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The London Genie Writer and genealogist currently researching 1920's Soho Nightclubs and the women who shaped them.

Today's reading at the British Library.
08/08/2026

Today's reading at the British Library.

at the A double bill of Jean Harlow 'Hold Your Man' (1933) and Claudette Colbert 'Cleopatra' (1934). Two of Marilyn'...
11/07/2026

at the
A double bill of Jean Harlow 'Hold Your Man' (1933) and Claudette Colbert 'Cleopatra' (1934). Two of Marilyn's favourite actresses. I spent the afternoon like a true interwar lady!

My latest article about a touching letter written during World War One that has now been reunited with its family. ...
29/03/2026

My latest article about a touching letter written during World War One that has now been reunited with its family.

Anyone else spend a billion hours crafting the 'Why this book? Why now?' part of their book proposal about amazing overl...
17/02/2026

Anyone else spend a billion hours crafting the 'Why this book? Why now?' part of their book proposal about amazing overlooked women only to walk into and see FOUR SHELVES of books about Winston Churchill?

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!

Please comment Amen so I don't feel so alone!!!!

It's 1923 and undercover officers are inside The Palm Club to catch after hours drinkers and s*x workers plying their tr...
11/02/2026

It's 1923 and undercover officers are inside The Palm Club to catch after hours drinkers and s*x workers plying their trade.

Based on original records from see what they find in my latest post.

My latest article in February's edition of Who Do You Think You Are Magazine. Why the women of the NAAFI have often been...
01/02/2026

My latest article in February's edition of Who Do You Think You Are Magazine.

Why the women of the NAAFI have often been overlooked and why they deserve better recognition.

An afternoon's research suggests that this is a cough mixture recipe from around the turn of the century. A 'drachm' (or...
31/01/2026

An afternoon's research suggests that this is a cough mixture recipe from around the turn of the century.

A 'drachm' (or dram) is an ancient Greek weight, later used in pharmaceutical language.

I wouldn't suggest that you try to recreate this today as Ipecacuanha and Squills fell out of common use around 1900-1910 due to concerns around toxicity.

The ingredients suggest that this home remedy was intended to shift catarrh. It might have been used by city dwellers affected by coal smoke, industrial workers, the elderly or those who were in long recovery from influenza or pneumonia.

This recipe could have been written around the time of the influenza outbreak in 1890 or perhaps it was an older family member imparting knowledge to later generations?

Whatever its origins, it was a delight to find.

Personally, somebody in our house swears by Wray and Nephew Rum, freshly squeezed lemon and honey but hit me up if you've got some Squills - I'm intrigued!!

Enjoying this very much.
08/01/2026

Enjoying this very much.

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