Karen Murphy Genealogy Research

If you have any wills you've been meaning to order but haven't done so yet, get them in now.
It's just been announced that the cost will increase substantially on the 17th November. They are currently £1.50 and are increasing to a staggering £16. Yes you heard right!
Here's the link:

Search probate records for documents and wills (England and Wales) Search online for a will, grant of representation or probate document for a death in or after 1858

As the days get shorter, it gets harder to get out of our comfy beds (or is it just me?!) Before alarm clocks, many workers were woken by the sound of a tap at their bedroom window. On the street outside, walking to their next customer's house, would be a figure wielding a long stick, or a pea shooter.

The "knocker upper" was a common sight in Britain, particularly in the northern mill towns, where people worked shifts, or in London where dockers kept unusual hours, ruled as they were by the inconstant tides.

Pictured is Mary Smith in East London in the 1920s who charged her customers sixpence a week

💥 A Hidden Piece of History Right Under Our Noses 💥

I’ve lived in this area for over 20 years, and today I learned something I never knew: On 27 July 1905, the Hall Road Station Disaster claimed 21 lives when an express train from Liverpool to Southport collided with stationary carriages. 😔

As a genealogist, it hit me hard that such a significant event was right here, and I never knew about it. This is why plaques like this are so important! They not only honour those who were lost but also preserve stories that might otherwise fade from memory.

Now, I’m on a mission! I need to track down the identities of those 21 men, women, and children—where they lived, what they did, and bring their stories back to life. 💡

History is made of the lives we often overlook. Let’s make sure their memories are never lost. 📜

Thus is a cracking deal if you're tempted to buy a subscription and have a go at starting your own research. Valid until 15th September

📣 Stop scrolling - find your family story for half price 📣

Spend a year delving deeper into your past than ever before with exclusive records and brand-new features.

Hurry, 50% off our access-all-areas 12-month Everything subscription ends 15 September.

Subscribe today to access millions of records you won't find anywhere else.
🔗 https://bit.ly/4fZ9p6q

Already have a Findmypast subscription? Head to the Family History Forum for your chance to enter our exclusive members competition, with three subscriptions up for grabs 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/findmypastofficial

T&Cs apply.

Woke up to some nice news...I've been taken on the books of Legacy tree, the U.S A's biggest genealogy company

Homepage - Legacy Tree Put your family history in our hands Your ancestors' stories are a fascinating part of your story. Hire our team of professional genealogists to discover them for you. Request your free quote to get started!

This VJ Day, we remember all those who fought for our freedom over 80 years ago. If you have ancestors who served in WW2, here is a guide on how to start tracing their records
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/british-army-soldiers-in-service-after-1918/

British Army soldiers of the Second World War - The National Archives 1. Why use this guide? This is a guide to finding records of soldiers who served with the British Army in the Second World War. This may include soldiers who enlisted before the Second World War but whose service extended into war time. The ranks covered include Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal, Se...

📜 Heritage Open Days – England’s biggest FREE festival of history & culture – back from 12–21 September!

Across the country, thousands of historic places are opening their doors for free. In Merseyside alone there are 150 events, Manchester has 110, and Birmingham another 110. From hidden gems to famous landmarks, it’s your chance to explore, discover, and time travel without spending a penny.

I’ll be heading to a few events (you can bet I’ll be getting some genealogy tips along the way!) – will you?

Homepage Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

Love this! Very pertinent to my genealogy story 🥰🥰

The Day Genealogy Went Digital 👉 https://mailchi.mp/genealogybargains.com/12august2025-2 💻✨ August 12, 1981 — the day a beige box called the IBM PC changed family history research forever.📜 From microfilm to megabytes, here’s how it revolutionized our roots.

Yesterday’s wander through Clitheroe reminded me of one of England’s most famous witch trials – the 1612 Pendle witch story.
Twelve locals were accused of witchcraft, their fates sealed by fear, superstition, and the tense climate of the time. Four centuries later, the legend still clings to Lancashire’s hills and villages.
The primary record of these events is The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster (1613), a firsthand account that remains the best source for exploring this chilling chapter of history.
For anyone tracing their roots in Lancashire, these tales may hold surprising connections to your own family story, particularly if you have the surname Demdike, Device, Chattox, Nutter, Bulcock, or Redferne
What mysterious stories have you uncovered in your ancestry?