Rare footage found of Queen Victoria in Ireland

I'm no fan of royalty, but this is quite historic and well worth sharing. Rare film footage has been discovered of the British Queen Victoria just shortly before her death on a visit to Ireland, which shows the monarch in considerable detail - and she's wearing shades!

For more on the story, and to see the footage, visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/48427315/queen-victoria-as-you-ve-never-seen-her-before.

Chris

Pre-order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) for just £11.99 at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Mary Queen of Scots at the National Records of Scotland

The National Records of Scotland (www.nrscotland.gov.uk) has an interesting blog post by archivist Dr Alison Rosie, concerning documents held at the facility relating to the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary is the subject of a major new movie, Mary, Queen of Scots, starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, which a in Edinburgh last week.

The article strolls through several documents giving a glimpse of Mary's life upon her return to Scotland in 1561, with letters, accounts of expenses, inventories and other documents, including an account of the assassination of Lord Darnley.

You can read the full piece at https://blog.nrscotland.gov.uk/2019/01/18/from-the-nrs-archives-mary-queen-of-scots-1542-1587/.

And don't forget that Outlaw King is also now available on Netflix, concerning the story of Robert the Bruce!

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.

Jacobite period State Papers online

From Gale, a new collection is now online, albeit behind a paywall (i.e. available through subscribing institutions). Here's the blurb:

State Papers Online: The Stuart and Cumberland Papers from the Royal Archives, Windsor Castle

An unparalleled documentation of the Jacobite movement, and the opposing forces of the ruling Hanoverian monarchy

Digitized for the first time, the Stuart and Cumberland Papers from the Royal Archives at Windsor Castle are now available online in their entirety. The Stuart Papers represent the correspondence and personal documents of the exiled members of the Stuart dynasty after 1688. Available here alongside the Cumberland Papers of William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and second surviving son of George II, they provide a unique window into the world of the Stuarts and their Jacobite followers, as well as to the incumbent Hanoverian monarchy during a time of continental wars, domestic conspiracies and rival claims to the Throne.

From the time of the Glorious Revolution in 1688 until the death of the final Stuart claimant in 1807, the Stuart Pretenders were royal exiles in Europe, and at the head of a network of Jacobite supporters at home and abroad. Jacobites at all levels of society corresponded with them and their agents, visited the court-in-exile at St Germain-en-Laye, Avignon or Rome, and reported on the activities of the ‘usurping’ house of Hanover and its supporters in Britain.

The Stuart Papers is that correspondence. The collection tells the story of the lives of James II and his heirs, James Francis Edward (the Jacobite James III and VIII), Charles Edward (the Jacobite Charles III) and Henry Benedict (later the Cardinal Duke of York, and Jacobite Henry IX). Centred around the royal family, the papers allow researchers access to their wives and mistresses, loyal followers, courtiers, and spies around Europe. At various times, there were Jacobite agents and envoys in Italy, Sweden, Spain, Russia, France, Poland and Britain, and a strong Jacobite culture developed in Scotland and among the expatriate Irish who had followed James II to the continent. In this archive, researchers will find domestic plots and international schemes, personal letters between the members of the Stuart family and their closest allies, details of court intrigues and quarrels, even household accounts and menus.

The Cumberland Papers relate particularly to military matters from the Duke’s time as Captain General of the British army in the War of the Austrian Succession and the early stages of the Seven Years’ War, but also include a number of Jacobite documents captured in Scotland after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, including letters from Charles Edward Stuart and accounts of his escape to Skye. Elsewhere, British national and foreign policy, parliamentary updates, reports from British colonies, and personal papers relating to the Duke of Cumberland’s role as Ranger of Windsor Great Park, and to his household and estate at Cumberland Lodge are also represented.

The collection is available at https://www.gale.com/uk/c/stuart-and-cumberland.

Chris

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.

King James VI Hospital in Perth

I've written a blog post on 'my other wee blog' looking at a university study I did some time ago into the role of King James VI Hospital in the development of the city of Perth, Scotland, the feudal records involved, and some personal family connections found along the way.

The post is available at https://scotlandsgreateststory.wordpress.com/2017/06/22/king-james-vi-hospital-in-perth/.

And thanks to Sue Moon Warner on The Genes Blog Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BritishGENES/) for adding a comment that might also be of interest, which ties in, concerning the potential final location of one of the king's ancestors, James I! See http://www.scotsman.com/heritage/people-places/msp-calls-for-king-james-i-perth-grave-dig-bid-1-2785052.

Chris

My next 5 week Scottish Research Online course commences Sept 11th 2017 - details at https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102.
For details on my Scottish & Irish genealogy guide books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.
For my genealogy research service, please visit http://www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk.

TNA podcast - The life and death of King John

The latest podcast from the National Archives in England (www.nationalarchives.co.uk) will be of interest to those with ancestors in early medieval England. Entitled The life and death of King John, the 42 minute long talk by Professor David Carpenter, Professor Stephen Church, and Dr Marc Morris deals with the following:

King John’s acts of misgovernment prompted his barons to demand reform, setting the kingdom on the road to civil war and leading to John’s grant of Magna Carta. Why was he seen as such a terrible king and how did Magna Carta come about?

Professor David Carpenter, Professor Stephen Church and Dr Marc Morris discuss the life and reign of King John, 800 years after his death in October 1216.

To access the podcast visit http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/life-death-king-john/ or download for free from iTunes.

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.

DNA evidence resolves baronetcy inheritance claim in Scotland

DNA evidence has overturned an inheritance claim in a ruling that could have profound implications for similar cases within the aristocratic and landed classes in Britain, and perhaps beyond.

An accountant from High Wycombe called Murray Pringle and a businessman from Hastings, Simon Pringle, had both claimed the right to inherit the baronetcy of Pringle of Stichill, near Kelso in the Scottish Borders. The original baronetcy had been granted by the Crown to Robert Pringle of Stichill and all "male heirs from his body" in January 1683. When the 10th baronet died in 2013, the two claimants, who are second cousins once removed, asserted their right to inherit.

Murray Pringle's case was based on the allegation that Simon Pringle's grandfather, Norman Pringle, the 9th Baronet, was not a son of the 8th baronet of the same name - whereas the 9th baronet's brother Ronald, father to Murray Pringle, was a legitimate son. Seven judges at the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, asked to intervene by the British Queen (see my previous post at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/dna-tests-may-upset-blue-blooded.html), had ruled that DNA testing was perfectly legitimate as a means to resolve the dispute. The test results have now confirmed that Simon Pringle is not a male line descendant of the 8th baronet, and thus has no claim as a 'male heir of his body' to inherit; the same tests have shown that Murray Pringle is the legitimate heir, as his DNA confirms his descent.

For the full story, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-36576672 and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/20/accountant-wins-legal-claim-to-baronetcy-in-unusual-cuckoo-in-th/.

The full judgment itself is available at https://www.jcpc.uk/cases/jcpc-2015-0079.html.

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.

DNA tests may upset the blue blooded

Whether you are a royal sycophant or a republican with a deep interest in DNA and genetic genealogy, there's an interesting story brewing over who might lay claim to the Pringle of Stichill baronetcy in England.

There's two claimants, a Privy Council court that last met to decide on a baronetcy case in 1927, and the possibility of the end of life on Earth as we know it for those with blue blood - or something like that!

The full story is at www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3267859/Queen-demands-DNA-test-court-settle-dispute-330-year-old-baronet-title-ruling-mean-Utah-Mormon-king.html

(With thanks to Morag Fyfe 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/.

Longest serving monarchs in Britain

As any good organisation will do, the Guild of One Name Studies (http://one-name.org) has used yesterday's achievement by the present Queen (becoming the longest serving unelected head of state in Britain) to drum up a wee bit of publicity. I read with amusement this morning a blog post on Dick Eastman's newsletter (http://blog.eogn.com/2015/09/09/the-greatest-reign-in-british-history/) carrying a press release from the Guild, but what really struck me was the ignorance of the subject matter in its post, seeking to shed a bit of light to those who may not be familiar with the longest reigns by monarchs in Britain.

According to the Guild, "The ten longest serving British monarchs are":

1. Queen Elizabeth II. 6th February 1952 to present. As at 9th September 2015 – 63 years, 7 months and 3 days
2. Queen Victoria. 20th June 1837 to 22nd January 1901 -63 years, 7 months, 2 days
3. King George III. 25th October 1760 to 29th January 1820 – 59 years, 3 months, 2 days
4. King Henry III. 18th October 1216 to 16th November 1272 – 59 years, 29 days
5. King Edward III. 25th January 1327 to 21 June 1377 – 50 years, 4 months, 25 days
6. Queen Elizabeth I. 17th November 1558 to 24th March 1603 – 44 years, 4 months, 5 days
7. King Henry VI. 1st September 1422 to 3rd October 1470 – 39 years, 1 month, 18 days
8. King Aethered II the Unready. 18th March 978 to 23rd April 1016 – 38 years, 1 month, 5 days
9. King Henry VIII. 21st April 1509 to 28th January 1537 – 37 years, 9 months, 7 days
10. King Henry I. 3rd August 1100 to 2nd December 1135 – 35 years, 3 month, 28 days

(Source: Guild press release, http://blog.eogn.com/2015/09/09/the-greatest-reign-in-british-history/)


It's not just the Guild, The Times front cover yesterday did something similar. So ummm, where to start?!!!!

When I look at this list, I have to wonder how the Guild defines "British", because what I see, on a first look, is not quite that.

If by "British", the Guild means rulers of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland/Northern Ireland, i.e The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland/Northern Ireland, established in 1801 and redefined in 1922 (by the secession of the Irish Free State from the union), the list should be as follows:

1 Elizabeth II  6 February 1952 - Present (63 years, 217 days)
2 Victoria  20 June 1837 - 22 January 1901 (63 years, 216 days)
3 George III  25 October 1760 - 29 January 1820 (59 years, 96 days)
4 George V  6 May 1910 - 20 January 1936 (25 years, 259 days)
5 George VI  11 December 1936 - 6 February 1952 (15 years, 57 days)
6 George IV  29 January 1820 - 26 June 1830 (10 years, 148 days)
7 Edward VII  22 January 1901 - 6 May 1910 (9 years, 104 days)
8 William IV  26 June 1830 - 20 June 1837 (6 years, 359 days)
9 Edward VIII  20 January 1936 - 11 December 1936 (326 days)

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_in_Britain_by_length_of_reign)


If by "British", the Guild means the joint rulers of England Wales and Scotland, which formed a political union to create Great Britain from 1707, then the list should be:

1 Elizabeth II  6 February 1952 - Present (63 years, 217 days)
2 Victoria  20 June 1837 - 22 January 1901 (63 years, 216 days)
3 George III  25 October 1760 - 29 January 1820 (59 years, 96 days)
4 George II  22 June 1727N.S. - 25 October 1760 (33 years, 114 days)
5 George V  6 May 1910 - 20 January 1936 (25 years, 259 days)
6 George VI  11 December 1936 - 6 February 1952 (15 years, 57 days)
7 George I  1 August 1714 - 11 June 1727 (12 years, 314 days)
8 Anne*  8 March 1702 - 1 August 1714 (12 years, 146 day)
9 George IV  29 January 1820 - 26 June 1830 (10 years, 148 days)
10 Edward VII  22 January 1901 - 6 May 1910 (9 years, 104 days)

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_in_Britain_by_length_of_reign)

*Anne's period of rule actually straddles the periods before and after the union.


If by "British", the Guild in fact means rulers on the island of Britain from all known nations and regions, then it might look a little bit like this:

1 Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom  6 February 1952 - Present (63 years, 217 days)
2 Victoria of the United Kingdom  20 June 1837 - 22 January 1901 (63 years, 216 days)
3 George III of the United Kingdom  25 October 1760 - 29 January 1820 (59 years, 96 days)
4 James VI of Scotland/James I of Great Britain  24 July 1567 - 27 March 1625 (57 years, 246 days)
5 Henry III of England and Lord of Ireland  18 October 1216 - 16 November 1272 (56 years, 29 days)
6 Edward III of England and Lord of Ireland  25 January 1327 - 20 June 1377 (50 years, 147 days)
7 William I of Scotland  9 December 1165 - 4 December 1214 (48 years, 360 days)
8 Elizabeth I of England and Ireland  17 November 1558 - 24 March 1603 (44 years, 127 days)
9 Llywelyn of Gwynedd  1 January 1195 - 11 April 1240 (44–45 years approximately)
10 David II of Scotland  7 June 1329 - 22 February 1371 (41 years, 260 days)

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_in_Britain_by_length_of_reign)


I can't help feeling that what the Guild has posted is in fact a list of the longest known reigns in England, covering its periods both as an independent country and within its various unions since 1282, 1707 and 1801.

So, just for a wee bit of balance, then here are the longest reigns of Scottish monarchs - with Scotland as an independent country prior to 1707:

1 James VI  24 July 1567 - 27 March 1625 (57 years, 246 days)
2 William I  9 December 1165 - 4 December 1214 (48 years, 360 days)
3 David II  7 June 1329 - 22 February 1371 (41 years, 260 days)
4 Alexander III  6 July 1249 - 19 March 1286 (36 years, 256 days)
5 Malcolm III  17 March 1058 - 13 November 1093 (35 years, 241 days)
6 Alexander II  4 December 1214 - 6 July 1249 (34 years, 214 days)
7 James I  4 April 1406 - 21 February 1437 (30 years, 323 days)
8 James V  9 September 1513 - 14 December 1542 (29 years, 96 days)
9 David I  23 April 1124 - 24 May 1153 (29 years, 31 days)
10 James III  3 August 1460 - 11 June 1488 (27 years, 313 days)

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_in_Britain_by_length_of_reign)


And just for good measure, for Wales before the English conquest in 1282:

1 Llywelyn the Great  1195 - 11 April 1240 (c. 45 years)
2 Owain Gwynedd  1137 - 1170 (c. 33 years)
3 Llywelyn ap Gruffudd  1253 - 11 December 1282 (c. 29 years)
4 Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd  1170 - 1195  (c. 25 years)
5 Owain Glyndŵr (disputed)  16 September 1400 - c. 1416 (c. 16 years)
6 Owain Goch ap Gruffydd  26 February 1246 - 1253 (c. 7 years)
7 Owain Lawgoch (disputed)  May 1372 - July 1378 (c. 6 years)
8 Dafydd ap Llywelyn  12 April 1240 - 25 February 1246 (5 years, 319 days)
9 Dafydd ap Gruffydd  12 December 1282 - 3 October 1283 (295 days)

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_in_Britain_by_length_of_reign)


I hope this helps.

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.

Exhibition on the Jacobite rebellions at the National Archives

The National Archives (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) at Kew in England is currently hosting an exhibition on the Jacobite rebellions of 1715 and 1745, within its Keeper's Gallery, with many documents on display to illustrate the story of the two campaigns. The exhibition will run until January 2016.

Dr Katy Mair and Juliette Johnstone have written a blog post describing what is to be found in the exhibition, as well as to introduce a wider Jacobite themed season of talks and school resources, at http://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/keepers-gallery-jacobite-rebellions-1715-1745/

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.

DNA study crowdfunding appeal from Strathclyde University

From the University of Strathclyde's Genealogical Studies programme (www.strath.ac.uk/genealogy/):

The Genealogical Studies Postgraduate Programme at the University of Strathclyde is following up the genetic genealogy research it undertook as part of the Battle of Bannockburn Family History Project (see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/strathclyde-universitys-bannockburn.html) by conducting further research on male line descents from the Stewart, Berkeley and Grey families. The researchers are now seeking funds to allow further DNA testing and to help cover costs for staff research time. Test results have been received for a documented male line descendant of Sir John Stewart, Sheriff of Bute, a son of King Robert II, and it is hoped to upgrade this test to allow close comparison with the Big Y test results of Earl Castle Stewart. This may show up genetic markers which would identify descendants of Robert II.

The research in this field uses methodologies which are transferable to other surnames where documented male line descendants can be identified. This makes it possible to discover previously unknown medieval descents for individuals who can only prove their ancestry back two hundred years or so.

Any donations would be gratefully received and can be made via the following webpage - www.strathgenealogy.org.uk/projects/donate/.

(With thanks to Graham Holton)

Chris

The latest British GENES podcast is available at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/podcasts.html. 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.

Games of Crowns exhibition looks at the 1715 Jacobite Rising

The National Library of Scotland is hosting an exhibition as part of the lead up to the three hundredth anniversary of the 1715 Jacobite rising, when Jacobites loyal to James VII  first rose up against the Hanoverian regime, just 8 years after the union of Scotland and England to create the political entity of Great Britain. The exhibition charts the period from 1688, with William of Orange's arrival in England, to the Rising itself. Here's the blurb from the NLS exhibitions page (www.nls.uk/exhibitions) :

Game of Crowns: The 1715 Jacobite rising

10 December to 10 May

Treachery, power struggles, royal in-fighting and religious wrangling are all reflected in the 'Game of Crowns' exhibition at the National Library of Scotland.

The exhibition tells the story of the 1715 Jacobite rising as the 300th anniversary approaches. Using contemporary records, books, maps, portraits and songs, it explains this turbulent period of British history.

One of the documents on display will be the order for the massacre of Glencoe in 1692, when 38 members of the clan MacDonald were slaughtered because of their suspected Jacobite sympathies.

The attempt to restore the Stuart dynasty to the throne ended in defeat with James VIII — the Old Pretender — returning to exile in France. Thirty years later, his son, Bonnie Prince Charlie, suffered a similar fate with the failure of the 1745 uprising.

The exhibition looks in detail at the period from 1688 to 1715 and the fierce contest for Crown of Great Britain, closing with a look ahead to 1745.

For further details visit www.nls.uk/exhibitions/jacobites

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!

TNA podcast - Transgender Diplomat at the Court of George III, 1763-1777

The latest podcast from the National Archives at Kew, England, is entitled The Chevalier d’Eon: Transgender Diplomat at the Court of George III, 1763-1777, and is a 46 minute talk by Dr Jonathan Conline.

It can be accessed at http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/chevalier-deon-transgender-diplomat-court-george-iii-1763-1777/ or downloaded fro free from iTunes.

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!

TNA podcast - Writer of the month: Philippa Gregory

The latest podcast from the National Archives in Kew, England (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk), is entitled Writer of the month: Philippa Gregory, and discusses how the author has written a new Tudor period based novel using contemporary records.

The podcast is available from http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/writer-month-philippa-gregory/ or freely available from iTunes.

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

TNA podcast - Ritual and authority in the reign of Queen Anne

The latest podcast from the National Archives in England is entitled ‘Things as are all Forms, & Ceremonys’: Ritual and authority in the reign of Queen Anne, a 50 minute talk by James A. Winn.

The talk can be heard at http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/things-forms-ceremonys-ritual-authority-reign-queen-anne/ or downloaded free of charge via iTunes.

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

TNA podcast - Reluctant Regicides: Charles I trial revisited

The latest podcast from the National Archives in England (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) is entitled Reluctant Regicides? The Trial of Charles I Revisited, a lecture by Dr. Andrew Hopper, approximately 40 minutes in length. You can listen to the lecture at http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/reluctant-regicides/ or download for free from iTunes.

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.

Forthcoming TNA events at Kew

The following events are being held at the National Archives at Kew (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk):

Georgian Londoners: the making of a modern city FREE
Thursday 24 April 2014 14:00 - 15:00

User Forum FREE
Thursday 24 April 12:30 - 13:45Writer of the month: Fighting on the Home Front - the

And in May:

01 May 2014
Fighting on the Home Front - the Legacy of Women in World War One TICKET

01 May 2014
The naval policy of the Free Church of Scotland FREE

08 May 2014
Reluctant regicides? The trial of Charles I revisited FREE

12 May 2014
Webinar: Why did people fear the Victorian workhouse? FREE

15 May 2014
Finding my father in Mesopotamia FREE

29 May 2014
Inconvenient people and how to find them: tales from the Victorian lunacy panics  FREE

Full details at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/visit/events.htm

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.

What if Richard III isn't Richard III?

Here's a good one - what if the skeleton found in the car park isn't Richard III? Two English history professors suggest that Richard's grandmother Jean Beaufort had 16 children, and that some of her descendants may also have fought and died alongside Richard at Bosworth. They would also carry the same mitochondrial DNA that Richard did. The discovery of mitochondrial DNA, passed down the maternal line, was used to help prove the origins of the bones found in Leicester - but what if it is actually one of Richard's relatives?

You can't beat a good cat amongst the pigeons story! Further coverage is in the Independent newspaper at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/richard-iii-expert-the-skeleton-in-the-car-park-may-not-be-the-missing-monarch-after-all-9219513.html

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.

TNA podcast - Coronations

The latest podcast from the National Archives at Kew is entitled Coronations, running at 41 minutes in length, from a talk by Dr Adrian Ailes.

For more information, or to listen to the podcast, visit http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/coronations/ - it can also be freely downloaded at iTunes.

Chris

My latest book, Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records, is now available from http://www.gould.com.au (print) and http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html (ebook), whilst Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet is available at http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-History-on-the-Internet/p/3889/. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs, starts Nov 13th - see http://pharostutors.com.

More royal household staff records on FindmyPast

From FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk and all worldwide sites):

Findmypast.co.uk releases over 300,000 new Royal Household Staff records

New records provide a fascinating glimpse into life working for some of history’s most famous monarchs

Leading family history website findmypast.co.uk has, in partnership with the Royal Archives, added more than 300,000 new records to their Royal Household Staff collection, bringing the total to over 386,000 records. The collection now covers almost four centuries of life in the service of the British Royal Family, stretching from 1526 to 1924.

The records include detailed information about the nature of each staff member’s employment, their salary and their reason for leaving service. Some also contain signatures of staff members, allowing their own handwriting to be seen for, on many occasions, the very first time.

Paul Nixon, Licensing Manager for findmypast.co.uk, said: "While finding a link to royalty is seen by many as one of the most interesting things for a family historian, now we can tell the fascinating stories of those who lived and worked alongside them."

The records are available on all findmypast sites and can be searched at http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/other-records/british-royal-archives/

(With thanks to Myko Clelland)

Chris

My latest book, Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records, is now available from http://www.gould.com.au (print) and http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html (ebook), whilst Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet is available at http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-History-on-the-Internet/p/3889/. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs, starts Nov 13th - see http://pharostutors.com.

Mary Queen of Scots exhibition tie in book

From Historic Scotland (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk):

New Historic Scotland book charts the travels of Mary Queen of Scots

A new book written and produced by Historic Scotland is being published today, Friday 28th June 2013 to tie in with the opening of the major Mary Queen of Scots exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland.

Mary Was Here, subtitled ‘Where Mary Queen of Scots went and what she did there’, is a fast-paced and very accessible guide to the travels of Scotland’s most famous historical figure.

Extensively illustrated, it charts Mary’s life from just before her birth at Linlithgow Palace to the months after her execution at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire.

Andrew Burnet, Publications and Information Manager at Historic Scotland and one of the co-authors said: “Mary Queen of Scots is a key figure in our history who continues to fascinate people from around the world. She has connections with more than 20 Historic Scotland properties including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Craigmillar Castle, Lochleven Castle, Castle Campbell, Dumbarton Castle, Dundrennan Abbey and of course, her place of birth, Linlithgow Palace.

“The book is based around specific events on specific dates at specific locations, however its main focus is on Scotland, where Mary travelled widely during her brief reign. It also features plenty of colourful imagery, including superb photography, and more than 120 images from art collections in Scotland, England, France, Spain and Italy.”

The book includes sections on Mary’s childhood in France and her long imprisonment in England. It also looks at key themes such as food and drink, sickness and health, marriages, costume and jewellery.

More than 35 Scottish sites connected with Mary are covered in the book. Additional properties include: Inchmahome Priory, Spynie Palace, Edzell Castle, and Whithorn Priory.

The book will be available from Friday 28 June, retailing at £7.95. It will be for sale at the National Museum throughout the run of the exhibition (until 17th November). It will also be sold at Historic Scotland’s shops at selected sites, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Dumbarton Castle, Lochleven Castle, Craigmillar Castle, Inchmahome Priory and the Abbey Strand bookshop next to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh

(With thanks to Paul Spence at Historic Scotland)

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My Scottish land and church records ebooks are available at http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html, whilst my next Pharos Scottish course, Scottish Research Online, starts Sep 4th - see http://pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Time to smash a few brick walls...!