History Archives - Vicky Adin Author

I’ve Never Been to Bristol: The Research Journey Behind Sarah’s Destiny

Vicky Adin — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:30:00 +0000

I have never been to Bristol. Yet I have wandered its streets, found its lost pubs, traced its floating harbour, and followed a Victorian woman through sixty years of her life there. That’s what genealogy research does to you. I’d stepped sideways in the hope of finding a link for my third and fourth great-grandparents...

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Five Minute History: The Real Sarah of Victorian Bristol — Murder, Marriage and the Welsh Back

Vicky Adin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 03:01:11 +0000

She gave birth to eight children, had two husbands, was a witness at a murder trial, and held a victualler’s licence in her own name. This is the real Sarah — and she lived on the Welsh Back in Victorian Bristol. Sarah’s Destiny opens in 1851. At that time, Bristol was already a progressive and...

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Who dominated the headlines in Sarah’s Destiny in 1852

Vicky Adin — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 18:34:00 +0000

Continuing the theme of my previous blogs on historical research for my current novel, I discovered that 1852 was a quite a significant year. Did you know that Arthur Wellesley (né Wesley) was twice Prime Minister of England and was given a state funeral at the insistence of Queen Victoria? Do you know who he...

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When research inspires a new chapter

Vicky Adin — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 22:26:32 +0000

I’d reached the point in Sarah’s story that required a bit of historical background. As usual, I became distracted and ended up running down rabbit holes checking out details that may or may not end up in the final novel. Typical really. But that’s the way things run in my brain. Until I came across...

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Family History: Why Genealogy Matters to everyone

Vicky Adin — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 01:42:48 +0000

It doesn’t matter when we celebrate, only that we do. Genealogy is all about family: discovering your ethnic branch, your indigenous roots, your European connections and the names of your ancestors. Family is what ties people together. If you don’t like secrets, those surprise ooh and ahh moments, then family history probably isn’t for you,...

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130 Years of Women’s Suffrage in New Zealand: What It Meant Then and Now

Vicky Adin — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 23:59:41 +0000

Women today have much to be grateful for, thanks to the endeavours of women like Kate Sheppard who led the New Zealand Suffrage movement, and Amey Daldy, a major character in Lucy, book 3 of The Art of Secrets series who co-ordinated the women of Auckland. Without these women standing up for their rights, women...

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Strange Victorian Job Titles: What Did Your Ancestors Actually Do for a Living?

Vicky Adin — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 19:30:00 +0000

In my previous blogs I’ve mostly talked about the women. They are the stalwarts of the time: staunch, loyal and committed. But let’s talk about some of the occupations their menfolk undertook to feed the household. Do you know what a cordwainer was? It’s similar to a snobscat. Or a cooper, or bodger? No…? Here’s...

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Remarkable Victorian Women: The Unsung Lives Behind the History Books

Vicky Adin — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 07:30:00 +0000

This week, let me introduce you to Harriet. Every time I follow the life story of Victorian women I am amazed at their stamina and adaptability. Only seven years younger than Queen Victoria, Harriet knew little about the reign of Kings George IV or that of William IV and lived her life knowing only Victorian’s...

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Mystery Ancestors: How Unidentified Family Photos Inspire Historical Fiction

Vicky Adin — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 04:59:15 +0000

A parcel arrived from overseas. Inside was a collection of family photos dating back to the 1880s. None were dated. Few were named. I immediately found my magnifying glass and plenty of sunshine and inspected them in detail. Some were of people I recognised, and could follow their age progression, others remain a mystery. The...

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For the love of keeping the past alive

Vicky Adin — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 19:37:00 +0000

Staying with Bristol and Welsh Back from my previous blog for the moment, what always fascinates me about research in the UK and Europe is the history. I especially love the ancient buildings that have stood the test of time for centuries, and are still in use today as places to live, to work, and...

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