A Family History Of...
Ordinary lives at extraordinary moments. Uncover hidden stories from the archives, revealing the human side of history. Each month, follow one story across several gripping episodes, and experience history through the eyes of those who lived it.
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Ironbridge: home of the Industrial Revolution
Often remembered as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the people who lived and worked around Ironbridge Gorge transformed Britain and the world through ironmaking, coal mining and innovation. Contemporary newspaper clippings reveal how extraordinary change shaped their ordinary lives.
Explore the records featured in Rise, Power, Ruin: A Family History of the Industrial Revolution
1851 Census
The 1851 Census finds two brothers living in Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, together under the same roof before their lives would take very different turns.
1911 Census
Henry, the eldest of the brothers, worked as a moulder at the Ironworks – the same occupation as his father. In 1911, aged 78, he’s still working this demanding job.
Eddowe's Shrewsbury Journal
Younger brother Henry follows a more artistic path. Winning a studentship for ironwork design allowed him to work as an artistic draughtsman.
1871 Census
In 1871, two generations of the Austin family work as paintresses at Coalport China Works.
1921 Census
Just five years before Coalport would close its doors for good, Florrie Jackson works as a China paintress – carrying her family’s inherited skill into a third generation.
Bridgnorth Journal
Matthew Taylor’s death reveals the price paid by ordinary people for sweeping industrial change.
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Meet your host
Jen Baldwin, genealogist and research specialist
Jen Baldwin has worked professionally in genealogy since 2010 and is the Research Specialist for Findmypast, focusing on British social history and the value of UK collections for global researchers. She lectures internationally and has spoken at major events across North America and the UK, including regular appearances at Rootstech. In 2025, she delivered the keynote at the Guild of One-Name Studies Conference in Liverpool.
In 2024, she taught Everyday Life in England for the British Institute and presented at The Public Country House Conference in London. She co-hosts the historical true crime podcast Was Justice Served? and is a Trustee of the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History.
Discover your family’s story
Delve deeper into the archives to really understand the part your family played in history's extraordinary moments.
Jen's top tips for getting started:
Start your search with who you know. Search for family members like parents and grandparents.
Locations can make all the difference. If you don't know when someone was born, where can help narrow down results.
Check the original source. Once your search is completed, look out for the view original records button to see a HD scan and get extra details, clues and context.
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