{"id":3455,"date":"2014-02-25T18:34:53","date_gmt":"2014-02-25T18:34:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.oldbritishmurder.com\/?page_id=3455"},"modified":"2025-06-30T09:48:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T09:48:53","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/oldbritishnews.com\/murder\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About Ian Waugh"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"IanIan Waugh is a British broadcaster, historian\u00a0and published author.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Born in Dorset, brought up in Devon, with my roots in the South West of England going back many generations. I am a passionate historian, British historic researcher who co-authored the book The Man They Couldn’t Hang<\/em>,<\/a> own the website and the material.<\/p>\n

As a broadcaster I have worked with radio and television networks in the UK. Since 1972 my voice has been heard on British independent television stations, some BBC and independent radio outlets. I have also worked with state broadcasters in countries in Europe and Africa.<\/p>\n

I am fascinated with British modern history, I’ve written about aspects of it, created websites linked to it and research constantly – it has become a pleasant addiction. My family tree data which extends back to the 1500’s is here<\/a> (image: 11 May 1995 – Babbacombe, Torbay).<\/p>\n

\"Ian<\/a>I advise those seeking information relating to events and stories in the British national and regional newspapers between 1750 – 1950. This generates many enquiries from users worldwide who are interested to know more about a criminal or other events in their family history.<\/p>\n

News and current affairs fascinates me. I start the day with it, end with it but I am not glued to it. I have severe osteoarthritis causing me extreme mobility issues and I am also a stroke survivor following two strokes that have left me partially paralysed.<\/p>\n

\"IanWhy I’m Fascinated by British Social History:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Personal Passion:<\/strong> As an amateur historian, I’ve had a lifelong fascination with British history.<\/p>\n

Interest in Ordinary Lives:<\/strong> My focus lies in British social history, particularly in understanding the lives of ordinary people, including their experiences, emotions, and perspectives.<\/p>\n

Preserving Personal Records:<\/strong> I find value in preserving records and artefacts left behind by individuals, such as letters, photographs, and personal documents.<\/p>\n

Deeper Understanding of the Past:<\/strong> Exploring these personal stories allows for a more profound comprehension of historical events and their impact on the present.<\/p>\n

Benefits of Exploring Everyday Lives:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Challenges and Triumphs:<\/strong> By studying the lives of everyday people, we gain insights into the challenges and triumphs they faced.<\/p>\n

Cultural Insights:<\/strong> This exploration unveils customs, beliefs, and lifestyles, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of historical periods.<\/p>\n

\"IanMarginalised Perspectives:<\/strong> It sheds light on the experiences and perspectives of marginalised groups, offering a more inclusive historical narrative.<\/p>\n

British Social History as a Captivating Field:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Encompassing Changes Over Time:<\/strong> British social history covers social, cultural, and economic changes that have occurred over time in Britain.<\/p>\n

Insights into Daily Life:<\/strong> Researching this field provides valuable insights into how people lived and navigated challenges throughout different historical periods.<\/p>\n

Shaping British Society:<\/strong> Understanding social movements and cultural developments contributes to a deeper appreciation of how British society has evolved.<\/p>\n

\"IanAccessible Resources for Study:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Archives, Libraries, Museums:<\/strong> Abundant resources, including archives, libraries, and museums, offer access to books, photographs, and artifacts.<\/p>\n

Online Databases:<\/strong> Platforms like the British Library’s digital collections provide convenient access to a wide range of historical materials.<\/p>\n

Key to Successful Research:<\/strong> A strong understanding of historical context, critical thinking skills, and the exploration of multiple sources are crucial for successful research in British social history.<\/p>\n

Value of Archives and Personal Collections:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Invaluable Resources:<\/strong> Archives, letters, and ephemera left by ordinary British people serve as invaluable resources for understanding the past.<\/p>\n

Personal Glimpses:<\/strong> They offer personal glimpses into the lives and experiences of everyday people, going beyond official records.<\/p>\n

Sole Surviving Records:<\/strong> In many cases, these archives and documents may be the only surviving record of a person’s life.<\/p>\n

Importance of Remembering Ordinary Lives:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deeper Understanding:<\/strong> Remembering ordinary people provides a deeper understanding of the past and how people lived their lives.<\/p>\n

\"IanCultural and Social Context:<\/strong> Studying personal collections offers insight into the cultural, social, and historical context of specific time periods.<\/p>\n

Acknowledging Contributions:<\/strong> Preserving these collections acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of individuals who, though considered “ordinary,” played important roles in their own right.<\/p>\n

Significance of Social History:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daily Experiences:<\/strong> Social history delves into the daily experiences, customs, and values of ordinary individuals across different time periods.<\/p>\n

Perspective on the Present:<\/strong> It enriches our understanding of the present and provides a sense of perspective and continuity over time.<\/p>\n

Reviving Forgotten Stories:<\/strong> Historical research brings to life interesting stories, personalities, and events that may have otherwise been forgotten.<\/p>\n

In summary, the study of British social history, fuelled by a passion for ordinary lives and enriched by accessible resources, offers a comprehensive understanding of the past and its enduring impact on contemporary society.<\/p>\n

I’m on Twitter (X)<\/a><\/em>. My ‘occasional’ scribblings (m’Blog<\/em>) can be found here<\/a>. Links to other bits of me are on the top menu.\u00a0I currently live in East Anglia.<\/p>\n

Also: @oldbritishnews<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ian Waugh is a British broadcaster, historian\u00a0and published author. Born in Dorset, brought up in Devon, with my roots in the South West of England going back many generations. I am a passionate historian, British historic researcher who co-authored the book The Man They Couldn’t Hang, own the website and the material. As a broadcaster […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3455","page","type-page","status-publish","czr-hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oldbritishnews.com\/murder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oldbritishnews.com\/murder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oldbritishnews.com\/murder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oldbritishnews.com\/murder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oldbritishnews.com\/murder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3455"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/oldbritishnews.com\/murder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6388,"href":"https:\/\/oldbritishnews.com\/murder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3455\/revisions\/6388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oldbritishnews.com\/murder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}