Naval seamen's women in Portsmouth

Event information

Who were the women behind the men at sea?
Historian Melanie Holihead uncovers the untold stories of over 1,500 wives, mothers, sisters, and foster-mothers of Royal Navy seamen living on Portsea Island in the mid-1800s. Drawing on rich civil and admiralty records, Melanie reveals the resilience and resourcefulness of these women who kept families afloat while their loved ones served at sea.
Perfect for family historians and anyone interested in Portsmouth’s naval past, this talk offers a rare glimpse into the lives of women often left out of the history books.

Melanie Holihead is a historian specialising in the lives of naval seamen’s families in 19th-century Portsmouth. A former local government officer and management consultant, she turned to historical research later in life, earning a DPhil from the University of Oxford. Her award-winning work sheds light on the overlooked stories of women who supported naval households from the home front. Melanie is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.