Issue 45 Cover

Discover Your Ancestors

Issue 045

Issue 45 Cover

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Happy New Year, and welcome to the January issue of Discover Your Ancestors Periodical, once again bringing you a rich and interesting mixture of family and social history.

This month we mark the centenary of the Silvertown munitions factory explosion in London, which highlights the perilous world of munitions workers, many of whom were women. We have a double dose of the article’s author, Sharon Brookshaw, in fact, with her fascinating piece on the history of depression, which seems apt enough in the dark days of winter.

Offering a beam of light, however, is the fabulous news that our sixth annual printed edition is now available to buy, and will give you plenty to read on those winter nights by the fire. You can pick up Issue 6 – crammed with more than 30 new features, and some amazing offers on the cover DVD – online via discoveryourancestors.co.uk or www.genealogysupplies.com, and look out for it in newsagents from next month. Meanwhile, enjoy this issue! Andrew Chapman, Editor.

Articles

London's Burning

London's Burning

This month – on 19 January – sees the centenary of the biggest explosion London has ever experienced. It was reported at the time that the shockwaves could be felt in Essex and heard as far away as Southampton, Kent and Norwich, while witnesses spoke of a “huge fountain of flame" reaching into the night sky. While London had experienced aerial bombardment from zeppelins since 1915, what happened in Silvertown dwarfed the scale of the bombs that had been dropped on the city.

Teh man who built Parliament

Teh man who built Parliament

From relatively humble beginnings, Charles Barry rose to be counted among England’s greatest architects, being responsible for one of Britain’s most iconic buildings, the Houses of Parliament.

The man who built Parliament

The man who built Parliament

From relatively humble beginnings, Charles Barry rose to be counted among England’s greatest architects, being responsible for one of Britain’s most iconic buildings, the Houses of Parliament.

The myth of the Mayflower

The myth of the Mayflower

The English city of Plymouth has become synonymous with the Pilgrim Fathers who are said to have sailed from there in 1620, headed for the New World, where they set up a colony and named it after the Devon town they had left behind.

Fears and despondencies'

Fears and despondencies'

Depression can sometimes feel like a very modern affliction, but it something that has always been with us. The reported rate of depression varies, with lifetime risk of having a depressive episode ranging from 3% in Japan to 17% in the United States, but falling into the 8-12% range for most countries. Unlike many other diseases, depression has been recognised and described for over 2000 years. Current treatments are usually a mixture of pharmacological and psychological therapies, and Western society’s attitudes to the illness are generally becoming more open, accepting and sympathetic. But what of our ancestors – how might their experiences of depression have been different and what treatments could they have been offered?

News for January 2017

News for January 2017

Leading family history publisher S&N Genealogy Supplies has just released TreeView 2, the next version of the firm’s popular family history software package specially designed for UK family historians.

History in the details: Jackets

History in the details: Jackets

The jacket probably originated with the late-medieval jerkin, a fitted or looser buttoned and belted thigh-length garment worn by working men. Short waist-length jackets without the cumbersome skirts or tails of formal coats became common occupational garments and were worn during the 1700s and early-1800s by some land workers, fishermen and all labourers needing freedom of movement. During the 1850s easy-fitting jackets and other semi-casual clothes entered regular menswear, reflecting the increase in leisure time, holidays and sports. By 1860 the thigh-length ‘lounging jacket’ was popular, a loose garment with useful outside pockets, often teamed with contrasting trousers. By the 1870s lounge jackets were becoming more tailored, often matching the trousers and now a component of the Victorian three-piece suit. Initially favoured by working men for ‘Sunday best’ and special occasions, over time the suit comprising jacket, waistcoat and trousers gained wider acceptance, offering businessmen and gentlemen a relatively informal weekend alternative to smarter dress coats.

Place in focus - Cornwall

Place in focus - Cornwall

In the early days of its history, Cornwall’s geographical position – a peninsula reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean – put it firmly on the ancient maritime trading routes, and it enjoyed a special place in the history of Britain as a centre of trade. The fact that it was surrounded by sea also predestined fishing to become one of the major industries of the region.

Books for January 2017

Books for January 2017

This book, a continuation of volumes one and two, completes the study of more than a hundred British regiments all of whom played more than important roles in world history. In testing times, on foreign adventures victorious, glorious and sometimes disastrous, they have helped shape the history of the British Isles. In this third volume 34 regiments are featured – their battle honours, badges and most famous sons – including the stories of the heroic actions of their Victoria Cross holders. Each regiment’s section includes artworks and photographs illustrating insignia, uniforms and soldiers in action down through the centuries. While the tales of courage and loss are in themselves enthralling, Dorian Bond also divulges many interesting facts about these unique bodies of men.

Additional Information

Other Formats

You can buy a printed version of the annual Discover Your Ancestors bookazine directly from the publishers, please see www.discoveryourancestors.co.uk and click on ‘Order print copies’ at the bottom.

Editorial Office

Discover Your Ancestors Publishing,

PO BOX 163,

Shaftesbury,

SP7 7BA

E: [email protected]

W: www.discoveryourancestors.co.uk

Discover Your Ancestors – The Family History Show

The Family History Show, York!

Saturday 22nd June 2024
10:00 –16:00 (GMT)

Put your research questions to an expert, watch a talk, speak to a local society, archive or genealogical supplier.

Free talks all day, held in a large lecture hall.
Free Experts on hand to help with your queries.
Many family history societies, archives and companies will be attending from all over the country.

Special Offer! Buy tickets for £8.00 (£12.00 on the day)

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Discover Your Ancestors Periodical is published by Discover Your Ancestors Publishing, UK. All rights in the material belong to Discover Your Ancestors Publishing and may not be reproduced, whether in whole or in part, without their prior written consent. The publisher makes every effort to ensure the magazine's contents are correct. All articles are copyright© of Discover Your Ancestors Publishing and unauthorised reproduction is forbidden. Please refer to full Terms and Conditions at www.discoveryourancestors.co.uk. The editors and publishers of this publication give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any goods or services advertised.