Supporting school pupils on mental health issues

A non-genealogy post here, except for the fact that our kids are our future.

There have a been a couple of suicides by pupils at my son's school recently here in Scotland, and as such, a leaflet has just been sent out by the school with information that might help pupils suffering from mental health issues. The following are details of agencies that can help:

BREAK THE SILENCE
A local support to 16+ where self-harming is linked to adult survivors of child sexual abuse.
Info@breakthesilence.org.uk
01412292580 or 01314752380

PENUMBRA
A Scottish voluntary organisation working within the field of mental health.
www.penumbra.org.uk

CHOOSE LIFE
A National strategy and action plan to prevent suicide in Scotland.
www.chooselife.net
08000684141

PAPYRUS
Working towards prevention of young suicide.
www.papyrus-uk.org

BREATHING SPACE
A free, confidential phone helpline for those experiencing low mood/depression. Mon-Thurs (6pm -2am) / Fri-Sun (6pm -6am).
0800838587
www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

YOUNG MINDS
Info about young people’s mental health.
08008025544 (parent helpline)
www.youngminds.org.uk

SAMARITANS
Provide a 24 hour confidential helpline for those in crisis or who may need to talk.
08457909090
www.samaritans.org

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Scottish records added to FindmyPast, and family tree service update

The latest records on FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk):

Scotland, Shetland Newspaper Marriage & Anniversary Notices 1872-2018
Search over 47,000 marriage and anniversary notices printed in the Shetland Times between 1872 and 2018. Newspapers can an incredible resource when tracing your family tree, they reveal the daily lives of our ancestors, allowing you to further understand an ancestor's place within their local community.

Scotland Monumental Inscriptions
Almost 65,000 additional records covering Aberdeenshire, Caithness, Kincardineshire, Dumfries & Galloway and the Tay Valley area have been added to our collection of Scottish monumental inscriptions.

Queensland Soldier Portraits, 1914-1918
Come face to face with your Australian military ancestor in this collection of over 24,000 photographic portraits from the First World War. Each result is provided with a link to view a portrait of your ancestor in his military uniform published in The Queenslander newspaper between 1914 and 1918. Transcripts may also reveal your ancestor's service number and regiment.

Queensland, Hospital Registers
Explore over 58,000 assorted Queensland hospital records from hospitals across Queensland including Brisbane, Croydon, Dalby, Mackay, and Wallagarra. These records are a wonderful genealogy resource, and an essential search for anyone with Queensland ancestry.

International Records Update – Panama
Three new indexes containing just under half a million vital records from the Republic of Panama have recently joined our growing collections of international records.

British & Irish Newspapers
This week we have added over 112,300 new pages to the collection. We are delighted to see updates to over seventy of our existing titles, which cover locations across the British Isles and Ireland. As well as updating regional papers, there are updates to some of our specialist titles including sporting publication The Referee, and religious publication the Catholic Standard. Updates this week variously cover the years 1872, 1912 and 1959, with more extended additions joining the Fulham Chronicle. We also have two brand new titles this week, London newspaper the Harrow Observer, and Nottinghamshire title the Mansfield and Sutton Recorder. The Harrow Observer has pages covering much of the twentieth century, whilst the Mansfield and Sutton Recorder covers the late twentieth century.

Further details and links are at https://blog.findmypast.co.uk/family-historygenealogy-ww1-recordsscottish-recordsaustralian-recordsp-2635533663.html.

FindmyPast has also announced an update to its family tree service provision. For more on this, visit Alona Tester's blog at https://www.gouldgenealogy.com/2019/04/important-changes-coming-to-findmypast-online-tree-settings-and-tree-hints/.

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Update on my books, talks and courses

Apologies for the gap in blogging over the last week. I spent all of last week on a final push to complete my second book this year, Tracing Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records, which is now with the publisher, Pen and Sword.

I've also had an update on the publication schedule for my three books with Pen and Sword - Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) is now looking like it will be published this August, whilst Tracing Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records is provisionally set for November. My third book, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, will follow in 2020.

I have a few other irons in fires on other possible projects, but will blog about those in due course. In the meantime, some forthcoming talks I will be giving:

• October 5th 2019 Lanarkshire Family History Show, Motherwell - An Irish house history
• October 5th 2019, Aberdeen & NE Scotland FHS (Glasgow branch) 2pm-4pm, Renfield Saint Stephen's Church Centre - Glasgow, 260 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4JP - Discover Scottish Church Records
• October 19th 2019, Manchester & Lancashire FHS, Manchester, England - Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis
• October 21st 2019, Glasgow & West of Scotland FHS. An Irish house history (plus Irish records Q&A)
• November 13th 2019, Central Scotland FHS, Stirling, Scottish Research Resources before 1800
• January 18th 2020, Aberdeen & NE Scotland FHS (Edinburgh branch) - Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis

And a reminder that my next Pharos course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs, commences on May 13th 2019 - full details are available at https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302.

Finally, I've given my research service website a bit of an update, at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk - let me know if I can help with your research!

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

TheGenealogist adds prison records for debt and bankruptcy

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk), the following collection concerns those imprisoned for debt and bankruptcy through the English legal system:

New Records Reveal Those Imprisoned for Debt

TheGenealogist is expanding its Criminal Records collection with the release of over 146,000 individuals who were listed in prison records. Sourced from the PRIS 10 & PRIS 11 collections held at The National Archives, these documents contain records from 1697 to 1862 and reveal those jailed for debt or bankruptcy.

These records will give family historians details of those imprisoned in debtors prisons including the King's Bench Prison, Queen's Prison, Fleet Prison and Marshalsea Prison. They contain commitment and discharge records, giving details of names of the debtor, creditor and attorney, along with the amount of debt.

Use these records to:

● Find ancestors who were imprisoned for debts and bankruptcy
● Discover to who debts were owed
● See when individuals were discharged

Within these records, we find John Dickens, father of the famous author Charles Dickens, who was in debt to baker James Karr by the sum of 40 pounds. John was brought in to custody on 20th February 1824 and was later discharged on 26th May 1824 when his mother died leaving him enough money to pay off his debts.

Charles Dickens had to earn a wage from a young age and his childhood experiences affected him greatly. He used his experiences as background for the story of Little Dorrit.

Read our article here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2019/little-dorrit-dickens-and-dads-debts-1103/

(With thanks to Nick Thorne)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Writing Your Family History course with Gill Blanchard

From genealogist Gill Blanchard, news of a forthcoming writing course:

Writing Your Family History
E-Course Module One
www.writingyourfamilyhistory.co.uk

Starts Friday 10 May 2019
Ends Week ending Friday 2 August 2019

12 Weeks. 5 Lessons. Weekly Discussions.
Cost £150

Tutor: Gill Blanchard
Author and Professional Family Historian
MA. Biography and Creative Non Fiction (UEA)

This is a practical writing course spread over a twelve week period that guides participants through the process of bringing their ancestors to life. The aim is on producing an entertaining family history that other people want to read. The lessons will focus on enabling students to choose the most suitable format for them, decide what to include and how, and find and add relevant context. The tutor will provide personalised and in-depth feedback throughout the course.

Students are encouraged to move beyond a basic ‘John begat William and Jane begat Mary’ chronicle; learn how to integrate relevant social and local history materials and to deal with repetitions, missing pieces and anomalies in their writing.

The course lasts for twelve weeks and is comprised of five lessons. The first four lessons are posted online at fortnightly intervals, with an extra week after lessons four and five to allow additional time for reading, writing, critiquing and feedback.

The lessons include writing exercises, focussed guidance, useful tips, writing examples, links to useful resources and background reading. There will be regular live online discussions with the tutor and other students. A dedicated learning hub can be used at any time throughout the course to share work, ask questions and post news.

This course is aimed at those who have completed a body of research into their family history and are ready to start writing.

(With thanks to Gill)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Family Tree Live - free showguide

The Family Tree Live (https://www.facebook.com/events/569744646715638/) show in Alexandra Palace, London, England, takes place on April 26th and 27th, from 09:30–17:00. The show is hosted by the UK's Family Tree magazine and the Family History Federation, with exhibitors from various walks of life.

To help find your way around, a showguide is freely available online from https://pocketmags.com/family-tree-magazine/family-tree-live-show-guide-19

More on the show:

Taking place on 26th & 27th April 2019 at Alexandra Palace, you can expect two jam-packed days of family history fun for ALL!

The team from Family Tree Live would love you to join them for a brand new UK family history show – two days packed with lectures, workshops, displays and stands – suitable for all levels of family history experience.

Family Tree Live is brought to you by Family Tree in partnership with the Federation of Family History Societies and will provide visitors with a vast range of learning opportunities under one roof. Highlights will include:

• Inspiring Family History Lectures
• Hands-on workshops
• A DNA hub
• Advice stations
• Child-friendly activities including a free goody bag (kids 16 and under go free!)
…and so much more.

Associate Sponsors…
FamilyTreeDNA
MyHeritage
Society of Genealogists
FamilySearch
Association of Genealogists & Researchers in Archive

To book tickets, visit https://familytr.ee/buyaticket

I won't be able to attend as I am at a conference event in Edinburgh next weekend, but enjoy the show, and I look forward to reading the reviews and reports!

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Durham Bishops Transcripts updated on FindmyPast

The latest additions to FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk):

Durham Bishop's Transcripts Baptisms
Over 741,000 records have been added to our collection of Durham Bishop's Transcripts of Baptisms. Bishop's transcripts are contemporary copies of parish registers and usually contain the same vital details found in parish registers such as baptism place, baptism date, residence, patent's names and father's occupation.

Durham Bishop's Transcripts Marriages
More than 296,000 transcripts of marriages are now available to search. Including both images and transcripts, these records can provide you with your ancestor's marriage date, marriage place, father's name, witness's names and corresponding details for their spouse.

Durham Bishop's Transcripts Burials
Over 554,000 new burial records have been added to our collection of Durham Bishops transcripts. Search these records to discover your ancestor's burial place, year of death and religious denomination. The records are copies of original parish registers and contain records of both Anglican and Quaker burials.

National Burial Index for England & Wales
The National Burial Index continues to grow with over 410,000 additional records. This latest update includes new records covering a variety of locations across Essex, Bradford, Durham and North Yorkshire. Each record consist of a transcript that will reveal your ancestor's birth year, death year, burial date, burial place and denomination.

International Records Update – Jamaica
Jamaica is the latest country to join or rapidly expanding collection of international records. This week's update includes five new sets encompassing over 2.4 million parish and civil register entries for births, baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials dating back to the mid-17th century. The Jamaican collections currently available to search include:

• Jamaica Birth and Baptism Index 1752-1920
• Jamaica, Church of England Parish Baptisms 1664-1880
• Jamaica, Civil Birth Registrations
• Jamaica, Civil Death Registrations
• Jamaica, Civil Marriage Registrations

British & Irish Newspaper Update
This week we have added 121,734 new pages to our collection of historical British newspapers. We have three new titles covering the west London area, the Ealing Leader, the Hayes & Harlington Gazette and the Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Gazette. The publication of these titles is made possible thanks to our ongoing partnership with Reach plc (formerly Trinity Mirror). We also have extensive updates to the Reading Evening Post this week, with just under 40,000 pages added. We have also added the year 1986 to the Staines & Ashford News.

Further details and links at https://blog.findmypast.co.uk/findmypast-friday-april-19th-2634977647.html

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Free Easter access to Ancestry

From Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk):

BIGGEST EVER FREE ACCESS
Discover a new branch of your family tree this Easter

Looking forward to some quality time with the family this Easter? Now you can find out together how far your family roots spread, with access to a billion UK, Irish and Commonwealth historical records from Good Friday to Easter Monday.

*Access to the records in the featured collections will be free until 22 Apr 2019 23:59 GMT. To view these records you will need to register for free with Ancestry.co.uk with your name and email address. We will then send you a user name and password to access the records. After the free access period ends, you will only be able to view the records in the featured collections using an Ancestry.co.uk paid membership. To see a full list of the records in the featured collections please click here.

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Forces War Records Easter discount offer

From Forces War Records (www.forces-war-records.co.uk):

This Easter, Forces War Records is offering you HALF PRICE membership on monthly and yearly packages. – less than £25.00 for the year, or less than £5.00 for a month* (use code EASTER2019).

With over 20+ million records online there's never been a better time to join

1. Simply Register your details for free here - https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/register/

Why? By registering your details, you get the benefit of having an account created for you where all your searches and interesting information you have found can be saved for easy access later. 2. Next visit - https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/subscribe

3. Select your subscription option.

4. Enter your card details.

5. Have your discount code EASTER2019 ready and simply enter the code in the discount code box.

*(50% discount applies to full year's membership, or on 1st month only if monthly membership option is chosen. All memberships are granted on an individual basis. Offer expires 11:59pm GMT 22nd April 2019)

By being a fully subscribed member, you will benefit from:

• 20+ million military records
• Over 2+ million exclusive records you won't find anywhere else online
• Military experts on tap to answer your queries and help you find more
• Unique WW1 Troop Movements interactive map
• Dedication Wall - upload a lasting tribute to your loved ones then ‘share’ via social media.
• 1,000's of original historic documents
• Online magazine packed full of tutorials, information, news, events and features
• Plus, free downloads to help with your military genealogy research, perfect to kick-start your journey.

(With thanks to Neil White)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Thanks to Glasgow and West of Scotland FHS

A huge thanks to Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society (https://www.gwsfhs.org.uk) for its hospitality last night. After the society held its AGM I gave a talk on the latest Irish family history developments online and offline.

I had so much to talk about that we sadly ran out of time at the end to have Q and As, but managed to help a few folk before throwing out time at Kelvinside Academy!

For more on the good work being done by the Glasgow based society, read the Scottish Genealogy Network post at http://scottishgenealogynetwork.blogspot.com/2015/03/sgn-visit-to-glasgow.html, following a visit in 2015 to its resource centre in Partick.

It was also great to bump into fellow Norn Iron genie chum Maeve Rogan at the talk, who handles the online social media platforms for the North of Ireland FHS. Ireland really is only a hop, skip and a jump* away from Scotland (*ferries are also available!). The society's website is at https://www.nifhs.org.

Thanks again!

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Blitzed: Liverpool Lives exhibition

From the Museum of Liverpool (www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk):

BLITZED: LIVERPOOL LIVES
80 years on, Museum of Liverpool captures the devastation and resilience of local people during the Blitz in rare photographs.

Displaying up to 60 photographs taken by Liverpool City Police from 1940 –1941,a free new photography exhibition at the Museum of Liverpool reveals the devastation the Blitz brought to the lives and city of Liverpool. Through personal accounts, this exhibition brings to life the impact of the war through the eyes of those directly affected by the bombings.

The Port of Liverpool and surrounding areas were key targets for German bombers. In Merseyside, an overwhelming 4,000 civilians were killed, 10,000 homes destroyed and 70,000people made homeless.

Liverpool itself suffered the second highest number of civilian deaths in air raids in the countryand due to censorship, press reports often didn’t tell the whole story.

At the heart of this exhibition is the people of Liverpool; those affected by the Blitz – their memories, struggles with the aftermath and how they rebuilt their lives. The display will feature audio interviews and written memories of carrying on in the face of a terrible onslaught.

Kay Jones, Curator of Urban Community History comments:

“Seeing these striking images of desolation alongside the experiences of people who were there really brings home what this city and its people went through. They reveal many stories of personal tragedy but also the incredible resilience of local people.

The legacies of these bombings can still be seen and felt in the city today.They also remind us of ongoing conflict around the world and the continuing terrible human cost”.

The exhibition will be divided into three key themes: City centre and shops; Homes and neighbourhoods and Industry, docks and transport.

Visitors will be invited to share their own memories and reactions to the photographs. Selectedresponses will be displayed alongside the photographs.

Sensory elements will also enable visitors to experience wartime aromas and hands-on tactile images.

Recording scenes of Liverpool in its darkest days, this exhibition showcases some of the most impactful photographs, epitomising the human consequences of war.

Exhibition is open from 14 June 2019.

@MuseumLiverpool/ #BlitzedLiverpool

(With thanks to Sahar Beyad)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

New website for the Court of the Lord Lyon

I've just noticed that the Court of the Lord Lyon, which regulates the use of heraldry in Scotland amongst other things, has changed - the new site is available at https://www.courtofthelordlyon.scot/.

Amongst the offerings on the site is a blog and a FAQs section.

Have fun exploring!

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

TheGenealogist enhances its new Map Explorer

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

TheGenealogist Enhances the Map Explorer 
Powerful new map tool helps trace ancestors’ Headstones and War Memorials

TheGenealogist’s latest innovation, launched at the end of last month to help you find an ancestor’s property and watch the landscape change over time, has now had its first powerful new features added. This is only the beginning, with several other enhancements coming soon.

Joining the georeferenced Lloyd George Data Layer are Headstones and War Memorials.

TheGenealogist’s Map Explorer displays maps for historical periods up to the modern day.

● Cemeteries have now been added to the maps - enabling researchers to locate burial grounds and view Headstone images, transcripts and cemetery views.

● War Memorial site locations are shown, with links to see photographs, transcripts and setting.

Once you have found an ancestor’s grave or memorial, you will now not only be able to see an image of it and read a transcript, but also understand exactly where it is in relation to towns, villages or cities on the historic or modern maps. This should make it easier for family historians to plan a visit to see where an ancestor is buried or commemorated.

TheGenealogist’s powerful Map Explorer has been developed to view these georeferenced historic maps overlaid on top of modern background maps including those from Ordnance Survey and Bing Street maps, as well as a satellite view. With the Map Explorer you can search for an ancestor's property, discovering its site, even if the road has changed or is no longer there.

Alternatively, using the Master Search on TheGenealogist, having found your forebear listed on a War Memorial or graveyard, clicking through to the Map Explorer will show the War Memorial’s or the cemetery’s whereabouts on the various maps.

See our article Using the latest features of the Map Explorer, where we find T.E. Lawrence’s headstone and the whereabouts of the Graveyard in which he is buried, plus Wilfred Owen’s War Memorial in his local church: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2019/using-the-latest-features-of-the-map-explorer-1093/

Find out more at TheGenealogist.co.uk/maps/

(With thanks to Pual Bayley)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Glasgow talk on Irish genealogy resources

Just a quick heads up to say that On Monday 15th April I will be speaking at Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society (https://www.gwsfhs.org.uk) about What's New in Irish Genealogy, at the Gilchrist Theatre, Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow (please use the Kirklee Rd entrance).

The talk follows the society's AGM, and
should kick off shortly after 7.30pm - I hope to maybe see you there!

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Devonshire records added to FindmyPast

This week's FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk) additions:

Devon, Port Books
This brand new collection covers ships administered in the Devon ports of Appledore, Barnstaple and Bideford between 1595 and 1705. The records reveal:

The names of the ship's masters and merchants
The ship's name and the year it was entered in the port book
The ship's cargo, tonnage and trade type
The ship's registry, administration, departure and destination ports

Devon Baptisms
Our collection of Devon parish registers (which includes many exclusives you won't find anywhere else online) has grown again. We've added baptism records covering four parish churches in the county:

Appledore, Independent Chapel
Appledore, Ebenezer Baptist Chapel
Appledore, Methodist Chapel
Bideford, Methodist Circuit

Devon Burials
Our Devon burial records have been supplemented with additions from the parish of Northam. Burial records will usually contain useful family tree information including your ancestor's age at death, where and when they were buried and their religious denomination.

Devon, Land Tax and Valuation Records
Did your family own a public house or live and work in an orchard? Land tax records could help you find out. New additions from Northam and Clovelly have been added to this collection.

British & Irish Newspapers
Hot off the press, we've released six brand new publications, including four from Northern Ireland:

People's Advocate and Monaghan, Fermanagh, and Tyrone News covering the years 1876-1905
North Down Herald and County Down Independent covering the years 1898-1929, 1931-1938
County Down Spectator and Ulster Standard covering the years 1904-1912
Fermanagh Herald covering the years 1903-1912
Acton Gazette covering the years 1886, 1918-1920, 1967-1980
Jewish Chronicle covering the year 1896

Further details and links arre available at https://blog.findmypast.co.uk/findmypast-friday-12-april-2019-2634378085.html

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Irish Lives Remembered 44 now available online

The latest issue of Irish Lives Remembered, issue 44, is now available online. From the site:

This edition features a diverse range of articles from some of the top names in Irish genealogy. 2019 will be the year of poitín for Irish Lives Remembered as we're delighted to have a major four-part series on illicit whiskey making in Ireland. Our Spring cover story is about the genealogy of the travelling community. We have:

Articles:

Evidence for Traveller History: 1800 to Present - Fiona Fitzsimons;
Meghan Markle's Northern Irish Roots - Helen Moss, Fiona Fitzsimons;
Money, Mountain Dew, and Murder: Illicit Poitín Distillation in Ireland During the 1920s. A Four-Part Series. PART 1 - Stephen Pierce;
New Tools from Ancestry and MyHeritage to Help you Manage Your DNA Matches - Maurice Gleeson;
Irish Émigré, Croatian Nationalist. The Life and Legacy of Laval Nugent von Westmeath - Nathan Mannion;
Volcanoes, Kings and Bog Bodies- Eamonn 'Ned' Kelly;
The O’Neill Surname - Paul MacCotter;
Michael Christopher Keane's The Earls of Castlehaven. [Book Excerpt]
Brigit McCone on Michèle Mendelssohn’s Making Oscar Wilde


Regular columns such as:

Ask Genie (Fiona Fitzsimons looks at two different reader's problems)
Photodetective (Jayne Shrimpton analyses one of your family photos)
Patrick's Page (Patrick Roycroft deals with a client at the Irish Family History Centre)
FMP Roundup (Niall Cullen lets us know of the new Irish genealogy records that have been added to Findmypast)

The magazine is freely available at https://irishlivesremembered.ie/

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

FIBIS adds Dhobi Ghat cemetery photos

The Families of Briis India Society (FIBIS) has announced that it has added photographs of graves at Dhobi Ghat Cemetery in India to its database, along with transcriptions, thanks to the efforts of Jack Thornton and The Pilgrim Trust.

The index is available at https://search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_dataset&id=2357&s_id=694

(With thanks to Valmay Young)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Ancestry updates Norfolk parish registers collection

Ancestry has updated its Norfolk, England, Transcripts of Church of England Baptism, Marriage and Burial Registers, 1600-1935 collection (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/norfolkbishops/) as follows:

Ancestry are excited to have made an update to the Transcripts of Church of England Baptism, Marriage and Burial Registers, 1600-1935 for Norfolk, England.

Bishop transcripts are contemporary copies of parish registers and are core records for family history research. The update to this particular collection includes 793,649 new records which contain baptism, marriage and burial records for the years 1600-1935 from the country of Norfolk, England.

The parishes that have been updated include:

Norwich Eaton
Norwich Lakenham
Norwich Pockthorpe St James
Norwich St Mary In The Marsh
Norwich St Paul
Old Buckenham
Ormesby St Margaret
Ormesby St Michael
Oulton
Outwell
Overstrand
Ovington
Oxborough
Oxnead
Oxwick
Palling
Paston
Pentney
Plumstead
Postwick
Potter Heigham
Pulham St Mary Magdalen
Pulham St Mary The Virgin
Quidenham
Rackheath
Ranworth
Raveningham
Redenhall With Harleston
Reedham
Reepham and Kerdiston
Repps With Bastwick
Reymerston
Riddlesworth with Gasthorpe
Ridlington
Ringland
Ringstead
Riston With Roxham
Rockland All Saints St Andrew
Rockland St Mary
Rockland St Peter
Rollesby
Roudham
Rougham
Roughton
Roydon Nr Lynn
Roydon Nr Diss
Runcton Holme
Runhall
Runham
Runton
Rushall
Rushford
Saham Toney
Salhouse
Salle
Salthouse
Sandringham
Santon
Saxlingham
Saxlingham Thorpe and Nethergate
Saxthorpe
Scarning
Sco Ruston
Scole
Scottow
Scoulton
Sculthorpe
Sedgeford
Seething
Sharrington
Shelfanger
Shelton
Shereford
Sheringham
Shernborne
Shimpling
Shingham
Shipdham
Shotesham
Shouldham
Shouldham Thorpe
Shropham
Sidestrand
Sisland
Skeyton
Sloley
Smallburgh
Snetterton
Snettisham
South Creake
South Lopham
South Pickenham
South Raynham
South Walsham St Lawrence
South Walsham St Mary
South Wootton
Southacre
Southburgh
Southery
Southrepps
Southwood
Sparham
Spixworth
Sporle with Palgrave
Sprowston
Stalham
Stanfield
Stanford with Sturston
Stanhoe
Starston
Stibbard
Stiffkey
Stockton
Stody
Stoke Ferry
Stoke Holy Cross
Stokesby with Herringsby
Stow Bardolph
Stow Bedon
Stradsett
Stratton Strawless
Strumpshaw
Suffield
Surlingham
Sustead
Sutton
Swaffham
Swafield
Swainsthorpe
Swannington
Swanton Abbot
Swanton Morley
Swanton Novers
Swardeston
Syderstone
Tacolneston
Tasburgh
Tatterford
Tattersett
Taverham
Terrington St Clement
Terrington St John
Tharston
Thelveton
Themelthorpe
Thetford St Cuthbert
Thetford St Mary
Thetford St Peter
Thompson
Thornage
Thornham
Thorpe Abbotts
Thorpe by Haddiscoe
Thorpe Market
Threxton
Thrigby
Thurgarton
Thurlton
Thurning
Thursford
Thurton
Thuxton
Thwaite
Thwaite by Aylsham
Tibenham
Tilney All Saints
Tilney St Lawrence
Titchwell
Tittleshall
Tivetshall St Margaret and St Mary
Toft Monks
Toftrees
Topcroft
Tottenhill
Tottington
Trimingham
Trowse Newton
Trunch
Tunstall
Tunstead
Tuttington
Twyford
Upton
Upwell
Wacton
Walcott
Walpole St Andrew
Walpole St Peter
Walsoken
Warham All Saints
Warham St Mary
Waterden
Watlington
Watton
Waxham
Weasenham All Saints
Weasenham St Peter
Weeting St Mary with All Saints
Welbourne
Wellingham
Wells
Welney
Wendling
Wereham
West Barsham
West Beckham
West Bilney
West Bradenham
West Dereham
West Harling
West Lexham
West Newton
West Raynham
West Rudham
West Somerton
West Tofts
West Walton
West Winch
Westacre
Westfield
Weston Longville
Westwick
Weybourne
Wheatacre All Saints
Whinburgh
Whissonsett
Wickhampton
Wicklewood
Wickmere
Wiggenhall St Germans
Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen
Wiggenhall St Mary The Virgin
Wiggenhall St Peter
Wighton
Wilby
Wimbotsham
Winfarthing
Winterton with East Somerton
Witton
Witton Nr North Walsham
Wiveton
Wolferton
Wolterton
Wood Dalling
Wood Norton
Wood Rising
Woodbastwick
Woodton
Wormegay
Worstead
Worthing
Wramplingham
Wreningham
Wretham East and West
Wretton
Wroxham
Wymondham
Yaxham
Yelverton with Alpington

This update was made on April 5th, 2019 and this information was accurate at time of publishing.

(Source: https://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/collection-update-details-norfolk-england-transcripts-of-church-of-england-baptism-marriage-and-burial-registers-1600-1935/?sf100982982=1)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Ancestry adds Cheshire parish registers

Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk) has added a collection of parish registers for Cheshire in England. Here's the description:

Cheshire, England, Parish Registers, 1538-1909
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/chesireparishreg/
Source: Church of England. Record Office Chester, England.

This collection contains images of Church of England parish registers recording baptisms, marriages, and burials during the years 1538–1909 from various parishes in Cheshire, England.

Parish records are the best source of vital record information before Civil Registration began in 1837. Both the British government and the church had an interest in record keeping, and a 1538 Act of Parliament required ministers in the Church of England to record baptisms, marriages, and burials. This database includes records with dates ranging from 1538 up until 1812, after which George Rose’s Act called for preprinted registers to be used as a way of standardizing records. Also note that marriage records were to be kept in a separate register starting in 1754, so they may not be included in this database.

See the browse to determine which parishes are included in this collection and the dates of coverage.

About Baptisms:

Children were usually baptized within a few days or weeks of birth. The records may include when baptized and in what parish, child’s Christian name, parents’ given names and the family surname, residence, father’s occupation, and who performed the ceremony. Sometimes you’ll find additional details such as date of birth. Early records may contain less detail.

About Marriages:

Couples were usually married in the bride’s parish. Marriage records typically include the bride and groom’s names, residence, date and location of the marriage, names of witnesses, condition (bachelor, spinster, widow, or widower), and the name of the officiant. Some records may also include the father’s name and occupation. Early records may contain less detail.

About Burials:

Burials took place within a few days of death. Records generally list the name of the deceased, residence, burial date, and age at death. Early records may contain less detail.

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Kent parish records added to FindmyPast

From FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk):

New & Exclusive Parish Registers From Kent

We are pleased to announce the online publication of thousands of original Anglican parish registers in partnership with Kent County Council.

Kent Baptisms
Discover when and where the baptism took place, as well as your ancestor's parents' names, professions, and residence.

Kent Marriages & Banns
These records may reveal when and where your relative's banns were read, as well as who announced them. These records may also reveal when and where your ancestor married, as well as the bride's and groom's full names and names of their fathers.

Kent Burials
These records may reveal where and when they were buried, as well as their spouses' and fathers' names.

Ontario Genealogical Society Provincial Index
Explore this vast index covering a vast range of Genealogical information on Ontario families.

British & Irish Newspaper Update
This week we have added 126,386 new pages to our collection. We have added four brand new titles this week, with the addition of Kent title the Thanet Times, London title the Harrow Leader, and Middlesex title the Staines & Ashford News. This week also sees the publication of a curious title from 1811, the Anti-Gallican Monitor, which was published during the the Napoleonic wars. We have also updated two of our existing titles: adding over 60,000 pages to the Reading Evening Post, with additions also to the Kensington Post. Updates to both titles come from the 1990s.

Further details and links are available at https://blog.findmypast.co.uk/findmypast-friday-april-5th-2633696635.html

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Cheshire Tithe Maps Online

From Cheshire Archives & Local Studies:

Cheshire Tithe Maps Online

The new, updated tithe map site is now live! The website was first launched in 2008 to provide online access to nearly 500 tithe maps from the mid 19th century with details of owners, occupiers and land alongside later Ordnance Survey maps, modern day maps and aerial photographs. Over the last 10 years the website has been accessed by over 1 million people and has been popular with archaeologists and planning professionals, schools and local historians – not to mention anyone with a Cheshire postcode researching the history of their house.

The website was the only one of its kind when it was first developed and since that time technology has advanced significantly. The original site could not be used on smartphones or tablets and was becoming less reliable. The new website includes all the previous mapping, data and search facilities with new viewing options making it user and mobile friendly.

• Maps are now viewed full screen and easier to navigate
• You can now fade in and out between your choice of maps or aerial photographs to compare places then and now and use the slider to view more or less of a map. There is now more flexibility to discover how Cheshire has changed over time. 
• If you’re out and about in Cheshire load the site on your mobile and navigate immediately to your location and see what was there over 150 years ago.

See the new Cheshire Tithe Maps Online site. We will be running some workshops in the Spring if you are interested in exploring tithe maps with us in even more detail.

The tithes map site is accessible at https://maps.cheshireeast.gov.uk/tithemaps/

(Source: http://www.cheshirearchives.org.uk/latest-news-and-events/Cheshire-Tithe-Maps-Online.aspx)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

The Family History Show 2019

From the Family History Show (www.TheFamilyHistoryShow.com):

York 22nd June - South West 6th July - London 24th August

There is some exciting news and some special offers available from all three of the upcoming Family History Show events for 2019! This is what the organisers are saying:

“The extremely popular face to face Free 'Ask the Experts' section will be run at all of The Family History Shows this year. We're also expanding this area to cover your questions on DNA, Dating Photographs, Medals, Military Service and Research Problems. So don't forget to bring copies of your ancestors' records, photos and medals along!”

Introduced for the 2019 shows are the new Q&A panel sessions, where the visitor will be able to get their family history queries answered by a panel of experts. So if you are planning to visit any of the shows make sure that you allow plenty of time to ask those family history questions on the day.

Each show has two lecture areas with Free Talks given by various expert independent speakers including Photo Dating Expert and Fashion Historian Jayne Shrimpton, DNA Expert Debbie Kennett and House Historian Gill Blanchard.

Potential exhibitors should be aware that over 100 tables have already been booked and that space is filling up fast! If you or anyone you know is interested in exhibiting please contact bookings@thefamilyhistoryshow.com as soon as possible.

The Family History Shows are affordable events to attend with Low-Cost Entry, Free Talks and Free Parking so book your tickets now to avoid disappointment.

Watch our video for last years events here: https://youtu.be/Ev6uvZEQJuY

Early Bird Ticket Offers
● South West - Tickets £6, Early Bird: Two for £8
● York - Tickets £6, Early Bird: Two for £8
● London - Tickets £8, Early Bird: Two for £10

Special Offers for Exhibitors
The Family History Shows have become synonymous with great value ticket prices, free talks and free parking, which continue to impress visitors and stallholders alike. There is always a good turn out at these shows with the halls nearing capacity which lead to the organisers opting for bigger and better venues. With table prices at just £50 for Bristol, £57 for York and £79 for London, these events provide exhibitors a big show to fit any budget.

(With thanks to Paul)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Fold3 offers free access to US Civil War records

From Ancestry:

To commemorate the beginning of the #CivilWar in 1861, @fold3 is offering free access to more than 100 million records from their Civil War Collection until April 15th. Click here: https://go.fold3.com/civilwar

If your family headed to the US and got caught up in the Civil war, you have two weeks to find out what they got up to.

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

New exhibition at PRONI - In Her Words

The Women in the Archives team will be hosting a new exhibition at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni) this week.

In Her Words is a unique exhibition that brings forward the voices and experiences of unseen women, written by them in their own words, found in diaries and letters held by PRONI.

The exhibition will launch this Thursday with talks by curator Lynsey Gillespie and Bronagh McAtasney, the woman behind the twitter @NrnIrnGirl1981, about the importance of diary writing and women’s own history.

(With thanks to Lynsey Gillespie at PRONI)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.