Been undertaking further research on my Family History.
I'd already gone back 8 Generations (on my father's side) to the 1680s
On my Mother's side I now have verified links back to the 1540s.
So far, I've found.
A couple (brother of my G-G-G-G-G-G-Grandftather) who died in a workhouse in 1817 aged 71 and his wife who died there 2 years later.
A woman who was caught stealing 23 shillings ($2) in 1742. She was sentenced to transportation to the Colonies, but as she was pregnant, the sentence was commuted until she gave birth. 2 days after she gave birth (in the dungeons of Lancaster Castle) to my G-G-G-G-G-Grandftather, she was put on a ship to Maryland, but she never arrived.
A G-G-Aunt who "Fell" under a train at a railway station in the 1930s. There are clues that her relationship with a married man and possible maternal condition might have made it a 'jump' rather than a 'fall'.
Best of all is the will of Grandpa John back in 1588:
In the name of god Amen; I michael Gyddyn of clapham in the county of Bedd [ford] husbandman being sick in boyde but of sound minde & memory thankes be to almightye God do ordeine & make this my last will & testament in manner & following form follow. . .
I also found a jpeg of my Great Grandfather's citation for bravery in 1915 and his discharge papers from 1918, and a newspaper cutting of a great-uncle's demise at the battle of Tobruk in 1942 (He was guarding an ******* that was hit by a Howitzer shell - they sent back his remains in a cigarette tin).
Makes you think. . .