History A morning at the archives Today I had a useful but somewhat depressing morning at the Staffordshire Archives, researching the nine WW1 Commonwealth War Graves Commission graves at Burntwood Asylum. This has brought me a step closer to creating articles and videos on each of their tragic stories. I am so engrossed in this field
History Burntwood Asylum Burial Ground In October 2025 I filmed this walk around the Burntwood Asylum Graveyard, now known as Coulter Lane Burial Ground. There are nine CWGC graves there from WW1, which I have photographed for Find a Grave. I am planning to research these soldiers, most of whom were tragically "discharged insane&
History St Editha's Crypt This week I went down into the Crypt at St Editha’s in Tamworth, to have a look around, and learn about the history of its amazing charnel house. You can watch the video on YouTube or read my research below. There have been churches on the same site in
History Private Harry Jupp, Glascote Heath, 1884-1940 One brother lost his life, the other lost the life he knew.
History Aldergate Cemetery, Tamworth It is often assumed that the burial ground between Aldergate and the Library in Tamworth is part of St Editha's churchyard, but that is not the case. It is actually a separate cemetery, built on land donated by Hester Wolferstan in 1851. She was following in the footsteps
History Eyam: a plague village and its graves In the video I walked around the village of Eyam in the Peak District, and explored the churchyard, the Riley graves, and some of the other stories and locations associated with the plague from 1665 to 1666. I also popped into the friendly little museum in the village, which I
History Headstone cleaning: Pallett and Barker Keely and I braved the rain to clean two recently-defaced slate headstones at Aldergate Cemetery in Tamworth. We were joined by Keely's friendly rescue dog, Ziggy. These are the headstones of Elizabeth Pallett (died 1855), William Barker (died 1866), Eliza Barker (died 1871), and Samuel Barker (died 1895)
History Tragedy in Blisworth Tunnel Recently I researched a well-known 'ghost story' about an accident in Blisworth Tunnel. This tragic tale took place in September 1861, just ten months after the introduction of steamboats on the Grand Junction Canal. Sometimes narrowboaters say that when they go through Blisworth Tunnel they can hear ghosts,
History My Family Probate Log I searched for all my ancestors' probate records, (grants of representation) and found only three. My family was not a wealthy one!
History #84 Richard Tetstall, abt 1775-1844 Richard Tetstall was one of my paternal 4 x great grandfathers. A great deal of mystery still surrounds him, which is frustrating as he was a builder of narrowboats, and I currently work part time in a boatyard! This is what I know about him so far. Richard was probably
History The Allsop family of Glascote Locks The right hand lock cottage overlooking Glascote top lock, number 2 The Locks, has long been associated with the boatyard at Glascote Basin. Before Norton Canes came to the basin, it was the home of the boatbuilder Steve Hudson. For many years, from before 1881 to 1929, the Allsop family
History The Wyrley and Essington Canal A brief introduction to the history of the Wyrley and Essington Canal
History The canals of the Midland region at the end of WW1 A introduction to the Midland Region canals in 1918
History Accidental Drowning: Four Young Men from All Cannings The accidental drowning of Francis Cowdry, Stephen Green, William Page, and Henry Withers, on 27th December 1846.
History Found Drowned: Emily Louise Chambers (1865-1897) and Eva Louise Chambers (1896-1897) The story of Emily Louise Chambers and her baby Eva Louise Chambers who were found drowned in 1897.
History Private William Hutchins, Devizes, 1877-1917 The story of Private William Hutchins, a canal labourer in the Engineering Department, who was killed in action in Belgium in WW1.
History Lockkeepers on the Kennet and Avon Canal in 1911 In 2020 I surveyed the 1911 census to find all the lock keepers along the Kennet and Avon Canal. Here are my findings.
History 2nd Lieutenant Bernard Noel Asprey, Brewood, 1988-1915 The story of Bernard Noel Asprey, a WW1 soldier from the canalside vilage of Brewood.
History Samuel Barlow of Glascote Samuel Barlow and his family, the well known boat buiders and coal carriers of Glascote.
History Private William Arnold Adie, Glascote, d. 1918 Pte William Arnold Adie was killed in action during WW1.
History Lance Corporal Enoch Wright, Kettlebrook, 1875-1916 The story Lance Corporal Enoch Wright of Kettlebrook who died in England during WW1.
History Pte Robert Wood of Amington The story of Pte Robert Wood, a coal miner from Amington who served in WW1, was captured by the Germans, and was later a canal worker.
History 360° tour of Cole Hill Chapel Tamworth A visit to Cole Hill Chapel, Victoria Road, Tamworth, to photograph their graves and memorials.
