The National Records of Scotland is hosting an exhibition entitled Scots at Work, within General Register House, Edinburgh, from 29th April - 21st June 2013 (except 6th May), open Monday to Friday: 9am – 4.30pm. The display is part of the Working Archive awareness campaign championed by the Scottish Council on Archives.
For further details visit www.nas.gov.uk/about/130429.asp and www.scottisharchives.org.uk.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
TNA podcast - The Children of Henry VIII
The latest TNA podcast is entitled The Children of Henry VIII, a talk from John Guy that runs to just over 56 minutes. You can listen to it at http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/the-children-of-henry-viii/ or download for free from iTunes.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Wharfedale Family History Group talk
Wharfedale Family History Group will be hosting a talk on Thursday, May 2nd at 7.30pm, at Salem Methodist Church Hall, Burley-in-Wharfedale. Glenys Marriott will be discussing ‘Those Who Left The Dale’. For further details visit www.wharfedalefhg.org.uk.
(With thanks to the Wharfedale Observer at www.wharfedaleobserver.co.uk/news/10382638.Wharfedale_family_history_talk/)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
(With thanks to the Wharfedale Observer at www.wharfedaleobserver.co.uk/news/10382638.Wharfedale_family_history_talk/)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Tatton talk at North Cheshire Family History Society
The next meeting of North Cheshire Family History Society will feature a talk by Janet Bradshaw about Tatton, entitled ‘Nine Lives’. It will be given at Trinity Methodist Church, Trinity Road, Sale M33 3ED, on May 8th, starting 8pm.
Further details can be found at www.ncfhs.org.uk
(With thanks to Messenger Newspapers)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Further details can be found at www.ncfhs.org.uk
(With thanks to Messenger Newspapers)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Oxfordshire wills on Origins Network
From Origins Network (www.origins.net)
Oxford Wills 1516-1857: Free indexes! View the images online
Wills can provide an extraordinary amount of information about your forebears, but most people probably have never had the chance to delve into these documents to see what they can learn. But now Oxfordshire wills from the 16th century up to 1858 - over 30,000 of them - are available online, at www.origins.net.
Simply Register or Login to search the Indexes and uncover some of your family’s hidden gems.
What can the original wills tell me?
Prior to census returns, meaning before 1841, wills can be the best source of family relationship information. The list of what you may find is impressive.
The potential value of this information in furthering your research is high, particularly if more commonly consulted records such as parish registers have drawn a blank. The information in wills goes beyond immediate family, many wills name nieces and nephews, godchildren, husbands of sisters and wives of brothers and distant kin. Usually the relationships are defined and the place of residence may be stated.
Accessing the records:
Digitisation of these documents is now completed, and these images can be purchased with Pay per View credits and viewed directly from the index records.
Simply Register or Login to search the Indexes and uncover some of your family’s hidden gems.
(With thanks to Jane Hewitt)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Oxford Wills 1516-1857: Free indexes! View the images online
Wills can provide an extraordinary amount of information about your forebears, but most people probably have never had the chance to delve into these documents to see what they can learn. But now Oxfordshire wills from the 16th century up to 1858 - over 30,000 of them - are available online, at www.origins.net.
Simply Register or Login to search the Indexes and uncover some of your family’s hidden gems.
What can the original wills tell me?
Prior to census returns, meaning before 1841, wills can be the best source of family relationship information. The list of what you may find is impressive.
- Names of heirs and beneficiaries
- Relationships
- Places of residence and origin of testators
- Places of residence of the heirs and beneficiaries
- Properties and whether freehold, copyhold or lease
- Occupations
- Debts owed and due
- Business arrangements
- Executors
- Witnesses
- Inventories of personal property
- Personal comments about heirs and beneficiaries
The potential value of this information in furthering your research is high, particularly if more commonly consulted records such as parish registers have drawn a blank. The information in wills goes beyond immediate family, many wills name nieces and nephews, godchildren, husbands of sisters and wives of brothers and distant kin. Usually the relationships are defined and the place of residence may be stated.
Accessing the records:
Digitisation of these documents is now completed, and these images can be purchased with Pay per View credits and viewed directly from the index records.
Simply Register or Login to search the Indexes and uncover some of your family’s hidden gems.
(With thanks to Jane Hewitt)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Celebrating Lanarkshire 2013 family history show
From Lanarkshire FHS (www.lanarkshirefhs.org.uk):
Local and Family History Show
Lanarkshire Family History Society will host a major Local and Family History Show this summer, as part of the “Celebrating Lanarkshire 2013” year of events. Taking place in Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre on Saturday 24th August, the Show will include a series of high profile talks, as well as participation from groups and organisations from throughout Scotland.
Children from David Livingstone Memorial Primary School will tell the story of the iconic missionary, whose birth two hundred years ago in Blantyre has inspired this year’s celebration of 200 years of Lanarkshire achievements; Dr Godfrey Evans will talk about the spectacular Hamilton Palace, home to Scotland’s premier peers, the Dukes of Hamilton; Lanark Councillor Ed Archer will explore “local hero” William Wallace’s connections with the county; a year before the Scottish Independence Referendum, Professor Richard Finlay will look back to the Union of the Parliaments in 1707; and bringing us right up to date, Alasdair MacDonald of the Scottish DNA Project will describe how science can help us connect with our forebears and take us back to our deepest ancestry. Family History Societies from many parts of Scotland will be attending:
- Aberdeen and North East Scotland FHS
- Dumfries and Galloway FHS
- East Ayrshire FHS
- Fife FHS
- Glasgow and West of Scotland FHS
- Lanarkshire FHS
- Moray and Nairn FHS
- Renfrewshire FHS
- West Lothian FHS
The genealogy website FamilySearch.org will be present, alongside The Scottish Genealogy Society and the online family history forum RootsChat.com. Representatives from outstanding county attractions include the 18th century cotton mill village and World Heritage Site of New Lanark, Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life in Coatbridge and Kittochside Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride.
Major heritage bodies, including the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments Scotland (RCAHMS) and Scran, the online media resource, will be taking part, as well as the Scottish Military Research Group, Scottish Monumental Inscriptions and the Guild of One-Name Studies. Local groups include Lanarkshire Yeomanry, Friends of Low Parks Museum, Lanarkshire Philatelic Society and Motherwell and Wishaw Rotary Club. Heritage and local history groups from Carluke, Coalburn, Croy, Gartosh, Motherwell, Monklands, Stonehouse and Shotts will also be present. North Lanarkshire Council will be represented by a number of its heritage and history interests, including Airdrie Discovery Room, local archives and libraries.
Children will be well catered for, with free activities including face painting, butter churning, hand-loom weaving and storytelling. Families will be able to dress up and have photographs taken in a photography studio setting, including as William “the Braveheart”, Wallace and Merida from the animated film Brave (additional charge). Food and refreshments will be available all day.
The event is being supported by North and South Lanarkshire Councils, David Livingstone 200 and Celebrating Lanarkshire 2013.
Chairman of Lanarkshire FHS, Bob Stewart, said, “This will be a great family day out for the serious historian, family researchers and children. The show will be one of the highlights of “Celebrating Lanarkshire 2013” year.
Entrance to the Show costs: £2 per adult, children under 12 free entry with an adult; talks in the Theatre are £3 each or £12 for all five – anyone buying a ticket for a talk will get free entry to the show.
Booking forms are available from Society members, at our Motherwell Research Centre, 122-124 Merry Street, Motherwell or online at http://lfhsfair2013.weebly.com. The Show website has up-to-the-minute information about organisations taking part, and travel information for getting to the venue.
Local and Family History Show 2013
Saturday 24th August 2013
10 am to 4.30 pm
Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre, Civic Centre, Motherwell ML1 1AB
(With thanks to Liz Irving)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
TNA's catalogue goes to Silicon Heaven...
Today (Tuesday), the National Archives at Kew (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) will lay to rest its catalogue, which when launched over a decade ago was a truly groundbreaking innovation. Its replacement, Discovery, has a hell of a lot to live up to.
RIP to the TNA Catalogue - and a huge thanks for all your hard work.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Greater love hath no catalogue than this, that a catalogue should lay down its life for its replacement...
RIP to the TNA Catalogue - and a huge thanks for all your hard work.
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Monday, 29 April 2013
Buckingham Family History Society Open Day
Buckinghamshire Family History Society will be holding its annual Open Day on Saturday 27th July 2013, from 10am to 4pm at The Grange School, Wendover Way, Aylesbury HP21 7NH.
Entry is free, with free parking available at the venue.
For full details of the event, including the archives, museums and societies exhibiting, please visit www.bucksfhs.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1132&Itemid=62
(With thanks to Graham Gough)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Entry is free, with free parking available at the venue.
For full details of the event, including the archives, museums and societies exhibiting, please visit www.bucksfhs.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1132&Itemid=62
(With thanks to Graham Gough)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Damage at National Library of Wales
The National Library of Wales has posted images of the damage to its property caused by fire on Saturday to its facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151542531558279.1073741832.12684193278&type=1.
The latest BBC news also notes that some damaged items have been taken to Oxford for drying and conservation - see www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-22332191. The library will reopen to the public tomorrow (Tuesday)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The latest BBC news also notes that some damaged items have been taken to Oxford for drying and conservation - see www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-22332191. The library will reopen to the public tomorrow (Tuesday)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Scotland's Urban Past project gets HLF funding
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland has announced that a new initiative called Scotland's Urban Past has received first round Heritage Lottery Funding of £1.65 million, including £55,000 for development work. The project, a follow up to that on Scotland's rural environment, will be a volunteer based initiative within 60 of the country's urban communities to understand the evolution of such locations.
The full story is at www.rcahms.gov.uk/news/history-on-your-doorstep-to-be-revealed.
(With thanks to RCAHMS at @rcahms)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The full story is at www.rcahms.gov.uk/news/history-on-your-doorstep-to-be-revealed.
(With thanks to RCAHMS at @rcahms)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
George Hutton's drawings go online at National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland has announced in its newsletter that it has placed a collection of drawings online by George Henry Hutton. Here's the story:
The late eighteenth century soldier and antiquary, George Henry Hutton, collected many documents and drawings of Scottish castles, landscapes, churches and other religious buildings. Now you can view these on the NLS website.
The son of mathematician Charles Hutton, he served with the Royal Artillery in the West Indies, losing an eye and becoming a prisoner of war for a year. After returning home, he developed a passion for architecture and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries.
Although he died in Ireland in 1827, he had connections with Aberdeen, which figures prominently in the collection.
To access the collection visit http://digital.nls.uk/gallery.cfm
(With thanks to the NLS)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The late eighteenth century soldier and antiquary, George Henry Hutton, collected many documents and drawings of Scottish castles, landscapes, churches and other religious buildings. Now you can view these on the NLS website.
The son of mathematician Charles Hutton, he served with the Royal Artillery in the West Indies, losing an eye and becoming a prisoner of war for a year. After returning home, he developed a passion for architecture and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries.
Although he died in Ireland in 1827, he had connections with Aberdeen, which figures prominently in the collection.
To access the collection visit http://digital.nls.uk/gallery.cfm
(With thanks to the NLS)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Happy birthday Belfast
Happy birthday to Belfast, which celebrated its 400th anniversary on Saturday, the original royal charter having been signed on 27 APR 1613. The BBC has another wonderful audio visual presentation at www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22292492 looking at its remarkable history (it mentions the Tall Ships race towards the end, which I worked at in the docks as a security guard many years ago!).
Belfast has had a hard time of it in the past, bedevilled by problems on many fronts. But Belfast also has many successes, and much to be proud of. I've lived in Scotland since 1997, but believe me when I say I will always consider Belfast MY capital city, in a way that Edinburgh will never be! :)
The Belfast Telegraph is giving away Belfast 400 posters this week - further details at www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/service/promotions-competitions/belfast-400-29206002.html
Happy birthday Belfast - and good luck and better prosperity for the next four hundred years!
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Belfast has had a hard time of it in the past, bedevilled by problems on many fronts. But Belfast also has many successes, and much to be proud of. I've lived in Scotland since 1997, but believe me when I say I will always consider Belfast MY capital city, in a way that Edinburgh will never be! :)
The Belfast Telegraph is giving away Belfast 400 posters this week - further details at www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/service/promotions-competitions/belfast-400-29206002.html
Happy birthday Belfast - and good luck and better prosperity for the next four hundred years!
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
East Sussex Record Office on the move
Thanks to Wendy Archer for sending the following announcement written by Elizabeth Hughes at East Sussex Record Office (www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/localandfamilyhistory/esro/default.htm):
East Sussex Record Office is moving to The Keep this summer. The current search room at The Maltings will close for good on 31 May and will reopen in The Keep later this year.
While we are closed staff and volunteers will be able to focus on preparing millions of historical documents from our three sites for transfer to The Keep and supervising the move itself, which will take about four months to complete. We will also be building and testing our new website, online catalogue and document ordering system ready for reopening.
We will continue to answer as many postal and email enquiries as we can and to provide our paid research and copying services during the closure period subject to staff and document availability.
The Keep is a new state-of-the art centre at Moulsecoomb which will bring together the archives and other historical resources of East Sussex and Brighton & Hove and the Special Collections of the University of Sussex under one roof for the first time and will also include the library and headquarters of the Sussex Family History Group.
We will be sad to leave The Maltings but we look forward to welcoming users to the excellent new facilities at The Keep towards the end of the year.
Please keep an eye on our website for the latest news and sign up to our ‘Keep in Touch Campaign’ : email archives @ eastsussex.gov.uk
Elizabeth Hughes
Join the Friends of East Sussex Record Office - go to
http://fesro.org/
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
East Sussex Record Office is moving to The Keep this summer. The current search room at The Maltings will close for good on 31 May and will reopen in The Keep later this year.
While we are closed staff and volunteers will be able to focus on preparing millions of historical documents from our three sites for transfer to The Keep and supervising the move itself, which will take about four months to complete. We will also be building and testing our new website, online catalogue and document ordering system ready for reopening.
We will continue to answer as many postal and email enquiries as we can and to provide our paid research and copying services during the closure period subject to staff and document availability.
The Keep is a new state-of-the art centre at Moulsecoomb which will bring together the archives and other historical resources of East Sussex and Brighton & Hove and the Special Collections of the University of Sussex under one roof for the first time and will also include the library and headquarters of the Sussex Family History Group.
We will be sad to leave The Maltings but we look forward to welcoming users to the excellent new facilities at The Keep towards the end of the year.
Please keep an eye on our website for the latest news and sign up to our ‘Keep in Touch Campaign’ : email archives @ eastsussex.gov.uk
Elizabeth Hughes
Join the Friends of East Sussex Record Office - go to
http://fesro.org/
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Sunday, 28 April 2013
The Scottish Genealogy Network's CPD day - review
Yesterday, the Scottish Genealogy Network held its first CPD day at the University of Stirling. It was just over a year ago that several professional genies in Scotland had a dinner in Dundee one night and decided we wanted to do more to keep pushing ourselves, and to help others who wished to push themselves, by way of a programme of continuous professional development. Over the last year we've been garnering interest within the genealogy community here in Scotland, holding informal monthly meetings to network across the country, arranging visits to archived repositories and libraries, and yesterday we finally achieved our first formal development session.
You can read what we got up to - and what we plan to get up to! - at the SGN blog at http://scottishgenealogynetwork.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/scottish-genealogy-networks-first-cpd.html.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Democratising or Privileging archives conference - day 2
Friday past saw the second day of the Democratising or Privileging: the Future of Access to Archives conference in Dundee, at which I attended and participated as a bod from the genealogy community. For a summary of Day 1's proceedings visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/democratising-or-privileging-archive.html.
There are two ways you can start a conference day (after the requisite cup of coffee). One is to have a talk on an uncontroversial topic to gently set the pace. The other is to have a speaker in full blown attack mode against aspects of the archival sector, crying "Havoc!", letting slip the dogs of war, spouting Calvinism and going for the jugular with all the theological verve of a modern day Andrew Melville or John Knox. We didn't see the former! Allan Macinnes, a historian from Strathclyde University, started his talk with a few interesting tales of being served lunch by a butler whilst researching archival material at Dumfries House and also being imprisoned at the Vatican Archive. With the room suitably begging for more, the fun then began - both tubes were armed with photon torpedoes, and all hell appeared to break loose! He lambasted National Records of Scotland with experiences on trying to gain access to materials at the institution, citing antiquated policies that made it incredibly difficult to carry out research, to the point where he is now trying to construct research topics that actively try to avoid using the facility - instead preferring to create research that involves visits to what he describes as more user friendly environments, such as the archives in Aberdeen. I had previously described the feeling of search room feudalism in my talk on Thursday, where at times it felt as if researchers - especially family historians - were still being treated in some large institutions as mere humble vassals to the institutions' self-perceived role of superior. It's fair to say Allan was a wee bit further down that road in his thinking!
The following discussion, including a spirited defence from ex-keeper George Mackenzie and some current members of NRS staff, as well as from other archivists on both sides of the debate, was one of those rare moments when getting it all out in the open was not only thoroughly educational, but actually entertaining. One archivist tweeted that he had wished Allan had supervised his university work. This was, of course, a long-running issue between him and the NRS and other sectors, which is precisely why they should, and did, invite him as the opening key-note speaker - and the conference was all the richer for it. The only comment I didn't agree with was his statement "we all get frustrated with the genealogists" - though to be fair, probably about as much as I used to get frustrated with some academic egos when I worked in TV - but beyond that, it was a powerful and very useful 'blast' in the old John Knox tradition!
With the talk over, and the casualties taken to dressing stations to have their wounds attended to, we then heard from Michael Moir of York Universities Library in Canada on how to manage access to sensitive information in personal archives; Jean Dryden on copyright issues, and how some archives should have the courage to adopt actual or likely risk as a factor when contemplating which records to digitise and put online (instead of self-censoring for the hell of it); and the wonderful Zofia Sulej from South Africa, who provided a great overview on the changes in South Africa in the archive sector since the fall of apartheid.
Francois Cartier from Quebec then opened the next session with a talk on archives, networks and public policies; Cathryn Spence talked about both the frustrations and successes of working in a community archive twice a week, using Edinburgh City Archives to help her in a dissertation looking at women in the city from 1560-1640; and Vivienne Dunstan provided a disabled user's perspective in using archives and libraries.
After lunch George Mackenzie then gave a a quick spiel on the International Council on Archives (www.ica.org). You know the Sale of Goods Act 1979, which allows you to go in to a shop and demand certain rights when a product is not fit for purpose? Well, here's a useful equivalent to read up on! The ICA has several principles, and to all us humble genies, here's at least three worth being aware of - 1) The public has the right of access to archives of public bodies. Both public and private archives entities should open their archives to the greatest extent possible; 7) Users have the right to appeal a denial of access; 8) Institutions holding archives ensure that operational constraints do not prevent access to archives. I have in the past been told at NRS that records such as kirk session material are not available for conservation reasons ("computer says no"); but when I then asked what the level of damage was, how long it would take to be conserved, etc, the archivist went and checked, returning soon after to say that it's perhaps not as bad as it might have been, and could perhaps be consulted under supervision, which I can more than live with. Ye don't ask, ye don't get - Matthew, Chapter 7, verse 7!
Karl Heinz discussed the brilliant European Monasterium project (www.monasterium.net), providing many of Europe's virtual documents from medieval times online. All I can say is go and play with it, it's brilliant. Maria Gussarson Wijk from Sweden then discussed the Archives Portal Network at www.archivesportaleurope.net/, something of a parallel project to Europeana, which "provides access to information on archival material from different European countries as well as information on archival institutions throughout the continent". A map was shown with participating countries - guess which one was not involved? Little Britain...
Amanda Hill was then front and centre, discussing her Deseronto community based archive in Ontario, which has little money, a small population, but a lot of heart. Amanda's solution to granting access was crowdsouring through social media - she overcame her distrust of Facebook, for example to discover it to be the most useful hunter-gathering tool in archive terms for her project, with dozens of contributions submitted by users in virtual form to her collection. The archive blog is at http://deserontoarchives.wordpress.com. The final talk was from Frances White on the Iris Murdoch archive (www.kingston.ac.uk/informationservices/archives/collections/iris_murdoch/).
Closing the whole thing off was a panel of some of the previous speakers, including shug here as the token genie! I mentioned how there had often been a perception by some in the family history community of researchers being treated as second division players in the order of priorities, and yet also seen as a major cash cow for archives, which frankly irks at times - but also that some of the topics discussed by the archivists in the room had actually affected my thinking on some of the projects that we as family historians sometimes get sucked into creating as offshoots from our research (my Ruhleben project as an example) - perhaps we can also learn some practices from the archive sector on how best to operate these? Crowdsouring is not just there to serve archives, as a crowd we can also serve our own projects but using some techniques that they use. George Mackenzie confirmed that family historians did indeed used to be treated in that way by the archive sector, but that there is a growing attempt to change that. After all the panel had said their bit, Caroline Brown then demonstrated the real skill of an archivist with a final summing up that clearly demonstrated how some archivists can catalogue material into a sense of order, neatly describing all the various points raised over the two days!
A fascinating event, an interesting glimpse into a world I've never been invited to engage with before, and a lot of food for thought. The real test though, as with any conference, is to see if any changes and approaches emerge within the archive sector as a consequence - and the sectors that engage with it (not really sure how constructive boycotting an archive might be!).
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
There are two ways you can start a conference day (after the requisite cup of coffee). One is to have a talk on an uncontroversial topic to gently set the pace. The other is to have a speaker in full blown attack mode against aspects of the archival sector, crying "Havoc!", letting slip the dogs of war, spouting Calvinism and going for the jugular with all the theological verve of a modern day Andrew Melville or John Knox. We didn't see the former! Allan Macinnes, a historian from Strathclyde University, started his talk with a few interesting tales of being served lunch by a butler whilst researching archival material at Dumfries House and also being imprisoned at the Vatican Archive. With the room suitably begging for more, the fun then began - both tubes were armed with photon torpedoes, and all hell appeared to break loose! He lambasted National Records of Scotland with experiences on trying to gain access to materials at the institution, citing antiquated policies that made it incredibly difficult to carry out research, to the point where he is now trying to construct research topics that actively try to avoid using the facility - instead preferring to create research that involves visits to what he describes as more user friendly environments, such as the archives in Aberdeen. I had previously described the feeling of search room feudalism in my talk on Thursday, where at times it felt as if researchers - especially family historians - were still being treated in some large institutions as mere humble vassals to the institutions' self-perceived role of superior. It's fair to say Allan was a wee bit further down that road in his thinking!
The following discussion, including a spirited defence from ex-keeper George Mackenzie and some current members of NRS staff, as well as from other archivists on both sides of the debate, was one of those rare moments when getting it all out in the open was not only thoroughly educational, but actually entertaining. One archivist tweeted that he had wished Allan had supervised his university work. This was, of course, a long-running issue between him and the NRS and other sectors, which is precisely why they should, and did, invite him as the opening key-note speaker - and the conference was all the richer for it. The only comment I didn't agree with was his statement "we all get frustrated with the genealogists" - though to be fair, probably about as much as I used to get frustrated with some academic egos when I worked in TV - but beyond that, it was a powerful and very useful 'blast' in the old John Knox tradition!
With the talk over, and the casualties taken to dressing stations to have their wounds attended to, we then heard from Michael Moir of York Universities Library in Canada on how to manage access to sensitive information in personal archives; Jean Dryden on copyright issues, and how some archives should have the courage to adopt actual or likely risk as a factor when contemplating which records to digitise and put online (instead of self-censoring for the hell of it); and the wonderful Zofia Sulej from South Africa, who provided a great overview on the changes in South Africa in the archive sector since the fall of apartheid.
Francois Cartier from Quebec then opened the next session with a talk on archives, networks and public policies; Cathryn Spence talked about both the frustrations and successes of working in a community archive twice a week, using Edinburgh City Archives to help her in a dissertation looking at women in the city from 1560-1640; and Vivienne Dunstan provided a disabled user's perspective in using archives and libraries.
After lunch George Mackenzie then gave a a quick spiel on the International Council on Archives (www.ica.org). You know the Sale of Goods Act 1979, which allows you to go in to a shop and demand certain rights when a product is not fit for purpose? Well, here's a useful equivalent to read up on! The ICA has several principles, and to all us humble genies, here's at least three worth being aware of - 1) The public has the right of access to archives of public bodies. Both public and private archives entities should open their archives to the greatest extent possible; 7) Users have the right to appeal a denial of access; 8) Institutions holding archives ensure that operational constraints do not prevent access to archives. I have in the past been told at NRS that records such as kirk session material are not available for conservation reasons ("computer says no"); but when I then asked what the level of damage was, how long it would take to be conserved, etc, the archivist went and checked, returning soon after to say that it's perhaps not as bad as it might have been, and could perhaps be consulted under supervision, which I can more than live with. Ye don't ask, ye don't get - Matthew, Chapter 7, verse 7!
Karl Heinz discussed the brilliant European Monasterium project (www.monasterium.net), providing many of Europe's virtual documents from medieval times online. All I can say is go and play with it, it's brilliant. Maria Gussarson Wijk from Sweden then discussed the Archives Portal Network at www.archivesportaleurope.net/, something of a parallel project to Europeana, which "provides access to information on archival material from different European countries as well as information on archival institutions throughout the continent". A map was shown with participating countries - guess which one was not involved? Little Britain...
Amanda Hill was then front and centre, discussing her Deseronto community based archive in Ontario, which has little money, a small population, but a lot of heart. Amanda's solution to granting access was crowdsouring through social media - she overcame her distrust of Facebook, for example to discover it to be the most useful hunter-gathering tool in archive terms for her project, with dozens of contributions submitted by users in virtual form to her collection. The archive blog is at http://deserontoarchives.wordpress.com. The final talk was from Frances White on the Iris Murdoch archive (www.kingston.ac.uk/informationservices/archives/collections/iris_murdoch/).
Closing the whole thing off was a panel of some of the previous speakers, including shug here as the token genie! I mentioned how there had often been a perception by some in the family history community of researchers being treated as second division players in the order of priorities, and yet also seen as a major cash cow for archives, which frankly irks at times - but also that some of the topics discussed by the archivists in the room had actually affected my thinking on some of the projects that we as family historians sometimes get sucked into creating as offshoots from our research (my Ruhleben project as an example) - perhaps we can also learn some practices from the archive sector on how best to operate these? Crowdsouring is not just there to serve archives, as a crowd we can also serve our own projects but using some techniques that they use. George Mackenzie confirmed that family historians did indeed used to be treated in that way by the archive sector, but that there is a growing attempt to change that. After all the panel had said their bit, Caroline Brown then demonstrated the real skill of an archivist with a final summing up that clearly demonstrated how some archivists can catalogue material into a sense of order, neatly describing all the various points raised over the two days!
A fascinating event, an interesting glimpse into a world I've never been invited to engage with before, and a lot of food for thought. The real test though, as with any conference, is to see if any changes and approaches emerge within the archive sector as a consequence - and the sectors that engage with it (not really sure how constructive boycotting an archive might be!).
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Friday, 26 April 2013
RootsIreland adds Tyrone and Fermanagh gravestone records
From RootsIreland (www.rootsireland.ie):
Further Tyrone-Fermanagh Gravestones Records Now Available
We have added another 50,000 Gravestone Inscription records for the counties Tyrone and Fermanagh to www.rootsireland.ie
A total of nearly 270 cemeteries have been surveyed – practically all those available for these counties. These records cover cemeteries of all religious denominations, as well as those of municipal authorities.
Unlike birth and marriage records, gravestone records were not comprehensive in scope, but in most cases they offer valuable information for genealogy researchers. In a few cases, the gravestone might provide a vital piece of information – or a family link – that is not available in any other record source.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Further Tyrone-Fermanagh Gravestones Records Now Available
We have added another 50,000 Gravestone Inscription records for the counties Tyrone and Fermanagh to www.rootsireland.ie
A total of nearly 270 cemeteries have been surveyed – practically all those available for these counties. These records cover cemeteries of all religious denominations, as well as those of municipal authorities.
Unlike birth and marriage records, gravestone records were not comprehensive in scope, but in most cases they offer valuable information for genealogy researchers. In a few cases, the gravestone might provide a vital piece of information – or a family link – that is not available in any other record source.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Fire hits National Library of Wales
Another story on National Library of Wales - a major fire has destroyed part of the building's roof today. The area affected was mainly used for office space and new acquisitions - book holdings seem to have escaped any damage. The BBC has the story at www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22312017
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
MAJOR NEWS - National Library of Wales waives digital copyright
The following is astonishing, and unbelievably good news, from Wales:
To celebrate World Intellectual Property Day (26 April) and to promote discussion of the role of intellectual property in encouraging innovation and creativity The National Library of Wales (www.llgc.org.uk) has announced a pioneering decision in relation to its digitised collections by declaring that it will no longer claim ownership of copyright in digital copies of items in its care.
For many years, the Library has been proactive in its use of digitisation and the Web as means of widening access to its collections. From Wales’s earliest manuscripts to countless volumes of nineteenth-century Welsh newspapers, the Library has digitised and published copies of some of its most valued collections for all to see on the Web, anywhere and anytime.
These include:
• The Black Book of Carmarthen (c.1250): one of the earliest surviving manuscripts written solely in the Welsh language.
• Yny lhyvyr Hwnn by John Price (1546), the first book to be printed in the Welsh language
• Thomas Taylor’s county atlas (1718), the first published atlas relating entirely to Wales.
• Welsh Newspapers Online the Library’s largest digitisation project to date
During the next few months, the Library will be implementing a policy that will enable the public to use thousands of images on its website without any restriction. Users of the website should be aware that many images will still be subject to third party rights that will need to be cleared before use, but the Library will not impose additional copyright restrictions unless it owns the copyright in the original work. High resolution versions of the images will still be available under licence through the Library’s Enquiries Service.
Sir Deian Hopkin, President of The National Library of Wales said:
‘This important decision has not been taken lightly, but is consistent with the open approach to digital technologies that we’ve adopted over the course of the last decade. It is not merely a decision based on our interpretation of copyright law; it is a statement about how we perceive our role as a National Library within a digital Wales. As far as we are aware, we are the only cultural institution within the UK which has made such a clear statement concerning the ownership and openness of its digital collections.’
Dafydd Tudur, Rights and Information Manager added:
‘This is a wonderful opportunity to share our collections with the people of Wales and the world. The public should be able to use as well as view the collections in our care, and the National Library should be seen as an enabler rather than a gatekeeper.’
This new approach has been welcomed by the Library’s users and has generated much interest within the cultural sector. This development will not only contribute towards raising awareness of the history of Wales and its people both within Wales and beyond, but also raise the profile of the National Library of Wales and reaffirms its status as one of the UK’s most ground-breaking and innovative cultural organisations.
COMMENT: Copyright was raised at the archives conference I have been attending over the last 2 days (I made the point that in addition to copyright, there is also the issue of Terms and Conditions on a site that can affect genealogists). On copyright though, never saw this one coming - Wales leads the way! :)
(With thanks to the Federation of Family History Societies and the NLW Press Office)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
To celebrate World Intellectual Property Day (26 April) and to promote discussion of the role of intellectual property in encouraging innovation and creativity The National Library of Wales (www.llgc.org.uk) has announced a pioneering decision in relation to its digitised collections by declaring that it will no longer claim ownership of copyright in digital copies of items in its care.
For many years, the Library has been proactive in its use of digitisation and the Web as means of widening access to its collections. From Wales’s earliest manuscripts to countless volumes of nineteenth-century Welsh newspapers, the Library has digitised and published copies of some of its most valued collections for all to see on the Web, anywhere and anytime.
These include:
• The Black Book of Carmarthen (c.1250): one of the earliest surviving manuscripts written solely in the Welsh language.
• Yny lhyvyr Hwnn by John Price (1546), the first book to be printed in the Welsh language
• Thomas Taylor’s county atlas (1718), the first published atlas relating entirely to Wales.
• Welsh Newspapers Online the Library’s largest digitisation project to date
During the next few months, the Library will be implementing a policy that will enable the public to use thousands of images on its website without any restriction. Users of the website should be aware that many images will still be subject to third party rights that will need to be cleared before use, but the Library will not impose additional copyright restrictions unless it owns the copyright in the original work. High resolution versions of the images will still be available under licence through the Library’s Enquiries Service.
Sir Deian Hopkin, President of The National Library of Wales said:
‘This important decision has not been taken lightly, but is consistent with the open approach to digital technologies that we’ve adopted over the course of the last decade. It is not merely a decision based on our interpretation of copyright law; it is a statement about how we perceive our role as a National Library within a digital Wales. As far as we are aware, we are the only cultural institution within the UK which has made such a clear statement concerning the ownership and openness of its digital collections.’
Dafydd Tudur, Rights and Information Manager added:
‘This is a wonderful opportunity to share our collections with the people of Wales and the world. The public should be able to use as well as view the collections in our care, and the National Library should be seen as an enabler rather than a gatekeeper.’
This new approach has been welcomed by the Library’s users and has generated much interest within the cultural sector. This development will not only contribute towards raising awareness of the history of Wales and its people both within Wales and beyond, but also raise the profile of the National Library of Wales and reaffirms its status as one of the UK’s most ground-breaking and innovative cultural organisations.
COMMENT: Copyright was raised at the archives conference I have been attending over the last 2 days (I made the point that in addition to copyright, there is also the issue of Terms and Conditions on a site that can affect genealogists). On copyright though, never saw this one coming - Wales leads the way! :)
(With thanks to the Federation of Family History Societies and the NLW Press Office)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
FindmyPast becomes FundmyPast!
FindmyPast UK is offering 40 free credits. Visit www.findmypast.co.uk and register, then use the code MARRIAGE for the free credits. Take note though:
"Have you used previous codes? This one is an introductory offer so if you have you won't be eligible..."
(With thanks to Carole Steers @lazyloverUK)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
"Have you used previous codes? This one is an introductory offer so if you have you won't be eligible..."
(With thanks to Carole Steers @lazyloverUK)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Society of Genealogists May courses
There is still space on the following Events which will take place at the Society of Genealogists in May. To book a place, visit our website at: www.sog.org.uk and proceed to the Books & Courses section. You can also book by telephone, at the number listed below.
1 May 14:00 Whitechapel 1600-1800
Based on the lecturer’s book, Whitechapel 1600-1800: a Social History, this is a very useful and interesting talk for anyone who had ancestors living in this area of East London.
A one-hour lecture with Derek Morris price 6.00
4 May 10:30-13:00 Publishing to the Kindle for the Busy Genealogist
You don’t just have to be a consumer of Kindle content, you can publish your own material too, and you don’t have to be a best-selling author to do it! This practical tutorial looks at the process of publishing your own content to the Kindle, the various ways you can do so and the benefits you might enjoy as a result. It also describes the other types of material available with reference to examples of interest to the busy genealogist.
A half-day course with Geoff Young price 17.50
4 May 1400-17:00 DNA Tests & Heredity for Family Historians
This half-day course will look at many aspects of genetics which are applicable to the study of family history. It is suitable for those who have no prior knowledge of the subject. This course will introduce the inheritance of genetic factors. It will explain how these produce physical features and hereditary diseases which can be traced through our pedigrees. We will also consider how the inheritance of genetic material and its changes or mutations can provide tests for genealogists to identify the population, family or even an individual from whom they descend. It will show how DNA tests are chosen and performed and illustrate with case studies what they can and can’t tell us.
With Dr Geoff Swinfield price 17.50
8 May 14:00 What's New at Familysearch
The familysearch.org website is the largest family history website in the world, with billions of names across hundreds of collections - and more are added monthly. The website this past week has undergone major enhancements. Learn what new major databases have been added, how to find this information, and how to best use the new site.
A one-hour lecture with Sharon Hintze, of the London Family History Centre price 6.00
11 May 10:30-17:00 Family Historian Software Package Explained - for Beginners & Refreshers An overview of this popular and useful software, bring your questions along!
A full-day course John Hanson price 30.00
15 May 14:00 Using the Findmypast Website
Learn how to best use this popular website and access both the many unique and comprehensive records useful to the family historian.
A one-hour lecture with Debra Chatfield price 6.00
18 May 10:30-13:00 My Ancestor was Scottish
We will look at Birth, Marriage and Death records in Scotland, and how to locate them, as well as church records, census and what is available on the internet. A course by the author of the Societys popular book of the same title.
A half-day course with Alan Stewart price17.50
18 May 14:00-17:00 Victorian Law & Order
How could records of Victorian Law & Order help my researches - my ancestors never strayed from the straight & narrow? We should remember that records of Victorian courts include not just criminals but also ordinary, law-abiding folk. There are records of juries, witnesses, licences for gamekeepers and peddlars, bastardy bonds and prison reports plus records from the High Courts & Chancery where families squabble over inheritances and property. Then there are the peace-keepers, the traditional parish constable and the later police officers to also consider. This half-day session looks at the key records of the main law courts, how to interpret them and where to find them incorporating case studies to illustrate research techniques.
A half-day course with Liz Carter price 17.50
23 May 18:00-20:00 Stage 2 Evening Skills Course
This stage is designed for those who already have some experience of genealogical research and are familiar with the basic records (General Registration, the censuses, directories, parish registers and bishops transcripts and wills). The course will introduce students to many of the records and finding aids used to take research further. In addition to a description of the records and their whereabouts, sources will be put into the context of their original purpose and the techniques required in their use in genealogical research.
Thursday evenings for 10 weeks, concludes 25 July price150.00
The classes on this course can be booked individually as long as you have some good basic knowledge of family history research, (price 20.00). Please contact the events department for further details.
(With thanks to Lori Weinstein)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
1 May 14:00 Whitechapel 1600-1800
Based on the lecturer’s book, Whitechapel 1600-1800: a Social History, this is a very useful and interesting talk for anyone who had ancestors living in this area of East London.
A one-hour lecture with Derek Morris price 6.00
4 May 10:30-13:00 Publishing to the Kindle for the Busy Genealogist
You don’t just have to be a consumer of Kindle content, you can publish your own material too, and you don’t have to be a best-selling author to do it! This practical tutorial looks at the process of publishing your own content to the Kindle, the various ways you can do so and the benefits you might enjoy as a result. It also describes the other types of material available with reference to examples of interest to the busy genealogist.
A half-day course with Geoff Young price 17.50
4 May 1400-17:00 DNA Tests & Heredity for Family Historians
This half-day course will look at many aspects of genetics which are applicable to the study of family history. It is suitable for those who have no prior knowledge of the subject. This course will introduce the inheritance of genetic factors. It will explain how these produce physical features and hereditary diseases which can be traced through our pedigrees. We will also consider how the inheritance of genetic material and its changes or mutations can provide tests for genealogists to identify the population, family or even an individual from whom they descend. It will show how DNA tests are chosen and performed and illustrate with case studies what they can and can’t tell us.
With Dr Geoff Swinfield price 17.50
8 May 14:00 What's New at Familysearch
The familysearch.org website is the largest family history website in the world, with billions of names across hundreds of collections - and more are added monthly. The website this past week has undergone major enhancements. Learn what new major databases have been added, how to find this information, and how to best use the new site.
A one-hour lecture with Sharon Hintze, of the London Family History Centre price 6.00
11 May 10:30-17:00 Family Historian Software Package Explained - for Beginners & Refreshers An overview of this popular and useful software, bring your questions along!
A full-day course John Hanson price 30.00
15 May 14:00 Using the Findmypast Website
Learn how to best use this popular website and access both the many unique and comprehensive records useful to the family historian.
A one-hour lecture with Debra Chatfield price 6.00
18 May 10:30-13:00 My Ancestor was Scottish
We will look at Birth, Marriage and Death records in Scotland, and how to locate them, as well as church records, census and what is available on the internet. A course by the author of the Societys popular book of the same title.
A half-day course with Alan Stewart price17.50
18 May 14:00-17:00 Victorian Law & Order
How could records of Victorian Law & Order help my researches - my ancestors never strayed from the straight & narrow? We should remember that records of Victorian courts include not just criminals but also ordinary, law-abiding folk. There are records of juries, witnesses, licences for gamekeepers and peddlars, bastardy bonds and prison reports plus records from the High Courts & Chancery where families squabble over inheritances and property. Then there are the peace-keepers, the traditional parish constable and the later police officers to also consider. This half-day session looks at the key records of the main law courts, how to interpret them and where to find them incorporating case studies to illustrate research techniques.
A half-day course with Liz Carter price 17.50
23 May 18:00-20:00 Stage 2 Evening Skills Course
This stage is designed for those who already have some experience of genealogical research and are familiar with the basic records (General Registration, the censuses, directories, parish registers and bishops transcripts and wills). The course will introduce students to many of the records and finding aids used to take research further. In addition to a description of the records and their whereabouts, sources will be put into the context of their original purpose and the techniques required in their use in genealogical research.
Thursday evenings for 10 weeks, concludes 25 July price150.00
The classes on this course can be booked individually as long as you have some good basic knowledge of family history research, (price 20.00). Please contact the events department for further details.
(With thanks to Lori Weinstein)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Servants Emerging from the Shadows exhibition
Paxton House, near Berwick, is hosting an exhibition from 21 APR - 30 OCT 2013, entitled Servants - Emerging from the Shadows. Full details at Borders Family History Society blog at http://blog.bordersfhs.org.uk/2013/04/paxton-house-exhibition.html
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Democratising or Privileging archive conference in Dundee
I've been a tad quiet in the last few days on the blogging front, for the simple reason it's conference time! Yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday), I've been attending a University of Dundee conference entitled Democratising or Privileging: the Future of Access to Archives, and tomorrow I'll be at our first Scottish Genealogy Network CPD event - but more on that one in due course!
The first day in Dundee has been thoroughly enjoyable, and quite an eye-opener in terms of understanding some of the issues dealt with by the archive community. The event has been fairly well attended, with archivists from across Britain and with quite a few from Canada. It looks like some conference papers may be published in due course, so I'll just flag up some headlines from some of the talks so far.
Caroline Shenton from the UK Parliamentary Archives got us underway with a session asking whose history is it anyway, when it comes to providing access to records? Some interesting stats were given in that, such as a recent study finding that 15% of adults have never used the internet, albeit that number having fallen, and that only 20% of archive use is for personal research. (I found that an interesting point, but then one has to wonder is that because for personal use, many can't get to archives when they are open, with many doing the 9-5 Mon-Fri routine, which happens to be the work hours for most of us?!). [Correction - the 20% figure is for access to the Parliamentary archive - the national figure is 60%. Thanks to Caroline for the update!] Questions were asked about who was being served by archives - in London for example, 45% of the population is 'white British', and yet archive use is considerably higher than that by the same population. Caroline also raised the question about whether archives are democratising or privileging access - she suggested in some cases it is becoming about whether some archives can offer ANY form of access in the current climate. Lots of food for thought.
There then followed sessions by Sara Allain and Kelli Babcock on the cuts at Library and Archives Canada, and the impact of digitisation and the rhetoric surrounding it (only 1.5% of LAC material has been digitised, so err, lots not quite online yet, seems a bit optimistic to be decimating access to the provision for the other 98.5%!). LAC did not come off well on that front, there are some truly shocking developments going on there by a government with its blinkers on and its head stuck in the sand at the same time by the sounds of it. Jenny Seeman from the University of Newfoundland then flagged up issues about how the digitisation of certain projects can skew perceptions and usage.
Hugh Hagan and Andrew Kendrick gave a talk about the Shaw Report and the new Public Records (Scotland) Act - various issues affecting those once in care were discussed, and the point made that it took 75 years and an abuse scandal for the law to change with regard to how archives manage records from such institutions (and in general).
In the second session Craig Gauld from the University of Dundee gave a talk on the role of the archivist as a gatekeeper, whilst Grant Buttars, Rachel Hosker and Louise Williams spoke on the practicalities of democratic access to archives. The Q&A after that provided for some interesting and lively exchanges between the speakers and the conference delegates!
Session 3 was on the impact on users of access to archives. Norman Reid from St Andrews University asked how reactive archives should be to public demand, whilst Alan MacDonald offered a historian's perspective on how some of the online digitised materials may be fine for family historians, but may be problematic for historical analysis, for example if only indexed by surname - but also other issues about inconsistencies, such as the charging between different platforms such as ScotlandsPeople and ScotlandsPlaces, and within the sites themselves (by the way, great as it is, I think ScotlandsPlaces is the only records vending site in Britain that advertises a rate - plus VAT!)
Then yours truly was up. I gave a family historian's perspective on various issues about visits to archives - eg the desirability for simple things like wifi and the ability to photograph documents, as well as the need to continue with cataloguing and indexing of non-digitised materials. Possibly ironic - I have written books about research using the internet - but I always make the point in them up front that not everything is online (nowhere near it!). When the brick wall hits us, it is the archive that will be the best and often only chance for progress, so whilst digitisation is important, it is just one aspect. I think some family historians want everything online, and by yesterday, but knowing a record or collection exists in the first place is as important an issue as how you access it, whether online or in person, and cataloguing does not sound as 'sexy' to those giving the money. Not everything in life needs to be sexy to be vital! (take it from who knows, I'm neither!). I should add that I have never spoken in front of a room full of archivists before - there must a be a phobia named after that - but it was great to note that some of the points I made were also covered by Norman and Alan, with the whole thing ably chaired by Pat Whatley. (And we also discovered all three of us had been 'volunteered' by Pat, rather than volunteering, so we're now unionising as a future defence...!). Great to be able to participate.
Wendy Duff then discussed the use of fun in making archives more accessible, particularly in terms of crowdsourcing and interaction with the user base. Sarah Barber gave us an overview of how difficult it is to access Caribbean records (we're in a fine state by comparison), and Caroline Adams discussed how West Sussex Records Office supports communities on its patch to preserve the local historical record. To end proceedings for Day 1, Irene O'Brien from Glasgow City Archives gave a talk on the works of the Scottish Council on Archives.
I learned about some interesting developments today - a) the National Records of Scotland no longer forces you to go out the building to get passport photos if you forget your readers ticket (they now have a swish new digital camera, though there's a charge of £2 to get 4 images done), and there are proposals to try to create a new catalogue platform for Scottish archives, a sort of Scottish Archive Network catalogue with bells on (facilitating user interaction for one thing) - early days on that one, but all very promising.
So far, it's been a blast. I think there are only three genies in the room, but I'd really recommend others to come to subsequent events, certainly within the professional genealogy community. Looking forward to today's offerings!
There's additional coverage of the conference from Amanda Hill at http://deserontoarchives.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/democratizing-access-to-archives/. If you want to follow today's proceedings on Twitter, or catchup on yesterday's tweets, the hashtag is #archaccess
UPDATE: Just been told that Ayr will soon be providing access to the ScotlandsPeople computer system, at £15 unlimited access per day. Four terminals on the way - will provide an update if and when I get more.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The first day in Dundee has been thoroughly enjoyable, and quite an eye-opener in terms of understanding some of the issues dealt with by the archive community. The event has been fairly well attended, with archivists from across Britain and with quite a few from Canada. It looks like some conference papers may be published in due course, so I'll just flag up some headlines from some of the talks so far.
Caroline Shenton from the UK Parliamentary Archives got us underway with a session asking whose history is it anyway, when it comes to providing access to records? Some interesting stats were given in that, such as a recent study finding that 15% of adults have never used the internet, albeit that number having fallen, and that only 20% of archive use is for personal research. (I found that an interesting point, but then one has to wonder is that because for personal use, many can't get to archives when they are open, with many doing the 9-5 Mon-Fri routine, which happens to be the work hours for most of us?!). [Correction - the 20% figure is for access to the Parliamentary archive - the national figure is 60%. Thanks to Caroline for the update!] Questions were asked about who was being served by archives - in London for example, 45% of the population is 'white British', and yet archive use is considerably higher than that by the same population. Caroline also raised the question about whether archives are democratising or privileging access - she suggested in some cases it is becoming about whether some archives can offer ANY form of access in the current climate. Lots of food for thought.
There then followed sessions by Sara Allain and Kelli Babcock on the cuts at Library and Archives Canada, and the impact of digitisation and the rhetoric surrounding it (only 1.5% of LAC material has been digitised, so err, lots not quite online yet, seems a bit optimistic to be decimating access to the provision for the other 98.5%!). LAC did not come off well on that front, there are some truly shocking developments going on there by a government with its blinkers on and its head stuck in the sand at the same time by the sounds of it. Jenny Seeman from the University of Newfoundland then flagged up issues about how the digitisation of certain projects can skew perceptions and usage.
Hugh Hagan and Andrew Kendrick gave a talk about the Shaw Report and the new Public Records (Scotland) Act - various issues affecting those once in care were discussed, and the point made that it took 75 years and an abuse scandal for the law to change with regard to how archives manage records from such institutions (and in general).
In the second session Craig Gauld from the University of Dundee gave a talk on the role of the archivist as a gatekeeper, whilst Grant Buttars, Rachel Hosker and Louise Williams spoke on the practicalities of democratic access to archives. The Q&A after that provided for some interesting and lively exchanges between the speakers and the conference delegates!
Session 3 was on the impact on users of access to archives. Norman Reid from St Andrews University asked how reactive archives should be to public demand, whilst Alan MacDonald offered a historian's perspective on how some of the online digitised materials may be fine for family historians, but may be problematic for historical analysis, for example if only indexed by surname - but also other issues about inconsistencies, such as the charging between different platforms such as ScotlandsPeople and ScotlandsPlaces, and within the sites themselves (by the way, great as it is, I think ScotlandsPlaces is the only records vending site in Britain that advertises a rate - plus VAT!)
Then yours truly was up. I gave a family historian's perspective on various issues about visits to archives - eg the desirability for simple things like wifi and the ability to photograph documents, as well as the need to continue with cataloguing and indexing of non-digitised materials. Possibly ironic - I have written books about research using the internet - but I always make the point in them up front that not everything is online (nowhere near it!). When the brick wall hits us, it is the archive that will be the best and often only chance for progress, so whilst digitisation is important, it is just one aspect. I think some family historians want everything online, and by yesterday, but knowing a record or collection exists in the first place is as important an issue as how you access it, whether online or in person, and cataloguing does not sound as 'sexy' to those giving the money. Not everything in life needs to be sexy to be vital! (take it from who knows, I'm neither!). I should add that I have never spoken in front of a room full of archivists before - there must a be a phobia named after that - but it was great to note that some of the points I made were also covered by Norman and Alan, with the whole thing ably chaired by Pat Whatley. (And we also discovered all three of us had been 'volunteered' by Pat, rather than volunteering, so we're now unionising as a future defence...!). Great to be able to participate.
Wendy Duff then discussed the use of fun in making archives more accessible, particularly in terms of crowdsourcing and interaction with the user base. Sarah Barber gave us an overview of how difficult it is to access Caribbean records (we're in a fine state by comparison), and Caroline Adams discussed how West Sussex Records Office supports communities on its patch to preserve the local historical record. To end proceedings for Day 1, Irene O'Brien from Glasgow City Archives gave a talk on the works of the Scottish Council on Archives.
I learned about some interesting developments today - a) the National Records of Scotland no longer forces you to go out the building to get passport photos if you forget your readers ticket (they now have a swish new digital camera, though there's a charge of £2 to get 4 images done), and there are proposals to try to create a new catalogue platform for Scottish archives, a sort of Scottish Archive Network catalogue with bells on (facilitating user interaction for one thing) - early days on that one, but all very promising.
So far, it's been a blast. I think there are only three genies in the room, but I'd really recommend others to come to subsequent events, certainly within the professional genealogy community. Looking forward to today's offerings!
There's additional coverage of the conference from Amanda Hill at http://deserontoarchives.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/democratizing-access-to-archives/. If you want to follow today's proceedings on Twitter, or catchup on yesterday's tweets, the hashtag is #archaccess
UPDATE: Just been told that Ayr will soon be providing access to the ScotlandsPeople computer system, at £15 unlimited access per day. Four terminals on the way - will provide an update if and when I get more.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
More Trafford burials join Deceased Online
From Deceased Online (www.deceasedonline.com):
Nearly 120,000 burial records for Manchester's Trafford area now available
Records for all five of the cemeteries managed by Trafford Council in Greater Manchester are now available on www.deceasedonline.com
Dunham Lawn, Sale (aka Sale Brooklands) and Urmston cemeteries join Hale and Stretford Cemeteries with their data on the Deceased Online website; there are now nearly 120,000 burial records available for the area
The records comprise scans of burial registers, grave details and cemetery maps indicating section locations of graves. Click here for more information.
Records for Altrincham Crematorium in Trafford will be available on Deceased Online very shortly.
Trafford is the 2nd council area within Greater Manchester with records on Deceased Online. All records for Bolton Council - comprising 7 cemeteries and a crematorium - can be accessed immediately.
(With thanks to Deceased Online)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Nearly 120,000 burial records for Manchester's Trafford area now available
Records for all five of the cemeteries managed by Trafford Council in Greater Manchester are now available on www.deceasedonline.com
Dunham Lawn, Sale (aka Sale Brooklands) and Urmston cemeteries join Hale and Stretford Cemeteries with their data on the Deceased Online website; there are now nearly 120,000 burial records available for the area
The records comprise scans of burial registers, grave details and cemetery maps indicating section locations of graves. Click here for more information.
Records for Altrincham Crematorium in Trafford will be available on Deceased Online very shortly.
Trafford is the 2nd council area within Greater Manchester with records on Deceased Online. All records for Bolton Council - comprising 7 cemeteries and a crematorium - can be accessed immediately.
(With thanks to Deceased Online)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Family history equips kids better for challenges in life
This is interesting - a New York Times article looking at how children who have previously gained some sense of their family history can in fact be somewhat better equipped to do with challenges or crises in their lives - and there's actually some science involved!
The full story is at www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/fashion/the-family-stories-that-bind-us-this-life.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
(With thanks to @TraceMag)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The full story is at www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/fashion/the-family-stories-that-bind-us-this-life.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
(With thanks to @TraceMag)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
TNA does DNA
The Friends of the National Archives at Kew is running a talks session on May 2nd entitled DNA, Family History and the Population of the British Isles, with two sessions, as follows:
The People of the British Isles Project - the genetic structure of Britain and beyond
DNA and Family History 2013 - where have we come from and where are we going?
Full details, including the speaker line up, are available at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/events/dna-family-history.htm
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The People of the British Isles Project - the genetic structure of Britain and beyond
DNA and Family History 2013 - where have we come from and where are we going?
Full details, including the speaker line up, are available at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/events/dna-family-history.htm
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Ancestry updates 1911 census holdings
From Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk):
1911 Census – Improved!
We’ve made two major improvements to our 1911 Census making it even more essential in the search for your family’s past.
First of all we’ve released brand new record images, which include the ‘Infirmity’ column that was previously hidden. You can now see if any of your relatives were deaf or blind, or coped with a mental illness.
Plus, we’ve linked the records to our UK Maps, 1896-1904, supplied by Cassini Historical Maps. Once you’ve found your family in the Census, you can jump straight to a map revealing the area they lived in.
(With thanks to Bryony Partridge)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
1911 Census – Improved!
We’ve made two major improvements to our 1911 Census making it even more essential in the search for your family’s past.
First of all we’ve released brand new record images, which include the ‘Infirmity’ column that was previously hidden. You can now see if any of your relatives were deaf or blind, or coped with a mental illness.
Plus, we’ve linked the records to our UK Maps, 1896-1904, supplied by Cassini Historical Maps. Once you’ve found your family in the Census, you can jump straight to a map revealing the area they lived in.
(With thanks to Bryony Partridge)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
More Northumberland records on FamilySearch
FamilySearch has updated its England, Northumberland, Miscellaneous Records, 1570-2005 collection with additional browsable images - but these are only accessible at an LDS family history centre.
Further details at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1918635
Incidentally, FamilySearch has responded to criticism of the hiding away of it Wiki site in the new design, by making it more prominent - you can now find it on the Search Records page as a new option ('Wiki') - see top of https://familysearch.org/search
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Further details at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1918635
Incidentally, FamilySearch has responded to criticism of the hiding away of it Wiki site in the new design, by making it more prominent - you can now find it on the Search Records page as a new option ('Wiki') - see top of https://familysearch.org/search
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Happy St.George's Day
Happy St. George's Day to all English readers of this blog! Treat it like St Paddy's Day - but with less Guinness and more dragon fighting!
(And check out the Google doodle at www.google.co.uk!)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
(And check out the Google doodle at www.google.co.uk!)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
FamilyTree DNA sale
Family Tree DNA (www.familytreedna.com) has another sale on the go - here's the blurb from its newsletter:
DNA DAY SALE EXTENDED******
This year we began our commemoration of National DNA Day on April 19th. This coincides with the celebration by the National Human Genome Research Institute and the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History's partnership to celebrate the 1953 discovery of the double helix and the 2003 completion of the Human Genome Project, which was April 19th.
However, DNA Day is celebrated worldwide on April 25th. Therefore, we've extended our sale! The usual conditions apply - orders must be made and paid for by 11:59 p.m. CDT on Thursday, April 25th.
Remember, we’ll offer a promotion on Y-DNA upgrades around Father’s Day, so be on the lookout for those details.
Full details on the discounts are available at www.familytreedna.com/products.aspx
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
DNA DAY SALE EXTENDED******
This year we began our commemoration of National DNA Day on April 19th. This coincides with the celebration by the National Human Genome Research Institute and the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History's partnership to celebrate the 1953 discovery of the double helix and the 2003 completion of the Human Genome Project, which was April 19th.
However, DNA Day is celebrated worldwide on April 25th. Therefore, we've extended our sale! The usual conditions apply - orders must be made and paid for by 11:59 p.m. CDT on Thursday, April 25th.
Remember, we’ll offer a promotion on Y-DNA upgrades around Father’s Day, so be on the lookout for those details.
Full details on the discounts are available at www.familytreedna.com/products.aspx
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
FamilySearch Indexing hits one billionth record
Congratulations to the FamilySearch website, which has now indexed one billion records since September 2006 - the full story, along with the latest collections being worked on by the FamilySearch Indexing community, is accessible at http://view.familysearch.ldschurch.org/?j=fe4e1074726702757c1c&m=fe6315707166057a711d&ls=fdf31c737263027475147374&l=fe611770746d007e7d16&s=fe2413767760037a771676&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe2016787262057b731778&r=0
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Monday, 22 April 2013
British Newspaper Archive additions
Recent additions to the British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk):
Arbroath Herald and Advertiser for the Montrose Burghs 1891 - 1892, 1897, 1899 - 1902, 1904 - 1905
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 1916 - 1918, 1950
Belfast Morning News 1857
Dumfries and Galloway Standard 1848, 1866
Dunfermline Saturday Press 1884, 1888
East London Observer 1857, 1875
Edinburgh Evening News 1873, 1877, 1881, 1884, 1895
Inverness Courier 1846, 1852, 1854, 1928, 1930
Islington Gazette 1856
John o' Groat Journal 1836 - 1838, 1841, 1844, 1846 - 1847, 1852 - 1853, 1855 - 1857, 1863 - 1864, 1866, 1868 - 1872
Kent & Sussex Courier 1873 - 1874, 1877 - 1878, 1907, 1909
Lichfield Mercury 1883 - 1885, 1890 - 1894, 1917 - 1918, 1920 - 1921, 1940 - 1941, 1943, 1946 - 1947, 1950 - 1955
London City Press 1857, 1859, 1863
Middlesex Chronicle 1867
North London News 1860 - 1865
Oban Times, and Argyllshire Advertiser 1879
Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser 1853 - 1868
Post., The 1941, 1943 - 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950
Sheffield Daily Telegraph 1894 - 1895, 1911
Sligo Champion 1852, 1926
West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser 1912
West Middlesex Advertiser and Family Journal 1867
Westmorland Gazette 1818, 1829 - 1830
Y Genedl Gymreig 1877 - 1900
Good to see some more Scottish and Irish material beginning to make its way online, including the Inverness Courier, which should hopefully help me out a bit further when it gets a bit further ahead with its coverage!
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Arbroath Herald and Advertiser for the Montrose Burghs 1891 - 1892, 1897, 1899 - 1902, 1904 - 1905
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 1916 - 1918, 1950
Belfast Morning News 1857
Dumfries and Galloway Standard 1848, 1866
Dunfermline Saturday Press 1884, 1888
East London Observer 1857, 1875
Edinburgh Evening News 1873, 1877, 1881, 1884, 1895
Inverness Courier 1846, 1852, 1854, 1928, 1930
Islington Gazette 1856
John o' Groat Journal 1836 - 1838, 1841, 1844, 1846 - 1847, 1852 - 1853, 1855 - 1857, 1863 - 1864, 1866, 1868 - 1872
Kent & Sussex Courier 1873 - 1874, 1877 - 1878, 1907, 1909
Lichfield Mercury 1883 - 1885, 1890 - 1894, 1917 - 1918, 1920 - 1921, 1940 - 1941, 1943, 1946 - 1947, 1950 - 1955
London City Press 1857, 1859, 1863
Middlesex Chronicle 1867
North London News 1860 - 1865
Oban Times, and Argyllshire Advertiser 1879
Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser 1853 - 1868
Post., The 1941, 1943 - 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950
Sheffield Daily Telegraph 1894 - 1895, 1911
Sligo Champion 1852, 1926
West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser 1912
West Middlesex Advertiser and Family Journal 1867
Westmorland Gazette 1818, 1829 - 1830
Y Genedl Gymreig 1877 - 1900
Good to see some more Scottish and Irish material beginning to make its way online, including the Inverness Courier, which should hopefully help me out a bit further when it gets a bit further ahead with its coverage!
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Londonderry Papers now at PRONI
PRONI (www.proni.gov.uk) has acquired the Londonderry Papers (1670-1950), which include "the papers of the Marquesses of Londonderry and their estates in Counties Down, Donegal and Derry. These include a detailed record of title deeds, leases and rentals which provide a valuable source for tenants’ names."
The full story, including details of the relevant catalogue numbers, is available at www.proni.gov.uk/news_details.htm?newsRef=2595
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The full story, including details of the relevant catalogue numbers, is available at www.proni.gov.uk/news_details.htm?newsRef=2595
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Old TNA catalogue to be switched off
The National Archives old catalogue is to be switched off on April 30th, leaving Discovery as the sole catalogue on the archive's website.
I have still to work out exactly how to use Discovery - which I have been less than impressed with since it first arrived - but I will have to lump it and get on with it now. For those still in the dark about it, there is a Discovery FAQs page at http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/discovery-faqs.htm
For the full story on why it is being switched off (a combination of we've had to make big savings, and the time is right) visit http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/834.htm.
NB: From the story - "Discovery now offers nearly all of the Catalogue's most-used functionality, along with many other new features. Any remaining differences between the two systems are either included in our development plan, as we continue to enhance Discovery, or are little-used and will not be included."
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
I have still to work out exactly how to use Discovery - which I have been less than impressed with since it first arrived - but I will have to lump it and get on with it now. For those still in the dark about it, there is a Discovery FAQs page at http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/discovery-faqs.htm
For the full story on why it is being switched off (a combination of we've had to make big savings, and the time is right) visit http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/834.htm.
NB: From the story - "Discovery now offers nearly all of the Catalogue's most-used functionality, along with many other new features. Any remaining differences between the two systems are either included in our development plan, as we continue to enhance Discovery, or are little-used and will not be included."
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Huguenot Heritage Centre receives HLF support
From the Federation of Family History Societies (www.ffhs.org.uk)
We have been asked to circulate the following information by Tessa Towner, Secretary of KFHS.
The French Hospital has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a Huguenot Heritage Centre in Rochester. The project aims to tell the story of the Huguenots, a group of some 100,000 French Protestants who fled from religious persecution during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Centre will include resources for researching family history, as well as a programme of events and activities. For further information please visit the website www.frenchhospital.org.uk/huguenot-heritage-centre/
As supporters of local and family history, we would value your feedback on our ideas for the Huguenot Heritage Centre. Please complete our online questionnaire. It will take about 5 - 7 minutes and each participant has the opportunity to win a £50 shopping voucher. Thank you very much.
Link to: www.surveymonkey.com/s/HuguenotHeritage
(With thanks to Beryl Evans)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
We have been asked to circulate the following information by Tessa Towner, Secretary of KFHS.
The French Hospital has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a Huguenot Heritage Centre in Rochester. The project aims to tell the story of the Huguenots, a group of some 100,000 French Protestants who fled from religious persecution during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Centre will include resources for researching family history, as well as a programme of events and activities. For further information please visit the website www.frenchhospital.org.uk/huguenot-heritage-centre/
As supporters of local and family history, we would value your feedback on our ideas for the Huguenot Heritage Centre. Please complete our online questionnaire. It will take about 5 - 7 minutes and each participant has the opportunity to win a £50 shopping voucher. Thank you very much.
Link to: www.surveymonkey.com/s/HuguenotHeritage
(With thanks to Beryl Evans)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Scottish POWs from the Battles of Dunbar and Worcester
There's an interesting blog based website called Scottish Prisoners of War at http://scottishprisonersofwar.com examining Scots who fought at the Battles of Dunbar and Worcester in the 1650s, and who were later transported to America.
From Teresa Hamilton-Pepper Rust:
Check out our NEW Scottish Prisoner of War blog/website. There were 150 Scots deported to the New World in early 1651 on the ship Unity. They were survivors of the Battle of Dunbar against Oliver Cromwell. They now have THOUSANDS of American descendants. A year later Cromwell had another batch of Scotsman deported to the same area (Massachusetts Bay) and these were 272 survivors of the Battle of Worcester.
(With thanks to Teresa on my Scotland's Greatest Story Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ScottishGenealogyResearch/posts/10151890137639768)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
From Teresa Hamilton-Pepper Rust:
Check out our NEW Scottish Prisoner of War blog/website. There were 150 Scots deported to the New World in early 1651 on the ship Unity. They were survivors of the Battle of Dunbar against Oliver Cromwell. They now have THOUSANDS of American descendants. A year later Cromwell had another batch of Scotsman deported to the same area (Massachusetts Bay) and these were 272 survivors of the Battle of Worcester.
(With thanks to Teresa on my Scotland's Greatest Story Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ScottishGenealogyResearch/posts/10151890137639768)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
TNA podcast - Intelligence Gathering 1780-1830
The latest podcast from the National Archives at Kew is entitled A System of Spies and Informers: Intelligence Gathering in the Period 1780-1830, from a talk given by Chris Barnes, lasting some 35 minutes.
The talk can be listened to at http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/a-system-of-spies-and-informers-intelligence-gathering-in-the-period-1780-1830/ or downloaded for free from iTunes.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The talk can be listened to at http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/a-system-of-spies-and-informers-intelligence-gathering-in-the-period-1780-1830/ or downloaded for free from iTunes.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Sunday, 21 April 2013
Sheriff court closures in Scotland
Ten sheriff courts in Scotland have been earmarked for closure, as part of changes being introduced to the Scottish Courts Service. They are as follows:
From a genealogy point of view this will have an impact for those wishing to access copies of confirmation records (the equivalent of probate records elsewhere in the UK) at a local level from sheriff courts.
Scottish confirmation records prior to 1926 can be accessed on ScotlandsPeople (www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk) whilst records and indexes from 1926-1986 are available at the National Records of Scotland (www.nrscotland.gov.uk). The most recent records, however, are still held at local sheriff courts. It is possible to obtain copies of these records from any of the sheriff courts, or from HM Commissary Office in Edinburgh. Details of all of the courts can be found at www.scotcourts.gov.uk.
The BBC has more at www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22215741
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
- Arbroath (business moving to Forfar)
- Cupar (business moving to Dundee)
- Dingwall (business moving to Inverness)
- Dornoch (business moving to Tain)
- Duns (business moving to Jedburgh)
- Haddington (business moving to Edinburgh)
- Kirkcudbright (business moving to Dumfries)
- Peebles (business moving to Selkirk)
- Rothesay (business moving to Greenock)
- Stonehaven (business moving to Aberdeen)
From a genealogy point of view this will have an impact for those wishing to access copies of confirmation records (the equivalent of probate records elsewhere in the UK) at a local level from sheriff courts.
Scottish confirmation records prior to 1926 can be accessed on ScotlandsPeople (www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk) whilst records and indexes from 1926-1986 are available at the National Records of Scotland (www.nrscotland.gov.uk). The most recent records, however, are still held at local sheriff courts. It is possible to obtain copies of these records from any of the sheriff courts, or from HM Commissary Office in Edinburgh. Details of all of the courts can be found at www.scotcourts.gov.uk.
The BBC has more at www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22215741
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Friday, 19 April 2013
Digital Public Library of America now live
The Digital Public Library of America website is now live at http://dp.la.
The platform provides access to digital content from the United States of America’s libraries, archives and museums, with all content freely available.You can explore collections by date, place and keyword search, and visit online exhibitions and more. A major online development for United States based research, but one of great significance for others - I just typed in Scotland, and suspect I will be busy with the 188 pages of returns presented, including photos and more.
(With thanks to @irishroots and @dpla)
UPDATE: Judy G. Russell has a bit more on the new site at www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/2013/04/19/public-library-not-public-domain/
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The platform provides access to digital content from the United States of America’s libraries, archives and museums, with all content freely available.You can explore collections by date, place and keyword search, and visit online exhibitions and more. A major online development for United States based research, but one of great significance for others - I just typed in Scotland, and suspect I will be busy with the 188 pages of returns presented, including photos and more.
(With thanks to @irishroots and @dpla)
UPDATE: Judy G. Russell has a bit more on the new site at www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/2013/04/19/public-library-not-public-domain/
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
My Irish book's had a baby...!
If you have Irish ancestors and are a wee bit stuck, I have written a new book which has just been released called Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, which is packed with websites information, practical tips, genealogical history, and all sorts of goodies to help you on your way. It now seems that with it being so handy, it has actually just become sentient and had a baby!I'll rephrase... This month's issue of Your Family History magazine (http://your-familyhistory.com) is carrying a free preview booklet carrying a section of the book, to give you an idea of what's in store should you wish to purchase. As I created the book, and it's now spawned its own mini-me, that technically makes me a literary granddaddy.
And just for good measure, if you visit the Pen and Sword website at www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-History-on-the-Internet/p/3889/ to look up details of the book, and/or to purchase, you will also see a separate preview with the first few pages from the publication to give you a bit more of an idea of what's within.
From what I can gather, the book seems to be selling even faster than my first Pen and Sword book, Tracing Your Family History on the Internet, which after it's release in early 2011 became the publisher's fastest selling family history title. And on that front, keep an eye out on this blog for more developments soon...!
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Changes to British Library catalogue
The British Library has announced that there will be some changes made to its online catalogued from April 22nd. The changes will concern registered readers’ accounts, the login to Explore the British Library and Search our Catalogue: Archives and Manuscripts, and the method for requesting items for consultation in the facility's Reading Rooms.
The full details can be read at www.bl.uk/reshelp/inrrooms/stp/readerbulletin/special/special.html.
(With thanks to @britishlibrary)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The full details can be read at www.bl.uk/reshelp/inrrooms/stp/readerbulletin/special/special.html.
(With thanks to @britishlibrary)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Dublin's Glasnevin Trust burials website revamped
The Dublin based Glasnevin Trust has updated its website, with some additional searchability functions on its database for burials in Glasnevin Cemetery, as well Dardistown, Newlands Cross, Palmerstown and Goldenbridge, and the crematoria at Glasnevin and Newlands Cross (dating back to 1828). The site can be accessed at www.glasnevintrust.ie - for the burials section visit the site's Genealogy section.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Dramatic increase in Scottish Humanist weddings
There are now more humanist weddings happening in Scotland than those performed by the Roman Catholic Church, and within two years it is expected that the number will also pass those carried out by the Church of Scotland.
Humanist weddings are non-faith, secular based ceremonies, which can be legally performed in Scotland by celebrants granted permission to do so under the authority of the Registrar General (since 2005). Scotland is one of only six countries in the world that allows for such ceremonies to be practised - the others being Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Norway and some states within the USA. The marriages are legally recognised around the world.
Once they pass the numbers carried out by the Kirk, only civil ceremonies will outnumber humanist ceremonies. For the full story visit www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22206854. The website of the Humanist Society is at www.humanism-scotland.org.uk.
As in all things genealogical, we do things a wee bit differently in Scotland!
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Humanist weddings are non-faith, secular based ceremonies, which can be legally performed in Scotland by celebrants granted permission to do so under the authority of the Registrar General (since 2005). Scotland is one of only six countries in the world that allows for such ceremonies to be practised - the others being Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Norway and some states within the USA. The marriages are legally recognised around the world.
Once they pass the numbers carried out by the Kirk, only civil ceremonies will outnumber humanist ceremonies. For the full story visit www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22206854. The website of the Humanist Society is at www.humanism-scotland.org.uk.
As in all things genealogical, we do things a wee bit differently in Scotland!
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Irish Family History Event video
A few weeks ago the first Irish Family History Event was held in Dublin over the run of the Saint Paddy's Day Festival, which involved FindmyPast Ireland (www.findmypast.ie) and many societies offering a free drop in centre for the duration, for all family history needs. FindmyPast Ireland has now uploaded a video of the event, to provide a flavour of what it was like, with hopefully more to come in due course!
(With thanks to @findmypastie)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
(With thanks to @findmypastie)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Bump the app before you bump in bed
The population of Iceland, numbering just 320,000, is so inter-related that there is a actually an app now available that allows you to work out if you are related to a potential date. The slogan for the app is "Bump the app before you bump in bed".
The Smithsonian Institution website has the story at http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2013/04/some-icelanders-are-accidentally-dating-a-relative-and-now-theres-an-app-for-that/
I live for stories like this... :)
(With thanks to @manx_maid on Twitter)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The Smithsonian Institution website has the story at http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2013/04/some-icelanders-are-accidentally-dating-a-relative-and-now-theres-an-app-for-that/
I live for stories like this... :)
(With thanks to @manx_maid on Twitter)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
New Society of Genealogists website
I mentioned a few days back that the London based Society of Genealogists has a new look website - I've now received a formal press release about it:
Press Release
The Society of Genealogists website www.sog.org.uk has been refreshed and rewritten. The Website contains all the information you would expect to find about the SoG and its remarkable Library along with a new Learn section which includes Record Guides for popular genealogical sources and Hints and Tips on researching your family history, not only in the SoG Library but generally. More resources will be added to the Learn pages in due course.
The new website enables readers to Search SoG Records which means you can search SoG Online Data from its Library (previously known as MySoG) as well as find links for searches in the Society’s Library Catalogue and various lists of names from the Library’s Document Collections of Research Notes, Roll Pedigrees and Members Birth Briefs.
News from and about the Society of Genealogists and the Genealogical Community can be found in the new Society of Genealogists Blog within the new website so don’t forget to bookmark the News pages on our new website or subscribe to the RSS Feeds and of course you can find all our latest news broadcast on Twitter (@SoGGenealogist) and Facebook as usual. (Please note the Society will no longer post news on its old blog www.societyofgenealogists.com, which will remain online as an archive for a little while)
Anyone can register to order Publications from the Society of Genealogists Bookshop or to book a place on our Events and Courses. If you are already registered as an online member with the Society of Genealogists you need do nothing as your existing account details are recorded. All you now need to do is log in with the email address we have on record for you and your validated password and you can view SoG Data Online, order items and update your accounts and membership details. If you haven’t yet validated your membership to use SoG Data Online and other facilities on the site, it’s now easy to do so via the new website.
If you’re not a member of the Society of Genealogists then Benefits of Membership are outlined on the website. It’s even easier to enroll and Join the Society of Genealogists Online Today.
(With thanks to Else Churchill)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Press Release
The Society of Genealogists website www.sog.org.uk has been refreshed and rewritten. The Website contains all the information you would expect to find about the SoG and its remarkable Library along with a new Learn section which includes Record Guides for popular genealogical sources and Hints and Tips on researching your family history, not only in the SoG Library but generally. More resources will be added to the Learn pages in due course.
The new website enables readers to Search SoG Records which means you can search SoG Online Data from its Library (previously known as MySoG) as well as find links for searches in the Society’s Library Catalogue and various lists of names from the Library’s Document Collections of Research Notes, Roll Pedigrees and Members Birth Briefs.News from and about the Society of Genealogists and the Genealogical Community can be found in the new Society of Genealogists Blog within the new website so don’t forget to bookmark the News pages on our new website or subscribe to the RSS Feeds and of course you can find all our latest news broadcast on Twitter (@SoGGenealogist) and Facebook as usual. (Please note the Society will no longer post news on its old blog www.societyofgenealogists.com, which will remain online as an archive for a little while)
Anyone can register to order Publications from the Society of Genealogists Bookshop or to book a place on our Events and Courses. If you are already registered as an online member with the Society of Genealogists you need do nothing as your existing account details are recorded. All you now need to do is log in with the email address we have on record for you and your validated password and you can view SoG Data Online, order items and update your accounts and membership details. If you haven’t yet validated your membership to use SoG Data Online and other facilities on the site, it’s now easy to do so via the new website.
If you’re not a member of the Society of Genealogists then Benefits of Membership are outlined on the website. It’s even easier to enroll and Join the Society of Genealogists Online Today.
(With thanks to Else Churchill)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Free access to Oz & Kiwi military records for ANZAC Day
From the Ozzie version of FindmyPast (www.findmypast.com.au)
Access 3.6 million military records and uncover your heroic ancestors for free in honour of ANZAC Day
Free access available on findmypast.com.au in lead up to Anzac Day, 22-26 April
April 2013 – As thousands of Australians and New Zealanders prepare to descend on Gallipoli this Anzac Day, leading family history site, findmypast.com.au, prepares for its own influx as it announces free access to its entire military archives between Monday 22 April and Friday 26 April, 2013.
The comprehensive collection, which includes 3.6 million records from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Britain and the United States, has been provided free of charge as part of ongoing efforts by findmypast.com.au to venerate the Anzacs for their service. The access also makes it easier than ever before for Australians and New Zealanders to investigate their family’s past and learn more about their achievements and efforts during Australia’s and New Zealand’s international conflicts.
Users will have the opportunity to browse findmypast.com.au’s inaugural Anzac Memory Bank, containing heroic stories, exclusive photos, and diary entries relating to Australian and New Zealand involvement in all wars. Almost 200 users have submitted their personal and family stories to the Anzac Memory Bank, providing valuable insight into what it was like to live through these times of turmoil.
In addition to the free access to all military records and the Anzac Memory Bank, findmypast.com.au and Inside History are thrilled to announce a collaboration to produce an exclusive free digital magazine in support of this Anzac campaign. The digital magazine will showcase new international historical records as well as providing intriguing case studies from around Australia. The free digital magazine is available on iPad by visiting the Anzac Memory Bank on findmypast.com.au.
(With thanks to Emma Kelly)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Access 3.6 million military records and uncover your heroic ancestors for free in honour of ANZAC Day
Free access available on findmypast.com.au in lead up to Anzac Day, 22-26 April
April 2013 – As thousands of Australians and New Zealanders prepare to descend on Gallipoli this Anzac Day, leading family history site, findmypast.com.au, prepares for its own influx as it announces free access to its entire military archives between Monday 22 April and Friday 26 April, 2013.
The comprehensive collection, which includes 3.6 million records from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Britain and the United States, has been provided free of charge as part of ongoing efforts by findmypast.com.au to venerate the Anzacs for their service. The access also makes it easier than ever before for Australians and New Zealanders to investigate their family’s past and learn more about their achievements and efforts during Australia’s and New Zealand’s international conflicts.
Users will have the opportunity to browse findmypast.com.au’s inaugural Anzac Memory Bank, containing heroic stories, exclusive photos, and diary entries relating to Australian and New Zealand involvement in all wars. Almost 200 users have submitted their personal and family stories to the Anzac Memory Bank, providing valuable insight into what it was like to live through these times of turmoil.
In addition to the free access to all military records and the Anzac Memory Bank, findmypast.com.au and Inside History are thrilled to announce a collaboration to produce an exclusive free digital magazine in support of this Anzac campaign. The digital magazine will showcase new international historical records as well as providing intriguing case studies from around Australia. The free digital magazine is available on iPad by visiting the Anzac Memory Bank on findmypast.com.au.
(With thanks to Emma Kelly)
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Down Survey and maps of Ireland online
Trinity College Dublin has a great new website at http://phaedrus.cs.tcd.ie/petty/petty/index.php# (13 MAY 2013: see below for updated URL address). The project carries the Down Survey of Ireland, recorded by William Petty from 1656-58, the first detailed land survey of Ireland, and some gloriously beautiful Irish maps. Here's the blurb:
The Down Survey of Ireland
Taken in the years 1656-1658, the Down Survey of Ireland is the first ever detailed land survey and marks the beginning of mapping as we know it today. The survey was overseen by William Petty to measure every townland to be forfeited to Cromwell’s soldiers and adventurers. Copies of Down Survey maps, and the descriptions or terriers that accompany these maps, survive in dozens of libraries and archives throughout the British Isles, and in the National Library of France. This Project has scanned the maps and digitised the information collected by the Down Survey and made it available for the first time as a public online resource.
The Maps and Historical Records
The Ireland, County, Barony and Parish maps can be viewed as images. A Geographical Information System (GIS) brings together data sets from the following; 1641 Depositions, 1641 Land ownership, 1659 Townland population and 1670 Land ownership. These data sources, viewed in the context of contemporary, late 19th century Ordnance Survey and Google Maps, provide a new and invaluable resource for the study of this critical period in Irish history.
There's too much here to adequately describe - just go play with it, and have lots of FUN! :)
(With thanks to @findmypastie)
UPDATE 13 MAY 2013: The site's URL has now changed to http://downsurvey.tcd.ie/
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.
The Down Survey of Ireland
Taken in the years 1656-1658, the Down Survey of Ireland is the first ever detailed land survey and marks the beginning of mapping as we know it today. The survey was overseen by William Petty to measure every townland to be forfeited to Cromwell’s soldiers and adventurers. Copies of Down Survey maps, and the descriptions or terriers that accompany these maps, survive in dozens of libraries and archives throughout the British Isles, and in the National Library of France. This Project has scanned the maps and digitised the information collected by the Down Survey and made it available for the first time as a public online resource.
The Maps and Historical Records
The Ireland, County, Barony and Parish maps can be viewed as images. A Geographical Information System (GIS) brings together data sets from the following; 1641 Depositions, 1641 Land ownership, 1659 Townland population and 1670 Land ownership. These data sources, viewed in the context of contemporary, late 19th century Ordnance Survey and Google Maps, provide a new and invaluable resource for the study of this critical period in Irish history.
There's too much here to adequately describe - just go play with it, and have lots of FUN! :)
(With thanks to @findmypastie)
UPDATE 13 MAY 2013: The site's URL has now changed to http://downsurvey.tcd.ie/
Chris
My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.