Have you ever wondered about the stories hidden in your family’s past? The tales of courage, love, betrayal, and survival that shaped who you are today? Genealogy offers a powerful way to uncover those stories—and for me, it’s been the inspiration behind The Lydiard Chronicles. Nine years ago this month I published my first novel, The Lady of the Tower, and to celebrate, I thought I’d put together a series of posts that share my process of researching family history and how I wove those discoveries into my novels. And, how you can use genealogy to uncover stories about your own families, and preserve those findings for generations to come.
No matter how much or how little you know about your family’s history, every family carries remarkable stories of courage, love, and heartbreak. These stories connect us to our past and illuminate the path to understanding ourselves and our heritage. I hope Family Footsteps inspires you to dig deeper, uncover your own family’s extraordinary tales, and take pride in becoming the keeper of these invaluable histories.
Your quest can start anywhere, and it’s a journey worth taking. Together, let’s explore these incredible stories, share discoveries, and keep history alive. Please share your finds or questions here—I’d love to hear from you and join you in celebrating your family’s unique legacy!
Feedback From Readers: Finding Connections Through Fiction
One of the most rewarding aspects of writing The Lydiard Chronicles has been hearing from readers who share how the books resonate with their own family histories. Here are a few comments that truly touched me:
- “A beautifully written book, and a captivating story. Ms. St.John has breathed life back into her own ancestors, presenting a fascinating portrait of life at a time of tremendous political upheaval.”
- “Elizabeth St. John has done extensive research in writing this book based on her own family’s experiences. Her world and characters are so real I wanted to remain there. I loved this book, and the Lydiard Chronicles are now on my list of all-time favorite historical novels. A fantastic read.”
- “When I learned master storyteller Elizabeth St. John found centuries-old family diaries that inspired her to write Written in Their Stars, I got goose bumps. This is the stuff great historical fiction is made of. Three unforgettable heroines and the divided loyalties of their intertwined families, is totally immersive.”
Hearing from readers who’ve found connections between my characters and their own family histories reminds me why I started writing these stories: to bring the past to life in a way that feels immediate, relatable, and deeply human.
Ready to Start a Fascinating Journey into the Past?
If you’ve ever been curious about your own family’s stories, genealogy is the perfect place to start. Here are a few tips to help you begin your journey:
Start With What You Know: Talk to relatives and collect family stories, names, and dates. Even small details can provide clues.
Explore Historical Records: Parish registers, wills, and census records can offer fascinating insights. For example, in researching The Lydiard Chronicles, I discovered grave surveys and detailed probate inventories that revealed how people lived, what they valued, and even their relationships.
Visit Historical Sites: Standing in the places where your ancestors lived can create a profound connection to the past. Many readers have told me they visited Lydiard Park after reading about it in my novels and found inspiration in walking the same grounds as the St.John family.
Use Your Discoveries as Inspiration: Whether you’re writing a novel, journaling, or simply sharing stories with your family, these discoveries can become a powerful way to keep history alive.
Why Historical Fiction and Genealogy Are a Perfect Pair
Historical fiction breathes life into the facts of genealogy. Through storytelling, we can imagine the emotions, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before us. In The Lydiard Chronicles, I’ve tried to recreate the world of 17th-century England, not just as it was recorded, but as it might have felt to live through it. Readers have told me that these books have inspired them to delve deeper into their own family histories, sparking a greater appreciation for the resilience and humanity of their ancestors.
If you’ve ever been inspired by a historical novel to research your family tree, I’d love to hear your story. Who knows? Maybe your discoveries will inspire the next great historical fiction novel!
Explore the World of The Lydiard Chronicles
If you’re intrigued by the idea of history brought to life through real events and characters, I invite you to explore The Lydiard Chronicles. From The Lady of the Tower, where a 17th-century woman navigates the treacherous world of the Tower of London, to By Love Divided and Written in Their Stars, which follows extraordinary women during the English Civil War, these novels weave together fact and fiction to tell the stories of the past in a vivid and compelling way.
Start your journey into history today—and maybe discover a piece of your own story along the way.
Next up: Discovering content in historical documents – exploring archives and online databases for letters, wills, grave surveys, and other easily accessible records.
This is very helpful Elizabeth. Visiting the historical sites and exploring historical records are a delight for me. Finding the voices for the characters and finding a keystone to build a plot around is more of a challenge. I will be very interested to reading what you say about the process of planning a story. In the Grandmother’s Secret there is such a good use of contrasts. The confinement of Westminster and the Tower is contrasted with the freedom and openness of Bolton castle.Thank you for sharing you methods of working and seeking to inspire.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, David. Yes, we’re going to explore turning findings into stories in the series. Thank you for you kind words about Godmother’s Secret. The settings were inspiring, and I had a couple of particularly fascinating visits to Westminster Abbey and Bolton Castle to fire my imagination!
Sir Charles Pleydell married,2ndly Jane St John. They are my 10th great grandparents.
Hi Sylvia, what a wonderful connection! I’m sure you’re aware that Jane is featured in the polyptych (3rd from right), and in the St.John family tree curated by the Friends of Lydiard Park. There are also more records on Charles and Jane in The Lydiard Archives.
I would have loved to have known her thoughts on her sisters! https://www.elizabethjstjohn.com/updates/unveiling-the-past-the-power-of-genealogy-and-storytelling/
http://www.friendsoflydiardpark.org.uk
http://www.thelydiardarchives.org.uk