FindmyPast adds Durham records and public sector worker calendars

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

Britain, Royal and Imperial Calendars 1767-1973
Do you have ancestors’ who worked in the public sector? Explore more than three million records from the Royal and Imperial Calendars from 1767 to 1973 to find out about their career. This expansive collection of records from The National Archives includes lists of all the official departments of state, and branches of public service, the law, the church, national or commercial companies and institutions, and many additional articles of public utility. Each record includes a transcript and original image.

Durham Baptisms
Over 28,000 new addictions covering 9 parishes across the county are now available to search. These transcripts and images reveal not only your ancestor’s name but also their parents’ names. You will also discover their occupations and where they lived.

Durham Marriages
Search over 7,000 new records covering 9 Durham parishes have been added to the collection. Parish registers can reveal details of your relative’s marriage centuries before civil registrations began. Discover your ancestor’s marriage date, marriage place, and your ancestor’s father’s name.

Durham Burials
Over 66,000 new additions covering 11 parishes have been added to the collection. Find out where your ancestor is buried, where they lived and additional relatives to add to your growing family tree.

British & Irish Newspaper Update
This week we are delighted to welcome 71,598 additional pages to the collection as well as five brand new titles, including:
Leinster Reporter - 1897-1925, 1927-1928
Caernarvon & Denbigh Herald - 1850-1872, 1874-1877, 1897
Times of India - 1861-1865, 1867-1888
Wakefield Express - 1879, 1892, 1897-1898, 1902, 1911, 1918
South Notts Echo - 1919-1923, 1927-1939

Further details and links at https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/new/new-imperial-calendars--durham-parish-registers

Chris

You can pre-order my new book, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 (out April). Also available, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

AGRA recruitment event to be held in Leeds

From AGRA (www.agra.co.uk):

Encouraging professional researchers to be the best

The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) is organising an event for professional genealogists encouraging them to join the Association. It will take place at the St George’s Centre in Leeds on March 16 March 2020.

AGRA is the largest professional organisation of accredited members in the UK and we promote high professional standards in the field of genealogy and historical research. AGRA also acts as a representative voice in matters relating to genealogy.

AGRA is looking to encourage other paid researchers to join. Members are generally acknowledged to be the best in their field.

The event will include guidance on how to successfully run a professional genealogy practice and marketing, from members who have successfully run a business for many years. Other members will explain the advantages of joining the Association.

The event costs £15 and includes lunch. The entry fee will be deducted from the first year’s AGRA subscription for anyone attending this event who goes on to make a successful application to join the Association.

Bookings will close on Thursday 27 February.

For more details and a link to the booking form, please see https://www.agra.org.uk/event-network-day-for-professional-genealogists-2020-03-16

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Deceased Online adds Wood Green and Uplands Cemeteries records

From Deceased Online (www.deceasedonline.com):

Wood Green and Uplands Cemeteries now available on Deceased Online

Records from Uplands Cemetery in Smethwick and Wood Green Cemetery in Wednesbury, held by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in the Black Country, are available to view on www.deceasedonline.com. The records comprise digital scans of the original burial registers and grave details for each of the graves and their occupants. Uplands also includes a map showing in which section the grave is located.

There are multiple interpretations of the name Smethwick, historically thought to mean 'smiths' place of work', but recent interpretations suggest that the name is more likely to mean 'settlement on smooth land'. In the Domesday book Smethwick was recorded as 'Smedeuuich'. As the Anglo-Saxon pronounciation of D was 'eth', this means that the name has remained largely unchanged for many hundreds of years.

Wednesbury has a rich local history going back to the earliest medieval times. The first known spelling of the name was Wodensbyri, recorded in 1004AD. Wodensbryi translates as Woden's borough and Wednesbury is one of the few places in the UK still named after a pre-Christian deity. In 1086 the Domesday book described 'Wadnesburie' as a thriving rural community.

As with a great deal of the West Midlands, and the Black country in particular, during the industrial revolution the population of Smethwick and Wednesbury grew around the coal and steel industries, with new railways and canals connecting towns and people, and new factories providing work.

Further information:

Sandwell records available to view on Deceased Online also include:

Fallings Heath Cemetery
Heath Lane Cemetery
Oldbury Cemetery
Rowley Regis Cemetery
Rowley Regis Crematorium
Sandwell Valley Crematorium
Tipton Cemetery

Other local records in the region are available on Deceased Online courtesy of the National Archives for the West Midlands.

Upcoming Records

We're working hard on processing more than 1,000,000 burial and cremation records from authorities in London, the West and East Midlands, and the East of England.

(With thanks to Deceased Online)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Family Tree Live returns April 2020

From Family Tree magazine:

NEWS RELEASE | 20 January 2020 | Family Tree Live 17-18 April 2020, Alexandra Palace, London
www.familytreelive.co.uk

Trace your WW2 family to mark the VE Day 75th anniversary

In May 2020 people across the globe will mark the 75th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day. And at the Family Tree Live family history show – coming to London’s stunning Alexandra Palace this spring – you’ll be able to learn how to research and remember your WW2 kin and heroes.

VE Day took place on 8 May 1945 and saw the end of World War II in Europe after the Nazis surrendered to the Allies. For millions, there was dancing, street parties and revelry but also, of course, memories of those who had paid the ultimate price, were imprisoned or displaced.

This historic day marked the end of six years of war, separation, hardship, death and destruction although, in fact, the conflict was to continue until August 1945, when Japan finally surrendered. This is known as VJ Day.

Research & remember
With these 75th anniversaries on the horizon, now is the perfect time to research and remember our WW2 family, whose lives would have been changed forever by the war.

And there’s no better place to start learning about wartime kin than at Family Tree Live 2020, where visitors will find a host of exhibitors, lectures and workshops to help them piece together their families’ past. All the family are welcome at the show, which will be marking VE Day to kick off this year’s commemorative events and help visitors find out about their WW2 families.

Organised by UK family history magazine Family Tree in partnership with genealogy experts from the Family History Federation, Family Tree Live takes place at London’s Alexandra Palace on 17 and 18 April 2020.

Family Tree Editor Helen Tovey said: ‘There can hardly be a family on the globe whose lives weren’t impacted by the Second World War in some way. Now, 75 years on from the end of the conflict, the war is on the edge of living memory – many of those who lived, fought and endured those years are no longer with us. So it’s more important than ever that we take the time to trace and remember the sacrifices they made, and cherish the peace they worked so hard for.’

Learning & entertainment
This unique show boasts family and military history lectures, workshops, one-to-one advice sessions, exhibition stands, living history and family fun, all included in the price of your ticket.

Lectures ideal for those tracing relatives during the 1940s include Keith Gregson’s Family records for Second World War service in which the stalwart genealogist and archivist will be looking at the kinds of records that might have been kept by both males and females who served in WW2.

Military historian Graham Bandy will be presenting Identifying your ancestors’ Second World War military photos, giving a fascinating look at the clues to spot to help you trace your World War II service personnel, while fellow military researcher Simon Fowler will talk on Sources for World War 2 Army ancestors, looking at the essential paper trail resources to help you trace your family heroes.

Tragically, many with Jewish ancestry will have family members affected by the Holocaust. If you have Jewish ancestors, then Michael Tobias’s Researching your Jewish ancestry on the internet lecture will be a perfect place to start tracing your family.

The workshop programme will also appeal to those tracing the stories of WW2 relatives. The varied topics include Why is the 1939 Register invaluable? with Dr Penny Walters, Jewish ancestors with Jeanette Rosenberg and How to use newspapers for family history with Keith Gregson. The workshops are small groups led by a tutor and places go quickly, so organisers advise booking them as early as possible.

These lectures and workshops are just a few of those taking place over the two days. Show-goers can browse them all and book when they buy their tickets online.

Military experts, living historians & more!
Graham Bandy will also be hosting a Second World War-themed stand, where visitors will be able to ask him expert questions about the period and get old family military photos dated.

In addition, a team from the Ministry of Defence, which holds WW2 service records and medals, will be exhibiting and answering specific queries. And living historians from Basingstoke’s Milestones Museum will also be there with treasures and handling boxes from its collections to explore.

Exhibitors also include the British Library and National Library of Wales, Royal British Legion, Jersey Heritage, the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain, Families in British India Society and a wonderful array of other family history organisations to help visitors trace their roots.

The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) will be running bookable advice sessions while show sponsors FamilySearch and FamilyTreeDNA (look out for the special DNA lectures and workshops if this is your interest area) will have plenty to offer family history enthusiasts of all levels of experience.

Tickets to the event that celebrates all things family history cost only £13 a day (children free), including all lectures, workshops, one-to-one advice sessions, exhibitions and living history entertainment. It is ideal for everyone interested in their heritage, so head to Family Tree Live this April to learn and treasure your family’s story.

Find out more and book tickets at www.familytreelive.co.uk

• Everyone has a story... discover yours at Family Tree Live. Watch the video at https://familytr.ee/ftlivestory

(With thanks to Karen Clare)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

FamilySearch adds Irish Poverty Relief Funds 1810-1887 index

FamilySearch has added the following Irish collection:

Ireland, Poverty Relief Funds, 1810-1887 

691,210 added to new indexed records collection

https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3499247

Digital images of originals housed at the National Archives. Index includes the borrower's name and the guarantors or witnesses for the loan. The Irish Reproductive Loan Fund was a micro credit scheme set up in 1824 to provide small loans to the 'industrious poor'. Local associations and committees administered the scheme, most often from a small town in a rural area, and county committees oversaw their work.

The records of the local associations and county committees are in the The National Archives record series (PRO) T91. As well as the notes of security for the loans, there are loan ledgers, repayment books and defaulters' books. The minimum information supplied is address and occupation, but much additional detail is often given in the local association records, including notes on health, family circumstances and emigration. The local records generally run from the late 1830s to the mid-1840s.

NB: FindmyPast has records from this collection also, through its Ireland, Poverty Relief Loans 1821-1874 dataset, noting its holdings to 'amazing collection of records from Ireland’s Western Seaboard'. Its description is quite detailed, noting the specific counties involved and details of the scheme - see https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/ireland-poverty-relief-loans-1821-1874.

Also for England:

England, Oxfordshire Parish Registers 1538-1904

43 added indexed records to an existing collection

https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3293406

England, Yorkshire Marriage Bonds and Allegations, 1613-1887 

1,898 added indexed records to an existing collection

https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3477664

For details of other collections just released worldwide, visit https://media.familysearch.org/new-free-historical-records-on-familysearch-week-of-6-january-2020/

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

English headstone inscriptions added to FindmyPast

Latest additions to FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk):

Middlesex Monumental Inscriptions

Explore new additions from Hillingdon in Greater London. Discover birth years, death years, and places of burial. Each result will include a transcript that will reveal a combination of the deceased’s birth year, age at death, death year, burial place, monument type, dedication and inscription.

Sussex Monumental Inscriptions
Search new records covering the parishes of Alciston, St Andrew’s in Alfriston and St Mary the Virgin in Willingdon. Each transcript will include a combination of the deceased’s birth year, age at death, location, and inscription.

British & Irish Newspaper Update
Over 153,000 new pages and a variety of new titles have been added to the collection since our last update. Recent new titles include the “Truth”, an early Edwardian publication that was known for its exposures of many kinds of frauds and was at the centre of several civil lawsuits. Other recent additions include Liberty, The Christian News, The Aberdeen Weekly News, the Smethwick Telephone, the Daily Review (Edinburgh), the Newtownards chronicle & Co. Down observer, The Western Evening Herald, The Witness (Edinburgh) and the Warrington Advertiser.

We have also made substantial updates to a range of existing titles including the Newcastle Evening Chronicle and Rochdale Observer.

Further details and links at https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/new/discover-ancestors-in-south-east-england

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Latest FamilySearch additions

There are some new indexed records added to FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org) this week concerning England and Ireland, and one UK collection:

Ireland, The Treble Almanac 1812 (FMP) - 3rd Party Index
14,074 new indexed records

England, Herefordshire Bishop's Transcripts, 1583-1898
2,263 added indexed records to an existing collection

England, Herefordshire Bishop's Transcripts, 1583-1898
1,369 added indexed records to an existing collection

England, Northumberland, Parish Registers, 1538-1950
557,993 added indexed records to an existing collection

England, Oxfordshire Parish Registers 1538-1904
474 added indexed records to an existing collection

England, Oxfordshire Parish Registers 1538-1904
1,471 added indexed records to an existing collection

England, Yorkshire Marriage Bonds and Allegations, 1613-1887
2,074 added indexed records to an existing collection

England, Yorkshire Marriage Bonds and Allegations, 1613-1887
815 added indexed records to an existing collection

United Kingdom, Waterloo Roll Call 1815
3,999 new indexed records

For direct links, and other overseas records releases this week, visit https://media.familysearch.org/new-free-historical-records-on-familysearch-week-of-30-december-2019/

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

TheGenealogist adds georeferenced Colour Tithe Maps and colour tithe maps for Cumberland

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

Press Release: TheGenealogist Enhances Map Explorer™
Powerful new map tool now helps trace ancestors land or property with Colour Tithe Maps

TheGenealogist’s latest innovation to help you find an ancestor’s property and watch the landscape change over time has now been enhanced by the addition of georeferenced Colour Tithe Maps.

TheGenealogist has also today released colour tithe maps for Cumberland - you can search these as normal or browse them on Map Explorer™.

Joining the georeferenced Lloyd George Data Layer, Headstones and War Memorials, the Colour Tithe Maps are a significant addition to the ever-expanding Map Explorer™.

TheGenealogist’s Map Explorer™ displays maps for historical periods up to the modern day.
Colour Tithe maps have now been added to this innovative tool, linked to the apportionment books, enabling researchers to locate where their ancestors lived or worked

TheGenealogist has linked these highly detailed maps to the apportionment books which provide researchers with the details of the plots, their owners and their occupiers at the time that the survey was taken in Victorian times, from large estate owners to occupiers of small plots such as a homestead or a cottage. These make the maps easier to understand as the streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, houses and trees are often highlighted in different colours.

These colour maps now cover the counties of Warwickshire, Rutland, Huntingdonshire, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex, Northumberland, Surrey, Westmorland, the City, North and East Ridings of Yorkshire along with the newly launched Cumberland.

Subscribers to TheGenealogist’s Diamond membership can now view the latest colour or grayscale maps when using the Tithe & Landowner records.

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 in the Tithe Records you can click through to the Map Explorer™ which will also show War Memorials or cemeteries on the various maps.

See our article: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2019/exploring-the-island-at-twickenham-1218/

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

(With thanks to Nick Thorne)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

FindmyPast adds new logo and Northumberland records

FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk) has a new logo and homepage design. In addition, the following records have been released this week:

Northumberland Baptisms

Over 25,000 new records covering 25 parishes across the county have been added to our collection of Northumberland Baptisms. The amount of information in each record may vary, but most will include a combination of your ancestor’s birth year, baptism date, baptism place and parents’ names.

Northumberland Marriages
Over 28,000 new additions from 15 parishes are now available to search. Each transcript will reveal a combination of the birth years, residences, marriage date fathers’ names and witnesses’ names for both the bride and groom.

Northumberland Burials
Search over 98,000 new records added from 3 parishes to uncover your Northumberland roots. These transcripts will reveal when your ancestor died, their age at death and where they were laid to rest. Some records may even include an image of the original document or include the names of next of kin.

Northumberland and Durham Memorial Inscriptions
More than an thousand new inscriptions from 7 burial sites across the county are also available to search. Memorial inscriptions are an excellent resource for family history. They include the full epitaph found on your ancestor’s burial monument and will often reveal important biographical details and the names of additional family members.

Texas, County Tax Rolls 1846-1910
Did your ancestors live in Texas? Explore this collection of more than 4.5 million Texas county tax records from 1846 to 1910, find out the amount of land and personal property they owned. Each result includes both a transcript and an image of the original document.

British & Irish Newspaper Update
This week we have added 103,488 new pages to our collection including two brand new titles. Both of this week’s new titles have a distinctly Celtic theme: with the first being the Leven Advertiser and Wemyss Gazette, a weekly title published in Leven, Fife, and the second being the South Wales Gazette. This latter title is another weekly publication, published out of Abertillery, and became known as the South Wales Gazette and Newport News from 1892.

Further details and links at https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/new/new-additions-from-northumberland-and-texas

The new brand look is explained at https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/new/new-brand

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

TheGenealogist adds to war memorials collection

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

New Searchable War Memorials

TheGenealogist has just released over 12,000 records from 138 War Memorials. This means that there are now a total of over 580,000 individuals on War Memorials that are fully searchable in TheGenealogist’s Military records with photographs centred on their inscription. These memorials can give researchers an insight into education, rank, regiment and occupation of an ancestor.

The War Memorial records will allow the family history researcher to discover:
● over 12,000 additional individuals recorded on War Memorials
● additional War Memorials from England and Canada
● fully searchable records which are transcribed from images of the tributes
● colour images of the memorial centred on their name
● a variety of memorials in honour of the war dead from various conflicts

The Map Explorer™ on TheGenealogist can also be used to locate all the War Memorials on georeferenced historic and modern maps making them easy to find. The War Memorial database includes names from the Boer War, the First World War and World War II. This latest release from TheGenealogist covers war memorials from various parts of the UK, particularly West Yorkshire, County Durham and East Sussex as well as Canada.

This new release covers memorials that are not all set in stone or cast in iron. There is the WW1 memorial volume book held in Darlington Central Library for Pease and Partners of Darlington. This firm owned mines, quarries and other works all over County Durham and Teesside. This particular memorial is useful to a researcher wanting to "break down barriers" as it not only gives the rank and regiment of the man, but also gives his place of occupation (which particular mine, quarry, or works they had been employed in) which could aid a researcher to try to get the employment record for an ancestor – the volume is divided into sections for the 543 men who died, over 4,100 who served and details of the medals awarded to 134 of them.

Other employment War Memorials in this release include: Yorks & Lancs Railway locomotive works at Horwich where 122 employees were killed in WW1 and in London the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Braziers recording 37 men who were killed or served in WW1 and WW2.

Additional School and college War Memorials added this time include Petworth Boys school, which commemorates 2 teachers and 28 pupils killed in 1942 when the school was destroyed by enemy action, and King’s College Cambridge where 345 students or former students etc. are commemorated having been killed in both the First and Second World War.

Of further note are War Memorials in Pimlico, London where 67 men from a Peabody Estate who were killed in WW1 are recorded. There is an interesting set of stained glass windows in Grimsby Minster dedicated to 25 Grimsby men lost in WW2 who were members of various clubs such as the Grimsby Cyclists' Club. In this release there is a memorial in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada to 35 men of the RAF killed there during their training and in Eastbourne Town Hall there is a roll of 180 civilians or firefighters etc. killed there in WW2 by enemy action.

These records are available to Diamond subscribers of TheGenealogist as part of their large Military Records collection.

Read TheGenealogist’s article: Using War Memorials to research ancestors from the First World War
https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2019/using-war-memorials-to-research-ancestors-from-the-first-world-war-1213/

(With thanks to Nick Thorne)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

New Irish collections added to FamilySearch; English collections updated

The following new Irish collections have been added to FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org):

Ireland, Catholic Qualification & Convert Rolls, 1701-1845
New indexed records collection (52,060 records)
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3499248

Microfilm of original records at the Public Records Office in Dublin. During the 1700's, Catholics were restricted from owning property, holding public office, and voting. Due to these restrictions some chose to renounce their religion and convert to the Church of Ireland. In addition to church rites participation, they were also required to file a certificate in a court of law. Multiple courts had the authority to grant these rights. Courts include: King's Bench, Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions of the Peace, and Assizes. The original rolls were kept by the Chancery Court Rolls Office until 1867, at which time they were transferred to the Public Records Office. The original documents were destroyed by a fire in 1922, but these calendars survive.


Ireland, Memorial Record: World War I, 1914-1918
New indexed records collection (49,646 records)
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3511725

Ireland's World War I Memorial Records preserve the identity of Irishmen that participated in World War I. This collection covers the entirety of Ireland and includes almost 50,000 records. These records were compiled by the Committee of the Irish National War Memorial and published in 1923. This collection was made in collaboration with FindMyPast. Additional information can be found at: https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/irelands-memorial-record-world-war-1-1914-1918

The following English collections have also been updated:

England, Herefordshire Bishop's Transcripts, 1583-1898
Added indexed records to an existing collection (2,233 records)
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3155913

England, Oxfordshire Parish Registers 1538-1904
Added indexed records to an existing collection (17,454 records)
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3293406

England, Yorkshire Marriage Bonds and Allegations, 1613-1887
Added indexed records to an existing collection (1,286 records)
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3477664

Click on the links for further information. For other worldwide releases from FamilySearch, including many from the United States of America, visit https://media.familysearch.org/new-free-historical-records-on-familysearch-week-of-16-december-2019/

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Appeal to find family of Second World War sweethearts

Genealogists....ASSEMBLE!!!

We have a Christmas appeal from Who Do You Think You Are? magazine, if you can help!

Appeal to return Second World War love letters to couple’s descendants

A Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine reader is seeking the family of Robert and Margaret Raven to return their love letters

The love letters of a Second World War airman and his future wife have been rediscovered over 70 years later.

Now at Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, we’re hoping to give the couple’s descendants an extra Christmas present by reuniting them with the precious documents.

The correspondence between Robert Raven and Margaret Blyth was bought as a lot by Bob Sheridan, a Rutland man interested in the history of the armed forces postal service and the postal marks on the letters.

But the letters revealed a moving story of lovers separated by wartime.

Bob and his friend Tracey Dene Powell researched Robert and Margaret in family history, immigration and RAF records, but have yet to find a living descendant to give the letters to.

“I know that if they were from my parents or grandparents, then I would treasure them forever,” Tracey told Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine.

The collection consists of 45 air mail letters, 1 letter card and 14 empty envelopes.

The letters were exchanged between Robert Raven, a British airman, and Margaret Blyth (later Raven) from South Africa, as well as their family members, from 1941 to 1953.

For more on the story visit http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/news/appeal-return-second-world-war-love-letters-couple%E2%80%99s-descendants


(With thanks to Rosemary Collins at WDYTYA? magazine)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Family Tree Live 2020 announced

From Family Tree magazine (https://www.family-tree.co.uk):

ALL ABOARD FOR FAMILY TREE LIVE 2020!

As we motor towards a brand new decade the next must-stop for family history enthusiasts is Family Tree Live 2020 at historic Alexandra Palace!

This unique show returns to Ally Pally for its second year on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April 2020 and promises two more family history-packed days of learning and fun. It is organised by UK family history magazine Family Tree (currently celebrating its 35th anniversary), in partnership with the Family History Federation, and is sponsored by family history giants FamilySearch and DNA experts FamilyTreeDNA.

Genealogy-seekers will be able to explore exhibition stands in the Great Hall and get one-to-one advice in the Ask the Experts area, run by professionals from the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA).

The lively lecture streams will provide a family history feast for genealogy fans hungry for knowledge and there will also be eight streams of workshops running simultaneously. These small interactive groups were a huge hit last year so the number of these have been increased – but seats will go quickly, so keen learners should book tickets as soon as they can!

The popular DNA Hub, sponsored by FamilyTreeDNA, is returning with a dedicated programme of DNA lectures and workshops, to help you make the most of your DNA tests, and learn more about this exciting and evolving area of genealogy.

The 2020 show will mark major anniversaries including the 75th anniversary of VE Day and 400 years since the sailing of the Mayflower from England to the New World. Visitors will be able to learn about their Second World War or Mayflower ancestors, enjoy living history entertainment and relax on the Village Green when it’s time to take a break from indulging in their family history passions. The green is also a great spot to meet friends and share the wonderful family history finds made at the show, plus there will be a discovery zone and vintage games to play for younger members of the family.

Alexandra Palace is in a beautiful location with panoramic views over London, with excellent road and rail links, plentiful free parking and free shuttle buses from Alexandra Palace and Wood Green stations throughout the two days.

Family Tree Editor Helen Tovey said: ‘Family Tree Live 2020 is going to be another wonderful event for family history fans whatever stage of research you are at. With plenty of entertainment to keep your young genealogists enthralled too, why not bring the whole family? Hop aboard the Family Tree Live bus for an unforgettable experience in this special anniversary year marking 75 years since the end of the Second World War.’

Day tickets include lectures and workshops (bookable online) and expert one-to-one sessions and start from only £13 (under-16s free, concs available). Visit www.familytreelive.co.uk to find out more and buy tickets.

(With thanks to Karen Clare)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Bedfordshire colour tithe maps added to TheGenealogist

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

Bedfordshire Colour Tithe Maps added to TheGenealogist

TheGenealogist has just released a collection of Colour Tithe Maps for Bedfordshire to join the previously published greyscale maps in their National Tithe Records collection. This release of attractive colour digitised maps will provide the family historian with highly detailed plans sourced from The National Archives (TNA). TheGenealogist has linked these to the appropriate apportionment books that provide researchers with the details of the plots, their owners and their occupiers at the time that the survey was taken in Victorian times. These make the maps easier to understand as the streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, houses and trees are often highlighted in different colours.

Subscribers to TheGenealogist’s Diamond membership can now select to view the latest colour or grayscale maps when using the Tithe & Landowner records for this county of England.

The new release covers:

• Bedfordshire colour tithe maps showing plots of land
• The years 1837 to 1855 with some much later plans for any altered apportionments
• Owners and Occupiers recorded means that all levels of society were surveyed

These tagged colour maps join the previously released apportionment record books, national greyscale maps and colour maps for Warwickshire, Rutland, Huntingdonshire, Buckinghamshire, City of York, Middlesex, Northumberland, Surrey, Westmorland, and the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire. The National Tithe Records collection gives the family history researcher the ability to search by name and keyword (for example parish or county) to look for property holdings from large estate owners to occupiers of small plots such as a homestead, or a cottage.

Read the article, Bedfordshire Tithe Records pinpoint ancestors’ homes large and small at:
https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2019/bedfordshire-tithe-records-pinpoint-ancestors-homes-1206/

(With thanks to Nick Thorne)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts 4 November 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Hackney records added to Lloyd George Domesday Survey

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

Hackney Area Lloyd George Domesday records added to TheGenealogist’s Map Explorer™

TheGenealogist has just released the Hackney maps and field books into its property ownership and occupancy record set, The Lloyd George Domesday Survey. Family historians can use this unique online resource to see where an ancestor lived in the 1910-1915 period for a number of areas and will extend out across the country in time.

These records make use of TheGenealogist’s powerful new Map Explorer™ to access the maps and residential data, so that those who want to discover where their ancestors lived in the period before the First World War are able to see the district as it was in that period. Because these large scale maps include plots for the exact properties and are married to various georeferenced historic map overlays and modern base maps on the Map Explorer™,by using the opacity controls researchers can see how the land has changed. The Lloyd George Domesday Survey records are sourced from The National Archives and are being digitised by TheGenealogist.

This release includes the following areas: Clapton, Dalston, Hackney, Homerton, Hornsey South, Hoxton, Kingsland, Moorfields, South Hackney, Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington and West Hackney.

• TheGenealogist’s Lloyd George Domesday Survey records zoom down to show individual properties on extremely detailed maps used in 1910-1915
• Fully searchable by name, county, parish and street
• The transparency slider reveals a modern street map underlay
• Change the base map displayed to more clearly understand what the area looks like today

Read about how the Hackney Landowner and Occupier records detail the last days of a Highwayman’s Inn
https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2019/hackney-landowner-and-occupier-records-and-the-highwaymans-inn-1204/


Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts 4 November 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

English and Welsh GRO adds recent deaths indexes

From the English and Welsh General Register Office (GRO) at www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/login.asp

Website Improvements

Welcome to the new look website for the General Register Office which was updated on 12th September 2019

We are currently adding to our online indexes which will help you identify and apply for copies of our records. We have now added online indexes for deaths registered between 1984 to 2019.

We will notify you here when more indexes are added online.

COMMENT: Fair play to the English GRO, it's about time! Here's hoping births and marriages follow soon.

Looking at you now Northern Ireland...

(With thanks to Karen Cummings and the Census Detectives via Twitter)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts 4 November 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

The Genealogy Show announces speakers for 2020 event

The Genealogy Show has announced its speakers for the next show in 2020.

Giving the keynote talks will be

Celia Heritage
Fiona Fitzsimons
Maureen Taylor
Roberta Estes

Additional speakers include:

Daniel Smith Ramos
Dave Annal
Doreen Hopwood
Jacqui Kirk
Janet Few
Jean-Marc Bazzoni
Jenni Phillips
Jill Ball
John Boeren
Kai Michael Poppe
Karen Cummings
Les Mitchinson
Lynn Palermo
Mags Gaulden
Maya Hirschman
Michelle Leonard
Nathan Dylan Goodwin
Robert Bristow
Robert Parker
Ruth Blair
Steven Jackson

The event will be held on Friday 26th & Saturday 27th June at The National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England.

Further details are available at https://thegenealogyshow.uk - details of the talks programme itself will be made available soon.

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts 4 November 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

FindmyPast adds Liverpool 1801 census

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

1801 Lancashire, Liverpool Census
Discover your Scouse ancestor’s address, occupation and who they were living with in 1801 with over 13,000 new and exclusive early census records. Images will provide additional information about your ancestor’s abode.

Cornwall Burials
Over 75,000 new records covering 52 parishes across the Cornish peninsula are now available to search. These transcripts reveal when and where your ancestor was buried, their age at death, residence and relatives’ names.

Kent Burials
12,000 new records have been added to the collection this week. The majority of these new additions cover Swanscombe municipal cemetery and will reveal where and when your ancestor was buried as well as the names of their spouse and father.

New Zealand, Women's Suffrage Petition
Was your ancestor involved in the women’s suffrage movement in New Zealand? Discover if your ancestor signed the unsuccessful 1892 women’FindmyPast adds 1801 census for Liverpools franchise petition or the 1893 petition that finally succeeded in granting women the right to vote in New Zealand.

British & Irish Newspaper Update
Over 66,000 new pages have been added this week, including two brand new titles and updates to seven existing titles. Our two new titles, the Huntly Express and the Highland news, both hail from the Scottish Highlands and date from late 1800s. We have also added new pages to the Aberdeen Press and Journal, Birmingham Daily Gazette, Aberdeen Evening Express, Staffordshire Sentinel, Irvine Herald, Ayrshire Post and the Sandwell Evening Mail.

Further details and links at https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/new/new-records-from-liverpool-cornwall-kent-and-new-zealand

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts 4 November 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

FamilySearch adds new Oxfordshire and Yorkshire collections

FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org) has added two new small English records collections:

England, Oxfordshire Parish Registers 1538-1904 (826 indexed records)

https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3293406
Source: “The original records are held at various record custodians.”

England, Yorkshire Marriage Bonds and Allegations, 1613-1887 (96 indexed records)

https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3477664
Source: “Church of England marriage bonds and allegations from the Diocese of York and Diocese of Ripon both in Yorkshire from 1613 to 1887. The original records are held at the Borthwick Institute.”

For other releases from the US, Canada, and South America, visit https://media.familysearch.org/new-free-historical-records-on-familysearch-week-of-28-october-2019/

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts 4 November 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

FindmyPast adds Norfolk and Dundee records

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

New Norfolk Parish Records
More than 1.4 million new Norfolk parish registers are now available to search. Published online in association with the Norfolk Record Office, these new records span more than 500 years (1464 to 1993) of Norfolk history and add more than 500 new parishes to our existing collection of Norfolk records.
Created from over 2,500 original handwritten registers.

Scotland, Forfarshire (Angus), Dundee Trade & Postal Directories 1783-1842
Explore nine Scottish trade and postal directories from Dundee spread over 1783 to 1842. Directories are a valuable source for your family history research, revealing your ancestor’s trade or occupation and address.

British & Irish Newspapers
This week we have added 130,418 new pages to The Archive, including one brand new title the Strathearn Herald.
We have also updated six of our existing Scottish titles including the Arbroath Guide, the Aberdeen Press and Journal and the Aberdeen Evening Express, the West Lothian Courier, the North British Daily Mail and the Staffordshire Sentinel.

For further information and links visit https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/new/new-norfolk-records-covering-500-parishes

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts 4 November 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.