Actor, singer and dancer Layton Williams. Born in Bury, Layton starred in Billy Elliot the Musical on London's West End and BBC Three's Bad Education from 2012 to 2014 and in 2023, he appeared on the twenty-first season of Strictly Come Dancing. 

Reviews below - but SPOILER ALERT - don't read until you've watched the programme

The Genealogist 

 https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/who-do-you-think-you-are/layton-williams-8356/

Who Do You Think You Are magazine 

 https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/tv-series/layton-williams-who-do-you-think-you-are

Wall to Wall/ Stephen Perry via WDYTYA

 

 

 

 

EastEnders actor Ross Kemp discoveres his great grandfather's adventures in the Merchant Navy

Reviews below - but SPOILER ALERT - don't read until you've watched the programme

The Genealogist 

 https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/who-do-you-think-you-are/ross-kemp-8348/

Who Do You Think You Are magazine 

 https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/tv-series/ross-kemp-who-do-you-think-you-are

Wall to Wall/ Stephen Perry via WDYTYA

We will be at the Family History Show at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday [tomorrow, 3rd May] talking all things Cheshire Ancestry.

Drop by and sell hello,  we are always happy to meet members from near and far

Browse our bargain book box

Have a go at geting your name on our Leaderboard in our genealogical patience game, 'Branching Out'

Full detail of how to attend 👉 https://thefamilyhistoryshow.com/liverpool/

There is a special discount code on tickets for FHSC members, email me on  to find out more 

Happy May Day

 

1st of the month means my usual list of free online events.

As always the link below each event has more information and full registration details, Enjoy and do report back on anything that you attended.

Fri 2 May 2025 18:30 BST

‘Remembering Rebellion in the Tudor South West’, Online RHS Lecture

by Royal Historical Society

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/remembering-rebellion-in-the-tudor-south-west-online-rhs-lecture-tickets-1112873668099

 

Wed 7 May 2025 13:00 BST

VE Day 80: How we remember the Second World War

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register 👉  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ve-day-80-how-we-remember-the-second-world-war-hap-summer-seminar-tickets-1304185416689

 

Wed 7 May 2025 15:00 BST

Introduction to family history

by National Library of Scotland

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-family-history-tickets-910360571977

 

Wed 7 May 2025 19:30 BST

MI5 and 10 Downing Street: the first 100 year

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mi5-and-10-downing-street-the-first-100-years-tickets-1224779441279

 

Wed 21 May 2025 13:00 BST

Battlefield wills from the First World War, 1914-22

By Norfolk Record Office

Link with more details and to register 👉  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/battlefield-wills-from-the-first-world-war-1914-22-online-tickets-1249222571339

 

Wed 29 May 2025 18:00 BST

Hunger Strikes and Baby Units: Women and prison health

By Royal College of Nursing Library and Museum

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hunger-strikes-and-baby-units-women-and-prison-health-tickets-1290120237359

 

Events for the first week of June that might interest you

 

Wed 4 June 2025 19:00 BST

A Very Expensive Poison

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register 👉  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-very-expensive-poison-tickets-1224825699639

 

Wed 4 June 2025 19:00 BST

The Weavers' Uprising of 1826

by Bolton FHS

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-weavers-uprising-of-1826-tickets-1128881066659  

 

BBC news broadcaster Mishal Husain uncovered a wonderful story with some unexpected connections. 

Reviews below - but SPOILER ALERT - don't read until you've watched the programme

The Genealogist 

  https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/who-do-you-think-you-are/mishal-husain-8346/

Who Do You Think You Are magazine 

 https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/tv-series/mishal-husain-who-do-you-think-you-are

Wall to Wall/ Stephen Perry via WDYTYA

Series 22 opened with an interesting and emotional story with Andrew Garfield, best known for roles in Spider-Man, The Social Network, and Angels in America,

Reviews below - but SPOILER ALERT - don't read until you've watched the programme

The Genealogist 

  https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/who-do-you-think-you-are/andrew-garfield-8342/

Who Do You Think You Are magazine 

  https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/tv-series/andrew-garfield-episode-summary

Wall to Wall/ Stephen Perry via WDYTYA

Starting from the end of May, the current sub-groups of the Computer Club are being opened to the whole FHSC Membership as discussion groups. Additionally, we are launching our new 'Zooming in on Family History' chat session.

These groups are designed to allow members to chat about various topics with other members, building on the success of both the Computer Club and Research Buddies.

'Zooming in on Family History' – is a wide-ranging session whereby members can come along for help with their research, share success stories or just generally meet other members and chat about family history.

The theme of the Discussion groups, the current group leader and the meeting dates are:

If you are interested in being part of any of the groups, then initially email Margaret Roberts – to be put in touch with the Discussion Group Leader and added to the mailing list for that group.

Subscribe and save up to 50%

Offer from FindMyPast - expires on 22nd April

Link to find out more 👉 https://www.findmypast.co.uk/

Watch the T&Cs

Don’t miss free access to millions of family history records of Brits in the Second World War

Findmypast is offering free access to the 1939 Register for VE Day

Find out more   https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/news/free-access-1939-register-findmypast-ve-day

Watch the T&Cs 

1st of the month means my usual list of free online events.

As always the link below each event has more information and full registration details, Enjoy and do report back on anything that you attended.

 

Sat 12 April 2025 14:00 BST

Oldham's Coal Mines an illustrated presentation, given by Kelly Anderson

by Bolton FHS

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mlfhs-oldham-district-branch-monthly-meeting-and-talk-tickets-1295884197519

 

Wed 16 April 2025 19:30 BST

The Many Lives of Anthony Blunt

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-many-lives-of-anthony-blunt-tickets-1224727054589

 

Wed 23 April 2025 19:30 BST

Writing on the Wall: Graffiti and Rebellion in Eighteenth Century Britain

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-on-the-wall-graffiti-and-rebellion-in-eighteenth-century-britain-tickets-1224752219859

 

Wed 30 April 2025 13:00 BST

Once visited never forgotten: St Andrew's Asylum/ Hospital

By Norfolk Record Office

Link with more details and to register 👉  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/once-visited-never-forgotten-st-andrews-asylum-hospital-online-tickets-1254305444349

 

Events for the first week of May that might interest you

 

Fri 2 May 2025 18:30 BST

‘Remembering Rebellion in the Tudor South West’, Online RHS Lecture

by Royal Historical Society

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/remembering-rebellion-in-the-tudor-south-west-online-rhs-lecture-tickets-1112873668099

 

Wed 7 May 2025 15:00 BST

Introduction to family history

by National Library of Scotland

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-family-history-tickets-910360571977

 

Wed 7 May 2025 19:30 BST

MI5 and 10 Downing Street: the first 100 year

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mi5-and-10-downing-street-the-first-100-years-tickets-1224779441279

 

FHAC will be at the ‘Mini Family History Fair’ on Friday 25 April 2025 at Holiday Inn Lime Street Liverpool

The Fair will run from 1:30 pm to 5 pm and is free to attend 

Full details in the flyer above

The BBC has announced the celebrities who will discover their family history on Who Do You Think You Are? 2025

Spider-man actor - Andrew Garfield

Pop star and actor - Will Young

Actor, best known for his role in Eastenders - Ross Kemp,

Actor and comedian - Diane Morgan

Journalist and Today programme presenter - Mishal Husain,

Comedian and actor - Aisling Bea

Best-known for serving as the Maître d' on First Dates - Fred Sirieix

Actor, singer and Strictly Come Dancing contestant - Layton Williams

AND for once I know them all without having to Google anyone!

Link for full details 👉https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/tv-series/who-do-you-think-you-are-2025

 1st of the month means my usual list of free online events.

As always the link below each event has more information and full registration details, Enjoy and do report back on anything that you attended.

 

Wed 5 Mar 2025 19:30 GMT

𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤

by Bolton FHS

Link with more details and to register https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/donald-higson-boltons-hero-of-telemark-tickets-1128828609759

 

Wed 5 Mar 2025 19:30 GMT

𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞: 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬?

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eleanor-of-castile-queen-of-hearts-tickets-1088673213889 

 

Sat 8 Mar 2025 10:00 GMT

𝐈𝐖𝐃𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧: 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤

by Alfred Gillett Trust home of Shoemakers Museum

Link with more details and to register   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/iwd2025-forgotten-women-women-at-work-tickets-1234954665649

 

Thu 13 Mar 2025 17:00 GMT

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬

by Family Movie Story Books

Link with more details and to register   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/publishing-family-history-books-tickets-1234941375899

 

Wed 19 Mar 2025 15:00 GMT

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

by National Library of Scotland

Link with more details and to register   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-family-history-tickets-910360571977

 

Wed 19 Mar 2025 17:00 GMT

𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫

by Anna Maguire

Link with more details and to register  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/migration-history-seminar-2024-25-tickets-1118677988979

 

Wed 26 Feb 2025 14:00 GMT

𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞

by National Library of Scotland

Link with more details and to register  

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/navigating-the-maps-website-tickets-884044299297

This month the topic is Nantwich

Please come along to our virtual helpdesk at 2pm on Saturday 22nd 

Do you have ancestors in the town, or are you researching a local family and want some help, perhaps on the other hand you live in the locality and could offer help with photographing gravestones or buildings. This is the chance for members to help each other, I'm sure there are many members out there with knowledge of the area that they could share

Register ro receive the zoom link on Saturday morning 👉 https://www.fhsc.org.uk/events/research-buddies/228-research-buddies-nantwich.html

 

 1st of the month means my usual list of free online events.

As always the link below each event has more information and full registration details, Enjoy and do report back on anything that you attended.

Legacy Family Tree Webinars

List of events for early 2025

Link with more details and to register 👉  https://familytreewebinars.com/upcoming-webinars

 

Wed 5 Feb 2025 13:00 GMT

From Finbarr to Beauford, the making of Cork City by Howard Clarke

by LAI Genealogy and Local Studies Group

Link with more details and to register 👉  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-finbarr-to-beauford-the-making-of-cork-city-by-howard-clarke-tickets-12034841464799

 

Wed 5 Feb 2025 17:30 GMT

Manchester, Bolton and Lancashire Portraits with Brian Groom

by Bolton FHS

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manchester-bolton-and-lancashire-portraits-tickets-1128823594759

 

Fri 7 Feb 2025 18:00 GMT

'Dangerous Journeys: Framing women’s movement in the medieval world'

by Royal Historical Society

Link with more details and to register 👉  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/onlinedangerous-journeys-framing-womens-movement-in-the-medieval-world-tickets-1118707587509

 

Sat 8 Feb 2025 14:00 GMT

Buried Secrets: Looking for Frank and Ida

by Oldham& District Branch of MLFHS

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buried-secrets-looking-for-frank-and-ida-an-illustrated-presentation-tickets-1134550895269

 

Wed 12 Feb 2025 19:30 GMT

Republic: Britain’s Revolutionary Decade, 1649–1660

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/republic-britains-revolutionary-decade-16491660-tickets-1088578941919

 

Fri 14 Feb 2025 14:00 GMT

The Chevalier d’Eon in the English Law Courts

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-chevalier-deon-in-the-english-law-courts-tickets-1088590516539

 

Tue 18 Feb 2025 13:00 GMT

How have world events and legislation changed women's policing?

by LSE Library

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-have-world-events-and-legislation-changed-womens-policing-tickets-1110099681029

 

Wed 19 Feb 2025 15:00 GMT

Introduction to family history

by National Library of Scotland

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-family-history-tickets-910360571977

 

Tue 25 Feb 2025 15:00 GMT

Researching gender & sexuality

by National Library of Scotland

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/researching-gender-sexuality-tickets-893733981397

 

Wed 26 Feb 2025 19:30 GMT

The story of Europe's medieval Jewish communities

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-story-of-europes-medieval-jewish-communities-tickets-1088667938109

 

Fri 28 Feb 2025 14:00 GMT

A constitutional monarchy? Magna Carta in the 13th century

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-constitutional-monarchy-magna-carta-in-the-13th-century-tickets-1088670014319

 

 

Advanced notice of talks taking place early in March 2025 that may interest members:

 

Wed 5 Mar 2025 19:30 GMT

Donald Higson, Bolton's Hero of Telemark

by Bolton FHS

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/donald-higson-boltons-hero-of-telemark-tickets-1128828609759

 

Wed 5 Feb 2025 19:30 GMT

Eleanor of Castile: Queen of Hearts?

by National Archives (Free to attend but donation suggested)

Link with more details and to register 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eleanor-of-castile-queen-of-hearts-tickets-1088673213889

 

News from Cheshire Archives - 

We were delighted to see that our construction contractor, Kier, started work on site in Chester in November and in January started work at Crewe. We held a drop-in session in November for residents at Hoole Community Centre to share information about what’s coming and to answer questions they had.

We are holding a drop-in at Crewe Market on Thursday 20 February, from 11am to 1pm. Some of the team will be there, together with Kier, to talk to people about the new centre in Crewe and its construction.

Currently we are expecting the new centres to be open in the middle of 2026. We will continue to keep you updated through this newsletter.

Our photograph shows the Crewe site as construction begins.