2024 Review: A Year of Fascinating House Histories
As we step into 2025, I’ve been reflecting on all the wonderful stories we uncovered last year. 2024 was our second year and it was a milestone one for Pursuing the Past—197 house histories were completed, each one uncovering unique tales from homes across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
To meet the growing demand, our team expanded from just me to a group of six, and during the busy Christmas season, we brought in additional support. Having a dedicated team by my side has been both a privilege and an exciting challenge, as we worked together to bring each home’s story to life.
House Histories That Stayed with Me
Every project was special, but here are just a few stories that stood out:
A Grand Party in Bath
One of the most captivating discoveries of 2024 came from a Georgian townhouse on Great Pulteney Street in Bath. On 21 January 1839, this fine home hosted what the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette described as ‘one of the most agreeable and elegant balls for a considerable time witnessed at Bath.’ Organised by the illustrious Mrs. Harris, the event welcomed nearly two hundred distinguished guests, including ‘the Countess of Winterton and family, Sir William and Lady Dick, Lady Wynn, Lady Seton and family, General and Mrs Loveday, [and] General and Miss Innes.’ The spacious rooms were ‘brilliantly illuminated,’ and the music, ‘remarkable for its excellence,’ kept spirits high until the ball concluded at three o’clock in the morning. At one o’clock, guests were treated to ‘a most elegant and sumptuous supper’ that transformed the evening’s atmosphere. The event was celebrated not only for its grandeur but also for the charm and generosity of its hostess.
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 31 January 1839. Source - British Newspaper Archive
The undertakers’ shop (John Nodes) at the end of Hewer Street at the turn of the twentieth century. Source: unknown source
A Dairy Bombing
One of the most fascinating stories we uncovered came from a property known as The Old Dairy, in Kensington, London. By the 1930s, it was a working dairy, home to milkman Joseph Alton and his wife, Ivy. In 1940, during World War Two, their quiet street was thrown into chaos when incendiary bombs struck, setting the dairy ablaze and flooding the streets with milk. Seventeen-year-old Ernest Walsh, who lived nearby, remembered saying to his friend Ronnie, ‘We’ve got to get round to the dairy, it’s been hit with about 20 incendiary bombs; the place is ablaze, and the horses are trapped next door, in John Nodes the undertakers.’ Ernest and his friends acted quickly, managing to free the panicked horses while the fires were eventually contained.The original tithe records can be found at The National Archives. In many cases, two copies were also made, many of which have found their way to county archives.
A Family Connection Rediscovered
While researching at the National Archives, I discovered that in 1911, my client Lauren’s great-great-grandfather had rented her cottage, nestled high in the hills of the Derbyshire Dales in Matlock, for a time. It was one of those spine-tingling moments that make uncovering house histories so special.
The Barbers at Derwent View. Source: Lauren Barber
While these stories are especially captivating, every story we uncover is important, whether it’s from a grand Georgian townhouse or a humble 1950s semi. Each one tells us about lives lived—through moments big and small—and connects us to the people who came before. These histories, built into the walls of every home, remind us that every house has its own unique tale, shaped by the dreams, struggles, and daily lives of its residents.
Thank You for Trusting Us With Your House Histories
To everyone who trusted us with their home’s story in 2024—thank you. Whether it was uncovering a piece of local history, tracing a family connection, or discovering an unexpected chapter in a home’s past, I’m so grateful for the trust you placed in us to help uncover the histories that make your home unique.
As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to uncover even more hidden stories—and we’ve got something special lined up to help you start your own journey into the past. All will be revealed next Thursday — don’t miss it!