Powys War Memorials Project competition

From Heritage of Wales news, the blog of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales:

Powys County Council has secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Cadw (Welsh Government) and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority for the Powys War Memorials Project 2014-2018: A Mark of Respect. This project commemorates the centenary of World I and is now holding a World War I memorial photography competition as part of the project. 

Nathan Davies, the Powys War Memorials Project Officer explains, “We know of about 300 war memorials in Powys ranging from stone crosses to stained glass windows, plaques to statues. However, there are likely to be considerably more than this. One aim of the project is to find, record and catalogue all the World War I memorials in the county. All you need to do is find a war memorial, take a photograph of it, complete the entry form and email it to us. That’s it ! You’ll be commemorating the centenary of World War 1 and will have the chance to win a share of the £200 prize fund.”

For fuhttp://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.ca/2016/04/powys-war-memorials-project-free.html
ll details of the competition, and on how to submit entries, please visit the full post at

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

IGRS 80th anniversary story archive project

From the Irish Genealogical Research Society (www.irishancestors.ie):

The IGRS celebrates its 80th anniversary this year and we would like to create a special archive of stories to mark the event. We are inviting anyone, not just members, to choose a favourite Irish-born ancestor and tell their story. You can find details of the project, a sample story and rules for submission via this web-page http://www.irishancestors.ie/?page_id=7271 We hope to achieve at least 80 submissions to match our anniversary and have already received some interesting stories since launching the project at WDYTYA.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Welsh newspaper references to Calcutta

From the Families in British India Society (www.fibis.org):

Around 600 English language entries from Welsh newspapers have been transcribed from the Family Notices that have a reference to 'Calcutta' by Peter Evans with the cooperation of the National Library of Wales and uploaded to the FIBIS database website.

See:
Search/browse Welsh Publications Family Notices (FIBIS database)
Welsh Newspapers Online (1804-1919)

(With thanks to Valmay Young)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Dorset and Boer war records on FindmyPast

Additions to FindmyPast (www.findmypast.com) this week:

Dorset Baptisms
We've added over 68,000 new baptism records from churches across the county of Dorset. Our Dorset marriages and burials have also been supplemented.

Dorset Marriages
The records of more than 52,000 additional marriages have been added, allowing you to discover previously unknown details about your family.

Anglo-Boer War Records, 1899-1902
Find out if your ancestor served in the Anglo-Boer War with over 2,500 new records that reveal their rank, regiment, service number, the awards they received and whether they were killed or wounded in the line of duty.

Further details at https://blog.findmypast.co.uk/fridays/.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Chinese cemeteries and capital cities

I'm a wee bit behind on blogging about my current trip to Canada, so a quick progress report on my visit last weekend to the capital of British Columbia, Victoria, located on Vancouver Island.

Following the two events I spoke at in Parksville (see http://www.britishgenes.blogspot.ca/2016/04/thanks-to-qualicum-beach-fhs-for-two.html), I had a short period of R&R in Victoria, as a guest of Pat and Al Hocker. I had previously met Pat on a couple of occasions in Portugal, where she had attended the Lost Cousins hosted Genealogy in the Sunshine events at Rocha Brava, in 2014 and 2015, although this was the first time I met her husband Al, a former surgeon. At almost 80 years old, he was not only the fittest men I've ever met for his age (he goes out and rows his boat every day when I'm still contemplating getting up!), but most certainly one of the wisest - an absolute gent from Kentucky, who also just happened to introduce me to bourbon for the first time. Both made a great couple, and were the perfect hosts, so thanks for a great time!

Pat kindly took me on a tour of Victoria and the south end of Vancouver Island on Monday. Our first stop was the Chinese Cemetery, an extraordinarily tranquil location where many early Chinese settlers (including many who came for the gold rush and to construct the railways) were eventually interred on a temporary basis, prior to their bones being eventually repatriated to China. I love seeing how different cultures inter their deceased, and this cemetery was one which used feng shui in terms of its layout.

We then visited Victoria, and took some time to tour around the BC provincial legislature. We managed to  sit in on the chamber in session for 10 minutes, listening to the politicians from each side shouting at each other! It was interesting to see how similar the layout to the chamber was to that of Westminster, though some what more modern, with desks for the MLAs. I couldn't take pics during the session, so here are a few from outside - the building itself is just over a hundred years old.

We then stopped for coffee in the city centre, before making the decision to visit the Royal British Columbia Museum, one of the city's museums.

Of particular interest to me here was the section on the huge variety of languages of the First Nations in the region, where I also learned about something I'd never heard of before, despite several visits to Canada - the policy of 'residential schools', to which children were removed from their First Nations parents (often by the police) and given an education in English. This appears to have been a policy that has caused much division and resentment, and one for which the Canadian government recently apologised (the last such school was apparently closed in 1986).

What I found fascinating and tragic about this story was just how familiar it was - I'd previously heard of similar tales from visits to Australia, and even closer to home, where it was not much different to the story of how the Scottish Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge (SSPCK) tried to stop the use of Gaelic in the Highlands of Scotland, which led to so much damage to the survival of the language and to the culture. Whilst as genealogists we cannot judge the actions of the past from the present perspective, we can certainly observe the patterns of past policies, and this is one that I'm certainly beginning to realise seems to have been applied equally across much of the former British empire. Thankfully, as with Gaelic, efforts are being made to now preserve the surviving languages and dialects in BC, which can only be a good thing.

After Victoria, it was then a trip inland by plane to Vernon, where I gave four talks on various Scottish and Irish subjects to the society there, which I will blog about in due course. As venues go though, it had one major asset that made the heart glow - a full size replica Spitfire on top of the building. Now that's style...!

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Further funds appeal from Ulster Historical Foundation

An update from the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com) on its relocation to new digs in Belfast city centre, including a further appeal to help with a funding shortfall:

The Foundation’s move to the Corn Exchange – An update from the Executive Director

Our recent move to new offices in the Corn Exchange is already helping to transform the Foundation’s ability to engage with those who we exist to serve. And it is increasing our ability to interact more with the general public, who are curious about their history.

In the short time that we have been operational in the new premises we have already been able to host three events with an international dimension:

• A presentation by representatives of the Maine Ulster-Scots Project who discussed their archaeological dig in Somersett, Maine – a settlement of Ulster immigrants dating from the early eighteenth century
• A ‘fam’ visit by representatives of Ancestry’s ProGenealogists team (from Salt Lake City and Dublin)
• A morning exploring Ulster ancestral research with a group of family historians who are currently touring with the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO)

This is in addition to the already increasing number of personal research consultations that we are providing for local people and overseas visitors interested in their Ulster roots.

This is why the Foundation sought to move to the city centre – to be more accessible to our users and so we can continue to develop more practical partnerships with kindred organisations (e.g. The Belfast Charitable Society (Clifton House), Linen Hall Library, Tourism Northern Ireland, and of course the other organisations with which the Foundation shares the building).

Moreover we have made it easier for ordinary folk to use the services and benefit from the knowledge of the Foundation’s team in the new offices. The central location is easing the burden on our team of volunteers, some of whom are disabled, and for whom the old unit at Malone Road was a less than perfect location.

Furthermore, the installation of a new elevator in the building will soon be completed meaning our accessibility for disabled visitors will be enhanced ensuring the Foundation’s staff can welcome everyone who wishes to call.

It also means we have been able to increase the number of intern and placement opportunities for local students, and have had expressions of interests already about the possibility of providing summer internships for some overseas students.

Therefore we would like to offer a huge note of thanks to everyone who has helped to support the move through practical assistance or by ‘buying a brick’. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by the volunteers, staff, and trustees. It has enabled the Foundation to open a new chapter in our history, in the sixtieth anniversary year since the organisation was established.

The fundraising contributions have made it possible to complete the move and install most of what we need. We are a little short still of where we would like to be – to date we have raised £27,875, leaving a shortfall of £2125, thus if you think you can help by making a donation, we would be delighted to have you join our band of supporters.

It has been a busy 3 months since we moved to the Corn Exchange (at the end of January 2016), and we have had some fun bringing order to the chaos of storage crates – the joy and despair of moving – with which anyone who has moved house will be familiar.

You can see how we are progressing by visiting our updated photo gallery of images related to the move (see http://www.ancestryireland.com/make-a-donation/buy-brick/big-move-photo-gallery/). And do revisit from time to time, as you will see other important developments taking shape – including the installation of our new library.

Thank you again for generously supporting our fundraising, we hope you can see the positive change and improvements the relocation is already bringing to the work of this charitable organisation.

Best regards
Fintan Mullan
Executive Director


Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

SAFHS conference 2017

One to bookmark - next year's Scottish Association of Family History Societies conference is being held on Saturday 22nd April 2017 at Cairn Queensferry Hotel, North Queensferry, Fife, KY11 1HP. Unusually, the conference is not being hosted by a family history society on this occasion, but by professional genealogist organisation the Association of Scottish Genealogists and Researchers in Archives.

For further details please visit http://www.safhs.org.uk/conference.asp.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Somerset and Dorset photography project

Somerset and Dorset Family History Society (www.sdfhs.org) is establishing a searchable database of photographs from the region, and is seeking public contributions. From the society:

Although you would be welcome to bring your photographs in to the Family History Centre at any time (just give us a phone call, to let us know you are coming), we intend to hold a series of Photograph Open Days, to be run by our inputting team, when we shall also have our experts available to advise on dating and caring for your photographs. Have a look at the ‘Events’ page on this website to check for dates arranged.

Once the project is up and running, we may be able to extend it beyond Sherborne, by seeking the aid of the Society’s Groups to run similar Photograph Open Days.

We do have some criteria we need to observe to keep the database relevant to Somerset and Dorset.

• The photographs must be of people born in, or who have lived in, one or both of the two counties.
• Ideally no more than 3 images of one individual, for instance taken in youth, aged 20- 50, and 50 +.
• At least one of the subjects needs to be identified by name.
• A location and date, if only approximate, is desirable.

We would also like to have your permission to supply copies of photos to other researchers (we would make a nominal charge for this service, to cover costs).

We would also be interested in any old photographs of places and buildings in the two counties with known family associations; for example houses, churches, halls, pubs and hotels, farms, factories, railway stations, and anything of this sort.

To keep things manageable, we may, regrettably, have to decline offers which fall outside of the guidelines above.

For further details visit http://www.sdfhs.org/sdfhs-projects/introduction-to-sdfhs-projects/a-hidden-resource/.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Free ScotlandsPeople credits

A quick reminder that 20 free ScotlandsPeople credits are available for grabs until the end of this month by using the code scotland on the website at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk.

You can access civil registration records from 1855 onwards on the site, Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic parish registers, censuses, valuation records, wills and more on the site. The normal cost of 30 credits is £7.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

National archives bank holiday closures

The National Archives of Ireland (www.nationalarchives.ie) will be closed on May 2nd for the bank holiday, as will TNA at Kew (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk - also closed Sat 30th Apr), and PRONI (www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni).

Best to check in advance with any other libraries and archive institutions that you might be wishing to visit also!

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Forces War Records Australian site

From Forces War Records:

Gooday…
Today is ANZAC DAY - National day of remembrance and first landing of the Anzacs at Gallipoli. A busy day for our sister Australian site too, visit Forces War Records Australia… https://au.forces-war-records.com/

Families can discover more about their ancestors' military service history with Forces War Records Australia

Search over 9 million records for a family member’s Military History record with one of the most trusted and fastest growing Military Genealogy search facilities in the world for Australian, New Zealand and Commonwealth military service records to help trace family history. All records are sourced and hand transcribed from a variety of military and war documents, some exclusive to Forces War Records.

The Gallipoli campaign was a costly failure for the Allies, with an estimated 27,000 French, and 115,000 British and dominion troops (Great Britain and Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Newfoundland) killed or wounded.

Read more about Anzac Day… http://fwr.to/Wz5t7

(With thanks to Jennifer Holmes)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

New book on how the Circus empowered women

I've been asked to give a plug for the following:

SAWDUST SISTERHOOD: How Circus Empowered Women
by Steve Ward
Fonthill Media Ltd www.fonthillmedia.com

Now available for pre-ordering at www.waterstones.com and www.amazon.co.uk

‘Sawdust Sisterhood is a seminal text in recognising the role that our circus sisters played in the fight for gender equality’ (Kirstin Sillitoe; GM Vulcana Women’s Circus)

Since the late 1700s the circus has allowed women to compete and succeed in a male dominated world. Steve Ward explores the rise to fame of some of these women, their colourful lives and the crucial roles that they played in the rise of feminism.

• In her bicentenary year learn how Madame Saqui achieved celebrity status and influenced fashion
• Discover how a young woman named Zazel became the first ever human cannonball
• Uncover the secrets of strongwomen Sandwina and Vulcana and their fight for female emancipation
• Explore the lives of the female Blondins and their death defying high-wire deeds
• Learn about Nellie Chapman, the Lion Queen and her performance before Queen Victoria

Steve Ward is a published author (see www.steve-ward.net) with a particular interest in circus. He has an M.A. from the University of Loughborough, researching the role of circus in education. He also devises and directs circus shows with young people.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

FGS Conference registration now open

From the US based Federation of Genealogical Societies, news of a conference I am very much looking forward to speaking at in Illinois later this year:

2016 FGS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Register now for Time Travel: Centuries of Memories in Springfield, IL

April 25, 2016 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces that online registration is now open for the 2016 FGS National Conference, “Time Travel: Centuries of Memories” to be held August 31 — September 3, 2016, in Springfield, IL, and locally hosted by the Illinois State Genealogical Society. Register by July 1, 2016, for the early-bird discount at http://www.FGSConference.org.

Celebrating 40 years since the founding of FGS, each day of the conference is full of sessions aimed at strengthening attendees’ research skills no matter what level or area of interest they may have.

“Returning to our Illinois roots for the FGS 2016 Conference to celebrate our 40th Anniversary in the state where FGS began is a dream come true,” says D. Joshua Taylor, FGS President. “With a solid educational program and a tremendous line-up of social events, this conference is not to be missed!”

Conference Highlights

• Conference Sessions: With over 160 sessions, 72 expert speakers from around the world, 10 luncheons with speakers, 7 workshops, and 2 interactive seminars, learning opportunities abound in the FGS 2016 Program. With strong daily tracks covering the U.S. Midwest (regional track), the United Kingdom (British Isles and Commonwealth track), and continental European research (ethnic track), attendees of all skill levels will learn a multitude of ways to uncover more about their family history.

• Exhibit Hall: The large exhibit hall will feature the latest software, books, maps, databases and gadgets on the market for genealogists and family historians, as well as information about genealogical organizations. Located in the special Society Showcase area, representatives of FGS Member Societies will be on hand to demonstrate how their society can help attendees with their family history.

• Special Events: With built-in networking opportunities, registrants can meet like-minded genealogists and family historians at FGS special events including “Farms & Families: Across the Decades” on Wednesday evening sponsored by FamilySearch and co-hosted by the Illinois State Genealogical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society; the “Meet & Greet” sponsored by Ancestry.com on Thursday evening; and the FGS 40th Anniversary Gala on Friday evening.

• Focus on Societies: On Wednesday, August 31, 2016, sessions are jam‐packed with ideas and tools to help societies promote themselves, develop projects, increase membership, and leverage technology. The day kicks off with a plenary session that explores the opportunities and challenges facing societies today and showcases ways to facilitate the changes needed for societies to succeed and thrive.

• Librarians’ Day: On Tuesday, August 30, 2016, ProQuest will sponsor a pre‐conference full‐day of sessions designed for librarians, archivists, and other information professionals serving family history researchers.

Platinum sponsors include leading family history companies Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. Other participating and supporting organizations include Findmypast, Internet Genealogy, Your Genealogy, Lexmark, Eneclann, Illinois State Genealogical Society, Illinois State Archives, Illinois State Historical Society, and more. Please visit the conference website for a complete listing of all sponsors and partners.

Also visit the conference website at http://www.FGSConference.org for additional details including links to conference hotels, research opportunities, and more. Keep up with conference news and announcements by reading the FGS Voice blog at http://voice.fgs.org/ and by subscribing to the FGS Voice Newsletter at http://fgs.org/cpage.php?pt=71.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Durham Records Online additions

New records available at Durham Records Online (www.durhamrecordsonline.com):

Mere Knolls Western Extension burials 1921-1939
9,390 burials in the Western Extension of Mere Knolls Cemetery in Fulwell, Sunderland, County Durham, spanning 1921-1939.

Hartlepool St. Hilda monument inscriptions
Approximately 467 monument inscriptions in the churchyard of Hartlepool St. Hilda, based on the state of the churchyard in 1952, with death dates running from 1746 to 1925.

St. John Lee marriages 1813-1837
297 marriages at St. John Lee in Hexham district, Northumberland, from the beginning of 1813 to the end of 1837

Pittington baptisms 1574-1650 & marriages 1574-1812 updated
Alerted by some recently-discovered errors and omissions, we went over our earliest Pittington St. Laurence (Durham district) baptisms and marriages, rechecking them all against the parish registers. We checked 920 baptisms covering 1574-1650 and 1,085 marriages covering 1574-1812. These are some of our oldest transcripts, and we have made numerous corrections. Abodes and 482 marriage witnesses, which started appearing in 1754, were added. Some marriages were converted to marriage banns, as the banns were called at Pittington but the marriage did not actually occur there.

We discovered 96 baptisms that had been missed, with the bulk of these (84) between 1611 and 1620. We also realized we were missing all 83 marriages between 1655 and 1678, plus we found an additional 16 missing marriages sprinkled across various years. So if you're looking for somebody who might have been born or married at Pittington, and you previously couldn't find them, you might want to run another search.

Coming Soon:
1851 Gateshead census
Sherburn Hospital baptisms & burials
Newcastle St. John baptisms & burials

Further down the queue: Newburn, Southwick baptisms, Darlington Friends Burial Ground, more Methodist records, Durham St. Nicholas baptisms & marriages 1540-1700, Durham St. Giles baptisms & marriages 1584-1700, Slaley, Mere Knolls 1940+, Newcastle St Andrew, Heddon on the Wall

(With thanks to Durham Records Online)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Thanks to Qualicum Beach FHS for two great conferences!

It's been a mad week here in British Columbia, but the last two days have certainly been the busiest so far on Vancouver Island! On Friday I gave four talks in two half day themed seminars on Scottish and Irish research, whilst yesterday I gave two talks at a conference called Unlocking the Past 2016 (with California based Colleen Fitzpatrick the other main speaker at this one), with both events held in Parksville.

The events were absolutely jam packed with attendees, and a huge lot of fun. Major thanks to Donna Fraser, who first suggested the event at a chance encounter in the Mitchell Library in Glasgow some two years ago, but also to Lorraine Butler, Lola Cook, and the rest of the team who put on such an amazing programme, attracting folk from various quarters in BC! Here are some pics from the events:

A great two days with a lot of fun!

One of the highlights for me personally was to get talking to a gentleman called David M Paton. David is not related to me, but he was somewhat astounded to hear me discussing one of my second cousins in a talk yesterday, because it was someone whom he knew very well! Sir William Drummond MacDonald Paton was a well known pharmacologist at Oxford University, a field that David also worked within, and the two gents met on various occasions within their professional work - it's a small world!

Most of my Unlock the Past books also sold out at the conference, but if you attended and were unable to purchase copies, you can find them for sale in Canada at Global Genealogy - my dedicated author's page on that site is available at http://www.globalgenealogy.com/authors/paton-chris/chris-paton.htm.

With thanks to Qualicum Beach FHS (www.qbfhs.ca), and especially to Donna, a true genie hero for all that she has done for the society locally. Now onwards and upwards for the second half of the trip!

And finally, thanks to Pattie Watson and Pat Hocker for great craic last night, sharing an impressive whisky collection in Duncan, BC...!

 

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

West Yorkshire records added to Deceased Online

From Deceased Online (www.deceasedonline.com):

With the addition of three cemeteries located in villages around Halifax, www.deceasedonline.com now has records for five cemetery locations in the Calderdale Council area in West Yorkshire, England.

The new sites, just added to the UK's only database website dedicated to burial and cremation records, are Rastrick, near Brighouse, south east of Halifax; Luddenden, west of Halifax; and Elland Cemetery, the largest of the three sites, immediately south of Halifax.

Records date back to 1860 and the fields recorded in the registers available to view include not just full names, ages and other burial information but also the “rank, trade or profession” and (in many instances) the names of the parents.

As well as digital scans of registers, the records on Deceased Online also include grave details, indicating all those buried in each grave. There are also section maps for cemeteries at Luddenden and Rastrick indicating the section where each grave is located.

Deceased Online will add records for the final three locations for the Calderdale Council area in the near future and these are Sowerby Bridge and Stoney Royd cemeteries together with Parkwood Crematorium (Elland).

Other West Yorkshire records on Deceased Online include The National Archives collection for many sites across West Yorkshire and Wakefield Metropolitan Council.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Mental health records added to Scottish Indexes

From Scottish Indexes (www.scottishindexes.com):

To celebrate the The Scottish Association of Family History Societies’ annual Conference on 23 April 2016 Scottish Indexes has releasing thousands of Scottish paternity and mental health records, as well as releasing a new section of their website ‘Mental Health Institutions in Scotland’.

These newly indexed genealogy resources can help you trace your family tree but also help you understand more fully the lives of your ancestors. The new section of the website, ‘Mental Health Institutions in Scotland’, is designed to help you locate each Scottish mental health institution and its records as well as learn about the history of mental health care in Scotland.

Emma Maxwell, Genealogist at www.scottishindexes.com and secretary of the Scottish Genealogy Network, will be giving a talk ‘Understanding Our Ancestors - A Look at Prison Registers and Mental Health Records’ at the SAFHS conference. Emma says, “Mental Health is all too often misunderstood, even today. It is our hope that by shining a light on these records people can understand their ancestors better.”

(With thanks to Emma Maxwell)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

1916 compensation claims online

The National Archives of Ireland (www.nationalarchives.ie) has uploaded compensation claim files, with regard to claims in the aftermath of the Easter Rising, on a new dedicated website platform at http://centenaries.nationalarchives.ie/centenaries/plic/index.jsp.

Records can be searched by claimant's name, business name, location, or by keyword.

Further information about the collection is available at http://centenaries.nationalarchives.ie/centenaries/plic/about.jsp.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

MyHeritage adds Book Matching and Australian newspapers database

Some updates from MyHeritage (www.myheritage.com):

We're excited to announce the release of a revolutionary new technology — Book Matching — perhaps our best technology yet. Book Matching automatically researches individuals found in family trees on MyHeritage in our vast collection of digitized historical books. Unique to MyHeritage, the innovative new technology uses semantic analysis to understand every sentence in every page in the digitized books, in order to find matches with very high accuracy. Book Matching has already produced over 80 million new matches for our users! Every match is a paragraph from a book specifically about the person in the family tree, providing direct access to that paragraph and the ability to browse through the rest of the book.

With Book Matching, you'll discover fascinating family information that you would not find otherwise. You may even discover new relatives and ancestors. Use this information to expand your family tree and add color to it.

Further details are available at http://blog.myheritage.com/2016/04/myheritage-launches-book-matching/

MyHeritage now also has a third party searchable index available for 11 million Australian based newspapers, as originally presented on TROVE - it can be accessed at https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10450/australian-newspapers.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Ancestry updates UK and Ireland newspaper databases

Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk) has updated two UK themed newspaper databases. I have no idea what the updates are, but they may be worth having another look at if you have UK connections:

UK and Ireland, Obituary Index, 2004-2015
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=8960

The Times (London, England)
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=7019

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Hello from Qualicum Beach!

A wee message from Qualicum Beach Family History Society (www.qbfhs.ca):

(YouTube at https://youtu.be/ZJitxh4KANU)

A huge thanks to Qualicum Beach Family History Society last night for its hospitality, where I gave a talk on researching an unsolved Scottish murder in my tree. Lots of enthusiastic questions (no, I don't know who did it!), and some great conversations. Special kudos to Sharon from Nanaimo Family History Society, who gave me two Nanaimo bars last night (I am easily bought!), and a huge thanks to the team at QBFHS, including Donna, Lorraine, Lola, Barbara, Don, and many others.

The big event on Vancouver Island kicks off in Parksville over the next two days, where I'll be giving six more talks, before relocating to mainland BC to continue with further talks next week. Fantastic weather still, though I am totally gutted that I missed the thunder and lightning last night!

A few pics from last night's event:

And just because I have nowhere else to place it, a ransom picture of a giant killer crab that I managed to escape from a couple of days ago. No-one mentioned the Godzilla crabs before my arrival...!

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Second World War Australian military records on Ancestry

Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk) has added a new military collection sourced from the National Archives of Australia, which may be of interest to those with Australian connections.

From the site:

Australia, World War II Military Service Records, 1939-1945
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=61172

This unique collection includes service records for Australians who served in the Second World War in the following units:

• Australian Army
• Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
• Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

What You Can Find in the Records
Defence service records set out the essentials of a person’s service in the forces and were used to administer the movements and pay of their personnel. They were not intended to be an everyday account of events in a serviceperson's career. However, they do commonly contain biographical information supplied on enlistment, as well as important details on a person's service. Although most records contain the same basic elements, they do vary in the amount of information they contain. The records included in this collection will typically provide the following information:

• full name
• date of birth
• place of birth
• service number
• marital status
• religion
• previous employment / trade details
• next-of-kin details
• place and date of enlistment and initial unit posting
• prior military service
• movements and transfers between units (including names of troop ships)
• promotions and awarding of important decorations and medals
• details of illnesses and injuries, and treatment received
• when and where a soldier was killed, and basic burial details

Locating the Service Dossiers: Additional details about a person's military service can be found in the original records. While the index is accessible from Ancestry.com, the images of these records are not available in this database. Copies of the original images may be found on Fold3.com. If the original records are not available, they can be requested from the National Archives of Australia. (See http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service-records/index.aspx)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Genealogy fun on Vancouver Island

I'm currently on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, which is one of the most stunning places I have ever visited - it's a bit like Scotland, but with added steroids - the mountains are bigger, the weather is better, and the hospitality is stratospheric! I left the mainland on Monday, departing from Horseshoe Bay on a 90 minute ferry trip which was visually stunning.

On Monday night I was then the guest at Nanaimo Family History Society (www.nanaimofamilyhistory.ca), where I gave a talk on the use of British and Irish newspapers, and on how to find them, both online and offline. There was a great crowd and a warm reception, so a huge thanks to all who came along! Tonight I am visiting the Qualicum Beach Family History Society (www.qbfhs.ca), where I will be contributing my experiences on researching a Scottish murder case. On Friday and Saturday we then have the main events here on Vancouver Island at Parksville, a two day packed agenda of talks, first with a series of four talks on Friday through two Scottish and Irish workshops that I am leading, and then on Friday at the International Genealogy Conference: Unlocking the Past 2016 (www.qbfhs.ca/workshops/conference_2016/), along with Colleen Fitzpatrick, which I'm looking forward to immensely!

After running an online Pharos course chat session yesterday morning, I spent the rest of the day having a wee dander around the place, with my host Donna Fraser, and visited several local attractions of interest. We stopped off at Cathedral Grove, where there is a stunning forest of Douglas firs, named after the Scottish botanist David Douglas (1799-1834). The trees can live for over 800 years, but a storm just a few years ago saw several of the giants blown down, through a strong wind known in the local native language as a 'qualicum', hence the name of the area (not averse to seeing such winds from time to time!).

From a genealogical point of view we also visited the LDS family history centre at Qualicum Beach (https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Qualicum_British_Columbia_Family_History_Centre), where I met and spoke to Joe Forsyth, a volunteer from the north of England who is one of their most experienced researchers. The centre is located at 591 Arbutus Street in Qualicum Beach (tel: 250-752-2233), and has a host of predominantly British based resources for ancestral research, with access also to several worldwide based websites such as the main records vendors (Ancestry, FMP, My Heritage, TheGenealogist etc), as well as sources I have not used so much, such as NewspaperArchive.com, which has several US, British, and Irish titles amongst its holdings. You can book the computers for two hour periods, there are also microfilm readers available, and the Qualicum Beach FHS library resources are also held there. Well worth a visit if you live on Vancouver Island and fancy a delve into your British and Irish ancestry!

Onwards and upwards today - typing up a client report shortly, and meeting someone I have done some research for recently to see if we can come up with some other options for future research, before my session tonight on the Mount Stewart Murder. A bit like my routine back home - but perhaps with a tad more added sunshine...! :)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.