South Ayrshire History and Family History Fair

South Ayrshire History and Family History Fair will be happening on Saturday June 1st at the Walker Halls in Troon. As well as a vendors' hall, there will also be a packed talks programme - I'll be one of those giving a talk, at 2pm,, on Irish Family History Online.

For full details on the programme, additional talks and the speakers, visit http://southayrshirehistory.wordpress.com/programme-of-events/.

Hopefully see you there!

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers, starts May 15th - see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/scotland-1750-1850-beyond-oprs-starts.html. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

Hampshire Record Office archive workshops

A series of archive based workshops has been announced by Hampshire Record Office for February and March, including topics such as house history, conservation, family history, and more.

For more information visit the Salisbury Journal's story at www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/10194428.Delve_into_your_family_history_at_workshops/.

Chris

Pre-order my new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, through Pen and Sword (30 April 2013), or purchase early at Who Do You Think You Are Live 2013 in London. For my other genealogy books, please visit  http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.

Secrets in family history

The Guardian has an interesting selection of seven photographs on the theme of secrets that have been kept within family history - subjects covered include illegitimacy, disability, homosexuality and adoption.

It's a short feature entitled Family history: the shifting secrets of our genealogies – in pictures, but fascinating reading - well worth a look at www.guardian.co.uk/books/gallery/2013/jan/21/family-history-secrets-genealogy-pictures.

Chris

Pre-order my new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, through Pen and Sword (30 April 2013), or purchase early at Who Do You Think You Are Live 2013 in London. For my other genealogy books, please visit  http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.

New TNA starter guide

The National Archives at Kew has a new online starter guide for those wishing to dabble for the first time into the dark arts of family history and archive based research - the guide is at http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/start-here.htm.

May God have mercy on your soul! :)

Chris

Pre-order my new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, through Pen and Sword (30 April 2013), or purchase early at Who Do You Think You Are Live 2013 in London. For my other genealogy books, please visit  http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.

IHGS family history residential course

The latest newsletter from the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (www.ihgs.ac.uk) has details of a residential course that it will be running in August:

Grow Your Family Tree
6th August 2012 - Residential Course

This residential course welcomes beginners to the subject of family history but even the experienced will benefit. All the sources needed to have a good grounding in family history will be discussed focusing on both original documents and online sources. Practical experience is gained with the help of a simulated genealogical exercise and research time in the library alongside individual advice and guidance.

The full fee includes all meals and accommodation, which is provided at a local guesthouse, and there will be plenty of free time to make use of the Institute's library or explore the medieval splendours of the city. Day attendees not requiring accommodation are also welcome.

Monday
4.45 Tea and Registration
5.00 Introduction and Tour of Library
6.00 Supper
7.00 Family Sources

Tuesday
9.15 General Registration
10.45 Coffee
11.15 Census Returns
1.00 Buffet Luncheon
2.00 Pedigrees
2.30 The Elephant Hunt
4.30 Tea
5.00 Free time in Library
6.00 Supper
7.00 I'm Stuck!

Wednesday
9.15 Parish Registers
10.40 Coffee
11.15 More Elephant Hunting
1.00 Buffet Luncheon
2.00 Parish Chest Part 1: Parish Officers
3.30 Tea
3.50 Parish Chest Part 2: The Poor
5.00 Library Time
6.00 Supper
7.00-8.00 Free or Library Time

Thursday
9.15 Wills & Probate
10.45 Coffee
11.15 More Elephant Hunting
1.00 Buffet Luncheon
2.00 Palaeography
4.00 Tea
4.30 Library Time
6.00 Supper
7.00 Elephant Hunt Solution

Friday
9.15 Military Records: An Introduction
11.00 Coffee
11.30 Census Substitutes
12.30 Buffet Luncheon
1.30 Future Study & Closing address

Library time is arranged, so do bring any notes you may need on your own research. For those who do not wish to use the library the time may be used to explore the historic city of Canterbury or to relax in our walled garden.

The price for the course is £480.00. Day attendees are welcome at a reduced rate of £240.00.

The closing date for bookings with accommodation is 1st July 2012. The closing date for bookings with no accommodation is 1st July 2012.

To book a place visit http://ihgs.ac.uk/shop/contents/courses/dayresieven_courses/index.html

(With thanks to the IHGS)

Chris

British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton

Scotland's Greatest Story research service www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk and www.facebook.com/ScottishGenealogyResearch