Today is Valentine’s Day, a tradition that has been celebrated for many years as a time for loved ones to show how much they care for one another.
When I was growing up, Valentine’s cards were often anonymous. You would receive a card and spend da ys trying to guess who it was from. I’m not sure if that still happens in quite the same way today as I think this tradition has stopped largely due to email and social media but I may be wrong. Did you receive an anonymous Valentine’s card this year?
When I moved to Norfolk, I discovered a Valentine’s tradition that was completely new to me: Jack Valentine. Before moving here, I had never come across it. Jack Valentine, also known as Mother Valentine or Old Father Valentine is very much a Norfolk custom.
Traditionally, Jack Valentine visits on Valentine’s Eve. Under the cover of darkness, he leaves gifts, cards, and small mementoes on people’s doorsteps, knocks on the door, and then disappears into the night before anyone can see him. This tradition has been celebrated in Norfolk for hundreds of years, with some suggesting it dates back as far as the 1600s as a way of celebrating love and romance.
In days gone by, Jack Valentine was said to be even more important than Christmas in some communities. Did Jack Valentine visit your doorstep this year?
The images I have seen of Jack Valentine show him as a tall, charismatic figure, often wearing a top hat and tails. Whether real or mythical, the tradition has clearly left a strong impression on generations of Norfolk families.
What fascinates me most about traditions like this is how they are passed down through families. Stories, customs, and memories are shared from one generation to the next, becoming part of a family’s identity. This is exactly what I see when I research family trees as traditions, occupations, celebrations, and beliefs that link us to our ancestors in ways we might not expect.
Do you live outside Norfolk and still carry on the Jack Valentine tradition? Or is there a custom from your childhood or your ancestors that your family still follows today? Across the UK, there are so many local festivals and traditions that have survived for centuries, each with their own family stories behind them. Pancake day being another one where some cities and towns even still have pancake races in the street.
If you’ve ever wondered where your family traditions come from, who started them, or what your ancestors’ lives were really like, researching your family history can be a wonderful place to start. Uncovering your family tree often reveals surprising stories, forgotten customs, and connections to local history you may never have known existed.
✨ If you’d like help uncovering your own family story, I’d love to help.
Whether you’re just starting out or want to dig deeper into your roots, my family tree research service can guide you every step of the way. Get in touch to find out how your ancestors lived, loved, and celebrated – and how their stories still shape your family today.
