Dr Sylvia Valentine
@historylady2013.bsky.social
Director and Chair, Register Qualified Genealogists. PhD "Controlling Smallpox in Scotland: Variolation, Compulsory Vaccination and the Rise of the Anti-Vaccination Movement 1721-1918.
Spent an enjoyable afternoon yesterday at Glasgow talking about my research.
Great to host Dr Sylvia Valentine @historylady2013.bsky.social who gave a timely, fascinating talk on her work uncovering the history of the anti-vax movement in Scotland -present since start of #smallpox vaccination. Read more here⏬
www.dundee.ac.uk/research-unc...
#Vaccineswork
@sbohvm.gla.ac.uk
www.dundee.ac.uk/research-unc...
#Vaccineswork
@sbohvm.gla.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Spent an enjoyable afternoon yesterday at Glasgow talking about my research.
OTD when I was very young maybe 4 or 5 my sister and I acquired a little black kitten. It being Trafalgar Day we named him Nelson. Except he was a she & had at least 2 litters of kittens herself.
October 21, 2025 at 8:46 AM
OTD when I was very young maybe 4 or 5 my sister and I acquired a little black kitten. It being Trafalgar Day we named him Nelson. Except he was a she & had at least 2 litters of kittens herself.
Reposted by Dr Sylvia Valentine
“Why should we fix our eyes on this spot only?” A little piece about looking outside of our current circumstances and shouting about the amazing achievements of vaccination, which have all come about despite anti-vaccination activism and monumental logistical challenges. Let’s change the story.
"Why should we fix our eyes on this spot only?"
Recently I’ve been prone to thinking that things are looking bleak for vaccination, that wonder of science which is estimated to have saved 154 million lives since 1974.
owengower.co.uk
September 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
“Why should we fix our eyes on this spot only?” A little piece about looking outside of our current circumstances and shouting about the amazing achievements of vaccination, which have all come about despite anti-vaccination activism and monumental logistical challenges. Let’s change the story.
Got 3 talks to deliver, 2 in October and 1 in November so I had better start writing them.....At least they are all roughly 2 weeks apart!
September 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Got 3 talks to deliver, 2 in October and 1 in November so I had better start writing them.....At least they are all roughly 2 weeks apart!
Slightly off topic @rwldproject.bsky.social re the S&D 200 anniversary. Saw the tv prog earlier this week with Michael Portillo. He interviewed the man who had been at the 150 yr event. Cant recall Mr V going but he had memorabillia & did some train pics of the event
September 19, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Slightly off topic @rwldproject.bsky.social re the S&D 200 anniversary. Saw the tv prog earlier this week with Michael Portillo. He interviewed the man who had been at the 150 yr event. Cant recall Mr V going but he had memorabillia & did some train pics of the event
53 years ago today I married Mr V. A few weeks after our 50th anniversary I found him collapsed on the bathroom floor & later that day I lost him. He didnt live to see me gain my doctorate & I miss him dreadfully.
September 16, 2025 at 5:29 PM
53 years ago today I married Mr V. A few weeks after our 50th anniversary I found him collapsed on the bathroom floor & later that day I lost him. He didnt live to see me gain my doctorate & I miss him dreadfully.
Day 3 of the @britsocmedhistory.bsky.social congress. Iain Macintyre will be deliver the inaugural John Blair Trust Lecture
September 13, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Day 3 of the @britsocmedhistory.bsky.social congress. Iain Macintyre will be deliver the inaugural John Blair Trust Lecture
Delivered my second talk this afternoon about the Keighley Martyrs, 7 Guardians sent to prison for failing to enforce the smallpox vaccination act 1876 at the @britsochmedhistory.bsky.social Congress Leeds
September 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Delivered my second talk this afternoon about the Keighley Martyrs, 7 Guardians sent to prison for failing to enforce the smallpox vaccination act 1876 at the @britsochmedhistory.bsky.social Congress Leeds
Fascinating talk about The Scottish Womens Hospitals' Girton & Newnham Unit in Belgrade: treatment and rehabilitation 1919-1920 @britsocmedhistory.bsky.social Congress Leeds
September 12, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Fascinating talk about The Scottish Womens Hospitals' Girton & Newnham Unit in Belgrade: treatment and rehabilitation 1919-1920 @britsocmedhistory.bsky.social Congress Leeds
For the 1st time since moving to new house had to put the ironing board up. Shortened trousers so steam pressing required. So ironed a linen blouse too
September 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
For the 1st time since moving to new house had to put the ironing board up. Shortened trousers so steam pressing required. So ironed a linen blouse too
A glass of red to accompany Miss Marple #ConfinedCocktails
September 6, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A glass of red to accompany Miss Marple #ConfinedCocktails
I detest clothes shopping these days. Being a lady of mature years does not mean I want to look frumpy. I want affordable stylish things. Not frills & ribbons nor poor quality fabrics. And sleeves & pockets. Sure I am not alone
September 5, 2025 at 11:52 AM
I detest clothes shopping these days. Being a lady of mature years does not mean I want to look frumpy. I want affordable stylish things. Not frills & ribbons nor poor quality fabrics. And sleeves & pockets. Sure I am not alone
Reposted by Dr Sylvia Valentine
Early bird tickets are now available for the RQG Conference via Eventbrite and open to everyone, including non-members #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #RQGConf26 #Birmingham rqg-conference-2026.eventbrite.co.uk
September 2, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Early bird tickets are now available for the RQG Conference via Eventbrite and open to everyone, including non-members #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #RQGConf26 #Birmingham rqg-conference-2026.eventbrite.co.uk
Bought my tix for RQG Conference in Birmingham 25 April 2026. For members & non members alike.
Early bird rate is £65 inc lunch. rqg-conference-2026.eventbrite.co.uk
The 3 keynote speakers
Professor Rebecca Probert
Dr Sophie Kay
Professor Julia Laite
Early bird rate is £65 inc lunch. rqg-conference-2026.eventbrite.co.uk
The 3 keynote speakers
Professor Rebecca Probert
Dr Sophie Kay
Professor Julia Laite
September 1, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Bought my tix for RQG Conference in Birmingham 25 April 2026. For members & non members alike.
Early bird rate is £65 inc lunch. rqg-conference-2026.eventbrite.co.uk
The 3 keynote speakers
Professor Rebecca Probert
Dr Sophie Kay
Professor Julia Laite
Early bird rate is £65 inc lunch. rqg-conference-2026.eventbrite.co.uk
The 3 keynote speakers
Professor Rebecca Probert
Dr Sophie Kay
Professor Julia Laite
Spent a few hours exploring more newspaper cuttings, following the dubious career of a medical quack in the 1850s, narowly avoided manslaughter charge, blamed his wife, brawling in the street, flashing gold sovereigns about & being fined for misprepresenting himself as a qualified doctor.
August 17, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Spent a few hours exploring more newspaper cuttings, following the dubious career of a medical quack in the 1850s, narowly avoided manslaughter charge, blamed his wife, brawling in the street, flashing gold sovereigns about & being fined for misprepresenting himself as a qualified doctor.
Last weekend made 2 presentations to the Auckland Family History Expo, This week back to work on presentations for the British Soc of History of Medicine Congress next month, digging around the astounding & shocking tale of woolcomber turned medical botanist (& bigamist)
August 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Last weekend made 2 presentations to the Auckland Family History Expo, This week back to work on presentations for the British Soc of History of Medicine Congress next month, digging around the astounding & shocking tale of woolcomber turned medical botanist (& bigamist)
He also had an alias according to the newspaper cutting. But I cannot find him other than in newspaper accounts. Curiouser and curiouser! (2)
August 7, 2025 at 12:13 PM
He also had an alias according to the newspaper cutting. But I cannot find him other than in newspaper accounts. Curiouser and curiouser! (2)
Down a rabbit hole looking for man who refused to comply with National Registration act as objected to war effort. Was fined £5 or a month in jail. Is he the same man who was jailed for 3 months for entering a prohibited area. Had no Identity card & had not registered to join army (1)
August 7, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Down a rabbit hole looking for man who refused to comply with National Registration act as objected to war effort. Was fined £5 or a month in jail. Is he the same man who was jailed for 3 months for entering a prohibited area. Had no Identity card & had not registered to join army (1)
Currently running around in circles to get some clarification about copyright & being passed from pillar to post (presumably because no one really knows the answer) Driving me nuts
August 6, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Currently running around in circles to get some clarification about copyright & being passed from pillar to post (presumably because no one really knows the answer) Driving me nuts
The wind was trying to flatten the gladioli so I brought some indoors
July 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The wind was trying to flatten the gladioli so I brought some indoors
Great to meet @geniaus.bsky.social and Robert for lunch today at CafeSaints and thanks to Robert for the photo
July 29, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Great to meet @geniaus.bsky.social and Robert for lunch today at CafeSaints and thanks to Robert for the photo
On way to Edinburgh city centre to catch up with @geniaus.bsky.social & Mr Genieaus.
July 29, 2025 at 10:18 AM
On way to Edinburgh city centre to catch up with @geniaus.bsky.social & Mr Genieaus.
Open a new box of chocolates. Why do so many have the "menu" on the underside of the box & no guide inside?
July 23, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Open a new box of chocolates. Why do so many have the "menu" on the underside of the box & no guide inside?
I am thrilled to announce that I have been elected an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. @royalhistsoc.org
July 18, 2025 at 9:55 AM
I am thrilled to announce that I have been elected an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. @royalhistsoc.org
Back for the evening again
July 16, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Back for the evening again