MEET THE HISTORIAN BEHIND UNEARTH THE PAST
Dr Michala Hulme, FHEA
Historian •Genealogist • Broadcaster • Author
I’m an award-winning historian, genealogist, author and broadcaster with over 20 years’ experience uncovering the stories of people and places from the past.
From tracing family histories and investigating historical mysteries to contributing to television programmes for the BBC, ITV, CNN, SKY, Channel 4 and Channel 5, I’m driven by a passion for discovering the people behind the records.
Where it All Began
My fascination with history began in the 1990s, with something that might surprise you: Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice.
I was completely captivated. The costumes, the grand houses, the interiors, the characters and, of course, the love story. But beyond the romance, I found myself fascinated by the world they inhabited. I wanted to know what life was really like for the people who lived in those houses, wore those clothes and navigated the social conventions of the time.
My journey into genealogy began a little later, around 25 years ago, when my mum and I decided to investigate her side of the family tree. Back then, very little was available online. Family history meant visiting local archives, searching through original documents and patiently piecing together fragments of the past.
But I quickly discovered that finding the records was only the beginning.
A name, a date or an occupation could tell me who an ancestor was, but I wanted to know so much more. Where did they live? What did their homes look like? What did they eat? What was their working day like? What challenges did they face?
I didn’t just want to build a family tree. I wanted to bring the people on it back to life.
That curiosity eventually became the foundation of my career as a historian and genealogist, and it remains at the heart of everything I do through Unearth the Past today.
For me, history has always been about more than dates and events. It’s about people, their lives, their families, the places they called home and the stories they left behind…
My Story
My work as a historian combines meticulous archival investigation, academic research and a fascination with the everyday lives of ordinary people, particularly those whose experiences have often been overlooked by traditional histories.
Alongside my Doctorate, I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). My academic career has included lecturing posts at Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Birmingham. I am currently an Honorary Fellow at the University of Liverpool.
My research into the Peterloo Massacre of 1819, particularly my work on Finding the Peterloo Eleven, was shortlisted for the Times Higher Education’s Humanities Project of the Year. I was also named Person of the Year at the Manchester Culture Awards, recognising my contribution to bringing history to life and making it accessible to wider audiences.
My career has taken me well beyond the archive. I’ve contributed historical expertise to television programmes across all major UK channels, working with production teams to uncover extraordinary stories from the past.
I’ve also brought history to audiences through podcasting, co-hosting Ancestry’s Behind the Headlines of History and creating and hosting my own podcast, Unearth the Past, which has attracted well over 3 million views and listens. Through these programmes, I’ve been able to share extraordinary family histories, fascinating discoveries and forgotten stories with audiences around the world.
Today, through Unearth the Past, my historical and genealogical research company, I bring that same expertise, curiosity and attention to detail to individuals, families and organisations. Whether tracing an elusive ancestor, investigating a historical mystery or uncovering the history of a house, I believe every story deserves to be researched with care, accuracy and imagination.
Behind the scenes from some of your favourite history shows…
