In 1852, it was claimed that a young girl from a tiny village in rural Suffolk was blind, deaf, confined to her bed, and had lived without food for several months. Elizabeth Squirrell became known as ‘The Shottisham Angel’. But the sensation soon turned to scandal with accusations that she and her family were frauds. Was Elizabeth Squirrell an imposter? Or had others just been spreading misinformation?

For show notes, please go to: https://geneageek.com/podcast/

Guest: Pip

Surnames: Squirrell, Matcham

Places: Shottisham, Hollesley, Bawdsey, Woodbridge, Ipswich, Suffolk

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When a body is discovered on a rocky beach in Victorian northeast Scotland, it unravels the buried history of a fishing family marked by tragedy. Life in their harsh coastal village was unforgiving—but what led at least four of them to be committed to the Royal Lunatic Asylum in Aberdeen? Was it madness, misfortune, or something more?

Guest: Eddie

Surnames: Buchan, Strachan, Carle, Tait

Places: Cairnbulg, Inverallochy, St Combs, Aberdeen, Maud, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire

For show notes, please go to: https://geneageek.com/podcast/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a Friday night in September 1842, some young men – local agricultural labourers – went out for a drink or three in Hadleigh, Suffolk. A few hours later, one of them would be found slumped on the road dead.

In part 1, we heard all about the coroner’s inquest looking into John Blandon’s death on the streets of Hadleigh. The inquest decided that Charles Smith had a case to answer, and he was committed to Bury Gaol to await trial.

In part 2, we hear about the trial, its verdict and how my guest’s family is linked to this story.

For show notes, please go to: https://geneageek.com/podcast/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.