Story perspectives

Amateur Genealogists Uncover Rich Tapestry of History

12/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Louise Cocker, 53, from Norfolk, has photographed nearly 500,000 gravestones over 24 years, creating a dataset of 615,000 names to aid genealogy.
Cocker's work is supported by Findmypast, which collaborates with amateur genealogists.
Cliff Webb, a former insurance broker, compiles datasets on apprentices and court cases, focusing on Elizabethan wills to document ordinary lives.
Retired academic Mark Peel records WWII civilian casualties, stressing the importance of remembering those affected.
Both Webb and Peel emphasize the human stories behind historical records.

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Story summary

Louise Cocker, 53, from Norfolk, has photographed nearly 500,000 gravestones over 24 years, creating a dataset of 615,000 names to aid genealogy.
Cocker's work is supported by Findmypast, which collaborates with amateur genealogists.
Cliff Webb, a former insurance broker, compiles datasets on apprentices and court cases, focusing on Elizabethan wills to document ordinary lives.
Retired academic Mark Peel records WWII civilian casualties, stressing the importance of remembering those affected.
Both Webb and Peel emphasize the human stories behind historical records.