Sarah Pettyfer

This week’s research focused on three distinct projects involving family genealogy and local history. The challenges ranged from tracing an elusive ancestor with ambiguous marital status to investigating a historical coaching inn's origins. Each project highlighted the importance of diverse methodol

A week of Wildlife, History & Adventure

With half term this week, little work has been done but the children and I packed our days with adventure, learning, fresh air, and just a little bit of time travel! Animals galore Our adventure began at Marwell Zoo, where excitement levels were high from…

One parchment at a time

This week, I have been engaged in writing about manorial records, exploring their depth regarding landholding and community life from medieval England to the twentieth century. The process includes transcription, translation, and interpretation, revealing the historical…

Battling with Census Returns

If you’ve ever traced a family through census records, you may have hit a confusing moment: the same household, the same street, but a different house number? Or the same house number and neighbours, but a completely different street name? Did the family move? Did the…

Brick Walls and Master Mariners

The author grapples with genealogy challenges uncovering details about their great-grandfathers. The search involves overcoming 'brick walls' such as mismatched records and common surnames. Significant discoveries include familial connections and tragic histories,…

Putney House History: A Converted Victorian Stable and Its Market Garden Past A Former Stable Hidden Among Victorian Houses in Putney This week, a house history project took me to a charming little converted Victorian stable in Putney, built in the late 1800s. Nestled among larger semi-detached Victorian homes, this small house has a fascinating past that reflects the transformation of Putney from open farmland to suburban London. The land on which the stable was built was originally part of Putney’s market gardens, documented in the Tithe Apportionment records of the 1840s.

Putney House History: A Converted Victorian Stable and Its Market Garden Past

A Former Stable Hidden Among Victorian Houses in Putney This week, a house history project took me to a charming little converted Victorian stable in Putney, built in the late 1800s. Nestled among larger semi-detached…

Deeds and Criminals! This week offered a unique mix of ongoing research, from exploring Victorian female criminals in Surrey for an upcoming talk to delving into 17th-century deeds for Harmondsworth. Additionally, projects continue on a medieval cottage in Cranleigh, believed to be the first cottage hospital, enhancing local historical understanding.

Deeds and Criminals!

This week offered a unique mix of ongoing research, from exploring Victorian female criminals in Surrey for an upcoming talk to delving into 17th-century deeds for Harmondsworth. Additionally, projects continue on a medieval cottage in Cranleigh, believed to be the first…

I'll be attending this on Saturday on behalf of @agragenealogy.bsky.social. Bring your queries.

Unearthing the Past

This blog discusses the interconnectedness of family, house, and historical research, emphasizing the importance of genealogy in understanding ancestry. It provides practical tips for researching family histories, examining house histories through public records and historical…

A new year, a new blog!

This blog is, in part, a New Year’s resolution. I’ve tried to start a blog more times than I care to admit. Each attempt began with enthusiasm, a few ideas sketched out...

a gold background with the words may this this year be filled with love and joy on it ALT: a gold background with the words may this this year be filled with love and joy on it

Hello 2026

Loving the review of my book in December's @wdytyamagazine ❤

Do you have ancestors from Surrey? Are you struggling to find records for them? My new book is for you! Tracing Your Surrey Ancestors published by @the_penandsword is out now from all good stockists

Thank you @sarahogenie.bsky.social

So this happened today. Seemed very strange signing copies of my first book 🤣🤩😍 @agragenealogy.bsky.social @regqualgenes.bsky.social @Surrey History Centre

Look what arrived today 🥳🥳🍾 @agragenealogy.bsky.social @regqualgenes.bsky.social @ihgs.bsky.social

Might interest some @agragenealogy.bsky.social and @regqualgenes.bsky.social members www.eventbrite.com/e/tudor-stua...

😊🥳

Tracing your Surrey Ancestors With its rich historical background, Surrey once included areas now part of London, adding layers of complexity to genealogical research. A comprehensive resource, Tracing Your…

Available now for pre-order 🍾😍😁 www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-your... @agragenealogy.bsky.social @regqualgenes.bsky.social @ihgs.bsky.social

Great work Sarah. Excellent to share the usefulness of these excellent records.

A fantastic article it is too Sarah!

Great to see my article about manorial records in the spring edition or the historian association magazine @agragenealogy.bsky.social @regqualgenes.bsky.social

I know I don't post much nowadays but thought this was enthusiastic posting...publication date fir first book confirmed as 31st July 🍾😍🥳 @agragenealogy.bsky.social @regqualgenes.bsky.social @surreyheritage

Great to announce my two interviews are now live #journeysintogenealogy @agragenealogy.bsky.social

I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the fiest half of SOG's Legal Records series. Looking forward to sitting back and listening to the rest 😍

❤ national trust second hand bookshops. Today's purchase. It's like a dictionary of history😍🤣

The National Archives to establish new hub for community-led research in the cultural heritage sector - The National Archives Staff working in galleries, libraries, archives and museums around the UK will soon be able to ask The National Archives for help funding community-led research projects, following a generous £1 milli...

Delighted to announce this grant at The National Archives in conjunction with the National Library of Wales and Leeds Museums & Galleries, and CAHG, which I am leading along with colleagues: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/news/t...

Wow, for anyone like me who loves legal records and courts this is a fantastic resource @agragenealogy.bsky.social @sogorg.bsky.social

The second in this series will be next Tuesday, 11th February when I have a whole 2 hours talking about the wonderful world of manorial records 😍 @agragenealogy.bsky.social

4 new talks (almost) written this month 😊 just need a trip to the archives to find examples of records for one of them to complete it 😍 @agragenealogy.bsky.social @sogorg.bsky.social