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
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
US 1940 census alternatives
Several users on Twitter yesterday have been reporting difficulties in access to the newly released 1940 census for the United States. American blogger Dick Eastman has a summary of options on several sites for access to the documents, some with less traffic than others - the post is at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2012/04/alternative-sites-for-1940-the-us-census-images.html
Chris
British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton
Chris
British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton
Monday, 2 April 2012
The National Archives launches Discovery
The National Archives has posted its plans for the roll out of its new Discovery catalogue (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/). The Documents Online service will be replaced by the new system at the end of this month, whilst the old catalogue will completely disappear by the end of June. For more on the story visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/692.htm.
I have no problems with the new set up, but I do have a question if anyone can answer! I find the Digital Microfilms link on Documents Online quite useful, and so am wondering if there will continue to be a list of what is available through that service somewhere on the site?
Onwards...!
Chris
British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton
I have no problems with the new set up, but I do have a question if anyone can answer! I find the Digital Microfilms link on Documents Online quite useful, and so am wondering if there will continue to be a list of what is available through that service somewhere on the site?
Onwards...!
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
Evidence Explained e-book
Elizabeth Shown Mills' Evidence Explained, a book on how to cite genealogical sources in research, is available to download electronically now at www.evidenceexplained.com for just $27.95.
Coming from the USA, it is quite American in focus, though does cover several British websites and archival repositories. Well worth a look.
(With thanks to @genealogygirl on Twitter)
Chris
British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton
Coming from the USA, it is quite American in focus, though does cover several British websites and archival repositories. Well worth a look.
(With thanks to @genealogygirl on Twitter)
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
FindmyPast at WDYTYA Live
A short video from FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk), recorded at the recent Who Do You Think You Are Live event in London:
(With thanks to @scotsgen on Twitter)
Chris
British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton
(With thanks to @scotsgen on Twitter)
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
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Scottish Monumental Inscriptions update
The following are the latest developments from Scottish Monumental Inscriptions (www.scottish-monumental-inscriptions.com):
Photographed and under various stages of transcription are the following:
Doune Churchyard - Stirling
Galston Cemetery – Ayrshire
Kilwinning Abbey - Ayrshire
Kinglassie Church and Cemetery – Fife
Kirkgate Old Churchyard - Kinross
Mauchline Churchyard - Ayrshire
Saltcoates Church - Ayrshire
Crook of Devon Church - Perth and Kinross
Muirkirk Cemetery - Ayrshire
Muirkirk Churchyard - Ayrshire
Meigle Church - Angus
Ardler Church - Perth and Kinross
Coupar Angus - Abbey Church and New Cemetery
Cupar Cemetery - Fife
Tuliallan Old Church and Cemetery - Fife
Crombie Point old Churchyard - Fife
Torryburn Church and Cemetery - Fife.
We still have a lot more photographed and waiting to start transcription.
These are the latest releases on CD:
Plean old Churchyard - Stirling
Glamis Kirkyard – Angus
Tealing Churchyard - Angus
Alva Church and New Cemetery – Clackmananshire
Kirkinch Churchyard - Angus
Cupar Old Church & St James Cemetery Extension & Wemyss Mausoleum - Fife
Due Soon are the following:
Newtyle Church and Cemetery - Angus
Kinfauns Churchyard - Perthshire
Glamis Cemetery - Angus
Inverarity Church - Forfar Angus
In Helen Grant's latest newsletter she has commented that progress has been slightly slower this year, and that volunteers are welcome. If interested, contact details are available at the site. Progress is nevertheless remarkable, with only six graveyards left in Fife, for example, to be photographed. Helen and team will also be at the SAFHS conference in Dundee next month.
(With thanks to Helen)
Chris
British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton
Photographed and under various stages of transcription are the following:
Doune Churchyard - Stirling
Galston Cemetery – Ayrshire
Kilwinning Abbey - Ayrshire
Kinglassie Church and Cemetery – Fife
Kirkgate Old Churchyard - Kinross
Mauchline Churchyard - Ayrshire
Saltcoates Church - Ayrshire
Crook of Devon Church - Perth and Kinross
Muirkirk Cemetery - Ayrshire
Muirkirk Churchyard - Ayrshire
Meigle Church - Angus
Ardler Church - Perth and Kinross
Coupar Angus - Abbey Church and New Cemetery
Cupar Cemetery - Fife
Tuliallan Old Church and Cemetery - Fife
Crombie Point old Churchyard - Fife
Torryburn Church and Cemetery - Fife.
We still have a lot more photographed and waiting to start transcription.
These are the latest releases on CD:
Plean old Churchyard - Stirling
Glamis Kirkyard – Angus
Tealing Churchyard - Angus
Alva Church and New Cemetery – Clackmananshire
Kirkinch Churchyard - Angus
Cupar Old Church & St James Cemetery Extension & Wemyss Mausoleum - Fife
Due Soon are the following:
Newtyle Church and Cemetery - Angus
Kinfauns Churchyard - Perthshire
Glamis Cemetery - Angus
Inverarity Church - Forfar Angus
In Helen Grant's latest newsletter she has commented that progress has been slightly slower this year, and that volunteers are welcome. If interested, contact details are available at the site. Progress is nevertheless remarkable, with only six graveyards left in Fife, for example, to be photographed. Helen and team will also be at the SAFHS conference in Dundee next month.
(With thanks to Helen)
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
Archive CD Books seeks donations
An appeal from Archive CD Books Britain and Ireland (www.archivecdbooks.ie):
Donate to the Archive CD Books Project
We are looking for new books to publish as part of our aim to digitise old books and make them available to a wider audience. Donated books will be scanned and returned to their owner, in the same condition we receive them, with five free copies of the scanned book. Books must be outside copyright to be published (i.e. 70 years since the date of publication or death of the author) and be of historical and/or genealogical interest. If you're interested in donating, please contact us at enquiries@archivecdbooks.ie for further information.
(With thanks to the Archive CD Books Britain and Ireland newsletter)
Chris
British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton
Donate to the Archive CD Books Project
We are looking for new books to publish as part of our aim to digitise old books and make them available to a wider audience. Donated books will be scanned and returned to their owner, in the same condition we receive them, with five free copies of the scanned book. Books must be outside copyright to be published (i.e. 70 years since the date of publication or death of the author) and be of historical and/or genealogical interest. If you're interested in donating, please contact us at enquiries@archivecdbooks.ie for further information.
(With thanks to the Archive CD Books Britain and Ireland newsletter)
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
USA's 1940 federal census release
Tomorrow, April 2nd 2012, sees the United States of America's 1940 federal census released for the first time, which may be of interest if your ancestors or relatives emigrated to the States, or were present there on census night. The federal census was first recorded in 1790, and then every ten years, with 1940 being the 16th such census. Returns for 1890 were largely destroyed in a fire, but the rest are accessible online via various sites.
The 1940 census when released will not be indexed - instead the images will go online and the images indexed by various means dependant on the hosts presenting it. For example, FamilySearch, Archives.com and FindmyPast are collaborating on a major crowdsourcing effort - essentially asking you and I to create the indexes via downloadable software at https://the1940census.com/ - whilst other vendors such as My Heritage will be creating its own access at www.myheritage.com.
Chris
British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton
The 1940 census when released will not be indexed - instead the images will go online and the images indexed by various means dependant on the hosts presenting it. For example, FamilySearch, Archives.com and FindmyPast are collaborating on a major crowdsourcing effort - essentially asking you and I to create the indexes via downloadable software at https://the1940census.com/ - whilst other vendors such as My Heritage will be creating its own access at www.myheritage.com.
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
Benghazi war graves damage - update
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (www.cwgc.org) has presented an update on the destruction of British war graves in Benghazi, Libya, at both the Benghazi War Cemetery and Benghazi British Military Cemetery. From the CWGC newsletter:
"...the damage to both cemeteries is considerable. Confirmed reports by our colleagues on the ground indicate that headstones belonging to 245 individuals require replacement at Benghazi War Cemetery and that the Cross of Sacrifice within the cemetery has been severely damaged. In the Military Cemetery, the list of damaged grave markers, including headstones, pedestals and a small memorial, includes 125 names.
"Work is already underway to repair both cemeteries – with new headstones on order at our facility in France. In the interim, both cemeteries have been tidied and temporary grave markers erected."
To sign up for the CWGC newsletter visit www.cwgc.org/newsletter.aspx
(With thanks to the CWGC)
Chris
British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton
"...the damage to both cemeteries is considerable. Confirmed reports by our colleagues on the ground indicate that headstones belonging to 245 individuals require replacement at Benghazi War Cemetery and that the Cross of Sacrifice within the cemetery has been severely damaged. In the Military Cemetery, the list of damaged grave markers, including headstones, pedestals and a small memorial, includes 125 names.
"Work is already underway to repair both cemeteries – with new headstones on order at our facility in France. In the interim, both cemeteries have been tidied and temporary grave markers erected."
To sign up for the CWGC newsletter visit www.cwgc.org/newsletter.aspx
(With thanks to the CWGC)
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
Family History Show episode 5
Episode 5 of Nick Barratt's and Laura Berry's Family History Show is now online at www.familyhistoryshow.net/the-vodcasts/episode-5, and is a nautical and Titanic based edition recorded at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Learn how to trace merchant seamen and more!
(With thanks to Nick @familyhistorysh on Twitter)
Chris
British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton
(With thanks to Nick @familyhistorysh on Twitter)
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
Horrendous RootsIreland changes - more to come?
So here's a turn up for the books - a response from RootsIreland, over a week after I emailed my displeasure about the appalling new changes to its website. The following was the message I sent on Friday March 23rd:
Dear IFHF,
I have had a look at the new payment system and indeed the new search system, and am fairly appalled at some of the developments.
From what I can see, the site advertises that searches will be cheaper if credits are bought in bulk - but for the casual user who may wish to do one search only, or just a handful, it is in fact going to be more expensive. To quote one example, in the old set up, by doing a parent search for children, the cost of 15 children's records if returned would cost just 30 Euros thanks to the welcome addition of the discount scheme over a year ago. Now they will cost 42 Euros by the time I have purchased enough credits - I will need 377 credits for the search and the records purchases at 25 credits each. The basic way to do that if approaching the site for the first time now is to buy a block of credits at 10 Euros, ie 73 credits, and then a block at 32 Euros, another 320 credits. This then gives me a total of 393 credits, enough to do that search and buy those images - but at a cost of 42 Euros, not 30.
I can certainly bulk buy credits and get a discount - but by doing so I am gambling that I will need more credits in the future. But what if I don't? The maths involved here as well in trying to work out how many credits I will need is mind boggling. I've done an analysis of some cases, which I have blogged about at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/rootsireland-makes-search-and-payment.html.
I am also dismayed to see that the parent search facility has regressed to being enabled now on an all county basis only, and not by civil district/parish and denomination, which was previously the case. That is an unbelievably regressive step, and I would be grateful if you could explain why this has been implemented.
In the last year or two the RootsIreland website has been a joy to work with - only last weekend I spent about 80 Euros searching for family in Raphoe in Donegal. Thank God I did it then, as I would not know where to begin now with what appear to be some appalling and somewhat regressive changes.
Dismayed,
Chris Paton
Chris Paton BA (Hons), HND, PgDip (Genealogical Studies)
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story family history research
www.BritishGENES.blogspot.com
British GENES (GEnealogy News and EventS)
And here's the response - please don't blink as I would not wish for you to miss it!
Dear Mr. Paton
Thank you for your detailed feedback. The new credit/searching system is in its first phase of development and testing. We have noted your opinions and analysis of the changes to the site this week.
Yours sincerely
Customer Support Team
www.rootsireland.ie
Note that they have not answered my question about why they have withdrawn some of the search capabilities that used to be on the site, or tried in any way to justify why they have now made it more expensive for the casual user. Also note that whatever changes have been implemented, these apparently comprise "the first phase of development and testing". God only knows what other pleasurable joys they have lined up for us.
They have noted my opinions and analysis, and now I hope they further note the following - I will no longer be supporting or using their site. I can equally stick two fingers up, and quite frankly, I'd rather save my pennies and go back to Ireland to look the materials up myself now.
For the Irish Genealogical Research Society's take on what it refers to as RootsIreland's "backward step", visit Claire Santry's blog at http://irish-genealogy-news.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/igrs-responds-to-backward-step-by.html.
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
Dear IFHF,
I have had a look at the new payment system and indeed the new search system, and am fairly appalled at some of the developments.
From what I can see, the site advertises that searches will be cheaper if credits are bought in bulk - but for the casual user who may wish to do one search only, or just a handful, it is in fact going to be more expensive. To quote one example, in the old set up, by doing a parent search for children, the cost of 15 children's records if returned would cost just 30 Euros thanks to the welcome addition of the discount scheme over a year ago. Now they will cost 42 Euros by the time I have purchased enough credits - I will need 377 credits for the search and the records purchases at 25 credits each. The basic way to do that if approaching the site for the first time now is to buy a block of credits at 10 Euros, ie 73 credits, and then a block at 32 Euros, another 320 credits. This then gives me a total of 393 credits, enough to do that search and buy those images - but at a cost of 42 Euros, not 30.
I can certainly bulk buy credits and get a discount - but by doing so I am gambling that I will need more credits in the future. But what if I don't? The maths involved here as well in trying to work out how many credits I will need is mind boggling. I've done an analysis of some cases, which I have blogged about at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/rootsireland-makes-search-and-payment.html.
I am also dismayed to see that the parent search facility has regressed to being enabled now on an all county basis only, and not by civil district/parish and denomination, which was previously the case. That is an unbelievably regressive step, and I would be grateful if you could explain why this has been implemented.
In the last year or two the RootsIreland website has been a joy to work with - only last weekend I spent about 80 Euros searching for family in Raphoe in Donegal. Thank God I did it then, as I would not know where to begin now with what appear to be some appalling and somewhat regressive changes.
Dismayed,
Chris Paton
Chris Paton BA (Hons), HND, PgDip (Genealogical Studies)
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story family history research
www.BritishGENES.blogspot.com
British GENES (GEnealogy News and EventS)
And here's the response - please don't blink as I would not wish for you to miss it!
Dear Mr. Paton
Thank you for your detailed feedback. The new credit/searching system is in its first phase of development and testing. We have noted your opinions and analysis of the changes to the site this week.
Yours sincerely
Customer Support Team
www.rootsireland.ie
Note that they have not answered my question about why they have withdrawn some of the search capabilities that used to be on the site, or tried in any way to justify why they have now made it more expensive for the casual user. Also note that whatever changes have been implemented, these apparently comprise "the first phase of development and testing". God only knows what other pleasurable joys they have lined up for us.
They have noted my opinions and analysis, and now I hope they further note the following - I will no longer be supporting or using their site. I can equally stick two fingers up, and quite frankly, I'd rather save my pennies and go back to Ireland to look the materials up myself now.
For the Irish Genealogical Research Society's take on what it refers to as RootsIreland's "backward step", visit Claire Santry's blog at http://irish-genealogy-news.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/igrs-responds-to-backward-step-by.html.
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
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