Embark on a voyage through time with BAFTA-winning producer Juliet Charlesworth, as she pieces together the intriguing puzzle of her family's legacy. In the company of this British drama powerhouse, we venture into the posh origins and humble beginnings of the Reeves Charlesworth line, unearthing a narrative rich with heartwarming connections to the past. The saga continues with the industrious tale of Reeves Charlesworth Limited, a company that laid bricks and built futures since 1895. The...

Join Dr Michala Hulme as she unpicks the extraordinary life of Liam "The Hitman" Harrison, the eminent eight-time Thai boxing world champion. His vibrant narrative captures a transformation from the football fields of his youth to the Muay Thai rings, where he clinched his global icon status. Liam opens up about his rise to the pinnacle of UK fighters, his storied international bouts, and how he's now pioneering the future of combat sports with his innovative coaching strategies and the...

Discover the unforeseen twists and turns hidden within John May's family tree as the beloved comedian and actor sits down with us to share his extraordinary lineage. Tales of heroism and scandal unfold, as we find ourselves captivated by the stark contrasts of the past, from a man who couldn't swim yet saved a child to the complicated life of John's great-grandmother, Elizabeth.  John's authentic reflections transport us back in time, and we uncover the heartrending loss of Henry Dowdall...

Imagine tracing your roots and finding a connection to a music hall legend from the early 20th century and a link to Jack the Ripper! That's the remarkable journey we embark upon with our guest, makeup artist sensation and influencer Mitchell Halliday. Accompanied by his mum, Jacque, together, we discover the enchanting history behind Mitchell's great-great-grandfather, Edgar Percy Halliday, and the legacy of artistic spirit that thrives in their family. Michala reveals new information...

When life throws you a curveball, sometimes all you have is your strength and resilience to see you through. Welcome, genealogy enthusiasts, to another episode of "Unearth the Past."  Today, we have the privilege of delving into the life of Kerry Kayes – a former bodybuilding champion, award-winning business owner, accomplished strength and conditioning coach, and renowned nutritionist. This is the story of a man whose life embodies the sheer power of the human spirit, from his early days...

When my friend Ian first told me about his quest to discover his birth parents, it struck a chord within me. As we sat down to record this episode, I knew we were about to embark on a narrative that would resonate with many. Ian's story unfolds from a childhood filled with unanswered questions. He candidly recounts the moment at twelve years old when he stumbled upon his adoption papers, setting in motion a lifelong journey of self-discovery that would challenge and fulfil him in ways he...

As I sat down with Vinny Shoreman, it became quickly apparent that his journey from a Manchester youth indifferent to football to a revered Mind Coach and Thai Boxing commentator was no ordinary tale. The Shoreman family story deeply intertwined with the city's sporting heritage, unfurls in our latest episode, bringing to light a legacy of perseverance through struggles like domestic violence and alcoholism. Vinny's candid reflections on his upbringing, without traditional guidance, and how...

This week, Michala is joined by TV presenter Matty White. In this emotional episode, we delve into the details behind Matty's family history and use DNA to tell him more about his ancestors and how they lived. It's an intimate voyage into identity, family secrets, and the threads that weave together the past and present. As we unearth the emotional narrative of learning about his family history, we see Matty answer some long held questions about who he is, and where he comes from. Get...

Ever felt like life has dealt you a bad hand, and there's no coming back from it? Well, Michala's guest for today, boxing legend Martin Murray – former British and Commonwealth Middleweight Champion – is the embodiment of the saying, 'Where there's a will, there's a way.' Martin takes us through his tumultuous past, from a tough upbringing and prison stints to finding salvation in boxing. His story is a testament to resilience and transformation and how every experience serves a purpose in...

What if the stories of your ancestors could reveal unexpected truths and reshape your understanding of family? Join Dr Michala Hulme for a captivating conversation with genealogist Daniel Loftus. Their journey begins with the roots of genealogy, as Daniel shares his personal experience of navigating through the intricate branches of his family tree, piecing together dates and facts that reveal fascinating family stories. As Michala and Daniel navigate through the history of Ireland's mother...

Unearth the secrets of your past as we invite you to join our riveting conversation with Genealogy Jude, a passionate family history detective. Michala and Jude take you on a journey into the world of genealogy, enveloped in Jude's captivating tales of exploring old graveyards and discovering hidden records. We throw light on the revolutionary changes technology has brought to genealogy research, but don't forget to remind you of the irreplaceable value of stepping into archives and...

WE ARE BACK WITH SEASON 2!!! Yes, Michala is back with your favourite family history podcast, and we are kicking off with a bang! Dream of uncovering your family's hidden past? Join us in a captivating conversation with genealogy enthusiast Jonny Perl, the founder of the brilliant DNA Painter website, whose quest for family history was kindled by his mother's tales of her ancestors. Ever wondered how DNA testing can help unearth your roots? We dive into the intriguing world of DNA...

Are you curious about your ancestors and their stories? Would you be surprised if your past held secrets you never imagined? Join me, Michala and my guest, Paul McNeil, as we uncover hidden truths from our pasts and learn that things aren't always as they appear. We share eerie tales of our personal experiences, including a chilling story of a piano playing by itself, possibly a sign from the beyond. The journey to the past can be challenging but rewarding. In our quest to unravel our roots,...

Ready to unearth the secrets behind your home's history? Join me, Dr. Michala Hulme, and my cherished guest, Melanie Backe-Hansen, a revered house historian, as we journey through the captivating world of house histories. Together, we discover the intricate links that bind family history, local history, and house history, highlighting the significance of understanding your home's past. At the same time, Mel unravels her personal journey into the realm of house histories, while imparting...

Excitement ripples through every word when our special guest, Dr Nick Barratt, an esteemed genealogist and medieval historian, known for TV shows such as Who Do You Think You Are?, weaves tales of his intriguing journey into the world of genealogy. Unravelling family mysteries, Nick's fascinating discoveries about his own lineage are a testament not only to the power of DNA in genealogical research but also to our shared human curiosity about our roots. From unearthing his great-uncle's...

Prepare to be captivated as Michala embarks on a journey into the often-overlooked world of newspapers in genealogy research. She's joined by the brilliant Rose Staveley-Wadham from the British Newspaper Archive, who shares her wealth of knowledge on how to unlock the secrets hidden in old newspapers and breathe life into your family tree. From court reports to gossip columns, every page is a treasure trove of information just waiting to be unearthed. Intriguing stories from the past land...

Have you ever found an old, faded photograph of an ancestor and wished you could breathe new life into it? Imagine turning monochromatic memories into vivid visuals or even catalyzing static pictures into dynamic avatars. In this engaging episode, we take a deep dive into the world of MyHeritage, an innovative platform that can transform your understanding of family history. We not only explore its captivating features like photo colorisation, image enhancement, and avatar creation but also...

Are your ancestors whispering secrets from the 19th century, waiting for you to discover them? Embark on a thrilling journey with me, Dr Michala Hulme as we unearth these enigmas etched in death and burial records. Together, we'll decode the cryptic handwriting on pre-1812 records and navigate the Civil Registration Index, a treasure trove waiting to be explored. The 19th century was a time of trials and tribulations, its harsh realities reflected in child mortality rates. Urban areas...

Welcome back, fellow history enthusiasts, to another captivating journey through the mystifying remnants of our ancestral past. This time, we traipse down the darker alleys of history, unearthing tales of mischief, misdeeds, and the evolution of the criminal justice system from the 18th to the 20th century. Joining Michala on this thrilling expedition is Paul McNeil, lending his expertise to shed light on the shadowy corners of our genealogical archives. From the audacious 1860's femme...

Get ready to step into the time machine with me, Michala, and our esteemed guest, Peter Higginbotham, also known as "Mr Workhouse". We're geared up to take you on a fascinating exploration of the history and evolution of workhouses in the UK. Join us as we unravel how this historical shift led to the Poor Relief Act of 1601, the Workhouse Test Act of 1720, and the boom of parish workhouses in the 1700s. We'll then take a deep breath and plunge into the 19th-century workhouse system....

Get ready for an enlightening journey into the world of genealogy, as Michala and Paul McNeil uncover the critical role of the UK census in tracing family history. They will give you a behind-the-scenes peek at how these in-depth records, dating from as early as 1801, have reshaped our understanding of the past. The watershed moment, of course, was the 1841 census which became a key reference point, providing never-before-seen insights like address and occupation all in one record. Also,...

Are you ready for a journey into the past? Don't just expect to find dates and names, as your family tree can unravel captivating tales and intriguing mysteries. This week, Michala had the pleasure of chatting with Ancestry's Crista Cowan, also known as the Barefoot Genealogist. The pair guide you through the process of building your family tree on Ancestry and show you how to unlock the stories that make your family uniquely yours. You'll learn how a simple birth certificate can spark a...

Have you ever hit a brick wall in your family history research, only to discover a treasure trove of new information just waiting to be uncovered? Join Dr Michala Hulme in this fascinating episode as she chats with Mary McKee, Head of Digitisation and Content Publishing at Find My Past, who shares her insights on the user-friendly interface, getting accurate search results, and the constantly growing genealogy records available on their platform. Learn about the project with the Greater...

Have you ever wanted to dig deeper into your family history and uncover hidden stories? Join Dr Michala Hulme and genealogy expert Paul McNeill, as they share their favourite lesser-known websites to help you uncover your ancestors' fascinating tales and the places they called home. The pair discuss gems like British History Online to create a sense of place and the National Library of Scotland maps to chart how an area changed over time, giving insight into our ancestors' mobility and...