Talks

The Real Sherlock Holmes

Adventures of a real-life Victorian super-sleuth

A master of disguise and an expert in deduction, Detective Jerome Caminada, who  tracked criminals through the dangerous underworld of 19th century Manchester. He encountered all kinds of n’er-do-wells, including pickpockets, thieves, fraudsters and cold-blooded killers.

Bearing all the hallmarks of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Caminada’s compelling history establishes him as a true Victorian super-sleuth. In this talk, Angela will share stories from his fascinating casebook, such as the Manchester Cab Mystery, a cross-dressing ball and a deadly encounter with his arch-nemesis.

Amelia Dyer and the Baby Farm Murders

The sinister story of a Victorian child killer

On 30 March 1896, a bargeman hooked a parcel from the river Thames at Caversham. Inside the brown paper package was the body of a baby girl – she had been strangled with tape. When two more tiny bodies were found in a carpet bag, the police launched a nationwide hunt for a serial killer.

This talk will chart the race against time as the Reading police chase the infamous baby farmer after her heinous crimes came to light at last. It will reveal Amelia Dyer’s background and expose her nefarious baby farm business and how she managed to escape the law for so long, as well as the brilliant police investigation which secured her conviction and execution.

Victorian CSI

 The history of forensic science

An intriguing glimpse into the grisly, and sometimes bizarre, beginnings of forensic science, including the Victorian belief that a photo of a murder victim’s eyes could reveal their killer.

In her talk, Angela will explore the ground-breaking work of the pioneers in forensic science in the fight against crime. She will present early CSI techniques such as foot-printing, toxicology, fingerprinting and trace evidence analysis. Illustrated by historical crime cases, the talk will reveal the fascinating story of how innovative strategies used in investigating homicides in the past paved the way for modern CSI.

The Rattle of Bones

How to discover your criminal ancestors

All families have skeletons in their genealogical cupboard and discovering a criminal ancestor adds colour and drama to your family tree. You may even come across a nefarious individual who committed a  dastardly crime.

In this talk, Angela will demonstrate how to find the shady characters in your family’s past. Using the most up-to-date records available online and in archives, she will reveal how to investigate law-breaking ancestors and uncover the consequences of their misdemeanours.

Voices from the Underworld

Life in the seedy streets of Victorian cities

Life was tough in the burgeoning cityscapes of Victorian Britain, where disease was endemic and crime was rife. The streets of the notorious rookeries in cities, such as Manchester and London, were teeming with thieves, con artists and prostitutes. There were illegal beerhouses, gambling dens and gin palaces on every corner.

Through eye-opening stories from her own family history, Angela will share the experiences of our ancestors who lived in the worst slums. The talk will describe their squalid living conditions, their punishing work régimes, their daily struggles and the crimes they committed in the fight for survival.

If you would like to book me for any of these talks, or for customised ones, please use the contact page, or email me at [email protected] for information about availability and fees.