“Why should we fix our eyes on this spot only?” A little piece about looking outside of our current circumstances and shouting about the amazing achievements of vaccination, which have all come about despite anti-vaccination activism and monumental logistical challenges. Let’s change the story.

Got 3 talks to deliver, 2 in October and 1 in November so I had better start writing them.....At least they are all roughly 2 weeks apart!

Slightly off topic @rwldproject.bsky.social re the S&D 200 anniversary. Saw the tv prog earlier this week with Michael Portillo. He interviewed the man who had been at the 150 yr event. Cant recall Mr V going but he had memorabillia & did some train pics of the event

53 years ago today I married Mr V. A few weeks after our 50th anniversary I found him collapsed on the bathroom floor & later that day I lost him. He didnt live to see me gain my doctorate & I miss him dreadfully.

Day 3 of the @britsocmedhistory.bsky.social congress. Iain Macintyre will be deliver the inaugural John Blair Trust Lecture

Delivered my second talk this afternoon about the Keighley Martyrs, 7 Guardians sent to prison for failing to enforce the smallpox vaccination act 1876 at the @britsochmedhistory.bsky.social Congress Leeds

Fascinating talk about The Scottish Womens Hospitals' Girton & Newnham Unit in Belgrade: treatment and rehabilitation 1919-1920 @britsocmedhistory.bsky.social Congress Leeds

For the 1st time since moving to new house had to put the ironing board up. Shortened trousers so steam pressing required. So ironed a linen blouse too

A glass of red to accompany Miss Marple #ConfinedCocktails

I detest clothes shopping these days. Being a lady of mature years does not mean I want to look frumpy. I want affordable stylish things. Not frills & ribbons nor poor quality fabrics. And sleeves & pockets. Sure I am not alone

Early bird tickets are now available for the RQG Conference via Eventbrite and open to everyone, including non-members #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #RQGConf26 #Birmingham rqg-conference-2026.eventbrite.co.uk

Bought my tix for RQG Conference in Birmingham 25 April 2026. For members & non members alike. Early bird rate is £65 inc lunch. rqg-conference-2026.eventbrite.co.uk The 3 keynote speakers Professor Rebecca Probert Dr Sophie Kay Professor Julia Laite

Spent a few hours exploring more newspaper cuttings, following the dubious career of a medical quack in the 1850s, narowly avoided manslaughter charge, blamed his wife, brawling in the street, flashing gold sovereigns about & being fined for misprepresenting himself as a qualified doctor.

Last weekend made 2 presentations to the Auckland Family History Expo, This week back to work on presentations for the British Soc of History of Medicine Congress next month, digging around the astounding & shocking tale of woolcomber turned medical botanist (& bigamist)

He also had an alias according to the newspaper cutting. But I cannot find him other than in newspaper accounts. Curiouser and curiouser! (2)

Down a rabbit hole looking for man who refused to comply with National Registration act as objected to war effort. Was fined £5 or a month in jail. Is he the same man who was jailed for 3 months for entering a prohibited area. Had no Identity card & had not registered to join army (1)

Currently running around in circles to get some clarification about copyright & being passed from pillar to post (presumably because no one really knows the answer) Driving me nuts

The wind was trying to flatten the gladioli so I brought some indoors

Great to meet @geniaus.bsky.social and Robert for lunch today at CafeSaints and thanks to Robert for the photo

On way to Edinburgh city centre to catch up with @geniaus.bsky.social & Mr Genieaus.

Open a new box of chocolates. Why do so many have the "menu" on the underside of the box & no guide inside?

I am thrilled to announce that I have been elected an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. @royalhistsoc.org

Back for the evening again

Watching BBC4 programme about George II, and they are discussing smallpox inoculation. Hmm sounds familiar

The bird is back again tonight. I wonder if it will keep returning once the new owners move in. For some reason the builder keeps the lights on 24/ 7 but birdie keeps returning.

Watching Ch5 with @robrinder.bsky.social about the plague. Good use of parish registers & bills of mortality

At the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh for launch.

No fun updating a Powerpoint presentation where just about every URL has changed since I originally wrote it in 2000

Still cant find the death I am seeking, but found birth & death btwn 1851 & 61 census which might explain dad's career change from powerloom weaver to medical botanist. Evidence suggests started around time of child's birth. The child has no lasting footprint in history, so pleased to find her.

The bird I saw recently from my kitchen window has returned this evening

I do wish people would check the birth records on GRO website (for England and Wales births) to ensure they have the correct mother's maiden name. Would stop so much confusion on family trees.....I currently have one where the father's sister is recorded as his daughter...... Moan over...

Last across the stage at the Caird Hall to graduate as Doctor of Philosophy

I have now seen confirmation of my award of PhD on my university results page. I think its now safe to call myself Dr Valentine lol

The house opposite will soon be occupied but seems already to have a lodger or that a ledger? 😅 @atcherleyons.bsky.social max zoom on my phone at 10.30 this eve. Birds are not my thing but would be interested if anyone can identify it for me.

The last couple of days have been really windy & the peony has taken a battering. So took a photo before they are wrecked by the weather.

Ludicrous Ancestry notification. There is no need to tell me I don't have a marriage entry for someone on my tree. Of course I don't. He was a 14 year old schoolboy when he died and that information is on his profile.

When I moved from Yorkshire I split this very special peony, given to us by elderly neighbour. We both loved it so it has such special meaning for me. First flowering in my new home

Put in proposal for British Soc History of Medicine conference. No idea if will be accepted but the rabbit hole gets deeper & deeper. Having fun going some trad FH research on newspapers. Over 150 items identified & 30 more years to go! #GenHour

Had some very exciting news this afternoon. My revised thesis has been accepted for the award of PhD. It has been a long hard road & I want to thank my family & friends for supporting me on the journey.

Its gin o'clock time using Mount Strange gin from Blair Castle

Needing to arrange for my post to be redirected, went to the Royal Mail website. My new address is not available in the dropdown list yet & can't enter manually, yet other providers have it. Been a nightmare trying to use price comparison sites too, because RM are so slow to update their lists.

Watching the moon rise

Woke early again & spotted message from cousin down under re a message she had about her DNA. Years ago created a tree for her paternal grandmother's line & match fits in there somewhere. Politely asking for access to the enquirer's tree so we might then crack it. #SundayResearch #DNA

Ordered will of indirect ancestor. The will was written in 1901 although he lived until 1923. Was stunned to see that the witnesses were living in the house my parents bought in 1960. #FamilyHistory

Yesterday my phone went slightly bonkers pinging as I acquired new followers, which is lovely. Needing to work now I am feeling better, I have turned off the notifications to avoid the distractions. I will keep an eye on things but when taking a break. #FamilyHistory #Genealogy

Watching the final episode of A House Through Time and keeping an eye on #GenHour

Spotted an indirect ancestor standing for election to the Local Board (of Guardians) in March 1878. The paper noted "No special interest is excited in this election" . #familyhistory #genealogy

Not been here for a while, but need to be in a place where many of my friends now post #familyhistory #genealogy

And a big hand for @natlibscot who helped me with a query on Saturday, ordered the newspaper for me & the individual who helped came to find me in reading room to check everything ok. Sadly couldnt find what I wanted but appreciate all the help.

Off to @natlibscot to look at a newspaper which has not been digitised, hoping I can find a reference for the footnote