S12EP02 - 'The Slaver' with Ben Shaw

Send us a message 💬 In this second episode of Season 12, host Andrew Martin meets family historian and author Ben Shaw and finds out how he got hooked on researching family history, the discovery of a 1595 bible, and also about how he turned his research into the book 'The Slave Trader - The Story of Bryan Blundell: Master Mariner, Philanthropist and Slave Trader' (2026, Pen & Sword History).  THE LIFE STORY - BRYAN BLUNDELL  Ben has chosen to tell the story of one of his ancestors  - Bryan Blundell - about whom he has written his book. The story follows Bryan - born into a wealthy family in 1674, and follows his career on the seas. Eventually he gets his own ship, and after being a merchant of sugar and tobacco for years, he retires... but in order to continue making money, and despite a warning, he enters the slave trade and makes money out of transporting people into enslavement.  Meanwhile, back in Liverpool, his wealth keeps him in good social standing, and he goes on to found The Blue Coat School - a boarding school for orphans, and becomes Mayor of Liverpool twice... but of course, this is all from the money he's made transporting slaves. Ben follows his life, using the Transatlantic Slave database and the Internet Archive, and those of his descendants as he tries to balance the fact that this ancestors were slave traders. If you'd like to get a copy of Ben's book, you can grab your copy from all good bookshops, or direct from Pen & Sword History.  THE BRICK WALL - BRYAN BLUNDELL (Senior)  Ben is looking for help with Bryan Blundell's grandfather - also named Bryan Blundell - this one born in 1600, died in 1633. Ben is trying to find out whether his Blundells descend from the Catholic Blundell family of Ince, Cheshire, UK.  He knows that Bryan (snr)'s wife Samuella Williamson does, but does Bryan descend from them in his own right? Can you help Ben find out; Who were Bryan Blundell's (1600-1633) parents? Is there a connection between him and the Blundell family of Ince? If you think you can help Ben with a clue or research idea, then you can message him via his website, or alternatively, you can send us a message and we'll pass that along to him. In the meantime, Ben accept's Andrew's offer of help, but can he get him to Liverpool on time? - - - Episode Credits: Andrew Martin - Host and Producer Ben Shaw - Guest  PHAROS TUTORS Check out more than 50 beginners to advanced family history online course with Pharos Tutors today! Support the show Thank you for listening! You can sign up to our email newsletter for the latest and behind the scenes news. You can find us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you liked this episode please subscribe for free, or leave a rating or review, or consider giving us a 'tip' to keep the show funded.