I began my journey into family history over 20 years ago with a complimentary introduction session on using Ancestry, held at the local library in Nottingham, where I reside. This initial experience sparked my interest, and soon word spread among my friends’ grandparents, who approached me to research their own family history. These opportunities provided me with valuable experience and practical knowledge in the field.
In 2016, I was invited to participate in an event related to Pilgrim 2020, a celebration commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims' journey to America, the event would take place in 2020. During the preparations, we were informed that Nottingham would be welcoming visitors, and it became apparent that there was a need to showcase what the county had to offer. Despite the presence of several heritage sites, years of underinvestment in heritage and tourism meant these sites were largely unknown, even to locals.
This was the founding of Leaves of History.
This realisation marked the beginning of Leaves of History. Over the past decade, I have collaborated with various heritage sites on numerous projects aimed at raising awareness and promoting Nottinghamshire's rich history. Progress has been gradual, and the challenges brought on by the pandemic have further slowed development, but the work continues.
