FAMILY HISTORY –
Talk 1) MAKING A START. Aimed at people not familiar with family history but who may take an interest after my talk. Or, those who are interested but don’t know where to start.
Talk 2) MORE THAN JUST A LIST OF NAMES AND DATES. Aimed at those who have already started their family history, and would like to put flesh on the bones of their ancestors.
NB. Both talks can be condensed as one talk for a mixed audience.
Talk 3) FASCINATING FAMILY HISTORY. Anecdotes and stories of interesting discoveries found during the speaker’s own research.
Talk 4) A FAMILY HISTORY BOOK. How to write your family history for the future generations.
STORIES GRANDDAD TOLD – Based on his memories of the people and places around the small village he grew up in prior to WW1. Although set in the Cannock Chase area they apply to any village at that time so can be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in that period and the country way of life at that time.
MY FATHER, POW – Not an heroic story of escape, but the story of the day-to-day life of a private captured on his way to Dunkirk.
MURDERS MOST FOUL – A collection of true stories from the 19th century. I try to keep them as local as possible.
ROGUES, VILLAINS & THIEVES – A collection of stories of bank robbers, train robbers and poachers etc. from the 19th century to compliment the above talk – for those who think murder may be a bit too gruesome. I try to keep them as local as possible.
BIRMINGHAM, ITS HISTORY & ITS PEOPLE – Extracts and descriptions from various books and newspapers written between the 1700’s and the 1900’s. To compliment my book – A Brummie in the Family.
WORCESTERSHIRE, FROM ROMANS TO VICTORIANS – A condensed history of Worcestershire to compliment my book – The Little History of Worcestershire.
LAVINIA, PRINCESS OR FAKE? – The story of Lavinia Ryves who tried to prove in the 1860’s, through documents in her possession, that she was the granddaughter of the Duke of Cumberland, brother of George III, and therefore entitled to a title and an inheritance.
DIARY OF WILLIAM LEA – William Lea was vicar at St Peter’s Droitwich from 1848-1882. His diary gives detailed accounts of local, national and international events, so of interest to anyone who likes hearing of history as it happened and the views of one individual.
WORLD WAR 1 – Two different talks.
Talk 1) Stories from the Front taken from The War Illustrated
Talk 2) Dear Mother, A WW1 Tragedy. Letters between a mother and son in 1918. A warning needs to be given as the latter part of this talk is quite a sad account.
READ ALL ABOUT IT – Newspaper pieces from the late 1700’s to the early 1900
DR WILMORE’S REVENGE – A Victorian short story taken from a local newspaper of the 1880’s. But is it true or false?
NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES –
Talk 1) FAMILY STORIES. Using old newspapers and archival documents the history of the families at Hanbury Hall, Coughton Court and Charlecote Park are told. These are three separate talks.
Another single talk combines the stories of Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House.
There are also three similar talks for Calke Abbey, Kedleston Hall and Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire.
Talk 2) A WEEKEND AWAY. Descriptions of properties around the country worth a visit if you are staying in the area.
FACT STRANGER THAN FICTION – Aimed at writers this talk shows how pieces can be taken from archival newspapers and documents and turned into historic fiction. How descriptive reports can help authentically set a scene for the period. This talk can be shortened to include a workshop.