Ancestry PI

12/27/2025

Wow

12/14/2025

Capital and harsh punishment didn’t reduce crime. Reducing poverty did.

In December 1872, an eleven-year-old boy named Thomas Savage was sentenced at Wandsworth Prison, London, for the theft of a small amount of iron. His punishment was shockingly severe by modern standards—four days of hard labour followed by ten strokes of the birch cane. At such a young age, Thomas was subjected to both physical pain and the harsh realities of prison discipline, a reminder of the unforgiving nature of Victorian justice.

During this period, the justice system often treated children as miniature adults, with little consideration for their age or circumstances. Hard labour was intended to instill discipline, while corporal punishment was believed to deter future crime. For boys like Thomas, the birching was not just a physical ordeal but a humiliating experience carried out under strict prison authority. Such punishments reflected society’s stern approach to poverty, theft, and survival during the late 19th century.

Cases like Thomas Savage’s shed light on the harsh conditions endured by working-class children in Victorian London. Many were driven to petty crime by necessity, only to face punishments that today seem deeply disproportionate. His story is a sobering reminder of the struggles faced by poor families and the severity of the laws that governed their lives. Thanks to preservation and modern colourisation, his case remains a vivid illustration of the era’s unforgiving treatment of its most vulnerable.

12/14/2025

Royalty 🤴 Quite a story.

We could very well see this!

12/12/2025

🇮🇪

The United States has long been seen as a destination for those seeking opportunity, freedom, and refuge. From the 19th century onward, millions arrived from Europe, Asia, and Latin America, each wave reshaping the nation’s demographics. Immigration fueled industrial growth, built infrastructure, and diversified American society. While immigrants often faced prejudice and hardship, their labor and cultural contributions became essential to the country’s development.

Irish immigration began in colonial times but surged during the Great Famine (1845–1852), when potato crop failure devastated Ireland. Nearly two million Irish emigrated in a single decade, with the majority heading to the U.S.. By 1860, Irish immigrants made up a significant portion of the population in cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. They often worked in construction, factories, and as laborers, building canals, railroads, and urban infrastructure. Despite facing discrimination, particularly for being Catholic, the Irish established strong communities and gradually integrated into American political and social life.

Today, about 36–40 million Americans identify as having Irish ancestry, making Irish heritage one of the most commonly reported in the U.S.. The legacy of Irish immigration is visible in politics (with many Irish Americans rising to leadership roles), culture (St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Irish music, and literature), and demographics (high concentrations in the Northeast and Midwest). Irish immigration exemplifies how hardship and resilience abroad translated into lasting influence in America, shaping both its labor force and cultural identity.

12/07/2025

My tree!🌳. Other people’s so much more exciting.

12/05/2025

Find my past. Worth having at least a month’s subscription every now and then if you have English ancestors.

Who is the oldest person in your family tree? 🌳

Back in 1635, a man named Thomas Parr died at the age of 152. He claimed to have been born during the reign of Edward IV 😮

Allegedly born in 1482 or 1483, 'Old Tom Parr' caught the attention of the Earl of Arundel, who took him to London to meet King Charles I. He was treated as a spectacle, but the rich food he was served led to his death on 13 November 1635. The King had him buried in Westminster Abbey.

Start your own journey into the past. Your oldest ancestor could be waiting ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4q169eF

12/05/2025

I would love to spend some time mudlarking!

12/05/2025

Finding out more.

Thought to have died in ritual sacrifices, these “bog bodies” bridge archaeology and mystery. https://bbc.in/43N3qwT

12/04/2025

Might need this!

Classic 1851 Ireland historical map