parish Church of St Denys. York. UK.

#StillSleuthing 🔍

1 3 10

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

The Graveyard Squirrel @graveyardsquirrel.com · Sep 2

As summer shadows dance across verdant grass, iconic familiar old stones are bathed in a low evening sun.

⚰ The Cholera Burial Ground. York. UK.

#DeadSleuth #GraveyardSquirrel #TeeAndTombstones #YorkyHistoryLass #FamilyHistorySleuth #GraveAndBeautiful #TombstoneTuesday #StillSleuthing 🔍

5 9

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · Sep 1

III. Although it would take a few years before the doors of the York Penitentiary in Bishophill would open, and Gray died shortly after - it all began with a letter.

HAPPY LETTER WRITING DAY!

#DeadSleuth #GraveyardSquirrel #YorkyHistoryLass #StillSleuthing 🔍 @yorkarchive.bsky.social

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · Sep 1

II. Mindful of the need to rescue and reform the legions of young women forced to sell their bodies on the busy streets of this bustling city, William Gray began a Victorianesque crowdfounder to establish the York Penitentiary...

1 2

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · Sep 1

I. It all began with a letter in February 1822 when William Gray (1751-1845) a pious and philanthropic attorney from the City of York picked up the quill to pen a missive to the Editor of the Yorkshire Gazette.

LETTER WRITING DAY!

1 3 5

Reposted by The Dead Sleuth

Tee @teebylo.com · Aug 30

Up close and in admiration - a little tombstone delight for a Saturday afternoon.

The view from my world today.

🪦 St John The Baptist. Wakefield. UK.

#DeadSleuth #GraveyardSquirrel #TeeAndTombstones #YorkyHistoryLass #TombstoneTourist #StillSleuthing 🔍 @ancestralenq.bsky.social

3 11

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · Aug 28

Thursday. The view from my world as I find myself lost among the long forgotten dead of the Parish of Micklegate in York.

What a day to be alive!

Still Sleuthing 🔍 @yorkfhs.bsky.social

#DeadSleuth #GraveyardSquirrel #TeeAndTombstones #YorkyHistoryLass #LadyBrigante #StillSleuthing 🔍

2 11

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · Aug 14

II. Madeleine came to regret her relationship with L'Angelier and after his refusal to return her letters - she went in search of arsenic.

By March 1857 with L'Angelier dead, the genteel Miss. Smith was charged with murder.

📸 Mitchell Library. Glasgow. Scotland.

#CodeTalkersDay #StillSleuthing 🔍

The Dead Sleuth @deadsleuth.com · Aug 14

I. As I have been reliably informed that today is CODE TALKER'S DAY - what do YOU see?

Interwined among these random squiggles are the passionate declarations of a young Scottish gentlewoman MADELEINE HAMILTON SMITH (1835-1928) to her older lover one PIERRE EMILE L'ANGELIER in 1856.

1 1 9