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Funny where life takes you…

Stories from beyond the family trees

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Category: Continental Europe

Cracking a 19th Century Cross-Written Letter

A tantalising find in an online archive reveals a family conversation hidden in plain sight for nearly 200 years

Natalie Mayhew Childhood & Family Life, Continental Europe, 🌐 Migration & Emigration, 🔍 Mysteries & Brick Walls June 16, 2026June 23, 2026 18 Minutes

The Brevoort Family Commonplace Book

Wooden desk in a vintage study with books, quill, handwritten papers, and candle

A beautifully illustrated 1837 commonplace book kept by the Brevoort children reveals their distinct personalities, youthful ambitions, and family tragedies

Natalie Mayhew Americas, Childhood & Family Life, Continental Europe, 🌐 Migration & Emigration June 6, 2026June 23, 2026 9 Minutes

Understanding PTSD Through Ted Mayhew’s Story

A FamilyHistories podcast explores Ted Mayhew's experiences as a POW and the lasting effects of trauma, featuring insights from Prof. Walter Busuttil on veterans' mental health

Natalie Mayhew Continental Europe, Health, Medicine & Mental Health, Second World War March 20, 2026June 23, 2026 1 Minute

Funny Where Life Took Them
Some of the surnames on this site — click one to find stories behind it

Bailey Baker Banfield Banfield aka Wackrill Barrett Baynes Booth Bovill Bowes-Lyon Brevoort Bristow Brock Carson Chaldecott Collingwood Conway-Gordon Coolidge Cooper Cotton Courtauld Daley Dibben Dowman Down Earle Finch Fitzgerald Gordon Hall Harvey Hill Irving Kirby Krug Lane? Levens Mayhew Mayo Napier Obee Payne Poulton Rose Saumarez Sheldrake Todd Twohey Wackrill Whetten

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