Helen Brooks

My younger daughter went to Exeter and loved it. About as far away from any ancestors of mine as you could get, though. It never occurred to me to subtly suggest that Hull or York would be good options 🤣

Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a good day 🙂

How lovely! Looks like you had good weather, too. I'd love to live near the seaside!

It's been fun, Steve - but I must go and didgeridoo something useful...

Are you a bit short of brass, Steve?

Im sure you could pull a few strings...

I like a thread that includes all the bells and whistles

Do you need to drum up some help with that?

What a privilege to have taken part in this fine podcast series! Can't wait for Series 10 now 🙂

Sounds like an excellent morning all round 🙂

I know, Steve, you don't need to harp on about it!

Congratulations!

It really does! Hadn't thought of publishing. There's a lot more to research, anyway

He only wrote this one as far as I know, and the regular, daily entries stop at April 12th when he joined the RAF, although there are other notes and lists of names, addresses and phone numbers in later pages. I grew up not far from the town where he was living, so know all the streets mentioned.

Pocket diary from 1940

Entry from 1940 diary

Entry from 1940 diary - RAF LIFE BEGINS !

I've been transcribing this recently acquired diary written by an #EastYorkshire ancestor of my husband's.
It's been very interesting and raised many questions! Lots more to discover, although it is diverting me away from my main project!

Pages of diary from 1940 with magnifier

Well, this has kept me entertained over a wet and windy weekend! Needed my little magnifier on a few occasions! #familyhistory

Diary from 1940

Diary entry for 11 April 1940

Diary entry for 12 April 1940

This arrived in the post today, sent by one of my husband's relatives. Lots of names and addresses and interesting entries to investigate. Going to keep me busy for a bit! #FamilyHistory

1940 diary

Diary entry for 11 April 1940

Diary entry for 12 April 1940

Exciting post this morning! Lots in here to keep me busy for quite a while! #familyhistory

I remember watching this when I was little - fairly sure Frank Muir used to smoke a pipe, too!

Younger daughter went to Exeter. Hope Mr H has plenty of energy for that one - the campus is at the top of a hill known as 'Cardiac Hill' 🤣

Couldn't agree more! So many lovely family historians sharing their knowledge

Red and black 18th century horse-drawn mail coach

In case anyone is unfamiliar with the concept of handwritten letters in the post, may I recommend a visit to the excellent #PostalMuseum in London! Includes a ride on the tiny underground mail train - very exciting! - and lots more

Great, thanks!

Screenshot of apps for organising books read

Is it one of these, Kelly?

Sounds a brilliant weekend...apart from the ending! Hope all ok

Wow!

Can highly recommend both. We had a brilliant day and finished off with tea and cake at the Barbican!

No research today, instead a trip to London courtesy of elder daughter. My (belated) birthday present - a trip to a museum(s) of my choice and lunch. I chose the Postal Museum - with a ride on the underground mail train, then the London Archives 'London in the Second World War' exhibition.

Brilliant! 🤣

Crikey, she was busy - and all that travelling, too 😬