FFHS to become Family History Federation

From the Federation of Family History Societies (www.ffhs.org.uk):

FEDERATION OF FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETIES IS CHANGING ITS NAME

• The Federation of Family History Societies is rebranding as 'Family History Federation'
• Rebranding to Family History Federation will officially launch at Family Tree Live in April 2019 along with a new-look website.

The rebranding to Family History Federation acknowledges that the membership of the Federation is wider than just family history societies, encompassing a range of associated organisations. ‘Family History Federation’ also reflects how its focus is firmly on family history: the primary purpose being to encourage, educate and support all family historians.

The Family History Federation will launch at Family Tree Live, at Alexandra Palace on 26 April 2019 which is opportune as this new event is brought to London thanks to a partnership between Family Tree magazine and the Federation. A new website will showcase member organisations and act as a gateway for family historians to find the help and expertise they need to grow their tree.

Ian Waller, Publicity Officer for the Federation, said “As we move forward as a Federation we are working towards encouraging more and more people who pursue their family history to become actively involved in their local organisations and to make it easier for them to find help, gain knowledge and be aware of the many resources available to them as they pursue this absorbing hobby.”

Steve Manning, Education Officer for the Federation, added “The Federation has a long heritage, which we are very proud of, but it is still important to look to the future, so that the Federation can continue to help grow camaraderie among family historians and encourage them to tap into experienced groups well into the 21st century.“

About the Federation
The Family History Federation is an educational charity with member organisations throughout the world. Most of these focus on a particular geographical area or on a specific surname but there are other specialist organisations with associated disciplines. Using its website, social media and other means of communication, the Federation ensures that family history news, book reviews and guidance on how to learn more about the subject are readily available to the general public as well as to its member organisations.

Contact details
For more information, please contact:
Emma Waltham, Marketing Manager

emma@ffhs.org.uk

Family History Federation
PO Box 62
Sheringham
NR26 9AR

www.ffhs.org.uk

(With thanks to @FederationFHS)

Chris

My next Scottish Research Online course starts March 11th 2019 - see www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. 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.

FindmyPast and FFHS renew partnership

From FindmyPast (www.findmypast.com):

FINDMYPAST AND FEDERATION OF FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETIES RENEW ONLINE PARTNERSHIP

· Findmypast and Federation of Family History Societies announce 10 year renewal of their exclusive partnership
· Over 48 million records released in partnership since 2007

Leading family history website Findmypast and the Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS) have today announced that their exclusive partnership has been renewed for a further 10 years.

Findmypast and FFHS originally joined forces in 2007. Since then, over 48 million FFHS records have been transferred to the Findmypast website to join a growing collection of over 8 billion records.

As a result of the partnership, Findmpast now publishes records from over 100 different family history societies across England, Wales and Scotland and is home to the largest online collection of UK parish records containing data from every county in England and Wales. Findmypast has also benefited from the expertise of local society transcribers who possess intimate knowledge of local place names and surnames, resulting in a far more accurate search experience for Findmypast customers.

The partnership will continue to offer numerous benefits to contributing family history societies. By hosting their records on Findmypast, local societies’ data becomes searchable in the context of a vast range of records and, as the largest UK-based provider of online genealogical data, Findmypast is able provide the appropriate platform to drive much greater traffic and usage. This will result in greater awareness for currently underused datasets, generating increased revenue and recognition for the Federation’s member societies.

Individual societies will continue to receive royalties each time their records are accessed and each society is acknowledged on Findmypast whenever their records are displayed. Findmypast is committed to supporting local groups in this way and will continue to provide pages for each contributing society containing membership information and a link to their website.

Paul Nixon, head of UK licensing at Findmypast said; “We are delighted that FFHS has renewed its commitment to Findmypast. FFHS is one of our longest-standing and most valued partners and the continuation of this relationship ensures a safe haven for over 48m parish records which continue to be enormous benefit and interest to our worldwide audience.”

Steven Benson, chairman of FFHS, said: "I too am delighted that we are extending our long-standing relationship with FMP. The new arrangement will be beneficial both to the Federation and to our member societies, who we hope will continue to provide quality data for the benefit of family historians worldwide."


Chris

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

Northamptonshire Archives Early Wills Project blog

Thanks to Francis Howcutt of the Federation of Family History Societies in England (www.ffhs.org.uk) for flagging up an interesting blog entitled Northamptonshire Archives Early Wills Project: Conservation of 28 volumes of Tudor and Stuart Wills.

The blog's purpose is outlined as follows:

This blog is a chronicle of The Early Wills Project to conserve 28 volumes of Tudor and Stuart Wills held by Northamptonshire Archives Service. The work is being carried out by Book and Paper Conservator Alison Faden and began in December 2013.

Although the blog has not been updated since the middle of 2014, it does provide some excellent background content to the project, as well as many well illustrated posts - well worth a read at https://northamptonshireearlywillsproject.wordpress.com.

(With thanks to Francis Howcutt - original story at http://www.ffhs.org.uk/news/news160103.php)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including my recently released Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Herefordshire Archives and Records Centre now open

With thanks to the Federation of Family History Societies and Phil Bufton of Herefordshire FHS for the following:

The new Herefordshire Archives and Records Centre (HARC) is now open to the public, We are open Tuesday to Friday 9.15am to 4.45pm and all day the second Saturday of every month
Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre will be officially opened by HRH Duke of Kent KG, in the morning of Thursday 1st October 2015.

Please note that all visitors attending between 9:00 – 13:00 on this day will require identification and proof of address. Suitable forms of identification include driver's license, passport, national identity card, birth certificate, current utility bill, bank statement or council tax bill etc. A CARN reader's ticket alone will NOT be accepted as proof of identity for these hours.
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/local-history-and-heritage/archives-getting-involved

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including my recently released Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Cumbria FHS family history fair and conference events

Cumbria Family History Society is holding a weekend conference 30th October-1st November 2015 at Crooklands Hotel, near Kendal. There are still spaces available on this residential conference, and a daily rate is also available. Further details, including a downloadable leaflet with the full programme itinerary, are available at http://cumbriafhs.com/smfmsgbrd/?topic=5501

The society is also holding a family history fair the week before on Saturday October 24th 2015, at the Shepherds Inn, Carlisle, with vendors and speakers in attendance. Further details are available at http://cumbriafhs.com/cumbria/pdf/Carlisle%20Fair%20Flyer.pdf

(With thanks to the FFHS and Cumbria FHS)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including my recently released Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.

English boundary maps on London FamilySearch Centre website

From the Federation of Family History Societies (www.ffhs.org.uk):

England Jurisdiction Maps

The London FamilySearch Centre can be found on the first floor of The National Archives at Kew. It is extensively used by family historians who consult its large stock of films of parish registers and other resources.

The Centre's recently upgraded website now includes a series of interactive maps showing the boundaries of a range of key jurisdictions in England as at 1851. The separate layers available include:

Counties
Civil registration districts
Dioceses
Poor Law Unions
Hundreds

For each layer, you can zoom in to parish level and confirm the relevant jurisdiction. Readers can choose from three different background options:

Map: A simple map
Satellite: Modern arial view
Ordnance Survey: 19th-century Ordnance Survey map

When you find an locality of interest, you can home in on "street view" or follow up a range of options such as compiling a list of parishes within a particular district. Your search can also move on to discover associated material in the Library catalogue and Research Wiki .

Navigation is supported by a written introduction.

This facility is a major boost for anyone with English ancestry. It is particularly helpful if you do not live in the same area as your forebears and are unfamiliar with the record-keeping organisations that operated there in the past.

The facility is available at http://londonfamilyhistory.org/jurisdiction-maps/

(With thanks to Francis Howcutt and Philippa McCray)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including my recently released Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.

Huguenot Museum in Rochester

The Federation of Family History Societies  (www.ffhs.org.uk) has news of the recently opened Huguenot Museum in Rochester, Britain's first museum of Huguenot history.

The article is available at http://ffhs.org.uk/news/news150722.php, with the museum's own website available at http://huguenotmuseum.org/.

(With thanks to the FFHS)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including my recently released Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.

English and Welsh 2021 census consultation

From the Federation of Family History Societies (www.ffhs.org.uk), concerning a consultation on the future of the English and Welsh census (note that the Northern Irish and Scottish censuses are independently organised from those of England and Wales within the UK):

Send In Your Census Shopping List

Ever since 1841, the census has created comprehensive snapshots of information about people living in the British Isles. Each census is a vital source for family historians - including those in a 100 years' time who will want to find out about us and our contemporaries.

The next census in England and Wales will take place in 2021. To help prepare for this, the Office for National Statistics is asking the public which types of information they think should be included. It is important to focus on details that we need to know about each person but were not fully covered in 2011, such as:

• Names in full, including maiden names
• Full place of birth - i.e. village, town or city; county (or local equivalent) and country.

The census consultation website is only a click away - see https://consultations.ons.gov.uk/census/2021-census-topics-consultation

This opportunity is open to everyone, whether individuals or organisations. You can answer as many or as few of the questions as you wish.

Don't delay in having your say - the closing date is Thursday 27 August 2015.

The Federation has already submitted its own response to the consultation (click here - a PDF file will download). You are welcome to include material from it, if you wish, when you send in your own response.

(With thanks to Phillippa McCray at the FFHS)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including my recently released Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.

English Civil War conference in August

From the Federation of Family History Societies (via Facebook www.facebook.com/FederationFHS)

Leicester University's Centre for English Local History has organised a major international conference to celebrate the opening of the National Civil War Centre at Newark Museum. The event will take place over two full days on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August. It features a total of 19 presentations on the theme "Mortality, Care and Military Welfare during the British Civil Wars".

You can see the full programme on the conference website, along with the booking arrangements and details of nearby overnight accommodation.

Further details at http://www2.le.ac.uk/conference/militarywelfare2015?uol_r=3619a340

(With thanks to the FFHS)

Chris

For details on my latest book Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, and my other genealogy guide books please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. To commission me for genealogical research, please visit my research site at www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk.

Steve Benson takes over chair of FFHS

Congratulations to the new chairman of the English based Federation of Family History Societies (www.ffhs.org.uk), Steve Benson, who takes over the reigns from David Holman.

Further details of Steve's appointment, including a photograph of him receiving his chain of office from the organisation's president, Nick Barratt, can be found on the home page of the website.

Chris

For details on my latest book Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, and my other genealogy guide books please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. To commission me for genealogical research, please visit my research site at www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk.

New opening hours for Essex Record Office

News of hours changes at Essex Record Office. From Monday 6th April 2015 it will close on Mondays and on alternate Saturdays. The new opening hours are:

Monday: (closed)
Tuesday: 10am - 8pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 10am - 5pm
Friday: 9am - 4pm
Saturday: alternate Saturday opening, 9am - 4pm

Full details are available at www.essex.gov.uk/Libraries-Archives/Record-Office/Pages/Record-Office.aspx

(With thanks to Beryl Evans at the Federation of Family History Societies and Ann Church of Essex FHS)

Chris

For details on my range of genealogy guide books please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. To commission me for genealogical research, please visit my research site at www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk.

Paving the way to a GRO based England's and Wales' People style service

The London based Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk) is reporting that the Westminster Government has accepted an amendment to its Deregulation Bill which will allow for the publication of information from GRO issued vital registers for births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales, in a manner beyond the issue of a formally certified, and expensive, certificate.

At the moment genealogists in England and Wales are second class citizens within the United Kingdom when it comes to accessing historic records, which cost £10 each to purchase from local superintendent registrars' services, or £9.25 each from the English and Welsh GRO based at Southport (www.gro.gov.uk). By contrast, although official Scottish certificates are £12 each, and Northern Irish certificates are £15 each, there are alternative, and much cheaper means of access - for Scotland, via the ScotlandsPeople website (www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk) and the ScotlandsPeople Centre service (www.scotlandspeoplehub.gov.uk), and in Northern Ireland via the GENI service at www.geni.nidirect.gov.uk, the search room facility at the GRONI in Belfast (www.nidirect.gov.uk/gro), as well as a cheap photocopy extract service for pre-1922 BMD records provided by the GRO in the Republic of Ireland (www.welfare.ie/en/pages/general-register-office.aspx).

Commenting on the announcement, the SoG's genealogist Else Churchill said “Having worked for over 15 years to reform the GRO system and to gain better access to this vital information for family historians in non-certified form I am delighted that the Government has at last paved the way for a more efficient and cost effective service encompassing modern technology.” The full announcement, including discussion from the parliamentary proceedings via Hansard, is accessible at www.sog.org.uk/news/article/gro-information-on-births-marriages-and-death-doesnt-have-to-on-expensive-c.

Whilst this announcement does not in itself create an England's and Wales' People type service, it does remove the barrier to such a provision being made. For too long those seeking ancestral records from England and Wales have been ignored in seeking a solution, and should no longer be discriminated against on economic grounds simply because they wish to note who their ancestors were. It will be interesting to see how - and indeed, if - this develops further.

(With thanks to the SoG and the FFHS)

Chris

For details on my range of genealogy guide books please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. To commission me for genealogical research, please visit my research site at www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk.

Carmarthenshire Archives - temporary closure

The following note re: Carmarthenshire Archives has just been sent out by the Federation of Family History Societies (www.ffhs.org.uk) on behalf of the archive:

At Carmarthenshire Archives we are very proud of our collections which have been developed since our record office was established in 1959.As part of a county wide review on building a better archive service we are focusing on a number of elements including the collections’ care and management and building suitability. Unfortunately we have identified active mould growth in our strong rooms that has affected some of the collections. This is largely due to the building deteriorating and the current environment housing these documents.

As a result we have engaged specialist contractor, Harwell Document Restoration Services to remove the affected documents and carry out a thorough cleaning process. The documentation has to be transferred out of the county in order for this work to be done – see our terms of agreement. This work will be funded by Carmarthenshire Archive Service.

As we are having to review the suitability of our premises at Parc Myrddin we are transferring our family history enquiries to our libraries in Carmarthen and Llanelli. This will enable us to limit access to the site while works are being undertaken, and will make these records more accessible to the public with the benefit of extended opening hours.

We would like to take this opportunity to reassure you there will be no loss of information and that the cleaned documentation will be available and accessed by the public once this process is complete. We continue to work closely with The National Archives and the Welsh Government through CyMAL to ensure long term preservation of the collection as well as delivering an improved service for our visitors.

If you have any queries please contact Senior Cultural Services Manager, Jane Davies at janedavies@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or on 01554 742180.

Carmarthenshire Archives website is at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/english/leisure/archives/Pages/archivesrecords.aspx

(With thanks to Beryl Evans)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302

Temporary closure at Portsmouth History Centre

From the Federation of Family History Societies (www.ffhs.org.uk) in England, and Portsmouth History centre, news of a temporary archive closure:

We will shortly be moving our archive collections to new storage, and as a result Portsmouth History Centre will be closed from 17 to 28 November 2014. During this period staff will be unable to answer written or telephone enquiries. In preparation for the move many collections will be unavailable for study from 3 November until 5 December.

Please make your users aware of this. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Michael Gunton
Senior Archivist
Library and Archive Service
City Development and Cultural Services
Portsmouth City Council

Tel: 023 9283 4717 or 023 9268 8043
Email: Michael.Gunton@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

(With thanks to Beryl Evans and Michael Gunton)

Chris

Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks

FindmyPast adds Wakefield and Cleveland records

FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk) has added over 28,000 new Wakefield and District baptism records and 150,000 National Burial Index records from Cleveland.

The Wakefield and District baptisms contain 28,372 records comprised of transcripts of original parish registers made by the Wakefield and District Family History Society. The new additions cover 9 parishes: Wakefield All Saints, Warmfield St Peter's, Chapelthorpe St James, Monk Bretton St Paul's, Felkirk St Peter's, Ryhill St James, Wragby St Michael's, Wakefield St Andrew's, South Ossett Christ Church, so there are now over 30 parishes from Wakefield district in West Yorkshire available to search on Findmypast.

150,000 more burial records, transcribed by the Cleveland Family History Society, have also been added to the site.

(With thanks to Alex Cox)

Chris

Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks

Province of York Cause Papers database

The Federation of Family History Societies has a news item online concerning the Province of York Cause Papers database online. From the article:

This searchable catalogue of over 14,000 sets of records relates to cases heard between 1300 and 1858 in the Church Courts of the diocese of York. Not all of the cases relate to people who lived in the diocese of York, as some concern appeals originating from other dioceses within the northern province of the Church of England.

The full piece is available at http://ffhs.org.uk/news/news140608.php

Chris

Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And FindmyPast - please reinstate the original Scottish census citations on your new site.

Pip, Squeak and Wilfred — First World War talks event in Woodstock

A one day conference is to be held at Marlborough School in Woodstock on June 28th, entitled Pip, Squeak and Wilfred — the record legacy of 1914-1918.

Sponsored by both Oxfordshire FHS and the Federation of Family History Societies, the full programme is available at http://news.ofhs.org.uk/psw/the-programme-for-pip-squeak-and-wilfred/ - a flyer is also online at http://news.ofhs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/PSW-22.pdf. Admission is £10.

Chris

Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And FindmyPast - please reinstate the original Scottish census citations on your new site.

Manorial Documents conference in Essex

From the Federation of Family History Societies (www.ffhs.org.uk):

Manorial Documents Conference – Saturday 12 July 2014
Essex Record Office is hosting a major conference at Chelmsford about tracing the past using manorial documents. It offers a first class opportunity to find out more about a treasure trove of material that is of great value for family history research.

Entitled “Essex through the ages: tracing the past using manorial documents”, the event marks the completion of Essex’s contribution to the Manorial Documents Register. A team of five expert speakers will address topics that include case studies relating to specific places in the county.

Whether you are an advanced researcher or have never seen such sources before, it is well worth discovering more about these fascinating documents and how they can be used for a variety of research projects. The event is also an excellent time to meet other enthusiasts.

The Conference runs from 10.30am – 3.30pm on Saturday 12 July. Admission costs £15 including refreshments and buffet lunch. Please book in advance on 01245 244644.

Posted on behalf of Francis Howcutt - Archives Liaison Officer

(With thanks to Philippa McCray of the FFHS)

UPDATE: More at http://www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk/conferences/

Chris

Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And FindmyPast - please reinstate the original Scottish census citations on your new site.

FFHS runs Australian themed WW1 competition

From the Federation of Family History Societies (www.ffhs.org.uk):

Competition in our Australasian really useful information leaflet
Deadline for submission of entries 30th June 2104

Do you have someone special in your family tree who served with the armed forces during the First World War?

Maybe they served with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and landed at Gallipoli together with troops from New Zealand, Britain, and France or maybe they were a citizen from another country and fought for that country. Perhaps they were decorated and their medal/s are still in your family today or maybe they were an unsung hero. Did their letters home survive and are now a special part of your family archive? Did they pay the ultimate sacrifice or did they return home to their loved ones? Whatever their story we would like to hear it.

The deadline for submission of entries for the competition in our Australasian really useful information leaflet is 30 June 2014. If you haven’t already submitted your entry, make sure you don’t miss the deadline! All entries must be accompanied by a completed Entry Form which can be found on the website. Entries can be submitted electronically and sent to admin@ffhs.org.uk with ‘COMPETITION’ as the subject heading or by post to: AFFHO, PO Box 3012, Weston Creek, ACT 2611, Australia. There are some great prizes on offer! You can download a copy of our Australasian really useful information leaflet here. NB Please note that the prizes offered are aimed at those researching their Australasian ancestors.

(With thanks to Philippa McCray)

Chris

Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And FindmyPast - please reinstate the original Scottish census citations on your new site.

Scottish family history societies at WDYTYA Live Glasgow

Announcement from the Scottish Association of Family History Societies (http://safhs.org.uk):

Scottish Association of Family History Societies & the Federation of Family History Societies - WDYTYA? Live Glasgow

STAND 13-20
Friday 29 – Sunday 31 August 2014
9.30 – 5.30 each day

Representation by members of:

Alloway & S Ayrshire FHS
Anglo Scots FHS
Borders FHS
Central Scotland FHS
Lancashire Heraldry & FHS
Largs & N Ayrshire FHS
Lothians FHS
Renfrewshire FHS
Scottish Genealogy Society
Tay Valley FHS

SAFHS will also be in attendance with The Federation of Family History Societies in the commercial section of the Show

Chris

Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And FindmyPast - please reinstate the original Scottish census citations on your new site.