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In the last 315 years, up to 10 million people have left their homes in Ireland to start a new life overseas. Thanks to this diaspora the festival day of Ireland’s foremost patron saint, St Patrick, is now a global celebration enjoyed by millions of people all over the world.

Exploring our millions of records is a fascinating way of tracing your family history generations into the past. Where records and transcripts can often fall short, however, is providing the historical context the gives you a feel for the world in which your ancestors lived. 

This December marks the 100th anniversary of the famous 1914 Christmas truce, when British, French and German troops disobeyed orders and met in no man’s land to exchange gifts and other gestures of seasonal good will.  

At 05.10 on the morning of November 11th 1918, a German delegation led by Matthias Erzberger signed the terms of the Armistice under the watchful eyes of British and French officials.  

Every month, Genes Reunited chooses a family photo sent in by our customers to be examined by dress-historian, portrait specialist and photo detective Jayne Shrimpton. This month’s family photo was a lovely image of a group of very smartly dressed Victorian young ladies on a hill walking trip in the Lake District. 

Using Genes Reunited’s collection of historic newspapers, we take a l ...