An exhibition is revealing new stories from the 1921 Census with a look at worker life at Sizergh's Gunpowder Work.

Through partnership with family history company, Findmypast, the National Trust's display is now showcasing these captivating tales at the Great Barn in Sizergh.

The free exhibition is open 10am to 5pm daily until November 30.

Individuals' family life at Sizergh and the perilous nature of the work at the Gunpowder Works are the main themes of the revealed stories.

One striking account from 1903 recounts two men, Shaw and Newton, being 'blown to pieces' in a mysterious explosion that wounded four others.

It was reported by the West Somerset Free Press that 'trees were uprooted' and 'two powder manufacturing houses were hurled across a river'.

The shock was described as 'like a small earthquake'.

Nestled in Cumbria, the Sizergh estate was Strickland family's property for over eight centuries, offering a fascinating view into the lives of its residents.

The estate includes the less celebrated Sedgwick Gunpowder Works, which was set up by Walter Charles Strickland in 1857, a stone's throw away from Sizergh Castle.

The 1921 Census discovery has given further insights into workers like the 24-year-old sawmill labourer, Christopher William Larcombe, who lived at Sizergh Fell Side with his wife Nora and their two children.

Another intriguing insight is Thomas Faulkner's ambitious journey from a Clerk at the Gunpowder Works to the Foreman of the site.

A tragic narrative deals with the struggles of Edwin Clegg Rothwell, a 42-year-old out-of-work powder worker who found himself supporting his family of six after losing his job.

The Lancashire Evening Post reported that Edwin's life had ended when was 'knocked down by a motorcycle at Crook' in September 1939, when he had resumed work as a gunpowder maker.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to use the 1921 Census and Findmypast’s extensive collections to reveal new stories about the people and communities of our shared national places,” said Sean Fletcher, Property Operations Manager, Sizergh.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Findmypast to tell these rich and fascinating stories – including that of Sizergh – which we hope will connect current and future generations with the people that helped shape these places over 100 years ago.”

The exhibition features untold stories, going beyond the Census data by leveraging Findmypast's vast historical data trove, which includes 14 billion records like parish records, directories, military, migration records, electoral rolls, and British newspapers.

“The 1921 Census has already revealed countless untold stories for people across the globe. We’re so excited to work with the National Trust to delve into these records and offer new perspectives on the people who lived and worked at their sites,” said Jen Baldwin, Research Specialist at Findmypast.

“Using Findmypast’s extensive data and our millions of inter-connected family trees, we can reveal the details of peoples’ lives in more detail than ever before – from heiresses to millworkers. We might even find some new connections to the site, and I hope that this collaboration will inspire people to research the history of their own families and the places they lived.”