Late wife, being pretty much housebound in her last years, did a lot of this. My side were straightforward(ish), from London & mainly Forces. My uncle was involved in X-Craft mini sub operations.
Certainly a few skeletons & family myths busted. One who was Missing, believed KIA in WW1, turned up in the USA in the '30's. A 'French Count' on my Mum's side turned out to be a stunt rider in a circus, who adopted a French stage name.
As an ex postie, I found that some of the retired Army types in Victorian times became letter carriers & Coach Drivers for Royal Mail in London interesting.
On her fathers side, they were Welsh back for generations, heavily involved in Eisteddfods as harp players for generations. Found a book had been written about them. They also owned the Britannia Inn on the Anglesey bridge crossing for many years.
Her Mum claimed to be descended from a Lord. Turned out to be a housemaid who'd got knocked up by one, so true in a way. Many on that side were from game-keeping & sea-fishing families on the east coast. On our last proper holiday together we went to Great Yarmouth 'rows', the tiny terraces which they lived in.