history Archives - Vicky Adin Author

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...

The post Five Minute History: The Real Sarah of Victorian Bristol — Murder, Marriage and the Welsh Back appeared first on Vicky Adin Author.

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...

The post Who dominated the headlines in Sarah’s Destiny in 1852 appeared first on Vicky Adin Author.

Elinor receives an Award and I’m celebrating

Vicky Adin — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 06:30:00 +0000

I’ve been jumping up and down with joy since the certificate arrived for Elinor, Book 2 in The Art of Secrets series. It’s such an honour to be chosen by readers to qualify for a BRAG Medallion. Thank you to all involved. As I sit at my window watching the sun glinting on the water...

The post Elinor receives an Award and I’m celebrating appeared first on Vicky Adin Author.

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,...

The post Family History: Why Genealogy Matters to everyone appeared first on Vicky Adin Author.

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...

The post 130 Years of Women’s Suffrage in New Zealand: What It Meant Then and Now appeared first on Vicky Adin Author.

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...

The post Strange Victorian Job Titles: What Did Your Ancestors Actually Do for a Living? appeared first on Vicky Adin Author.

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...

The post Remarkable Victorian Women: The Unsung Lives Behind the History Books appeared first on Vicky Adin Author.

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...

The post For the love of keeping the past alive appeared first on Vicky Adin Author.

The Welsh Back: What “Back” Really Means in Bristol — and Why It Matters to Sarah’s Destiny

Vicky Adin — Thu, 25 May 2023 19:30:00 +0000

Do you know what a back is? Or a key? I’m sure you would tell me a key is used to unlock doors, or possibly a vital clue in solving a problem. Maybe even a button on a phone or computer keyboard, or even associate it with music – it has many definitions. If you...

The post The Welsh Back: What “Back” Really Means in Bristol — and Why It Matters to Sarah’s Destiny appeared first on Vicky Adin Author.

Of time and ages past, but what of the future?

Vicky Adin — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 19:30:00 +0000

I’m a lover of antiques, old photos and memorabilia and, as such, they are often included in my storylines. When I’m engrossed in the business of writing, I often forget to get up from my chair. When I do, the joints moan and groan for a while until I get moving again. There is a...

The post Of time and ages past, but what of the future? appeared first on Vicky Adin Author.