Genes Reunited Blog

‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.’ A D Day veteran’s return to the Beaches of Normandy.

Our Gillies Plastic Surgery Archives contain 2,858 records, taken from operations performed between 1917 and 1925 by the legendry surgeon Dr Harold Gillies. Gillies is widely considered to be the father of Plastic surgery and became famous for the pioneering treatments he gave to thousands of young men who suffered horrific facial injuries fighting on the Western Front.

William Shakespeare's birthday is celebrated every April in Stratford-upon-Avon, his birthplace, with a costumed parade. He was baptised on 26 April, and is thought to have been born on or near 23 April.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Basil Edward Embry was a senior Royal Air Force commander and Commander-in-Chief of Fighter Command from 1949 to 1953. From 26 May 1940 when his plane was shot down over Saint-Omer Embry's life became an incredible series of escapes and recaptures. 

With Lizzie Yarnold’s gold medal in the skeleton and Jenny Jones’ bronze medal in slope style snowboarding, Sochi 2014 has seen the nation’s best performance at the Winter Olympics in 78 years.

There is no better excuse than Valentine’s Day to start exploring our Marriage records. They are an invaluable tool when it comes to uncovering details about the lives of your ancestors.

This month marks the 200th anniversary of the last Thames Ice Fair.  Held on the frozen waters of the River Thames between late January and late February, they occurred every year when the ice was thick enough. The first fair was held in 1608 and was so successful they were held year the river froze until 1814.

Touching tributes written by families for their loved ones killed during WW1 have revealed the devastating impact the war had on family life in Britain and the importance of religion for people.

Family crests and coats of arms - does your family have one? Genes Reunited reveals the meanings behind the signs of heraldry. What do they represent? What’s the difference between a coat of arms and family crest? And what does a lion on a red background represent?