Society of Genealogists announces search for new premises

From the London based Society of Genealogists (http://www.sog.org.uk):

Society of Genealogists looks to relocate

After two years of careful analysis and discussions the Trustees of the Society of Genealogists have concluded that that we have finally outgrown our premises in Clerkenwell and are seeking to relocate.

Charterhouse Buildings is our fifth home since the Society was founded in 1911. But after 35 years, the current library no longer provides adequate space and facilities for our needs and requires significant investment for major repairs, maintenance and IT.

Moving to more suitable premises will enable the Society to reinvest in our core services of providing the best genealogical library and collections in the UK, to continue and expand upon our education programme and to create a more convivial space for our members and users.

No decisions have yet been made about when we will move or where we will go. Rest assured no decision will be made until we have consulted widely and sought advice and input from our stakeholders. The process will no doubt take some time and it is unlikely to be less than a three to five-year period.

We hope that our members and friends will join us in this period of transformation and look forward to better times ahead.

For any further comment or questions please direct enquiries to June Perrin, Chief Executive Officer, Society of Genealogists ceo@sog.org.uk

(With thanks to Else Churchill)

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 Scottish Research Online course starts 2 September 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Society of Genealogists reader offer

Some news of a major update from the London based Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk), and a reader offer for all you wonderful followers of The GENES Blog:

The Society of Genealogist has announced its new membership structure and extra elements for the dedicated Members’ area for the website www.sog.org.uk . In addition to the existing digital data from the library collections the website now has an enhanced members’ Learning Zone with online courses, research aids, record guides and tips. This will be added to throughout the year with online beginners and intermediate level courses to follow shorty. Additionally the rather antiquated Rootsweb SoG members email service has been replaced with a dedicated themed members’ community hub for further education matters and members discussion, help and advice.

The membership fee has been restructured with new rates to create a dedicated associate online only (£56) membership and full membership (£80). Details are available on the SoG website at http://www.sog.org.uk/membership/.

Existing members and overseas members can be assured they will not see any change to status, voting rights or large increase in subs though we expect some overseas members in due course to become associate members.


Readers of The GENES Blog can receive a 25% discount on full or associate membership by using the code BG25 upon signing up. This offer will expires on 28 Feb 2018.

Don't say we're not good to ye now! :)

(With thanks to Else Churchill)

Chris

Needing a Christmas present for a family history obsessed love one (or for yourself)?! For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

UK national society closures for the holidays

The following UK national societies are closed for Christmas and the New Year, as follows:

Ulster Historical Foundation
(www.ancestryireland.com)

We wish to advise that the Foundation will be closed for the holiday period from 3:00pm Friday 23 December and will reopen again on Tuesday 03 January 2017.

On behalf of the staff, volunteers and trustees we would like to thank you for your custom, support and interest over the last year.

We would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.


Scottish Genealogy Society
(www.scotsgenealogy.com)

SEASONAL CLOSURE OF THE SGS LIBRARY
The Library & Family History Centre is now CLOSED and will reopen at 10.30 on Thursday 5 January 2017.


Society of Genealogists
(www.sog.org.uk)

The Society will be closed on the following dates:

Christmas 2016 - The Society will close at 6pm 22 December and re-open Wednesday 28 December
New Year holiday and 2017 stocktaking - The Society will close at 6pm on Thursday 29 December 2016 and re-open on Tuesday 10 January 2017

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Beginner's Guide to British and Irish Genealogy, 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.

Tracing Oxfordshire ancestors course at the Society of Genealogists

The Society of Genealogists in London (www.sog.org.uk) is running a short seminar/course on Saturday 29th October 2016, from 10:30 - 13:00, priced at £20 per person, the them of Oxfordshire based ancestry. Here's the blurb:

Tracing Ancestors in Oxfordshire

This course will give you an overview of researching Oxfordshire ancestors, showing you the wealth of information available online and in local archives, including new and more obscure sources. You’ll also find out about some of the projects undertaken by local genealogists and family historians and how these might help you with your own research.

with Sue Honore and Jessica Feinstein

To book, please visit www.sog.org.uk/books-courses/events-courses/tracing-ancestors-in-oxfordshire.

(With thanks to Wendy Archer from Oxfordshire FHS)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Beginner's Guide to British and Irish Genealogy, 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.

WDYTYA Live speaker handouts online

Many handouts for talks given at the recent Who Do You Think You Are Live show in Birmingham are now freely available online at the Society of Genealogists website at http://www.sog.org.uk/learn/who-do-you-think-you-are-live-2014-speakers-handouts/

(With thanks to John Reid at the Anglo-Celtic Connections blog)

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/.

Society of Genealogists events in March

From the Society of Genealogists in London (www.sog.org.uk):

There are still spaces on the following Society of Genealogists events taking place in March, further information about each event is listed below. All events with a charge must be pre-paid. To pay and book online, SoG members should remember to log in first, in order to receive the member discount. Non-members are welcome to attend events, at the full price. Events can also be booked by telephone (Tuesday-Thursdays & Saturdays) at the number listed below. All events take place at our premises in London, unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday, 2 March 12:00 - Surname Searching: Society of Genealogists Pedigrees Offline
With so many people tracing their family history it’s quite possible something may already have been published on the family you are interested in or a cousin may also be working on the line. Find out if anyone else is or has been researching the same family as you by looking at useful archive sources at the SoG.
A 30 minute lecture with Else Churchill, Free of charge, but must be pre-booked.

Wednesday, 2 March 14:00 - What's New at Findmypast
This talk will give an overview of the recent addition of family history databases at the findmypast website, including the best way to search the website.
A one-hour lecture with Myko Clelland Free of charge, but must be pre-booked.

Saturday, 5 March 10:30-13:00 Tracing Living Relatives
Do you want to find living relatives? Why would this be important in your research? Not know how to set about it? What sources, websites and research techniques will help you to track them down? Illustrated with a case study, this talk will give you lots of ideas and many of the answers.
A half-day course with Dr Geoff Swinfield, FSG Cost 20.00/16.00

Wednesday 9 March 14:00 - My Ancestor Made Hats
Where did you get that hat? Where did you get that tile?
Until the advent of the motor-car, no-one was ‘properly dressed’ without their hat be it topper, flat cap, wideawake or bowler and many of our ancestors were responsible for making those hats.
This one-hour lecture explores the history of the manufacture of hats from felt, the silk top hat, straw hats from Luton and Bedfordshire to the hatting town of Stockport - as well as fashionable confections produced by milliners.
A one-hour lecture with Adele Emm Cost 8.00/6.40

Saturday, 12 March 10:30-13:00 - Education Records for Family Historians
Schools, universities, reformatories and adult academies were provided by the State, charities, endowments, religious bodies and individuals. The surviving records of student admissions and attendances, honours, awards and punishments, teachers’ log books, managers’ and governors’ meetings are valuable sources for genealogists. In this lecture Dr Colin R Chapman describes the background to a variety of educational establishments in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland from the 16th to the 20th centuries and the current whereabouts of their records.
A half-day course with Dr Colin Chapman, FSG Cost 20.00/16.00

Wednesday, 16 March 12:00 - Records of the Great Courts of Chancery and Exchequer
Chancery and Exchequer records start from after the Civil War, after the minor courts they replaced closed in 1641. The lecturer will discuss how to best use these records as a family history source.
A one-hour lecture with Michael Gandy, FSG Cost 8.00/6.40

Wednesday, 16 March 14:00 - The Letter of the Law: Legislation for Family Historians
The records which we use to research our family history are largely the result of a variety of Acts of Parliament. A good understanding of the legislation behind the census returns, parish registers and civil registration records (and many more) can make an enormous difference when it comes to interpreting the information left behind by our ancestors. This talk will look at the major pieces of legislation from Thomas Cromwell’s ‘order’ which established the parish register system in 1538, through the various Census Acts and the ground-breaking 1836 Act for the registering of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in England to investigate how the legislation can impact on your research.
A one-hour lecture with Dave Annal Cost 8.00/6.40

Wednesday, 30 March 14:00 - Marriage in Wales in the 18th and 19th Centuries: Legal, Clandestine or Informal
Anna Brueton's Ph.D. research concerned courtship, marriage and illegitimacy in West Wales. In this talk she considers whether the widespread belief that 'Marriage ceremonies ... were frequently informal, clandestine or irregular' has any basis, using her own work and recent research into marriage in England.
A one-hour lecture with Dr Anna Brueton Cost 8.00/6.40

Thursday-Saturday, 7-9 April - Who Do You Think You Are? Live! Show - NEC Birmingham
Show tickets to the country’s largest and most comprehensive family history
Event are now on sale. You can purchase two adult tickets for £26*. To claim this exclusive offer and purchase tickets visit www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.com or call 0844 873 7330. Please quote: SOG2426.
* £2.25 transaction fee applies. Offer ends 1 April 2016.

(With thanks to Lori Weinstein)

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/.

Society of Genealogists events in London

Forthcoming talks and courses in January 2016 from the Society of Genealogists in London (www.sog.org.uk):

Wednesday, 13 January 14:00 - Discovering Discovery: Using The National Archives Website and Catalogue
Discovery is The National Archives online catalogue and holds more than 32 million descriptions of records held by The National Archives and more than 2,500 archives across the country. Millions of records are available for download, find out what can be found in the catalogue and how to get the best from the website.
A one-hour lecture with Guy Grannum, Discovery Product Manager at The National Archives. Free of charge, but must be pre-booked.

Thursday, 14 January 18:00-20:00 - Stage 1 Evening Skills Course (10 weeks)
The Society's successful family history skills course begins again with the first ten-week series of classes for those who are new to family history or who have had a little experience and want to build upon their initial progress. Our team of professional genealogists will introduce the records and illustrate how they should best be used for the study of family history. Publications, electronic finding aids and the internet will, of course, be included along with all the basic sources needed to start research. Topics will include how to get started, how to best search the census, newspapers, probate, parish registers, Non-Anglican family History and more.
With Else Churchill, John Hanson, Simon Fowler and Ian Waller.
Thursday evenings (last class 17 March) Cost 175.00/140.00, Please see further information about Stage 2 and Stage 3 courses, on our website.

Saturday, 16 January 14:00-17:00 - Researching Irish Family Life in the Famine Years
80% of today’s English people have Irish ancestry and this seminar looks at Irish lives in the rural west of Ireland in the famine years between about 1800 and 1850.
In the first talk, we will look at how people lived; their houses, possessions, food, work, education, entertainment, etc. It touches on politics, social attitudes and the reasons for mass poverty and emigration.
The second talk discusses how to use such facts as these to build your own family history in places, like Ireland, where few real records survive. It looks at subjects such as additional places to search and how to follow leads, how to put the story together and to what extent you can judge events of 200 years ago by modern standards. It opens up a whole area of family history beyond the collecting of birth, marriage, death and census data. If you have just a few facts, this seminar will start you on a family quest that will be engrossing, interesting and, with luck, extremely rewarding.
A half-day course with Stephen Lally, Cost 20.00/16.00

Wednesday, 20 January 14:00 - Copyright for Family History
Copyright applies to photographs, diaries, paintings, film clips and many other works. This talk will aim to cover some of the issues you might face with copyright works in your family history, including how long copyright lasts, when you might or might not need permission to use the works, and what you can do if you cannot find the right holder and would like to copy the work. This talk will be especially useful for those considering publication of their family history.
A one-hour talk with staff from the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the official government body responsible for intellectual property rights including patents, designs, trademarks and copyright.
Cost 8.00/6.40

Saturday, 23 January 10:30-13:00 - Research Before Parish Registers
Pre 1600 research is an entirely different "ballgame" with many records existing that can be useful. Many such records continued beyond 1600 but are under-used. Some family historians think they have to stop researching when parish registers end. How wrong you are! Come see what is available.
A half-day course with Ian Waller, FSG Cost 20.00/16.00

Wednesday, 27 January 14:00 - Catching up with FamilySearch
The familysearch.org website is the largest family history website in the world, with billions of names across thousands of collections - and more are added monthly. Learn what new major databases have been added, how to find this information, and how to best use the website.
A one-hour lecture with Sharon Hintze. Free, but must be pre-booked.

Thursday, 28 January 14:00 - Visit: St-Mary-le-Bow Church
We will learn about the history of this famous church and the great architecture of Sir Christopher Wren, in particular relating to the famous steeple. Inside the church we will look at the post-war rebuilding by Lawrence King, the beautiful stained glass windows by John Hayward and the other modern furnishings.
The church has many international connections, including significant ones with the USA, Norway, Germany and Australia. It also possesses an 11th century crypt, part of it now an elegant chapel, the rest of it used as a restaurant, set among many of the original Norman arches.
With Tony Tucker Cost 10.00/8.00 (appx 1 hour)

Saturday, 30 January 10:30-13:00 - East London, Kent & Essex in the 18th Century
The emphasis of this course will be on the movement of people, money and goods backwards and forwards between East London and the counties - the pattern being very different between Kent and Essex. Come and learn more about these areas, and subsequently more about your ancestors during this important time.
A half-day course with Derek Morris Cost 20.00/16.00

Saturday, 30 January 14:00-17:00 - Good Research Techniques
This course will take an in-depth look at the best ways to research in order to avoid making mistakes as well as how to get the most out of the records you use. We will also look at the likely causes of brick walls you may meet during the course of your research and the best way to tackle them. Sources covered include BMDs, census and parish records.
A half-day course with Celia Heritage Cost 20.00/16.00

Further details at http://www.sog.org.uk/books-courses/events-courses

(With thanks to Lori Weinstein)

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/.

Society of Genealogists events in London

The Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk) in London still has some spaces for the following events:

Sat 14 Nov 10:30-13:00 – DNA for Beginners
This course is aimed at beginners and will explain the three different types of DNA test that can be used as an aid to family history research: Y-DNA testing, mitochondrial DNA testing and autosomal DNA testing, and how it applies to family history research.
A half-day course with Debbie Kennett, Cost 20.00/16.00

Wed 18 Nov 14:00 – The 1939 Register: The Home Front from your Own Home
Findmypast family historian Myko Clelland will describe the 1939 register, one of the biggest family history record sets to be released in recent years. Learn the history behind the records, the details included within, the scope of the project to digitise them and all the search tips and tricks you need to be a 1939 expert!
A one-hour lecture, Cost 8.00/6.40 Note this is a late addition to our programme.

Wed 25 Nov 14:00 - My Ancestor was Catholic
We will learn more about how to use the wealth of historical records available to help you unlock your Catholic ancestors' past.
A one-hour lecture with Michael Gandy Cost 8.00/6.40

Sat 12 Dec 10:30-17:00 - Family Historian Software for Beginners and Refreshers
An overview of this popular and useful software, designed specifically for UK users. Bring your questions along. This course is suitable for Beginners and Refreshers. A laptop is not required.
A full-day course with John Hanson, Cost 35.00/28.00

Full details via the website.

(With thanks to Lori Weinstein via email)

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/.

Society of Genealogists certificates of recognition awarded

Congratulations to both Wendy Hibbitt and Peter Higginbotham on receiving certificates of recognition from the London based Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk). The certificates are for 'exceptional contributions to genealogy by individuals and institutions'.

For the full story visit http://www.sog.org.uk/news/article/society-of-genealogists-certificate-of-recognition-2015-awards-and-2016-nom

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.

Society of Genealogists summer membership offer

From the Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk), based in London:

Hi there fellow genealogy enthusiasts.

Have you heard about our summer special offer? If you would like to join or re-join as a member of the Society we will, until the end of August, waive the normal GBP 10.00 joining fee. So all you pay is GBP 51.00 inland or GBP 33.00 overseas for over a year’s membership.

We now have over 13 million records available online to members, and you can do a surname search online. Have a look at our index of SoG records available online at www.sog.org.uk/search-records/whats-on-sog-data-online/

Our catalogue listing our collection of books and research resources here at the Library is also available online. Go to http://s10312uk.eos-intl.eu/S10312UK/OPAC/Index.aspx

You can join online at or an application form can be printed from www.sog.org.uk/membership.

More information about the Society can be found at www.sog.org.uk.

While stocks last, you will also receive a free My Heritage, Family Tree Builder Genealogy software CD.

Please use or quote code SSP15 on the website or in the space provided on your application form to waive the joining fee.

Why not do this now, the offer runs out on Bank Holiday Monday and if it’s good weather you won’t want to be inside signing up when you could be out and about.

(With thanks to Jacki Ellis, Membership Officer)

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.

Second British GENES monthly podcast now available

The second edition of my new monthly British GENES podcast is now available, and I've tried to step things up a wee bit!

In this month's edition, loosely themed on the topic of co-operation and collaboration, I'm running with the following - there are two interviews recorded in Portugal at the second Genealogy in the Sunshine event, with Peter Calver of Lost Cousins (www.lostcousins.com), and Else Churchill of the Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk); information on the Scottish Genealogy Network; and why you should use family history societies, and where to find them.

Oh, and of course, most importantly, my congratulations to Ireland for winning the Six Nations (apologies - includes my really bad bodhrán playing)!

This podcast, at just over 30 minutes in length, is presented below:



It can also be directly accessed at https://soundcloud.com/chrismpaton/genes-podcast-02-25-mar-2015, where you can listen to it or download it to your device.

As well as being hosted on Soundcloud, the British GENES podcasts are also now available on iTunes, again, free of charge. Simply search for British GENES and it should be found in the podcasts category - or you can subscribe directly with the following RSS feed - http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:100412349/sounds.rss

Enjoy, and please do let me know what you think!

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.

Society of Genealogists' workshop programme at WDYTYA Live Birmingham NEC

The Society of Genealogists' workshop timetable for Who Do You Think You Are Live 2015 at the Birmingham NEC from 16th-18th April is now available at www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.com/workshop-timetable, with plenty of interesting talks from a range of great speakers. I've not submitted any proposals this year, so hope to be able to attend one or two (I've yet to attend a single talk since I first started going!)!

I will however be at the event helping out on the Unlock the Past stand to help promote the company's genealogy cruises and range of books, many of which are published in the UK by My History also (see www.my-history.co.uk/acatalog/Unlock-the-Past-Booklets.html).

For more on the WDYTYA event, including how to boo tickets, please visit www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.com.

Hope to see you there!

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.

Society of Genealogists responds to London Probate Service search room closure

The following response to the Probate Service's announcement that it is to close its London based search room imminently (see my earlier post at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/english-welsh-wills-to-go-online-but.html) has been received from the Society of Genealogists:

Genealogists will be aware that an online index of wills from 1996 to the present has been available since October 2014. However this index has severe limitations. The search functionality is very limited – particularly when searching for a common name or if you do not have an indication of the year of death.

The Society of Genealogists has already told the Court Service that adding a place or address search (as is noted in earlier printed and fiche indexes) could help enormously when trying to identify someone with a common name. There will be genealogists who will be interested in obtaining all wills for people with a particular surname in common from all years. Limiting the search to a year of death makes such broad searches very impractical. This it would be better to have a wider date search range than just one year of death

Other members have pointed out that it is very disappointing to discover that the search engine provided for wills from 1996 does not include the same level of information as the existing calendars. Specifically, all versions of the calendars from 1858 to date include the address of the deceased, whether searched in the annual calendar books (for grants dated 1858-1992), on microfiche (1993-5) or on the Probateman computer database (1996-present). If a search is to be made for someone with a relatively common name and the exact date of death is not known, your new search engine will not provide any way of positively identifying the correct person.

The Courts Service have been asked whether there any plan to add the address of the deceased to the list of search results at a later date? If not it was asked whether any assurance could be given that the London search room will remain open so that a manual search can still be made? Otherwise, the online search will not be fit for purpose as it will not enable a searcher to order the correct copy.

Clearly the Court Service does not intend keep the search room open. We do not know if the Court Service will take our suggestions on board when providing an online to wills back to 1858. It is evidently not sensible to introduce a new and essentially untried online ordering system while at the same time withdrawing the personal service and search room at the Principal Probate Registry at the Royal Courts of Justice. The Society will be represented at the user meeting in December and will report back accordingly.

(With thanks to Else Churchill)

Chris

Stuck for a Christmas gift?! I have a series of genealogy books available in the UK, Australia and Canada, on Scottish, Irish and British based subject areas. Further details at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. Santa approves!

Society of Genealogists events in December

From the Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk) in London:

The following Society of Genealogists Events will take place in December. To book a place online, visit our website at: www.sog.org.uk/books-courses/events-courses/

Sat 6 Dec 10:30-17:00 Family Historian Software for Beginners and Refreshers
An overview of this popular and useful family history software package - the only major one now written in the UK (please note this course is NOT a general discussion on family history software packages). Bring your software user questions along! Suitable for Beginners and Refreshers

A full-day course with John Hanson, Cost 35.00


Sat 13 Dec 10:300-17:00 How to get the Most from Family Pictures
This full-day course is a visual Power Point presentation that provides an in-depth guide to dating, analysing and understanding all types of family portraits, from inherited paintings, drawings and silhouettes, to Victorian studio photographs and 20th century snapshots. Accurate dating is essential when trying to identify and discover more about unlabelled family pictures and the course demonstrates how to establish an accurate time frame, using a variety of techniques and research tools. It also discusses the portrait tradition and considers the historical context in which artworks and, later, photographs were commissioned: what did these special pictures mean to our ancestors and how should we interpret them?

A full-day course with Jayne Shrimpton, Cost 35.00 (please note this course is re-scheduled from its original date of 13 September).

(With thanks to Lori Weinstein)

Chris

Stuck for a Christmas gift?! I have a series of genealogy books available in the UK, Australia and Canada, on Scottish, Irish and British based subject areas. Further details at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. Santa approves!

Society of Genealogists books offers

From the Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk) in London:

To mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, we have a special offer on our miltary titles for those family historians who are keen to research the military careers of their ancestors in more depth, whether they fought in the First World War or in other conflicts. The following titles are currently available with 20% off their retail price;

• My Ancestor was in the British Army by Christopher & Michael Watts
• My Ancestor was in the Royal Navy by Ian Waller
• My Ancestor was a Royal Marine by Ken Divall
• My Ancestor was a Woman at War by Emma Jolly

Members will receive their members' discount in addition to this offer. All four of these books contain a wealth of information and guidance on military sources for researchers and you can take advantage of the offer at www.sog.org.uk, just follow the bookshop link on the home page.

Also this month, we are delighted to announce that 10 of our most popular books are now available to buy as Kindle ebooks from Amazon. We hope to announce further ebook releases in the coming months, but the first batch contains the following titles;

• My Ancestor was an Agricultural Labourer by Ian Waller
• My Ancestor was in the Royal Navy by Ian Waller
• My Ancestor was Irish by Alan Stewart
• My Ancestor was Scottish by Alan Stewart
• My Ancestor was a Gentleman by Stuart Raymond
• My Ancestor was a Railway Worker by Frank Hardy
• My Ancestor was a Woman at War by Emma Jolly
• My Ancestor was a Royal Marine by Ken Divall
• My Ancestors were Thames Watermen by James Legon
• My Ancestor was in the British Army by Christopher & Michael Watts

Just type My Ancestor Kindle into the Amazon search engine and the full list will appear.

(With thanks to Anthony Mortimer at the SoG)

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

Forthcoming Society of Genealogists events in London (April)

From the Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk):

The following Society of Genealogists Events will take place in April. To book a place online, visit our website at: www.sog.org.uk/books-courses/events-courses

You can also book by telephone, at the number listed below.

Wed 2 Apr 14:00
A Brief Introduction to Rootsmagic Software

This talk will give you a brief introduction to the latest version of RootsMagic. During the talk Charlie will highlight which new features have been introduced since earlier versions for the benefit of anyone thinking about upgrading.

A one-hour lecture with Charlie Mead Cost 8.00


Sat 5 Apr 14:00-17:00
My Ancestor Came from Birmingham

Do you have ancestors in Birmingham? In this course, we will look at family history resources and useful collections available for researching family in the Birmingham area, including online sources of interest.

A half-day course with Doreen Hopwood Cost 20.00


Wed 9 Apr 14:00
Researching a Single Surname

Have you considered organising the names you acquired in your family history research into a one-name study project? Clearly the more unusual names are easier as there are fewer leads to follow (ie Rudd would be fine but Smith impossible unless you restrict it to a small area or county). Learn more about why and how you can further your research on one surname.

A one-hour lecture with Derek Palgrave Cost 8.00


Thu 10 Apr 14:00-15:30
Visit: Dr Williams's Library

Dr Williams's Library is the pre-eminent research library of English Protestant nonconformity. Established under the will of Dr Daniel Williams, the Library is one of the oldest open to the public still conducted on its original benefaction. The Library serves a very wide readership, not only ministers and lay people of all denominations and faiths, but academics, independent scholars, family historians and research students. Our group will meet at Dr Williams's Library, for a tour of the building and a talk by the archivist, Fiona Turnbull, on Nonconformist records. The library will be open for research until 6:30 this day Cost 10.00


Sat 12 Apr 10:30-17:00
Family Historian Software for Beginners & Refreshers

An overview of this popular and useful software, bring your questions along! Suitable for Beginners & Refreshers

A full-day course with John Hanson Cost 35.00


Sat 26 Apr 10:30-13:00
Getting the Best from Free Genealogy Websites

No one likes to pay for information unless they have to and whilst there is an increasing trend towards more information going into pay per view sites there is also lots that is still around for free - if only you know where and how to look. This course looks at some of the Internet sites that enable you to find information for free and points out some of the limitations of not paying.

A half-day course with John Hanson Cost 20.00


Sat 26 Apr 14:00-17:00
Tracing your Ancestors through Death Records

Of all the sources that family historians use, death records are among the most enlightening for the researcher and frequently bring our ancestors to life to a far greater extent than any other records. They often reveal personal information that is just not to be found elsewhere and which will help you see your ancestor in a much more accurate light. Finding an ancestor’s death is crucial in another way too - an awful lot could have happened to him in between the time you last found him on a census return or baptizing his last child and the day he died – without the death record you only know half his story! Yet these sources are surprisingly underused by many researchers. We will look in detail at all types of death records, from the familiar to the less well known and not only how to get the most from them but how to use them as springboards to discovering other sources too. We will also consider the causes of death given on death certificates and how to interpret them, discover why death records can be hard to trace, and what you can do to locate those that just don’t seem to be there.

A half-day course with Celia Heritage Cost 20.00


Wed 30 Apr 14:00
Records of the Goldsmiths Company

The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, more commonly known as the Goldsmiths' Company, is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London. The librarian will discuss the company’s library collections, which include over 8,000 books and is also responsible for the Company’s archives, which date back to the 14th century.

A one-hour lecture with David Beasley Cost 8.00

(With thanks to Lori Weinstein)

Chris

Time to find your inner Irish...! All the best online Irish genealogy resources can be found through my book Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet - in print and ebook formats. "Very useful, makes me wish I was Irish!" - Saint Patrick, patron saint.

Genealogy in the Sunshine - Days 4 and 5 report

The Lost Cousins based Genealogy in the Sunshine conference has almost ended here in the Algarve. Yesterday I had a day off speaking chores (each speaker had a day off!), and so I attended three great talks from Else Churchill, Debbie Kennett and John Hanson.

Else kicked off with a tour de force of the Society of Genealogists offerings from a distance - i.e. the resources that can be accessed online for those not able to get to London easily. Clearly they've been busy down south! Some interesting snippets here, such as learning that the SoG has the largest collection of trade directories in Britain, and that a whole host of other resources and index cards are currently being digitised. The impression I got from the talk is that the SoG is currently undergoing a major and massive period of evolution, with a big emphasis on getting content digitised and presented on its own site for members, and not just for commercial partnerships with groups such as FindmyPast and Origins. There is a hell of a lot happening, so do check out the recently radically revamped site at www.sog.org.uk.

Debbie Kennett then gave a talk on autosomal DNA, and its uses for family history research - something I was very interested to listen to as I have recently been contacted by a cousin in the US who has started a project, which I am soon hoping to participate in. This was then followed by John Hanson on migrating (overseas) ancestors. Some interesting resources mentioned, including Cora Nunn's site at www.coraweb.com.au (which Shauna Hicks also recently flagged up at the recent genie cruise I did in Australia), and one I haven't heard of before, Marj's Place (http://jubilation.uwaterloo.ca/~marj/) for Canada. Of particular interest was a comment that John made about military wives essentially being cut off from army support within four weeks of their husbands' deaths if they died overseas, often leading to them remarrying other members of the same regiment - something that explains exactly what happened to my 3 x great grandmother, when my 3 x great grandfather died in 1866 - she remarried another sergeant in the same unit shortly after, and now I most likely know why.

Today was the last day and Else kicked off again with a chat on our female ancestors, and where to find them in the records (they were often better recorded than we give credit for). This was then followed by John giving a talk on how to organise our research, both in digital and offline formats. I gave the final formal presentation, on writing family history articles, although the final final talk was a short impromptu piece by one of our delegates, Peter, who discussed self-publishing.

The week long conference has been an amazing success on the programme front, with a real range of talks and expertise, and never a dull moment. A huge thanks to Peter Calver from Lost Cousins, who bent over backwards to get it all organised - and who I hope recovers soon, I suspect he'll need a holiday to get over it!

We're heading off shortly to a final dinner, then many of the delegates fly home tomorrow. My wife, kids and myself don't fly back until Sunday, however, and so tomorrow is JEEP SAFARI day!!! I have absolutely no idea where we are going on that front, so can't post any pictures in advance - however, I do have a picture of Else Churchill in Irish mode, which should keep you all happy for a bit...!

Don't forget that you can establish connections between long forgotten cousin branches by registering details from the censuses in which your family appeared on Lost Cousins (www.lostcousins.com) - if someone else has the same branch in their tree and they have also uploaded the same census details, it should be possible to make the link. Peter also offers a regular newsletter on British genealogical developments, including offers from some of the mainstream vendors such as FindmyPast. Well worth registering and signing up!

Chris

Time to find your inner Irish...! All the best online Irish genealogy resources can be found through my book Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet - in print and ebook formats. "Very useful, makes me wish I was Irish!" - Saint Patrick, patron saint.

Genealogy in the Sunshine - Days 2 and 3 report

Days 2 and 3 have now just about passed on the Lost Cousins (www.lostcousins.com) Genealogy in the Conference programme in Portugal - well, almost passed, the speakers are doing some one to ones on advice later this afternoon!

Yesterday, the Society of Genealogists resident gene genie Else Churchill kicked off with a talk about additional family history resources that can be consulted beyond the parish registers, followed by myself with a talk on the history of the Scottish Kirk, its schisms, and how to find various records - particularly for those of dissenting or nonconformist traditions. The big event of the day however was unquestionably Vancouver based Donald Davis' talk on the 1841 census, which not only discussed how the enumeration process was established for England and Wales (and Scotland), but which also included examples of original household schedules that he has recently discovered in Shropshire Archives for that census in Ludlow. It was a magic tour de force on a thoroughly well researched subject, and one which also alerted us all to the growing possibility, and perhaps likelihood, of such further discoveries coming to light elsewhere, as detailed cataloguing of resources continues across the country's vast array of archives. Truly one of the best genie lectures I think I have ever attended.

I later thanked Donald as I recounted how I had recently had a lengthy discussion with an academic genealogist who claims the censuses that we access to be primary sources, when they clearly are not, as enumerators' returns are copies of the data as extracted from the household schedules. What was truly shocking to discover from Donald's lecture is just how different the published 1841 census returns can be from the primary source - in the examples he gave, we actually saw family relationships recorded, correct ages recorded before being rounded down by the enumerator in the published return, and a truly lengthy list of occupations - as indicated by the householder himself/herself (apparently the only census where they had free reign to describe what they did themselves) which were later standardised in the enumerator's records to fit pre-determined categories. It was almost night and day between the household schedule and the enumerator's return, to the point that two people were in fact listed on one household schedule, and their names then crossed out - and those names did not subsequently make it to the extracted return.

In the evening, there was an opportunity for several delegates to cook for each other and to have a 'safari supper' in small groups, though as I am already in a group of four with my family, I bowed out from that one - sounds like a good time was had by some of the delegates who did participate! Instead, we went for a trip to a nearby town called Caroveiro, and had a few drinks by the beach and a bit of exploration away from the touristy bit, in some of the back streets!

Today I kicked off the proceedings with a discussion on Scottish civil registration records, and after this, and after a bit of a technical hitch (my computer became possessed by demonic forces for a short while), Debbie Kennett then gave an introductory talk on Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA testing. The SoG's John Hanson then took up the reins and finished with a talk on one name studies and one place studies. Later this afternoon we are having a scheduled experts advice area, then this evening an informal get together at a local bar in the resort.

So far the Genealogy in the Sunshine event has been working an absolute treat, with a small but dedicated crowd, a range of interests - oh, and some sun!!!!

Chris

Time to find your inner Irish...! All the best online Irish genealogy resources can be found through my book Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet - in print and ebook formats. "Very useful, makes me wish I was Irish!" - Saint Patrick, patron saint.

Genealogy in the Sunshine - day 1

I arrived yesterday in Portugal for a week long event organised by Peter Calver of Lost Cousins (www.lostcousins.com), entitled Genealogy in the Sunshine. The format is that from Monday to Friday myself and others will be involved in a genealogy conference each day from 9am-1.30pm, and then essentially on holiday each afternoon, a perfect combination. I'm here with my wife and two sons, and speaking on four of the days, alongside Else Churchill and John Hanson of the Society of Genealogists, Debbie Kennett (DNA guru), and Vancouver based Donald Davis, who will be talking about some extraordinary discoveries concerning the 1841 English census.

John, Else and I kicked off the event today, with John giving a talk on English parish registers, myself a talk on - what else today - but Irish resources online, and then Else talking on how to get around being stuck by re-evaluating your approach, methodology and sources when it comes to brick walls. There are about forty attendees - very clued up attendees! - and the buzz was just brilliant. Granted, I did have to wear a St Paddy's Day hat, but I think I got away with it! :)

As ever, with any conference, I always learn. I did not know that IGI batch numbers beginning with P come from printed sources (that's bugged me for a bit, though now seems bleedin' obvious!), and I had never heard of the Crisp and Clench collection of apprenticeship indentures from Westminster, held now by the SoG. And Peter introduced me (and I suspect many!) to tomato jam - and it works! My Irish talk seems to gave gone down well also, and tomorrow I migrate into Scots mode :)

After a spot of food shopping at the local intermarche, Claire, the boys and I went for a drink with John and Else at a wee secluded bar near our chalets and watched the sun set - the bar's lighting had broken, so we literally had the dying light of the sun to illuminate our discussion, as my boys played with a frisbee on the beach. A pirate ship sailed by at one point, and two divers emerged out of the sea on a couple of occassions in full wetsuit gear with harpoon guns and a handful of fish. It's fair to say we did not see any of that coming! A great first start to the week, and a great way to celebrate St Paddy's Day. The week has just begun!

(I have taken photos, but am having browser issues with uploading to Google - may update in due course if I can resolve them, if not I will upload images at the end of the week!)

UPDATE - downloaded Safari, pics now attached!

Chris

Time to find your inner Irish...! All the best online Irish genealogy resources can be found through my book Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet - in print and ebook formats. "Very useful, makes me wish I was Irish!" - Saint Patrick, patron saint.