The latest podcast from the National Archives at Kew, England, is entitled 1974: forty years on, a 42 minute long illustrated talk by Mark Dunton.
It can be listened to at http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/1974-forty-years/ or freely downloaded from iTunes.
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
Friday, 31 October 2014
Essex Ancestors adds another 22,500 wills online
A further 22,500 Essex wills have gone online at Essex Ancestors (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/EssexAncestors.aspx), bringing the total online now to 45,000 of a possible 70,000 held at the county record office. Those already online cover the period from 1400-1720, with the rest from 1720-1858 now being prepared for online presentation in the near future.
The full story is at www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk/where-theres-a-will-major-update-to-essex-ancestors/.
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
The full story is at www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk/where-theres-a-will-major-update-to-essex-ancestors/.
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
English probate indexes on FindmyPast
FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk) has uploaded releases over 444,000 new wills and probate records, previously accessible on Origins.net, as well as over 570 pages of Cheltenham Probate Abstracts. The following are now available on the site:
The Lichfield Consistory Court Wills, 1650-1700, an index to wills and other testamentary documents recorded in the Lichfield Consistory Court.
The York Medieval Probate Index, 1267-1500, comprising over 28,000 records, the index contains over 10,000 wills and related documents proved in the province of York prior to the 16th century.
The Prerogative & Exchequer Courts of York Probate Index 1688-1858, with over 263,000 wills proved in the ecclesiastical courts of York. The province of York had jurisdiction in the counties of Cheshire, Cumberland, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Westmorland and Yorkshire.
The Surrey & South London Will Abstracts 1470-1856, with over 26,000 wills containing over 29,000 names taken from the will registers held at the London Metropolitan Archives.
The Sussex, Chichester Consistory Court Wills Index 1482-1800, with over 22,000 wills.
The Kent Wills & Probate Indexes 1328-1890, 63,000 records from seven different ecclesiastical Church of England courts in the county of Kent, compiled from the West Kent Probate index 1750-1890, West Kent Probate Index 1440-1857, Kent Inventories 1571-1842 and Kent Will Abstracts 1328-1691.
The Gloucestershire Wills & Administrations, with 14,000 indexed wills for the Consistory Court of Gloucester from 1801 to 1858.
Cheltenham Probate Abstracts, 1660-1740
Further details are available on the site.
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
The Lichfield Consistory Court Wills, 1650-1700, an index to wills and other testamentary documents recorded in the Lichfield Consistory Court.
The York Medieval Probate Index, 1267-1500, comprising over 28,000 records, the index contains over 10,000 wills and related documents proved in the province of York prior to the 16th century.
The Prerogative & Exchequer Courts of York Probate Index 1688-1858, with over 263,000 wills proved in the ecclesiastical courts of York. The province of York had jurisdiction in the counties of Cheshire, Cumberland, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Westmorland and Yorkshire.
The Surrey & South London Will Abstracts 1470-1856, with over 26,000 wills containing over 29,000 names taken from the will registers held at the London Metropolitan Archives.
The Sussex, Chichester Consistory Court Wills Index 1482-1800, with over 22,000 wills.
The Kent Wills & Probate Indexes 1328-1890, 63,000 records from seven different ecclesiastical Church of England courts in the county of Kent, compiled from the West Kent Probate index 1750-1890, West Kent Probate Index 1440-1857, Kent Inventories 1571-1842 and Kent Will Abstracts 1328-1691.
The Gloucestershire Wills & Administrations, with 14,000 indexed wills for the Consistory Court of Gloucester from 1801 to 1858.
Cheltenham Probate Abstracts, 1660-1740
Further details are available on the site.
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
ScotlandsPeople online survey
The ScotlandsPeople (www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk) website contract is up for renewal soon, and as a consequence the National Records of Scotland (www.nrscotland.gov.uk) is carrying out some market research into what people think of the current site, and what other features you may wish to see on it in due course.
They have uploaded an online survey for Facebook users at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ScotlandsPeople_fb - I've just completed it, it should take about 5 minutes or so to work through. The ScotlandsPeople Facebook page is accessible at https://www.facebook.com/ScotlandsPeople.
(UPDATE: Just twigged this was my 4000th British GENES post!)
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
They have uploaded an online survey for Facebook users at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ScotlandsPeople_fb - I've just completed it, it should take about 5 minutes or so to work through. The ScotlandsPeople Facebook page is accessible at https://www.facebook.com/ScotlandsPeople.
(UPDATE: Just twigged this was my 4000th British GENES post!)
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
Thursday, 30 October 2014
PRONI's spiritualist photos - and my ancestor the spirtualist!
PRONI has a great Hallowe'en post on its site for its Document of the Month - a series of spiritualist photos from the 1930s. The images can be viewed at http://www.proni.gov.uk/news_details.htm?newsRef=3251
From the site: "The photographs remind us of the post-WWI period in which many personal tragedies were being played out. Many people had lost family members in WWI without having the opportunity to say goodbye. During the 1920-30s some sought comfort by trying to contact their missing loved ones through their belief in spiritualism"
In fact, my family has a very direct connection to this phenomenon, as my two times great grandfather Edwin Graham was the Secretary of the Ulster Christian Spiritualist Association in Belfast in the 1920s! Edwin was a welder who married three times - first to Florence Halliday (my two times great grandmother), then briefly to Matilda Blair, and finally Sarah Stitt (with whom he is pictured on the right, from 1939). Sarah was said to be a 'gifted medium' from Liverpool.
In 1926 Edwin was involved in an extraordinary story in Belfast City Cemetery. Here's the story from the Irish Times and then the London Times:
Wednesday, July 28th 1926
PHOTOGRAPHING SPIRITS
Remarkable Service in Belfast Cemetery
Our Belfast correspondent states that unusual scenes were witnessed at a Service held yesterday at the City Cemetery under the auspices of the local Christian Spiritualists' Association. The Service took place around the grave of Mrs McDermott, mother of Mr John McDermott, medium of the Association, who died about three weeks ago. Upwards of a hundred spiritualists, some of them carrying cameras, wre present and during the singing photographs were taken. Mr McDermott conducted the Service, which consisted of prayer, singing and an address.
Mr. Edwin Graham, secretary of the Association, explained that the Service was purely evangelical, and that many photographs had been taken with the object of photographing the spirits of departed friends of persons present at the grave. "It is a very hard thing," he added "to obtain spirit photographs". He added that when the photographs were developed, in a day or two, they would know whether they had succeeded in their object. Mr Graham explained that a special Service for Mrs McDermott had been held previously in the Hall. She was a native of Glasgow but had been in Belfast for the past year.
However, the Times also followed up the story in August:
Wednesday 18th August 1926
PHOTOGRAPHS IN A CEMETERY
Belfast Spiritualists Claim
The photographs taken in Belfast City Cemetery during the burial of Mrs McDermaid, wife of Mr John McDermaid, President of the Ulster Christian Spiritualist Association, with the object of recording the spirit forms of relatives which were believed to be hovering over the grave, were produced in Belfast last night.
The photographs, say our Belfast correspondent, are apparently out of focus. They show small white clouds over the people assembled round the grave. Mr McDermaid claims that in the photographs he can see the spirit forms of three departed relatives. Mr Edwin Graham, the Secretary of the Association, is convinced that he can see his brother. The Association invites inspection of the photographs.
The joys of genealogy - Happy Hallowe'en! :)
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
From the site: "The photographs remind us of the post-WWI period in which many personal tragedies were being played out. Many people had lost family members in WWI without having the opportunity to say goodbye. During the 1920-30s some sought comfort by trying to contact their missing loved ones through their belief in spiritualism"
In fact, my family has a very direct connection to this phenomenon, as my two times great grandfather Edwin Graham was the Secretary of the Ulster Christian Spiritualist Association in Belfast in the 1920s! Edwin was a welder who married three times - first to Florence Halliday (my two times great grandmother), then briefly to Matilda Blair, and finally Sarah Stitt (with whom he is pictured on the right, from 1939). Sarah was said to be a 'gifted medium' from Liverpool.In 1926 Edwin was involved in an extraordinary story in Belfast City Cemetery. Here's the story from the Irish Times and then the London Times:
Wednesday, July 28th 1926
PHOTOGRAPHING SPIRITS
Remarkable Service in Belfast Cemetery
Our Belfast correspondent states that unusual scenes were witnessed at a Service held yesterday at the City Cemetery under the auspices of the local Christian Spiritualists' Association. The Service took place around the grave of Mrs McDermott, mother of Mr John McDermott, medium of the Association, who died about three weeks ago. Upwards of a hundred spiritualists, some of them carrying cameras, wre present and during the singing photographs were taken. Mr McDermott conducted the Service, which consisted of prayer, singing and an address.
Mr. Edwin Graham, secretary of the Association, explained that the Service was purely evangelical, and that many photographs had been taken with the object of photographing the spirits of departed friends of persons present at the grave. "It is a very hard thing," he added "to obtain spirit photographs". He added that when the photographs were developed, in a day or two, they would know whether they had succeeded in their object. Mr Graham explained that a special Service for Mrs McDermott had been held previously in the Hall. She was a native of Glasgow but had been in Belfast for the past year.
However, the Times also followed up the story in August:
Wednesday 18th August 1926
PHOTOGRAPHS IN A CEMETERY
Belfast Spiritualists Claim
The photographs taken in Belfast City Cemetery during the burial of Mrs McDermaid, wife of Mr John McDermaid, President of the Ulster Christian Spiritualist Association, with the object of recording the spirit forms of relatives which were believed to be hovering over the grave, were produced in Belfast last night.
The photographs, say our Belfast correspondent, are apparently out of focus. They show small white clouds over the people assembled round the grave. Mr McDermaid claims that in the photographs he can see the spirit forms of three departed relatives. Mr Edwin Graham, the Secretary of the Association, is convinced that he can see his brother. The Association invites inspection of the photographs.
The joys of genealogy - Happy Hallowe'en! :)
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
The curse of Loughmourne
This one's for the good folk of County Antrim! I've just been going through my late mum's papers and have found a printed copy of an anonymous poem about Loughmourne, an area situated a couple of miles north of my old home town of Carrickfergus. For a transcription of the poem, and some background to the area that it concerns, visit my other wee blog at http://walkingineternity.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-curse-of-loughmourne_29.html
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
Oxfordshire History Centre temporary closure
News of another temporary archive closure in England, this time in Oxfordshire:
Temporary Closure of Oxfordshire History Centre
25 November - 13 December
Oxfordshire History Centre will be closed to visitors for 3 weeks for the refurbishment of its Reception area and for the essential replacement of air-conditioning units. We will use this opportunity to carry out our annual stock take, which usually takes place in January and February.
During this time History Centre staff will be on duty at Oxford Central Library on Tuesdays 10:30 am – 4pm and Wednesdays to Saturdays 10am – 4pm
We will continue to answer telephone calls via our usual telephone number and to answer letters and e-mail enquiries.
We apologise for any inconvenience this building work causes.
Oxfordshire History Centre collects, preserves and makes available archives, photographs and printed material related to Oxfordshire and its history.
Source: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/oxfordshire-history-centre
(With thanks to Wendy Archer)
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
Temporary Closure of Oxfordshire History Centre
25 November - 13 December
Oxfordshire History Centre will be closed to visitors for 3 weeks for the refurbishment of its Reception area and for the essential replacement of air-conditioning units. We will use this opportunity to carry out our annual stock take, which usually takes place in January and February.
During this time History Centre staff will be on duty at Oxford Central Library on Tuesdays 10:30 am – 4pm and Wednesdays to Saturdays 10am – 4pm
We will continue to answer telephone calls via our usual telephone number and to answer letters and e-mail enquiries.
We apologise for any inconvenience this building work causes.
Oxfordshire History Centre collects, preserves and makes available archives, photographs and printed material related to Oxfordshire and its history.
Source: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/oxfordshire-history-centre
(With thanks to Wendy Archer)
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
British Newspaper Archive now hosts 9 million pages
The British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) now has over nine million pages available on its site.
Some 282 British and Irish newspaper titles have now been made available since the site's launch in November 2011, though it's not possible to tell how complete the years ranges are yet for the titles available, with gaps still to be found within many. It's worth knowing that the site only states what the intended range will be once all the content for each title has been uploaded. Nevertheless, this is a major milestone, and DC Thomson is now almost a quarter of the way through the project, which aims to have forty million pages of British Library newspaper content online once complete.
(With thanks to Amy Sell)
COMMENT: For more on how to look for British and Irish newspapers for genealogical research, both online and offline through local archives and libraries in the UK, Ireland and Australia, my book British and Irish Newspapers, published by Unlock the Past in Adelaide, Australia, is available from the following suppliers.
Australia - Gould Genealogy, AU$18.50 Inc GST, plus p&p
http://www.gould.com.au/British-and-Irish-Newspapers-p/utp0285.htm
UK - My History, £7, plus p&p
http://tinyurl.com/kajj7a5
E-book - GenEBooks, AU $7.95
http://www.gen-ebooks.com/british-and-irish-newspapers.html
Here's what it contains:
Contents:
Introduction
Acknowledgements
Part 1. The genealogical value of newspapers
Part 2. Finding British and Irish newspapers
- NEWSPLAN
- The British Library
- The British Newspaper Archive
- E-resources / Licensed digitised collections
Part 3. British Gazettes
- The websites
- London Gazette on Ancestry
Part 4. Online collections
- Times Digital Archive
- The Guardian and The Observer
- UK Press Online
- The Scotsman
- Welsh Newspapers Online
- Manx newspapers and publications
- Irish Newspaper Archive
- The Irish Times
- Ancestry (England, Scotland and Ireland)
- Newspaper Archives
- TheGenealogist
- FindmyP
ast
- Google newspapers
- Historic Newspapers
Part 5. Additional British sources
Part 6. Additional Irish sources
Index
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
Some 282 British and Irish newspaper titles have now been made available since the site's launch in November 2011, though it's not possible to tell how complete the years ranges are yet for the titles available, with gaps still to be found within many. It's worth knowing that the site only states what the intended range will be once all the content for each title has been uploaded. Nevertheless, this is a major milestone, and DC Thomson is now almost a quarter of the way through the project, which aims to have forty million pages of British Library newspaper content online once complete.
(With thanks to Amy Sell)
COMMENT: For more on how to look for British and Irish newspapers for genealogical research, both online and offline through local archives and libraries in the UK, Ireland and Australia, my book British and Irish Newspapers, published by Unlock the Past in Adelaide, Australia, is available from the following suppliers.
Australia - Gould Genealogy, AU$18.50 Inc GST, plus p&p
http://www.gould.com.au/British-and-Irish-Newspapers-p/utp0285.htm
UK - My History, £7, plus p&p
http://tinyurl.com/kajj7a5
E-book - GenEBooks, AU $7.95
http://www.gen-ebooks.com/british-and-irish-newspapers.html
Here's what it contains:
Contents:
IntroductionAcknowledgements
Part 1. The genealogical value of newspapers
Part 2. Finding British and Irish newspapers
- NEWSPLAN
- The British Library
- The British Newspaper Archive
- E-resources / Licensed digitised collections
Part 3. British Gazettes
- The websites
- London Gazette on Ancestry
Part 4. Online collections
- Times Digital Archive
- The Guardian and The Observer
- UK Press Online
- The Scotsman
- Welsh Newspapers Online
- Manx newspapers and publications
- Irish Newspaper Archive
- The Irish Times
- Ancestry (England, Scotland and Ireland)
- Newspaper Archives
- TheGenealogist
- FindmyP
ast
- Google newspapers
- Historic Newspapers
Part 5. Additional British sources
Part 6. Additional Irish sources
Index
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
Scottish Genealogy Network update
The Scottish Genealogy Network (www.scottishgenealogynetwork.blogspot.co.uk) continues to grow, with some 38 members in our ranks, comprised mainly of professional genealogists all working together to learn from each other, to encourage better practice across the range of areas that we work within, and occasionally to help each other with challenges and problems within our daily work.I've been fairly flat out over the last two months, but I've attended two SGN meetings in that time, which I've yet to write about, so here is a quick summary!
On Saturday September 27th we had the pleasure to attend a session at the Cumberland Street Day Centre in Dumfries, run by the University of Glasgow's A History of Working Class Marriage in Scotland 1855-1976 project. It was an hour long briefing on the aims of the project, which can be found at www.wokingclassmarriage.gla.ac.uk.
As part of their study, the team has been looking at about a thousand families in 19th century censuses from each of five key areas - rural Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, Govan, the Western Isles and Kilmarnock - and have established that a traditional family existed in about half of the households studied, though there are lots of regional variations, and various other patterns for family life with the remainder (e.g. step-families, single parent families, and more). They've been interviewing people about marriage customs and traditions, obtaining evidence from magazines, even love letters, to learn about Scottish traditions of courtship and other regional customs surrounding marriage - for example, there was discussion of letters describing how couples would meet at formal dances on a Saturday night. The team also mentioned how they had recently interviewed ladies in Kilmarnock who had all worked within the Johnny Walker factory and eventually married a spouse from there, it being part of the accepted culture and expectation of life in the Ayrshire based factory at that time.It's a great project and they are still looking for contributions from across Scotland, not just within the five areas of particular study. For further information, visit the project's website, and also the SGN's own blog report on the day at www.scottishgenealogynetwork.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/a-history-of-working-class-marriage_28.html.
Last Saturday October 25th we then had a packed meeting in the basement of the Southern Cross Cafe on Edinburgh's Cockburn Street, the theme for the afternoon being to talk through various subjects and areas concerned specifically with working professionally as a genealogist in Scotland. This covered everything from how we use social media to how we charge for our services, with yours truly giving a small talk on how to earn money from writing for magazines (how to pitch ideas, understanding a brief, how to write for certain markets, for genealogy and non-genealogy magazines, etc).The purpose of the afternoon was not to set any specific way for members to work as genealogists, but to explore the various ways that we do work as individuals, in the hope of inspiring better practice from each other. I certainly came away with a few ideas, as did my colleagues. After the event finished we had our traditional pub visit nearby to put the world to rights!
For more on the Scottish Genealogy Network, visit our dedicated blog at www.scottishgenealogynetwork.blogspot.co.uk. (The next monthly visit is provisionally planned as a visit to Paisley on December 5th, tbc).
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
London workhouse records and women's military records indexes on Ancestry
Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk) has added one new major London dataset, comprised of city workhouse admission and discharge records, and two third party indexes for collections held at the National Archives at Kew, England:
London, England, Workhouse Admission and Discharge Records, 1738-1930
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60391
Source: Board of Guardians records held by the London Metropolitan Archives, London, England.
Web: UK, Women's Army Auxiliary Corps Index, 1917-1920
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=9293
Source: Women's Army Auxiliary Corps service records 1917-1920. The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. Series WO 398.
Web: UK, Women's Royal Naval Service Index, 1917-1919
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=70690
Source: Women's Royal Naval Service (1917 - 1919). The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. Series ADM 318 and 336.
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
London, England, Workhouse Admission and Discharge Records, 1738-1930
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60391
Source: Board of Guardians records held by the London Metropolitan Archives, London, England.
Web: UK, Women's Army Auxiliary Corps Index, 1917-1920
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=9293
Source: Women's Army Auxiliary Corps service records 1917-1920. The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. Series WO 398.
Web: UK, Women's Royal Naval Service Index, 1917-1919
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=70690
Source: Women's Royal Naval Service (1917 - 1919). The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. Series ADM 318 and 336.
Chris
My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302
Library hours cuts in Northern Ireland
The current budget crisis in Northern Ireland, if not resolved soon, is likely to see an impact on services for family historians in the very near future, with some cost-saving changes in public sector institutions already implemented. A proposed budget cut is currently being proposed of some £872 million, with some 13% of departmental budgets being proposed for the Departments of Culture, Arts and Leisure, and the Department of Employment and Learning - the two departments responsible for libraries and archives. If the budget is not agreed by this Friday, Stormont will lose a £100 million emergency loan from the Westminster government.
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (www.proni.gov.uk) has yet to announce how or if it may be affected, but the Libraries NI website has announced a new timetable of revised opening hours for the Province's libraries, effective from November 3rd 2014, designed to save £1.4 million in running costs (its required budget cut being 4.4% of its previous budget).
The full announcement is available at www.librariesni.org.uk/News/Pages/Temporary-changes-to-library-opening-hours.aspx, with the revised temporary opening hours for each library now listed at www.librariesni.org.uk/News/Documents/24_Oct_2014/LNI_Opening_Hours_from_03Nov2014.pdf - in many cases the opening hours have been cut, or will be operated on a different pattern.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (www.proni.gov.uk) has yet to announce how or if it may be affected, but the Libraries NI website has announced a new timetable of revised opening hours for the Province's libraries, effective from November 3rd 2014, designed to save £1.4 million in running costs (its required budget cut being 4.4% of its previous budget).
The full announcement is available at www.librariesni.org.uk/News/Pages/Temporary-changes-to-library-opening-hours.aspx, with the revised temporary opening hours for each library now listed at www.librariesni.org.uk/News/Documents/24_Oct_2014/LNI_Opening_Hours_from_03Nov2014.pdf - in many cases the opening hours have been cut, or will be operated on a different pattern.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Discovering Anzacs website formally launched in Canberra
The Canberra Times has an article on the National Archives of Australia's Discovering Anzacs website, which was formally launched earlier today down under. The site will crowd-source photographs, anecdotes and personal histories to flesh out Australia's collective narrative of the First World War.
For the full story, visit www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/national-archives-crowdsources-data-to-flesh-out-the-nations-world-war-i-story-20141028-11cv6w.html#ixzz3HSdIH7Gt - to access the site itself, visit www.discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
For the full story, visit www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/national-archives-crowdsources-data-to-flesh-out-the-nations-world-war-i-story-20141028-11cv6w.html#ixzz3HSdIH7Gt - to access the site itself, visit www.discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Same sex marriage news update from Scotland
The first same sex marriage ceremonies in Scotland will commence on December 31st 2014. To prepare the way, the National Records of Scotland has announced that same sex couples will be able to give notice of intention to marry from December 16th, with an updated marriage notice to be made available from that date.
There's also an update in the announcement for those wishing to convert civil partnerships to marriages, and for married people seeking a Gender Recognition Certificate without the need for a divorce.
For the full details visit http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2014/same-sex-marriage-in-scotland-news.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
There's also an update in the announcement for those wishing to convert civil partnerships to marriages, and for married people seeking a Gender Recognition Certificate without the need for a divorce.
For the full details visit http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2014/same-sex-marriage-in-scotland-news.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
TNA podcast - Writer of the month: Philippa Gregory
The latest podcast from the National Archives in Kew, England (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk), is entitled Writer of the month: Philippa Gregory, and discusses how the author has written a new Tudor period based novel using contemporary records.
The podcast is available from http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/writer-month-philippa-gregory/ or freely available from iTunes.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
The podcast is available from http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/writer-month-philippa-gregory/ or freely available from iTunes.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Monday, 27 October 2014
Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 on Ancestry
Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk) has released a new collection of 7,051,081 American death records from the state of Pennsylvania, covering the first half of the 20th century - perhaps useful if you have Cornish and Welsh mining relatives who emigrated there, but obviously for others from Britain and Ireland also!
The collection is entitled Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963, and is accessible at http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=5164.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
The collection is entitled Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963, and is accessible at http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=5164.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Sunday, 26 October 2014
National Records of Scotland online catalogues relocation
The National Records of Scotland have relocated their online catalogues from their old NAS website at www.nas.gov.uk to their new platform at http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/catalogues-and-indexes.
The catalogues are as follows:
The National Records of Scotland online catalogue, detailing the holdings of Scotland's foremost national archive. Directly accessible at http://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/search.aspx should you wish to bookmark it, though thankfully the easier to remember previous address at www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue/ still works also.
The National Register of Archives for Scotland - a catalogue of holdings held in private hands, including many business records and estates papers collections. Now directly accessible at http://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrasregister/search.aspx, though the previous address at www.nas.gov.uk/onlineregister/ also still works.
The Scottish Archive Network catalogue - detailing the holdings of many local archives across the country. This remains accessible at its previous address at www.scan.org.uk/catalogue/.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
The catalogues are as follows:
The National Records of Scotland online catalogue, detailing the holdings of Scotland's foremost national archive. Directly accessible at http://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/search.aspx should you wish to bookmark it, though thankfully the easier to remember previous address at www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue/ still works also.
The National Register of Archives for Scotland - a catalogue of holdings held in private hands, including many business records and estates papers collections. Now directly accessible at http://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrasregister/search.aspx, though the previous address at www.nas.gov.uk/onlineregister/ also still works.
The Scottish Archive Network catalogue - detailing the holdings of many local archives across the country. This remains accessible at its previous address at www.scan.org.uk/catalogue/.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Commonwealth War Graves Commission mobile app
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has a mobile app available for Windows, Android and iOS devices, available from http://www.cwgc.org/app.aspx
David McNay of the Scottish Military Research Group has outlined its features in a review posted at http://scottishmilitary.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/cwgc-mobile-app.html.
(With thanks to David)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
David McNay of the Scottish Military Research Group has outlined its features in a review posted at http://scottishmilitary.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/cwgc-mobile-app.html.
(With thanks to David)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre - temporary closure
The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre will be closed from 24-29 November 2014 inclusively "for essential strong room and archive maintenance. This will help us to make more records accessible to you. We are sorry for any inconvenience.”
The Radnor Estate archives are also temporarily unavailable for researchers - further details at http://www.wshc.eu
(With thanks to Mandy Blake)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
The Radnor Estate archives are also temporarily unavailable for researchers - further details at http://www.wshc.eu
(With thanks to Mandy Blake)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
English Catholic History podcasts
The English Catholic History Association has launched a series of podcasts online via iTunes. The first is entitled Recusant Liturgy by Michael Hodgetts, and is directly available at https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/english-catholic-history-association/id758090885.
For further details visit http://catholicfhs.wordpress.com/2014/10/26/catholic-history-podcasts-by-the-echa/.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
For further details visit http://catholicfhs.wordpress.com/2014/10/26/catholic-history-podcasts-by-the-echa/.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Friday, 24 October 2014
Temporary closure at Portsmouth History Centre
From the Federation of Family History Societies (www.ffhs.org.uk) in England, and Portsmouth History centre, news of a temporary archive closure:
We will shortly be moving our archive collections to new storage, and as a result Portsmouth History Centre will be closed from 17 to 28 November 2014. During this period staff will be unable to answer written or telephone enquiries. In preparation for the move many collections will be unavailable for study from 3 November until 5 December.
Please make your users aware of this. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Michael Gunton
Senior Archivist
Library and Archive Service
City Development and Cultural Services
Portsmouth City Council
Tel: 023 9283 4717 or 023 9268 8043
Email: Michael.Gunton@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
(With thanks to Beryl Evans and Michael Gunton)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
We will shortly be moving our archive collections to new storage, and as a result Portsmouth History Centre will be closed from 17 to 28 November 2014. During this period staff will be unable to answer written or telephone enquiries. In preparation for the move many collections will be unavailable for study from 3 November until 5 December.
Please make your users aware of this. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Michael Gunton
Senior Archivist
Library and Archive Service
City Development and Cultural Services
Portsmouth City Council
Tel: 023 9283 4717 or 023 9268 8043
Email: Michael.Gunton@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
(With thanks to Beryl Evans and Michael Gunton)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Saturday service trial from Glasgow Genealogy Centre
The Glasgow Genealogy Centre (https://glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3214), operated by the Registrar's Service to provide access to the ScotlandsPeople computer system for £15 unlimited research a day, is running a pilot scheme to trial Saturday openings on an occasional basis. The next Saturday when it will be open is Saturday 22nd November 2014, from 9.30am to 4.00pm. There is in fact a session this coming Saturday 25th, but it is already fully booked.
The Burns Monument Centre already offers Saturday access on a weekly basis in Kilmarnock, though ironically, the provider of the service itself in Edinburgh does not. As not everybody works civil service hours, this is a very welcome development - here's hoping the Glasgow trial leads to something a bit more permanent!
(With thanks to Jack Davis via the Scottish Genealogy Network LinkedIn forum)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
The Burns Monument Centre already offers Saturday access on a weekly basis in Kilmarnock, though ironically, the provider of the service itself in Edinburgh does not. As not everybody works civil service hours, this is a very welcome development - here's hoping the Glasgow trial leads to something a bit more permanent!
(With thanks to Jack Davis via the Scottish Genealogy Network LinkedIn forum)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
MyHeritage and 23andMe announce collaboration
From MyHeritage (www.myheritage.com), news of a new collaboration between the company and DNA firm 23andMe (www.23andMe.com). First, video of MyHeritage founder Gilad Japhet breaking the news on Bloomberg TV is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1MefhlGTA8 - and below:
And the press release:
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California & TEL AVIV, Israel - October 21, 2014: 23andMe, the leading personal genetics company, and MyHeritage, the leading destination for discovering, sharing and preserving family history, announced today a strategic collaboration that will provide an enhanced experience for individuals to discover their legacy based on genetic ancestry and documented family history.
23andMe pioneered autosomal DNA ancestry analysis for consumers, and has created the largest DNA ancestry service in the world. With a simple saliva sample 23andMe can reveal the geographic origins of distant ancestors and help people discover unknown relatives. MyHeritage helps millions of families worldwide find and treasure their unique history with easy-to-use family tree tools, a huge library of more than 5.5 billion historical records and innovative matching technologies for automating discoveries. Integrating the market leading solutions in ancestral DNA and family trees will provide an unparalleled experience for customers of both companies.
“We believe this collaboration with MyHeritage will offer our customers a vastly improved opportunity to build their family tree and discover new connections,” said Andy Page, President of 23andMe. “Given MyHeritage’s technology leadership in the ancestry space and vast global reach, we are excited about the value this relationship will bring to our customers around the world.”
“Combining genealogy with DNA-based ancestry is the next evolution in uncovering family history,” said Gilad Japhet, Founder and CEO of MyHeritage. “DNA testing can connect you to relatives you never knew existed, who descend from shared ancestors centuries ago, but family trees and historical records are critical to map and fully understand these connections. We have great respect for 23andMe’s technology and values, and its pioneering approach to genetics represents strong potential value for our users in the future.”
23andMe will offer its more than three quarters of a million customers around the globe access to MyHeritage’s family tree tools. This will allow 23andMe’s customers to enjoy automated family history discoveries. Smart Matching™ automatically finds connections between user-contributed family trees and Record Matching automatically locates historical records from the billions of records available on MyHeritage, pertaining to any person in the family tree. MyHeritage will utilize 23andMe's API to provide the best experience for customers, by allowing any two people with matching DNA to explore their family tree connections. MyHeritage will also offer 23andMe's Personal Genome Service® to its global community of more than 70 million registered users, in addition to the DNA tests it already offers.
The first phase of integration will be complete by early 2015.
(With thanks to Laurence Harris and Daniel Horowitz)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California & TEL AVIV, Israel - October 21, 2014: 23andMe, the leading personal genetics company, and MyHeritage, the leading destination for discovering, sharing and preserving family history, announced today a strategic collaboration that will provide an enhanced experience for individuals to discover their legacy based on genetic ancestry and documented family history.
23andMe pioneered autosomal DNA ancestry analysis for consumers, and has created the largest DNA ancestry service in the world. With a simple saliva sample 23andMe can reveal the geographic origins of distant ancestors and help people discover unknown relatives. MyHeritage helps millions of families worldwide find and treasure their unique history with easy-to-use family tree tools, a huge library of more than 5.5 billion historical records and innovative matching technologies for automating discoveries. Integrating the market leading solutions in ancestral DNA and family trees will provide an unparalleled experience for customers of both companies.
“We believe this collaboration with MyHeritage will offer our customers a vastly improved opportunity to build their family tree and discover new connections,” said Andy Page, President of 23andMe. “Given MyHeritage’s technology leadership in the ancestry space and vast global reach, we are excited about the value this relationship will bring to our customers around the world.”
“Combining genealogy with DNA-based ancestry is the next evolution in uncovering family history,” said Gilad Japhet, Founder and CEO of MyHeritage. “DNA testing can connect you to relatives you never knew existed, who descend from shared ancestors centuries ago, but family trees and historical records are critical to map and fully understand these connections. We have great respect for 23andMe’s technology and values, and its pioneering approach to genetics represents strong potential value for our users in the future.”
23andMe will offer its more than three quarters of a million customers around the globe access to MyHeritage’s family tree tools. This will allow 23andMe’s customers to enjoy automated family history discoveries. Smart Matching™ automatically finds connections between user-contributed family trees and Record Matching automatically locates historical records from the billions of records available on MyHeritage, pertaining to any person in the family tree. MyHeritage will utilize 23andMe's API to provide the best experience for customers, by allowing any two people with matching DNA to explore their family tree connections. MyHeritage will also offer 23andMe's Personal Genome Service® to its global community of more than 70 million registered users, in addition to the DNA tests it already offers.
The first phase of integration will be complete by early 2015.
(With thanks to Laurence Harris and Daniel Horowitz)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
First World War medical records on Forces War Records
From Forces War Records (www.forces-war-records.co.uk):
REVEALED FOR THE FIRST TIME:
Personal medical records of WW1
To mark this month’s centenary of the devastating First World War battle of Ypres, military genealogy website Forces War Records has released newly transcribed versions of the medical and hospital records of 31,000 men who fought along the Western Front. Available now, these rare accounts, from the 51st Field Ambulance, comprise just the first tranche of 1.5 million the company has recently discovered - and is now transcribing. They are archive gems for those researching their family history.
Apart from documenting the men’s names, service and medical details and movements, whether returned to the Front, sent back to Blighty, or ending in death, they also shed light on a grisly line-up of the top 20 most common injuries and ailments suffered by the men, from expected conditions such as trench foot and mustard gas poisoning, through to more surprising ones, including lice (97 per cent of men were infested), scabies and sexually transmitted diseases.
An e-book: Trench Traumas and Medical Miracles, has also been published. Compiled by Forces War Records’ expert researchers and downloadable free from www.forces-war-records.co.uk, it explains and adds further context to these rare documents. The e-book paints a picture of everyday life on the front line and explains the ‘chain of evacuation’: how and where these men were patched up (or not) and what was done with them next.
It also catalogues the legion of problems the medical practitioners saw on a daily basis, with many soldiers suffering from a combination of conditions at once.
In addition to battlefield traumas, social diseases also took their toll. Sexually transmitted diseases were rife as soldiers visited French brothels looking for warmth, comfort and a release from the horrors of the trenches.
Besides the ‘top 20’ list, additional common hazards of war included deafness from artillery fire, bayonet wounds, tonsillitis, haemorrhoids, in-growing toenails, even broken dentures and glasses. Many self-inflicted wounds (some imparted in a bid to escape front line duty, a punishable offence) were also recorded – and the Forces War Records team noted a number where ‘injury with pick-axe’ was cited.
The team found the records to be quite inconsistent. For instance 300 men could be affected by mustard gas on one day, but then there were quiet days where non-emergencies such as tooth decay were treated. One entry that stood out was a soldier who contracted gastroenteritis after drinking fetid water from a shell crater, such was his desperation to slake his thirst.
But there were lighter moments, such as muscles sprained from football matches and an unfortunate Private Crack who’d been shot in the buttocks.
Significance of the records
The records, the originals of which are stored at the National Archives in Kew, have not been transcribed before now since they are handwritten, many in faint pencil or with lots of abbreviations, and therefore very difficult to read and interpret. Methods of recording and fluctuating levels of accuracy between the 100 year old books also made the records challenging to decipher, even for Forces War Records’ specialist data entry staff.
In some cases the field ambulance record may be the only existing proof that an ancestor fought in the war, as it can be hard to find information on men who were injured in the war but survived.
This first collection we have digitised is from the 51st Field Ambulance, a mobile frontline medical unit that would have been based about 400 yards behind the Regimental Aid Post. It would have had special responsibility for the care of casualties from the 17th Division (an infantry division of between 12 and 14,000 men from many different regiments). It was the most forward of the RAMC units dealing with these troops, and the first line of documentation for casualties.
The records run from 17 July 1915 to 13 August 1918.
(With thanks to Nicki Giles and Dominic Hayhoe)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
REVEALED FOR THE FIRST TIME:
Personal medical records of WW1
To mark this month’s centenary of the devastating First World War battle of Ypres, military genealogy website Forces War Records has released newly transcribed versions of the medical and hospital records of 31,000 men who fought along the Western Front. Available now, these rare accounts, from the 51st Field Ambulance, comprise just the first tranche of 1.5 million the company has recently discovered - and is now transcribing. They are archive gems for those researching their family history.
Apart from documenting the men’s names, service and medical details and movements, whether returned to the Front, sent back to Blighty, or ending in death, they also shed light on a grisly line-up of the top 20 most common injuries and ailments suffered by the men, from expected conditions such as trench foot and mustard gas poisoning, through to more surprising ones, including lice (97 per cent of men were infested), scabies and sexually transmitted diseases.
An e-book: Trench Traumas and Medical Miracles, has also been published. Compiled by Forces War Records’ expert researchers and downloadable free from www.forces-war-records.co.uk, it explains and adds further context to these rare documents. The e-book paints a picture of everyday life on the front line and explains the ‘chain of evacuation’: how and where these men were patched up (or not) and what was done with them next.It also catalogues the legion of problems the medical practitioners saw on a daily basis, with many soldiers suffering from a combination of conditions at once.
In addition to battlefield traumas, social diseases also took their toll. Sexually transmitted diseases were rife as soldiers visited French brothels looking for warmth, comfort and a release from the horrors of the trenches.
Besides the ‘top 20’ list, additional common hazards of war included deafness from artillery fire, bayonet wounds, tonsillitis, haemorrhoids, in-growing toenails, even broken dentures and glasses. Many self-inflicted wounds (some imparted in a bid to escape front line duty, a punishable offence) were also recorded – and the Forces War Records team noted a number where ‘injury with pick-axe’ was cited.
The team found the records to be quite inconsistent. For instance 300 men could be affected by mustard gas on one day, but then there were quiet days where non-emergencies such as tooth decay were treated. One entry that stood out was a soldier who contracted gastroenteritis after drinking fetid water from a shell crater, such was his desperation to slake his thirst.
But there were lighter moments, such as muscles sprained from football matches and an unfortunate Private Crack who’d been shot in the buttocks.
Significance of the records
The records, the originals of which are stored at the National Archives in Kew, have not been transcribed before now since they are handwritten, many in faint pencil or with lots of abbreviations, and therefore very difficult to read and interpret. Methods of recording and fluctuating levels of accuracy between the 100 year old books also made the records challenging to decipher, even for Forces War Records’ specialist data entry staff.
In some cases the field ambulance record may be the only existing proof that an ancestor fought in the war, as it can be hard to find information on men who were injured in the war but survived.
This first collection we have digitised is from the 51st Field Ambulance, a mobile frontline medical unit that would have been based about 400 yards behind the Regimental Aid Post. It would have had special responsibility for the care of casualties from the 17th Division (an infantry division of between 12 and 14,000 men from many different regiments). It was the most forward of the RAMC units dealing with these troops, and the first line of documentation for casualties.
The records run from 17 July 1915 to 13 August 1918.
(With thanks to Nicki Giles and Dominic Hayhoe)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Mental health archive records to be digitised
The Wellcome Library has announced a UK wide project to digitise 800,000 pages of archival material from psychiatric hospitals from the 18th to the 20th centuries. From the news release:
The Wellcome Library will partner with the Borthwick Institute for Archives, London Metropolitan Archives, Dumfries and Galloway Council Archives, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Archives, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists for the project, which will bring together documents from the York Retreat, St Luke’s Hospital Woodside, Crichton Royal Hospital, Gartnavel Royal Hospital and Camberwell House Asylum. These collections will be added to the Wellcome Library’s own collection of archives from public and private mental health institutions, including the records of Ticehurst House Hospital in Sussex, which provide a rare insight into the running of a privately run asylum.
For the full story visit http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2014/WTP057722.htm
(With thanks to @SueWilkesauthor)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
The Wellcome Library will partner with the Borthwick Institute for Archives, London Metropolitan Archives, Dumfries and Galloway Council Archives, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Archives, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists for the project, which will bring together documents from the York Retreat, St Luke’s Hospital Woodside, Crichton Royal Hospital, Gartnavel Royal Hospital and Camberwell House Asylum. These collections will be added to the Wellcome Library’s own collection of archives from public and private mental health institutions, including the records of Ticehurst House Hospital in Sussex, which provide a rare insight into the running of a privately run asylum.
For the full story visit http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2014/WTP057722.htm
(With thanks to @SueWilkesauthor)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Remembering Ruhleben: The other RHS
A forthcoming event by the Garden Museum and the Royal Horticultural Society to commemorate some of the British and British Empire prisoners who were interned at the Ruhleben POW camp near Berlin during the First World War:
'A story of British ingenuity and gumption, which had horticulture at its heart'
The Daily Telegraph
November, 1914. War has been declared. An order is given for British men in Germany to be arrested and sent to Ruhleben Internment Camp - a bleak and abandoned racetrack near Berlin. Faced with no facilities, limited supplies and winter fast approaching, the prisoners did the only thing they could: 'maintain the British ideal of patriotism, patience, courage and usefulness through four long years.'
As Ruhleben was transformed through the prisoner's efforts, a very British Horticultural Society was set up, and - just like any Horticultural Society back home - they turned to the RHS for help.
Largely forgotten today, this remarkable story will be retold by actors, using diary extracts, live music, poems, and various musings from the Ruhleben Camp Magazine.
Programme
6.30pm
Doors open
7.00pm
Performance
8.00pm
Q&A with Fiona Davison, Head of the RHS Lindley Library
This event celebrates the Gardens and War Exhibition, on at the Garden Museum until 5 January 2015
Tickets
£20 Standard
£15 Garden Museum and RHS Members
To book, please visit www.gardenmuseum.org.uk or call 020 7401 8865
The RHS is searching for stories about the Ruhleben gardeners from their friends and descendants. Anyone with information can contact the RHS at libraryenquirieslondon@rhs.org.uk
COMMENT: Thanks to organiser Dudley Hinton for sending this through. I'm unfortunately not going to be able to attend, but for those who had relatives interned at Ruhleben, check out my The Ruhleben Story web project at http://ruhleben.tripod.com, where details of some 2000 of the 5500 or so POWs who were there have been recorded (my great uncle was one of them, which sparkled off my interest in the camp).
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Garden Museum in collaboration with the RHS presents
REMEMBERING RUHLEBEN: The other RHS
An evening of readings, music & song to celebrate the forgotten story of a horticultural society that sprung up in the midst of war
WEDNESDAY 12 November 2014
7.00pm - 8.30pm
'A story of British ingenuity and gumption, which had horticulture at its heart'
The Daily Telegraph
November, 1914. War has been declared. An order is given for British men in Germany to be arrested and sent to Ruhleben Internment Camp - a bleak and abandoned racetrack near Berlin. Faced with no facilities, limited supplies and winter fast approaching, the prisoners did the only thing they could: 'maintain the British ideal of patriotism, patience, courage and usefulness through four long years.'
As Ruhleben was transformed through the prisoner's efforts, a very British Horticultural Society was set up, and - just like any Horticultural Society back home - they turned to the RHS for help.
Largely forgotten today, this remarkable story will be retold by actors, using diary extracts, live music, poems, and various musings from the Ruhleben Camp Magazine.
Programme
6.30pm
Doors open
7.00pm
Performance
8.00pm
Q&A with Fiona Davison, Head of the RHS Lindley Library
This event celebrates the Gardens and War Exhibition, on at the Garden Museum until 5 January 2015
Tickets
£20 Standard
£15 Garden Museum and RHS Members
To book, please visit www.gardenmuseum.org.uk or call 020 7401 8865
The RHS is searching for stories about the Ruhleben gardeners from their friends and descendants. Anyone with information can contact the RHS at libraryenquirieslondon@rhs.org.uk
COMMENT: Thanks to organiser Dudley Hinton for sending this through. I'm unfortunately not going to be able to attend, but for those who had relatives interned at Ruhleben, check out my The Ruhleben Story web project at http://ruhleben.tripod.com, where details of some 2000 of the 5500 or so POWs who were there have been recorded (my great uncle was one of them, which sparkled off my interest in the camp).
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Durham Records Online update
From Durham Records Online (www.durhamrecordsonline.com):
Penshaw baptisms 1841-1865, burials 1841-1865 and marriages 1 July 1837 through 1865
Gosforth baptisms & burials 1762-1812 & 1840-1846, marriages 1762-1812
Felling baptisms 1866-1871, marriages 1867-1877
Auckland St. Helen burials 1813-1814 updated
North-Easterners aboard H.M.S. Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar
Coming Soon:
Benfieldside Cemetery burials 1920-1981
Bishopwearmouth Cemetery burials 1900-1904
Gateshead Primitive Methodist Circuit baptisms 1855-1867
Hartlepool St James baptisms & marriages
updates to existing Wingate Grange baptisms
In the queue:
Several South Shields Presbyterian churches, Morpeth, Longhorsley, Hart Cemetery MIs, South Shields St Hilda baptisms 1836+, Newcastle All Saints baptisms 1835-36, Hexham Whitley Chapel baptisms & burials 1843-1888, Birtley St Joseph Catholic marriages 1846-1899, Durham St. Cuthbert RC baptisms 1841-1885, early Dinsdale records, Sunderland Methodist records
(With thanks to Durham Records Online)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Penshaw baptisms 1841-1865, burials 1841-1865 and marriages 1 July 1837 through 1865
Gosforth baptisms & burials 1762-1812 & 1840-1846, marriages 1762-1812
Felling baptisms 1866-1871, marriages 1867-1877
Auckland St. Helen burials 1813-1814 updated
North-Easterners aboard H.M.S. Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar
Coming Soon:
Benfieldside Cemetery burials 1920-1981
Bishopwearmouth Cemetery burials 1900-1904
Gateshead Primitive Methodist Circuit baptisms 1855-1867
Hartlepool St James baptisms & marriages
updates to existing Wingate Grange baptisms
In the queue:
Several South Shields Presbyterian churches, Morpeth, Longhorsley, Hart Cemetery MIs, South Shields St Hilda baptisms 1836+, Newcastle All Saints baptisms 1835-36, Hexham Whitley Chapel baptisms & burials 1843-1888, Birtley St Joseph Catholic marriages 1846-1899, Durham St. Cuthbert RC baptisms 1841-1885, early Dinsdale records, Sunderland Methodist records
(With thanks to Durham Records Online)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Previously... Scotland's History Festival announces programme
Previously...Scotland's History Festival has announced its programme of events and talks for this year's offering from Wednesday 12th to Sunday 30th November 2014. The programme is available at http://www.historyfest.co.uk/2014-events/november-12/
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Save Every Step lifetime memories site to close
Another genealogy life memories/timeline site is to close, this time Save Every Step (www.saveeverystep.com), which was first established in late 2010. Here's the announcement:
Important news from SaveEveryStep HQ
After a great deal of deliberation, we must reluctantly advise you that, due to unforeseen life changing family circumstances, the SaveEveryStep website is to officially close from 1st November 2014.
This is a decision which has not been taken lightly, but is, alas, unavoidable.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your custom. It remains our passion to encourage others to save their memories for future generations, and very much hope that you will continue to do so in another format.
Whilst we are sure that any images or information you have posted on SaveEveryStep will be backed up elsewhere, we would advise you to download anything you wish to before the site closes.
Kindest regards,
The SaveEveryStep team.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Important news from SaveEveryStep HQ
After a great deal of deliberation, we must reluctantly advise you that, due to unforeseen life changing family circumstances, the SaveEveryStep website is to officially close from 1st November 2014.
This is a decision which has not been taken lightly, but is, alas, unavoidable.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your custom. It remains our passion to encourage others to save their memories for future generations, and very much hope that you will continue to do so in another format.
Whilst we are sure that any images or information you have posted on SaveEveryStep will be backed up elsewhere, we would advise you to download anything you wish to before the site closes.
Kindest regards,
The SaveEveryStep team.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Monday, 20 October 2014
Caledonian copulation kicked it off...
The history of Scotland has never been made more central to everyone of us around the world researching our family trees!
It transpires that in the last day or so, white coated boffins from Flinders University in South Australia have revealed that the origins of each of us having to have two parents behind the act of our creation in fact goes back to an ancient Scottish loch somewhere 385 million years ago. It was then that small vertebrate creatures called placoderms first learned the art of copulation, as opposed to spawning - and wait for it, these placoderms are more technically known as Microbrachius dicki (I kid you not). The full story is available at http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/10/19/us-health-sex-idUKKCN0I80O320141019.
Wha's like us? Well, err, it now seems to be everyone... :)
Incidentally, just to maintain the art of accuracy, these particular placoderms also apparently lived in Estonia and China. But just to clarify, I have no idea if this is evidence of an early Scottish diaspora, or simple coincidence!
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
It transpires that in the last day or so, white coated boffins from Flinders University in South Australia have revealed that the origins of each of us having to have two parents behind the act of our creation in fact goes back to an ancient Scottish loch somewhere 385 million years ago. It was then that small vertebrate creatures called placoderms first learned the art of copulation, as opposed to spawning - and wait for it, these placoderms are more technically known as Microbrachius dicki (I kid you not). The full story is available at http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/10/19/us-health-sex-idUKKCN0I80O320141019.
Wha's like us? Well, err, it now seems to be everyone... :)
Incidentally, just to maintain the art of accuracy, these particular placoderms also apparently lived in Estonia and China. But just to clarify, I have no idea if this is evidence of an early Scottish diaspora, or simple coincidence!
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Sunday, 19 October 2014
Devon Heritage Centre access restrictions
Some news for anyone who may be wishing to do research in Devon Heritage Centre (http://www.devon.gov.uk/record_office.htm):
DEVON HERITAGE CENTRE SHELVING WORK UPDATE
Shelving installation work is due to commence in our Exeter office w/c 3 November 2014. We will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum but please be advised that there will be some restrictions on access to collections stored in the affected areas from 28 October until the beginning of December 2014.
The main collections to which restrictions will apply are as follows:
Phase 1 (28 Oct – 18 Nov)
Quarter Sessions papers, 1866 - 1940
EDRO Deposits 46/1 – 77/11
EDRO Deposits Z1 – Z19
Poor Law Union records
School records
Parish volumes
Phase 2 (18 Nov – 9 Dec)
Exeter City Archives rolls & legal papers (incl. customs rolls, mayor’s court rolls, receiver’s accounts & freemen books)
Chanter volumes (Diocese of Exeter collection)
Deposits 74B, 96M, 123M, 152M, 312M, 314M, 316M, 337B, 775, 961M, 1148M, 1258M, 1262M, 1508M, 2065M, 4001, 7818M
We apologise for any inconvenience this essential work may cause. Please revisit this site for further updates as the work progresses.
(With thanks to Maureen Selley)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
DEVON HERITAGE CENTRE SHELVING WORK UPDATE
Shelving installation work is due to commence in our Exeter office w/c 3 November 2014. We will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum but please be advised that there will be some restrictions on access to collections stored in the affected areas from 28 October until the beginning of December 2014.
The main collections to which restrictions will apply are as follows:
Phase 1 (28 Oct – 18 Nov)
Quarter Sessions papers, 1866 - 1940
EDRO Deposits 46/1 – 77/11
EDRO Deposits Z1 – Z19
Poor Law Union records
School records
Parish volumes
Phase 2 (18 Nov – 9 Dec)
Exeter City Archives rolls & legal papers (incl. customs rolls, mayor’s court rolls, receiver’s accounts & freemen books)
Chanter volumes (Diocese of Exeter collection)
Deposits 74B, 96M, 123M, 152M, 312M, 314M, 316M, 337B, 775, 961M, 1148M, 1258M, 1262M, 1508M, 2065M, 4001, 7818M
We apologise for any inconvenience this essential work may cause. Please revisit this site for further updates as the work progresses.
(With thanks to Maureen Selley)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Scottish consolidated tax schedules 1798-1799 on ScotlandsPlaces
The National Records for Scotland (www.nrscotland.gov.uk) has announced that consolidated tax schedule records from 1798-1799, replacing a myriad of separate Scottish tax lists from previous years, have now been made available on ScotlandsPlaces (www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk). There is a caveat, however, in that records are available only for counties which begin with the letters A-M - so no schedules survive for Nairnshire, Orkney, Peebles-shire, Perthshire, Renfrewshire, Ross-shire and Wigtownshire.
For further details visit http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2014/consolidated-tax-schedules-released-online.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
For further details visit http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2014/consolidated-tax-schedules-released-online.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Genealogy in the Sunshine 2015 with Lost Cousins
I was fortunate to be able to attend the first event last year - for a summary of what happened, read my reviews at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/genealogy-in-sunshine-day-1.html http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/genealogy-in-sunshine-days-2-and-3.html and http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/genealogy-in-sunshine-days-4-and-5.html. In summary, however, it had great talks, great weather, great resort, great wine, great craic, and great sunsets!
For further details on the 2015 event, see http://www.genealogyinthesunshine.com/2015info.htm - and for the latest Lost Cousins newsletter, visit http://www.lostcousins.com/newsletters/midoct14news.htm.
Hopefully see a few of you there!
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Nottinghamshire Archives winter closure for redevelopment
The following has been announced by Nottinghamshire Archives at http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/learning/history/archives/archivesnews/?blogpost=2778:
Nottinghamshire Archives will temporarily close to the public from Saturday 18 October.
This closure forms part of a £2.5m investment project to extend the archives' building and preserve the county’s rich documentary heritage for future generations.
The building is expected to open again in spring 2015. Until then, you can contact the archives service via telephone, email and post. A reprographics service will be available so staff can reproduce copies of documents for the public.
From October 18, you can use the reduced service by calling 0115 9581634, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm or by emailing archives@nottscc.gov.uk.
Written requests can also be accepted at Nottinghamshire Archives, Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham, NG2 1AG.
You can also continue to explore local history collections in local libraries which host parish registers and other local history sources.
The archives’ current building in Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham, was opened by the Princess Royal in 1993 and is almost at full storage capacity.
The county council’s extension project will increase storage capacity and secure a further 20 years of extra space for historical archives. It will be built to meet new national archives building standards, and the modernised facilities will have an enhanced focus on digital archives.
There will be a new refreshments area, two meeting rooms and exhibition spaces in the new-look building. There will be opportunities to support further the Friends Group and increase volunteering opportunities as part of the refurbished centre.
We apologise for the inconvenience this closure may cause.
(With thanks to Martin James at the UK Professional Researchers in Genealogy, Family & Local History forum on Linked In)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Nottinghamshire Archives will temporarily close to the public from Saturday 18 October.
This closure forms part of a £2.5m investment project to extend the archives' building and preserve the county’s rich documentary heritage for future generations.
The building is expected to open again in spring 2015. Until then, you can contact the archives service via telephone, email and post. A reprographics service will be available so staff can reproduce copies of documents for the public.
From October 18, you can use the reduced service by calling 0115 9581634, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm or by emailing archives@nottscc.gov.uk.
Written requests can also be accepted at Nottinghamshire Archives, Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham, NG2 1AG.
You can also continue to explore local history collections in local libraries which host parish registers and other local history sources.
The archives’ current building in Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham, was opened by the Princess Royal in 1993 and is almost at full storage capacity.
The county council’s extension project will increase storage capacity and secure a further 20 years of extra space for historical archives. It will be built to meet new national archives building standards, and the modernised facilities will have an enhanced focus on digital archives.
There will be a new refreshments area, two meeting rooms and exhibition spaces in the new-look building. There will be opportunities to support further the Friends Group and increase volunteering opportunities as part of the refurbished centre.
We apologise for the inconvenience this closure may cause.
(With thanks to Martin James at the UK Professional Researchers in Genealogy, Family & Local History forum on Linked In)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Friday, 17 October 2014
British GENES - one and a half million page views and counting!
Just over three years ago, in September 2011, I launched this blog to parallel its predecessor, Scottish GENES, in a bid to bring additional news from across the British Isles, and not just for Scotland. Within months I had decided to concentrate solely on British GENES, largely to save on duplication of effort in posting the same Scottish stories on two blogs!
Well, it's only a wee thing, but I've just noticed that this version of the blog has now had over one and a half million page views, according to the Google stats (and that doesn't even take into account the hundreds of subscribers who read the stories via a daily email or a feed reader!). It continues to amaze me how many people from Canada to New Zealand and across Britain and Ireland who I meet who seem to read it, so thanks for doing so - I'll be keeping at it for a while yet!
(Incidentally, the Scottish GENES blog is still available as an archive of genealogy news from 2007-2011 at http://scottishancestry.blogspot.co.uk.)
Onwards and upwards! :)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Well, it's only a wee thing, but I've just noticed that this version of the blog has now had over one and a half million page views, according to the Google stats (and that doesn't even take into account the hundreds of subscribers who read the stories via a daily email or a feed reader!). It continues to amaze me how many people from Canada to New Zealand and across Britain and Ireland who I meet who seem to read it, so thanks for doing so - I'll be keeping at it for a while yet!
(Incidentally, the Scottish GENES blog is still available as an archive of genealogy news from 2007-2011 at http://scottishancestry.blogspot.co.uk.)
Onwards and upwards! :)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
British Red Cross WW1 volunteer records go online
The British Red Cross has commenced the upload of records for British volunteers in the First World War. From the site:
Over 90,000 people volunteered for the British Red Cross at home and overseas during the war.
Search for your family’s personnel records, and discover what Red Cross volunteers were doing in your local area 100 years ago.
The personnel records for surnames starting with A and B are currently available. Volunteers are updating the site with more names every few weeks.
For further details visit http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Who-we-are/History-and-origin/First-World-War
(With thanks to Emma Jolly via Facebook)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Over 90,000 people volunteered for the British Red Cross at home and overseas during the war.
Search for your family’s personnel records, and discover what Red Cross volunteers were doing in your local area 100 years ago.
The personnel records for surnames starting with A and B are currently available. Volunteers are updating the site with more names every few weeks.
For further details visit http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Who-we-are/History-and-origin/First-World-War
(With thanks to Emma Jolly via Facebook)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
British Newspaper Archive recent additions
The following have been added to the British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) over the last 30 days - good to see some more Irish material at long last finding its way to the site (I've highlighted each Irish title with an asterisk), though still only a drop in the ocean compared to the offerings for England and Scotland. (NB: there is very little Welsh material on the site - for this, visit the free to access http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/home).
Here goes:
Aberdeen People's Journal 1878, 1880, 1885, 1898 - 1908
Arbroath Herald and Advertiser for the Montrose Burghs 1926, 1928 - 1931, 1933 - 1934
Aris's Birmingham Gazette 1741, 1746, 1761, 1772, 1791, 1798, 1800 - 1801, 1803 - 1804, 1808 - 1809, 1813 - 1814, 1817, 1824 - 1862, 1864 - 1867
Bedfordshire Times and Independent 1887 - 1888, 1897, 1899, 1914 - 1915, 1917 - 1919, 1923 - 1924, 1936, 1938 - 1940, 1944
*Belfast Mercury 1851 - 1853, 1860 - 1861
Biggleswade Chronicle 1898, 1907, 1910 - 1911, 1913 - 1918, 1920
Birmingham Daily Gazette 1862, 1868
Bradford Observer 1835
Bucks Herald 1922 - 1927, 1934, 1939 - 1946
Bury and Norwich Post 1845 - 1846, 1848
Chelmsford Chronicle 1870, 1884
Cheltenham Chronicle 1820 - 1821, 1827 - 1835, 1837 - 1849, 1863
Cheltenham Looker-On 1858, 1878, 1880
Chester Chronicle 1918
Cobbett's Weekly Political Register 1808
Coventry Times 1862, 1880
*Downshire Protestant 1858 - 1859
*Drogheda Journal, or Meath & Louth Advertiser 1831 - 1832, 1835, 1839
*Drogheda News Letter 1813
*Dublin Builder, The 1859
*Dublin Evening Mail 1851, 1853, 1856 - 1860
Dumfries and Galloway Standard 1865
Dundee Advertiser 1896
Dundee Evening Telegraph 1877 - 1950
Dundee, Perth, Forfar, and Fife's People's Journal 1858 - 1861
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 1900
Falkirk Herald 1862, 1864, 1879, 1883 - 1884, 1888, 1890 - 1891, 1914 - 1917
Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald 1909
*Galway Vindicator, and Connaught Advertiser 1841, 1843 - 1844, 1847, 1849 - 1855, 1858 - 1859, 1861, 1864 - 1866
Gloucester Journal 1810
Gloucestershire Chronicle 1852 - 1854, 1865, 1877, 1879 - 1880, 1893, 1896, 1911
Gloucestershire Echo 1889, 1893, 1899, 1918
Hampshire Chronicle 1783, 1785, 1795
Hartlepool Mail 1925 - 1926, 1945
Hertford Mercury and Reformer 1870 - 1873, 1875 - 1878, 1880 - 1888
Herts Guardian, Agricultural Journal, and General Advertiser 1861, 1866
*Hibernian Journal; or, Chronicle of Liberty 1773 - 1776, 1778, 1780 - 1783, 1805
Illustrated Times 1858 - 1859
Ipswich Journal, The 1779 - 1784, 1791 - 1793, 1796 - 1798
Kent & Sussex Courier 1876, 1881 - 1882, 1884 - 1892, 1894
Leamington Spa Courier 1925 - 1926, 1929 - 1930, 1934, 1937 - 1943, 1945, 1947 - 1949, 1951 - 1954
Leicester Chronicle 1813 - 1818, 1821 - 1826, 1848, 1850, 1901 - 1904, 1906 - 1909, 1912 - 1915
*Limerick Evening Post 1828
*Limerick Reporter 1851 - 1852, 1859 - 1860
Liverpool Courier and Commercial Advertiser 1870
Luton News and Bedfordshire Chronicle 1897, 1906
Manchester Mercury 1753 - 1754, 1770, 1776, 1779, 1781, 1785, 1787 - 1791, 1795 - 1798, 1804 - 1805, 1809, 1814 - 1816, 1819 - 1825, 1827 - 1830
Motherwell Times 1890 - 1891
Newry Examiner and Louth Advertiser 1852 - 1853, 1855, 1857
Northampton Mercury 1906 - 1907, 1909, 1913 - 1918, 1920 - 1931, 1938 - 1939
Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser 1838 - 1852
Northern Whig 1858
Perthshire Advertiser 1833 - 1839, 1842 - 1846, 1848 - 1866, 1868 - 1869
Portsmouth Evening News 1905 - 1906, 1909, 1921, 1942
Reading Mercury 1786, 1788, 1914
Royal Cornwall Gazette 1802
Sheffield Daily Telegraph 1950
Sheffield Evening Telegraph 1905, 1920
Sheffield Independent 1898
Sherborne Mercury 1770 - 1771
Shields Daily Gazette 1911
South Bucks Free Press, Wycombe and Maidenhead Journal 1865
Stirling Observer 1917
Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette 1916 - 1917
Surrey Advertiser 1869 - 1870
Sussex Advertiser 1849, 1852
Swindon Advertiser and North Wilts Chronicle 1861
Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser 1906 - 1907, 1909, 1915, 1921 - 1922, 1926, 1928
*Ulsterman, The 1857 - 1859
*Waterford Chronicle 1839
Wells Journal 1884
West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser 1889
Western Daily Press 1863
Western Mail 1914
Worcester Journal 1808 - 1816, 1818 - 1821, 1829 - 1830, 1850 - 1851
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Here goes:
Aberdeen People's Journal 1878, 1880, 1885, 1898 - 1908
Arbroath Herald and Advertiser for the Montrose Burghs 1926, 1928 - 1931, 1933 - 1934
Aris's Birmingham Gazette 1741, 1746, 1761, 1772, 1791, 1798, 1800 - 1801, 1803 - 1804, 1808 - 1809, 1813 - 1814, 1817, 1824 - 1862, 1864 - 1867
Bedfordshire Times and Independent 1887 - 1888, 1897, 1899, 1914 - 1915, 1917 - 1919, 1923 - 1924, 1936, 1938 - 1940, 1944
*Belfast Mercury 1851 - 1853, 1860 - 1861
Biggleswade Chronicle 1898, 1907, 1910 - 1911, 1913 - 1918, 1920
Birmingham Daily Gazette 1862, 1868
Bradford Observer 1835
Bucks Herald 1922 - 1927, 1934, 1939 - 1946
Bury and Norwich Post 1845 - 1846, 1848
Chelmsford Chronicle 1870, 1884
Cheltenham Chronicle 1820 - 1821, 1827 - 1835, 1837 - 1849, 1863
Cheltenham Looker-On 1858, 1878, 1880
Chester Chronicle 1918
Cobbett's Weekly Political Register 1808
Coventry Times 1862, 1880
*Downshire Protestant 1858 - 1859
*Drogheda Journal, or Meath & Louth Advertiser 1831 - 1832, 1835, 1839
*Drogheda News Letter 1813
*Dublin Builder, The 1859
*Dublin Evening Mail 1851, 1853, 1856 - 1860
Dumfries and Galloway Standard 1865
Dundee Advertiser 1896
Dundee Evening Telegraph 1877 - 1950
Dundee, Perth, Forfar, and Fife's People's Journal 1858 - 1861
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 1900
Falkirk Herald 1862, 1864, 1879, 1883 - 1884, 1888, 1890 - 1891, 1914 - 1917
Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald 1909
*Galway Vindicator, and Connaught Advertiser 1841, 1843 - 1844, 1847, 1849 - 1855, 1858 - 1859, 1861, 1864 - 1866
Gloucester Journal 1810
Gloucestershire Chronicle 1852 - 1854, 1865, 1877, 1879 - 1880, 1893, 1896, 1911
Gloucestershire Echo 1889, 1893, 1899, 1918
Hampshire Chronicle 1783, 1785, 1795
Hartlepool Mail 1925 - 1926, 1945
Hertford Mercury and Reformer 1870 - 1873, 1875 - 1878, 1880 - 1888
Herts Guardian, Agricultural Journal, and General Advertiser 1861, 1866
*Hibernian Journal; or, Chronicle of Liberty 1773 - 1776, 1778, 1780 - 1783, 1805
Illustrated Times 1858 - 1859
Ipswich Journal, The 1779 - 1784, 1791 - 1793, 1796 - 1798
Kent & Sussex Courier 1876, 1881 - 1882, 1884 - 1892, 1894
Leamington Spa Courier 1925 - 1926, 1929 - 1930, 1934, 1937 - 1943, 1945, 1947 - 1949, 1951 - 1954
Leicester Chronicle 1813 - 1818, 1821 - 1826, 1848, 1850, 1901 - 1904, 1906 - 1909, 1912 - 1915
*Limerick Evening Post 1828
*Limerick Reporter 1851 - 1852, 1859 - 1860
Liverpool Courier and Commercial Advertiser 1870
Luton News and Bedfordshire Chronicle 1897, 1906
Manchester Mercury 1753 - 1754, 1770, 1776, 1779, 1781, 1785, 1787 - 1791, 1795 - 1798, 1804 - 1805, 1809, 1814 - 1816, 1819 - 1825, 1827 - 1830
Motherwell Times 1890 - 1891
Newry Examiner and Louth Advertiser 1852 - 1853, 1855, 1857
Northampton Mercury 1906 - 1907, 1909, 1913 - 1918, 1920 - 1931, 1938 - 1939
Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser 1838 - 1852
Northern Whig 1858
Perthshire Advertiser 1833 - 1839, 1842 - 1846, 1848 - 1866, 1868 - 1869
Portsmouth Evening News 1905 - 1906, 1909, 1921, 1942
Reading Mercury 1786, 1788, 1914
Royal Cornwall Gazette 1802
Sheffield Daily Telegraph 1950
Sheffield Evening Telegraph 1905, 1920
Sheffield Independent 1898
Sherborne Mercury 1770 - 1771
Shields Daily Gazette 1911
South Bucks Free Press, Wycombe and Maidenhead Journal 1865
Stirling Observer 1917
Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette 1916 - 1917
Surrey Advertiser 1869 - 1870
Sussex Advertiser 1849, 1852
Swindon Advertiser and North Wilts Chronicle 1861
Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser 1906 - 1907, 1909, 1915, 1921 - 1922, 1926, 1928
*Ulsterman, The 1857 - 1859
*Waterford Chronicle 1839
Wells Journal 1884
West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser 1889
Western Daily Press 1863
Western Mail 1914
Worcester Journal 1808 - 1816, 1818 - 1821, 1829 - 1830, 1850 - 1851
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
PRONI talks in Belfast October 20th-24th
From PRONI in Belfast (www.proni.gov.uk), a summary of talks happening next week:
‘CORPORATION TO COUNCIL: Governing Belfast since 1613’ LECTURE SERIES: ‘Building the City Hall’, Robert Corbett, Belfast City Council,
When: Tuesday 21st October 2014 starting at 1pm
Where: PRONI
PRONI will be hosting a series of lunchtime lectures during October and November 2014, exploring the history of the former Belfast Corporation and its influence on the development of the city. The Lectures will run on Tuesday lunchtimes during October and November Robert Corbett from Belfast City Council is giving the second in the series this week.
Admission is FREE – Please contact the PRONI to book your place through PRONI@dcalni.gov.uk or call (02890 534800)
IRISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE LECTURE SERIES: Influence of Irish on English as we speak it, by Joe Ó Labhraí
When: Wednesday 22nd October 2014 starting at 1pm
Where: PRONI
PRONI and Foras Na Gaeilge invites you to a series of talks exploring aspects of Irish language and culture, including shared traditions and heritage. This lecture series will run on Wednesday lunchtimes throughout October and November. The second of this series of Lectures is being delivered this week by Joe Ó Labhraí.
Admission is FREE – Please contact the PRONI to book your place through PRONI@dcalni.gov.uk or call (02890 534800)
LUNCHTIME LECTURE SERIES: ‘Exploring Family History’ – Shops and Shoppers, Dr Janice Holmes, Open University in Ireland
When: Thursday 23rd October 2014 starting at 1pm
Where: PRONI
Open University in Ireland has agreed to give a lunchtime lecture series on topics relating to Exploring Family History. This Lecture series will run on Thursday lunchtimes during October with Dr Janice Holmes is giving the fourth of this series this week on Shops and Shoppers.
Admission is FREE – Please contact the PRONI to book your place through PRONI@dcalni.gov.uk or call (02890 534800)
THE ROAD TO WAR LECTURE SERIES: 'If the nation is to be saved women must help in the saving’: Women and War in Ireland, 1914-18 Dr Senia Paseta, University of Oxford
When: Thursday 23rd October 2014 starting at 7pm
Where: PRONI
Dr Senia Paseta is a historian of modern Ireland with a particular interest in the history of education, religious identity formation, political movements, and ideas in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Her current research is in the history of women and political activism in Britain and Ireland. Her new book, Irish Nationalist Women, 1900-1918 (Cambridge, 2013), examines how politically active women worked within broader nationalist and feminist contexts during a volatile period of Irish history.
Admission is FREE – Please contact the PRONI to book your place through PRONI@dcalni.gov.uk or call (02890 534800)
(With thanks to the latest PRONI Express email)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
‘CORPORATION TO COUNCIL: Governing Belfast since 1613’ LECTURE SERIES: ‘Building the City Hall’, Robert Corbett, Belfast City Council,
When: Tuesday 21st October 2014 starting at 1pm
Where: PRONI
PRONI will be hosting a series of lunchtime lectures during October and November 2014, exploring the history of the former Belfast Corporation and its influence on the development of the city. The Lectures will run on Tuesday lunchtimes during October and November Robert Corbett from Belfast City Council is giving the second in the series this week.
Admission is FREE – Please contact the PRONI to book your place through PRONI@dcalni.gov.uk or call (02890 534800)
IRISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE LECTURE SERIES: Influence of Irish on English as we speak it, by Joe Ó Labhraí
When: Wednesday 22nd October 2014 starting at 1pm
Where: PRONI
PRONI and Foras Na Gaeilge invites you to a series of talks exploring aspects of Irish language and culture, including shared traditions and heritage. This lecture series will run on Wednesday lunchtimes throughout October and November. The second of this series of Lectures is being delivered this week by Joe Ó Labhraí.
Admission is FREE – Please contact the PRONI to book your place through PRONI@dcalni.gov.uk or call (02890 534800)
LUNCHTIME LECTURE SERIES: ‘Exploring Family History’ – Shops and Shoppers, Dr Janice Holmes, Open University in Ireland
When: Thursday 23rd October 2014 starting at 1pm
Where: PRONI
Open University in Ireland has agreed to give a lunchtime lecture series on topics relating to Exploring Family History. This Lecture series will run on Thursday lunchtimes during October with Dr Janice Holmes is giving the fourth of this series this week on Shops and Shoppers.
Admission is FREE – Please contact the PRONI to book your place through PRONI@dcalni.gov.uk or call (02890 534800)
THE ROAD TO WAR LECTURE SERIES: 'If the nation is to be saved women must help in the saving’: Women and War in Ireland, 1914-18 Dr Senia Paseta, University of Oxford
When: Thursday 23rd October 2014 starting at 7pm
Where: PRONI
Dr Senia Paseta is a historian of modern Ireland with a particular interest in the history of education, religious identity formation, political movements, and ideas in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Her current research is in the history of women and political activism in Britain and Ireland. Her new book, Irish Nationalist Women, 1900-1918 (Cambridge, 2013), examines how politically active women worked within broader nationalist and feminist contexts during a volatile period of Irish history.
Admission is FREE – Please contact the PRONI to book your place through PRONI@dcalni.gov.uk or call (02890 534800)
(With thanks to the latest PRONI Express email)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Irish Family History Society Journal digitisation
From the Irish Family History Society (www.ifhs.ie):
Irish Family History Society adds online access to their historic journals for members
The Irish Family History Society Journal has been published annually since 1985, shortly after the Society was established. Many are now out print, particularly those from the early years. The back issues of the Journal have now been digitised by Eneclann in memory of the late John Heueston, past Chairman and Treasurer . The first tranche of 10 issues from 1985 to 1994 is now available in the Members’ area on www.ifhs.ie. More will be added in early 2015.
Mary Beglan, Irish Family History Society’s Chairman said “ I am delighted that these Journals are now available in digitised form for the benefit of our members, and I thank Fiona Fitzsimons of Eneclann for her kind gift of digitising the Journals in memory of the late John Heueston. The broad range of articles dating from 1985 will be of great interest to our members”
Based in Ireland, the Irish Family History Society was established in 1984 and has a worldwide membership. The Society holds regular meetings and publishes an annual Journal as well as News Sheets for its members. Please visit the Society’s website www.ifhs.ie for more information.
(With thanks to Mary Beglan)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Irish Family History Society adds online access to their historic journals for members
The Irish Family History Society Journal has been published annually since 1985, shortly after the Society was established. Many are now out print, particularly those from the early years. The back issues of the Journal have now been digitised by Eneclann in memory of the late John Heueston, past Chairman and Treasurer . The first tranche of 10 issues from 1985 to 1994 is now available in the Members’ area on www.ifhs.ie. More will be added in early 2015.
Mary Beglan, Irish Family History Society’s Chairman said “ I am delighted that these Journals are now available in digitised form for the benefit of our members, and I thank Fiona Fitzsimons of Eneclann for her kind gift of digitising the Journals in memory of the late John Heueston. The broad range of articles dating from 1985 will be of great interest to our members”
Based in Ireland, the Irish Family History Society was established in 1984 and has a worldwide membership. The Society holds regular meetings and publishes an annual Journal as well as News Sheets for its members. Please visit the Society’s website www.ifhs.ie for more information.
(With thanks to Mary Beglan)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
TNA seeks new user group members
The National Archives at Kew, England, is seeking new voluntary members for its user advisory group. In particular, they are looking for the following categories to be better represented:
The full story is at http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/965.htm
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
- academics - we are especially interested in hearing from historians, and those with links to one or more of the learned societies, and who are involved in encouraging post-graduates to work with archival material
- map room users - particularly those working with medieval records
- county/external archives
- on site personal interest researchers - particularly those interested in areas other than genealogy
The full story is at http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/965.htm
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
TNA podcast - Maps: Their Untold Stories
The latest podcast from the National Archives in England is entitled Maps: Their Untold Stories, a one hour lecture from Rose Mitchell and Andrew James, specialist map archivists at the archive. Here's the blurb:
Drawn from seven centuries of maps of places around the globe held in The National Archives, Maps: their untold stories offers a fascinating and unusual journey through the world of maps.
Hear from the authors as they explain who made these maps, why they were made and what they tell us about the politics of the time. Mapmakers range from a native American and a Maori priest to Captain Cook and George Washington. Subject matter includes London before the Great Fire, a map of Czechoslovakia that Hitler gave to Neville Chamberlain, beautifully hand-drawn estate maps, battle plans from the First World War and earlier conflicts, and perhaps the earliest depiction of Santa Claus on a map.
To hear the podcast visit http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/maps-untold-stories/ or download from iTunes for free.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Drawn from seven centuries of maps of places around the globe held in The National Archives, Maps: their untold stories offers a fascinating and unusual journey through the world of maps.
Hear from the authors as they explain who made these maps, why they were made and what they tell us about the politics of the time. Mapmakers range from a native American and a Maori priest to Captain Cook and George Washington. Subject matter includes London before the Great Fire, a map of Czechoslovakia that Hitler gave to Neville Chamberlain, beautifully hand-drawn estate maps, battle plans from the First World War and earlier conflicts, and perhaps the earliest depiction of Santa Claus on a map.
To hear the podcast visit http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/maps-untold-stories/ or download from iTunes for free.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Some PRONI service restrictions in Belfast
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (www.proni.gov.uk) has announced some restrictions on service over the next couple of months, worth taking note of if you are planning a visit:
Closures:
PRONI will close at 4.45pm on the following Thursday evenings 4th, 11th and 18th December 2014 and 8th January 2015
Christmas Holidays
PRONI will be closed on the 24th, 25th and 26th December 2014 and 1st January 2015
Preservation Week 8th-12th December 2014
During Preservation Week, many of the archive's Preservation & Collections Management staff will be dedicating their time to the vital work that goes on behind the scenes. There will be a limited service during Preservation week. There will be no Document Production but the Public Search Room, including Self-Service Microfilm area, will operate as normal.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Closures:
PRONI will close at 4.45pm on the following Thursday evenings 4th, 11th and 18th December 2014 and 8th January 2015
Christmas Holidays
PRONI will be closed on the 24th, 25th and 26th December 2014 and 1st January 2015
Preservation Week 8th-12th December 2014
During Preservation Week, many of the archive's Preservation & Collections Management staff will be dedicating their time to the vital work that goes on behind the scenes. There will be a limited service during Preservation week. There will be no Document Production but the Public Search Room, including Self-Service Microfilm area, will operate as normal.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Canadian Expeditionary Force records digitisation project update
Library and Archives Canada has posted an update on the progress of its digitisation project to provide free access to its First World War service records for those who served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. 76,330 files are now online via its Soldiers of the First World War 1914-1918 website, with 5000 new file additions expected every fortnight.
The full story is at http://thediscoverblog.com/2014/10/16/current-status-of-the-digitization-of-the-canadian-expeditionary-force-personnel-service-files/
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
The full story is at http://thediscoverblog.com/2014/10/16/current-status-of-the-digitization-of-the-canadian-expeditionary-force-personnel-service-files/
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Wigan Anglican church registers on Ancestry
The following Church of England parish records for Wigan are now available on Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk):
Wigan, England, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1580-1812
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=9038
Wigan, England, Baptisms, 1813-1911
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60561
Wigan, England, Marriages, 1754-1926
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60562
Wigan, England, Burials, 1813-1979
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60563
All records are sourced from Wigan Archives Services - full details via the links.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Wigan, England, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1580-1812
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=9038
Wigan, England, Baptisms, 1813-1911
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60561
Wigan, England, Marriages, 1754-1926
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60562
Wigan, England, Burials, 1813-1979
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=60563
All records are sourced from Wigan Archives Services - full details via the links.
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
Nottingham burial and cremation records on Deceased Online
From Deceased Online (www.deceasedonline.com):
1st phase of Nottingham City records now available on Deceased Online
Over 400,000 unique burial and cremation records for Nottingham City Council are now available on www.deceasedonline.com.
This is the first phase of this new collection with a second phase due on the website within the next few months. See full details here.
The new collection comprises:
(With thanks to Deceased Online)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
1st phase of Nottingham City records now available on Deceased Online
Over 400,000 unique burial and cremation records for Nottingham City Council are now available on www.deceasedonline.com.
This is the first phase of this new collection with a second phase due on the website within the next few months. See full details here.
The new collection comprises:
- digital scans of original burial and cremation registers
- details of all grave occupants in each cemetery
- maps indicating the section in each cemetery for all graves
- maps indicating ashes scattering locations in the crematorium
(With thanks to Deceased Online)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
On holidays, but the hunt never ends...!
Although on holiday this week, the genie bug never ends, and so I've slotted in a couple of sneaky explorations tied into my family history.
A few months before my mother passed away last year I had a conversation with her about her brief residential stint in Barrow-in-Furness, shortly after she got married in 1968. My father was a submariner, and so just three weeks after getting wed in Carrickfergus, she had to up sticks from Northern Ireland to join him in England - it was here in the midst of winter that yours truly was soon conceived as their first child, although my mum returned to Ireland to give birth to me there. So the first quest in Barrow was to find the house where they resided, and where I spent my first happy months as a confused embryo! The house was still there, and I snapped a couple of pics - it occurred to me later that place of conception should be a field on Family Tree Maker! My mum had also spoken fondly of a local pub, called The Periscope, which I hoped to take my boys and wife into to toast her time there, but it turned out that the building was unfortunately knocked down last year, with nothing more there now than a car park and a concrete foundation where the premises once stood.
The second part of the trip was to drive up to Egremont, to try to find the address noted on a death certificate at which my grandfather was stated to reside at as his usual residence. This is quite an odd one - Ernie Graham did briefly live in Carlisle after separating from my grandmother in the early 1950s, but in 1954 he moved to Pembroke in Wales to work, and we were always led to believe that he had stayed in a pub there for the next 18 years. He died in an industrial accident in 1972, but the death record noted an Egremont connection. I did find the house, located in a fairly small housing estate, and the next thing was to try to find who was actually registered there, both in the mid-1950s (in case the address was a last known address for him by the informant), and in 1972. The local library turned out not to have any street directories or electoral records, so I travelled four miles north to Whitehaven, acting on information in a leaflet given to me in Egremont that the archive there was open on Mondays. It wasn't (clearly the leaflet was published before the opening hours were revised). Very annoying, but one to chase up on at a future stage...!
Anyway, a few wee pics from Whitehaven, and one of us lost en route home, where we suddenly found ourselves next to Scaffell Pike :)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks
 |
| Down periscope... |
The second part of the trip was to drive up to Egremont, to try to find the address noted on a death certificate at which my grandfather was stated to reside at as his usual residence. This is quite an odd one - Ernie Graham did briefly live in Carlisle after separating from my grandmother in the early 1950s, but in 1954 he moved to Pembroke in Wales to work, and we were always led to believe that he had stayed in a pub there for the next 18 years. He died in an industrial accident in 1972, but the death record noted an Egremont connection. I did find the house, located in a fairly small housing estate, and the next thing was to try to find who was actually registered there, both in the mid-1950s (in case the address was a last known address for him by the informant), and in 1972. The local library turned out not to have any street directories or electoral records, so I travelled four miles north to Whitehaven, acting on information in a leaflet given to me in Egremont that the archive there was open on Mondays. It wasn't (clearly the leaflet was published before the opening hours were revised). Very annoying, but one to chase up on at a future stage...!
Anyway, a few wee pics from Whitehaven, and one of us lost en route home, where we suddenly found ourselves next to Scaffell Pike :)
Chris
Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks