Friday 29 June 2012

Friday's Genealogy Selection


There's more about the recent release of the London Land Tax records on Ancestry here.

More news, too, on GRO Northern Ireland's plans for the future.

The latest Podcast from TNA is available here.

London's Gresham College has released its list of free public lectures for the next couple of weeks.

First spotted on Chris Paton's blog is this item on new Irish Prison Indexes and Durham BT's on the FamilySearch website.

Folk with ancestral connections with the West Midlands (me!) will be interested to know that Worcestershire's new 'superarchive', The Hive, is to open on Monday 2nd July - see here. This all-in-one facility may represent the repository of the future...

BTW, Pembrokeshire Record Office is currently in a state of upheaval - see here.

FindMyPast have issued a mini-release of Yorkshire records.

And the usual Friday stuff from the BBC's HistoryExtra website...


More news to be found on the BI-Gen Twitter feed.



A reminder to you all that you can get 10% off any subscription at FindMyPast.co.uk - just click below, have a look round, then navigate to the 'subscribe' page ... and use the code JUNE10OFF (applies until 1st July to findmypast.co.uk only).



You have been warned, chaps...


Thursday 28 June 2012

A Bit of This & a Bit of That


In the general absence of any earth-shattering genealogy news, I have today decided to present you with a miscellany of bits and bobs. Hope you enjoy them.



Back with 'the news' tomorrow!


Wednesday 27 June 2012

Archive Move, Welsh Stuff & Libraries


It has been announced that the Leeds branch of the West Yorkshire Archive Service is to close/move.

FindMyPast have been busy again. Latest news from their stable concerns the release of 2 million new Welsh records - see here. Remember that if you subscribe to FindMyPast.co.uk before the end of 1st July you will get 10% off by using the discount code JUNE10OFF - subscription options here.

There's a worrying story on the 'Public Libraries News' blog. Something's gotta give ... will it be the public sector spending cuts, or will it be the rest of our libraries!?! Check out the item here.

A couple more 'Ask the Photo Expert' posts have appeared on the FMP site.

Big news concerning the GRO Northern Ireland has been reported by Chris Paton.

There's more Olympic stuff here (and prepare for much more, no doubt, soon!).

Following yesterday's brief mention, there's more info to be found re. MyHeritage's new SuperSearch feature at the organisation's blog.

Ancestry have unveiled their latest record set: London Land Tax Records, 1692-1932.

And if you're a heavy user of the Ancestry website, then you may wish to follow John D Reid's advice.

Map freaks may be interested to learn of the latest developments in 3D mapping (involving my home town, too!) - see here.




Another idea for your memoirs...


Tuesday 26 June 2012

Events, Offers & Newsletters



This weekend's forthcoming events are dominated by the giant annual get-together that is the Yorkshire Family History Fair. I have exhibited there many times in my former days as a small time publisher during the late 90s and early 00s, though I shall not be there this time around. It's a fantastic event - get there if you can.




Another money off code is available from the folk at FindMyPast.co.uk. Click HERE, have a look around, then proceed to checkout, where you should use the code JUNE10OFF to get 10% off your chosen subscription package. Note that this only applies to FindMyPast.co.uk. Code lasts from 26th June to 1st July.


The June edition of the S&N Genealogy Supplies 'Email News' can be found here. Whatever your research interests, do have a quick look as there's lots of new stuff on offer from S&N/TheGenealogist contained therein.


The latest Parish Chest newsletter is also now available (remember to scroll down the bulletin for the latest product releases).

MyHeritage has released its new SuperSearch feature. US blogger, Randy Seaver, has a nice summary here.

Thanks to Claire Santry for this list of forthcoming Irish events.

John D Reid has this interesting post on the subject of genetics (the subject matter is mainly concerned with health/disease and genetics).

Chris Paton brings us this snippet concerning genealogy workshops in Devon.

This looks interesting ... check out the promotional video for The European Library, the new creation from Europeana. The website itself is here.

Oh, here's another offer for you. I see that Lulu.com is offering 20% off purchases until Friday 29th June (see their homepage which shows the code here). So now's the time to buy up all my books at my Lulu storefront! You have to register at Lulu (free) before you can use the site. P&P is a bit hefty on 'hard copy' books, but if you buy more than one then it works out much better.

More news at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




From 1930s America...


Monday 25 June 2012

London, Genetics & Ireland


The latest TNA Podcast is ideal for London researchers - check out 'Lost in London'!

An interesting post has appeared on The Genetic Genealogist blog concerning the accuracy of the AncestryDNA test, and particularly its 'Genetic Ethnicity Prediction'. Ancestry themselves also attempt to explain things (a little thinly) here.


A flurry of Irish news:


Here's the latest update re. 'Newest Genealogy Records on the Internet' from the folk at GenealogyInTime.

This looks like a cracking new website: 'Britain From Above, 1919-1953'. See also the related Daily Mail Online article. Just launched today, apparently.

Blogger & researcher Kirsty Wilkinson points out an unusual resource for researching your Scottish female ancestors.

Here's the usual weekly round-up of history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

The July issue of HistoryToday magazine is now available.

As ever, more stuff available at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.



From St.Dunstan's, Stepney:

Here lies the body of Daniel Saul,
Spitalfields weaver - and that's all.

Saturday 23 June 2012

Saturday Surprise


I wasn't planning on putting out a post today, then realised I'd forgotten to give you this little lot on Friday...



Whilst I'm at it, I might as well pass on these little snippets and stories:
All for now.



Friday 22 June 2012

More FMP News + Other Stuff


FindMyPast Ireland have released another batch of records from the Petty Sessions order books, with information on 2 million+ cases - see here.

GOONS members may be interested in this offer.

Here's some news about newly-available Kent Wills.

Whilst catching up with the British GENES blog I spotted a couple of items of note which had escaped my radar:



Similarly, a little catch-up from the Anglo-Celtic Connections blog brings us:


The folk at Family Tree magazine have announced a joint print & digital subscription option - full details here.

It seems an opportune moment to mention the National Library of Wales' Flickr page.

Here's the latest update to FamilySearch's database, including stuff for Northumberland, Lancashire, Cheshire & Yorkshire.

Much more available via the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




Thanks to @yourfamhistory on Twitter for...


[note: this video is over a year old - she is now almost 116 according to Wikipedia]

And you'll also love this one...


Thursday 21 June 2012

Cheap Scottish Wills + Lots More


ScotlandsPeople have announced a price reduction on online applications for wills and testaments.

The Scottish Genealogy Society has published several new publications/CDs of late - see here. The same society is also holding a family history class on the subject of the census on 14th July - see here.

FindMyPast have released another batch of Royal Household Records.

There's been a nice cash boost for Belfast's Linen Hall Library.

And a similar announcement re. The British Library can be found here.

This event at the TNA almost slipped by without me noticing (be quick though).

There are several interesting events happening in Lewes, East Sussex, this weekend

Via Claire Santry's blog, we have Kilkenny and Carlow news.

The latest issue of Your Family Tree magazine is now available. Please note the availability of a nice set of free downloads, even if you don't buy the magazine (just follow the link).

Welsh and Cornish are the 'Purist Britons', Scientists Claim may interest you.

'Records of London's Livery Companies Online, 1400-1900' looks a handy website (thanks to @History_Hub on Twitter).

I find Ruth Blair's blog, The Passionate Genealogist, worth keeping tabs on. A couple of recent posts are a whole month's worth of tips on oral history and interviews and then there's the latest 'Ruth's Recommendations'.

A nice little historical piece for Jane Austen fans can be found here.

More news, etc., available via the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




Thanks to @History_Hub on Twitter for...

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Opinionated Clergyman


A selection of entries from the unofficial 1816 census for Rothbury, Northumberland, as taken by the local clergyman:


Joseph Hindmarsh is married and has three sons - the eldest 19. They have 2 Bibles and 2 Prayer books. The house is not very clean but it seems to be the fault of the hovel in which they live rather than that of the inhabitants.




James Tues, aged 78, and his wife, live by themselves in great poverty and yet are contented. They only have 2 shillings a week allowed to them by the Parish and the old woman earns about 2 pence a day by spinning, and on this they live without a murmur. They have 1 Bible and 1 Prayer book.




Mr Gray was apprenticed to a grocer, married a woman who had £1,500, took a farm under Sir J.Riddell ... and manages it with the utmost economy. He has two sons and two daughters, three male servants and one female, [and has] 2 Bibles. He goes to the meeting at Thropton but calls himself a dissenter rather than a Presbyterian; a disciple of Belsham's & Paine's apparently in religion as well as politics. He abuses constituted authority, admires himself prodigiously, and like other factious brawlers for freedom, plays the tyrant at home. His cottagers are in a wretched plight. He was turned out of the room on Easter Tuesday, 1815, after dinner, for turbulence and licentiousness. 




George Dixon and his wife have two sons and two daughters, the eldest 6 years old. They have 1 Bible, a clean house, but go to the Meeting. This man in May 1814 bought a cow off his master John Bolam for £18 which sum he gave him a promissory note, payable 6 months afterdate in Nov.1814. He paid the money, but did not recover his note, which remained in the hands of a Banker, who now prosecutes him for payment.


[thanks to Pennie Redmile]



Tuesday 19 June 2012

Forthcoming Genealogy Events + Other News


Forthcoming events of interest to the genealogist:

Good to see the 'Public Libraries News Blog' back after a short break. Do have a look at its recent postings, which include substantial 'news catch-up' posts, more on the 'volunteers-in-libraries' debate and the usual appeals to those in power to get themselves sorted re. the future of our libraries.  

Chris Paton's blog post, here, is the best place to go for a nice overview of the ground-breaking new 'Hub' system of research facilities being launched in Scotland. Brilliant.

Chris also has news of a possible UK 'genealogy cruise'!

There have been a couple of updates to the Origins.net website concerning...
  • Somerset Medieval Wills Abstracts, 1385-1558;
  • New Origins.net Image Viewer.

Family historians will be keen, I am sure, to sign this e-petition.

Oh, and here's a history crossword for you to labour over.

One last thing. If you read my short piece on "Our Ancestors' Secret History" on Saturday, you may wish to examine some of the fall-out from the TV programme in question (start here). I must admit that I had a slightly uneasy feeling that the programme was a little biased against the developers and overly 'in favour' of certain families, but I had no idea it would all kick off like this! The main thrust of the argument presented in my article still applies, though.

More stuff available via the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




Oh, not another bungled hanging story... (thanks to @History_Hub on Twitter)



Monday 18 June 2012

FMP Stuff + Scotland + Ireland + More!


FindMyPast have released a new record set pertaining to the city of Sheffield - see here.

FMP have also made the following announcement: you can now see a list of all the records you’ve ever viewed on findmypast.co.uk since Dec 2010. Just sign in to your account on the site and click the ‘my saved records’ tab at the top of the page to view and organise your records. You can also record how good a match you think the record is with the ancestor you're looking for by clicking on one of the pencil icons.

Users of the FamilySearch website may have noticed the appearance of the 1861 & 1871 Census indexes for Scotland to go with the earlier additions of the 1841 & 1851 efforts. Access via this link (and scroll down) or, indeed, this link. Note that they are merely indexes - you will have to the Scotland's People website or FindMyPast for more detail.


Some news from Ireland, via Claire Santry's blog:

Irish researchers will most certainly want to have a look at the brand new online e-magazine, Irish Lives Remembered. Click here, and follow the 'magazine' link. Fabulous!

The latest Lost Cousins newsletter is now available. Great reading, as ever.

The National Archives latest e-newsletter highlights their naval records.


Here's a record source you may not have heard of: the British Telecom Archives. See this short intro where you will find the relevant link.

Here's a useful summary of 'Newest Genealogy Records on the Internet' from GenealogyInTime Magazine.

Users of the Society of Genealogists' Library Catalogue may wish to read this.


Thanks to @CharlotteFrost1 on Twitter for flagging the London Marriage Licences 1521-1869.

The Two Nerdy History Girls bring us their weekly collection of handy history links.

More news available via the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




This is a strange one...


Saturday 16 June 2012

Something for the Weekend 12



Our Ancestors’ Secret History

I wasn’t even going to watch the programme in the first place: The Secret History of Our Streets, it was called. Episode 1 – and the whole series, in fact – was/is about the history of random thoroughfares in outer London. I have virtually no ancestral interest in the social history of the capital … but my fancy new TiVo box recorded the programme by accident, so I thought I’d give it a chance.

The show was great, as it turned out. It concerned the changing face of Deptford High Street – its ups and downs over the years, how it once was, and how it is now. It used maps – most famously Charles Booth’s colour-coded Victorian affairs – to illustrate how the area has moved in and out of favour over time with various classes of society. It also contained much in the way of personal accounts and recollections of old-timers who have known the place since the immediate post-war era.

However, the central pillar of the programme was the concept of our streets as communities, and not (as I had anticipated) as structural or architectural entities. It brought the social effects of the ‘compulsory purchase orders’ and so-called ‘slum clearances’ of the 1960s sharply into focus. It even produced documentary evidence that these suburban ‘improvement schemes’ were foisted upon close and helpless communities with little or no justification. Tight-knit and largely happy neighbourhoods of working class people were unthinkingly bulldozed and scattered in the name of high-rise progress.

I’ve never really lived in such a close and supportive community as that which existed in places like 1960s Deptford. Our family was forced out of just such a neighbourhood in Newcastle’s West End and into the more distant suburbs when I was a babe-in-arms (in 1966, before you ask) – at a time when more space and a good deal less intimacy with one’s neighbours seemed like a good idea. Deptford’s little story was, therefore, something of a revelation to me.

Sure, it was a bit of a hark back to the ‘good old, bad old days’, but it made me appreciate a mode of existence – a style of living – that had been the accepted norm for many, many centuries. A huge expanse of time when we all relied on each other in a much more immediate way than we do today: extended family, close friends and neighbours all supporting each other – physically, financially and emotionally – on a daily basis. A world that has largely vanished today.

It set me wondering about those aspects of our ancestors’ lives which we shall never really know about. We have their names, where they lived, what they did for a living and, of course, the important dates in their lives. But it was the daily interactions with those around them – those who shared their house, their street, their town or suburb – that really made the lives of our forebears what they were. Insights into these vital aspects of former times are so very difficult to come by – indeed most of us will never be lucky enough to catch so much as a glimpse of them. Sadly, recorded history rarely ventures into these important corners of our past.

I’m not sure I have really been able to get over my point. If you can, watch the show to get an idea of just what I’m getting at. It’s available in the UK via the BBC iPlayer until 18th July – see here.


Mick Southwick



If you’d like to write a piece for the ‘Something for the Weekend’ feature, run it past me - I'd really like to hear from you. There is no need to be an expert, a published author, or qualified in any way. You just need to have something interesting to say – or maybe you’d like to promote a product, a research technique or even show off your expertise! And you can even give something a little ‘plug’ if you wish (a book, or whatever). Get in touch with me at micksouthwick@blueyonder.co.uk . Oh, and it’s OK to be controversial!

Friday 15 June 2012

Friday's Genealogical Bits & Pieces


The latest Podcast from The National Archives is up for grabs (Tracing Merchant Seamen, 1857-1918).

There's also quite an interesting post on TNA's blog about mapping 'the Tube'.

The National Archives of Scotland's website carries a few new items of interest (Jubilee exhibition / West Register House access restrictions, etc.) - see here.

Many of you may be interested in the new exhibition opening at the National Library of Scotland, Going to the Pictures: Scotland at the Cinema.

As is the tradition, the latest prominent American politician to feature heavily in the news, Mitt Romney, has his ancestral roots examined by the media - see here.

I should like to direct all Irish researchers to Claire Santry's Irish Genealogy News blog, where there has been a burst of activity over the past few days - mainly minor stuff, but none of which should go un-noted by those with an interest in this part of the world.

I see the ITV Wales archive is to be donated to the National Library of Wales.

A 'Britishness' survey on the brightsolid website provides a little bit of interest for us genealogists.

Irish specialists, Eneclann, have a few items for sale - see here (also note the items at the top of the list).

There are a couple of fascinating articles about genetics, here and here.

And from the BBC's HistoryExtra website:



More news, etc., available via the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




Not very genealogical, I'm afraid - or even British/Irish - just downright horrific...


Thursday 14 June 2012

PoW Stuff, New Dorset Records + More


FindMyPast have released an important new military dataset, namely, WWI and WWII Prisoner of War records - see here.

Ancestry have unveiled their new 'Dorset Records' collection - a page dedicated to the English county. See the intro here, where you will find the relevant link. Seems like most of them are new record sets, and some of them existing ones. Oh, and of course you can always see what's new and what's 'updated' on Ancestry (inc. the Dorset stuff) via this link.

The National Archives website/blog have featured several items of late:

Dublin-based history freaks will be interested in this series of lunchtime lectures.

Oh, I see the 1851 Scottish Census has now popped up on the FamilySearch website. As with the recent appearance of the 1841 data, I shall refer you to Chris Paton's neat summary of the news, here. Chris also has two important items re. Scottish Monumental Inscriptions website update, and Trinity College Dublin's new archive projects

The problem of dwindling family history society membership is looked at, briefly, by blogger John D Reid, here.

And there's more news at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




From the excellent 'Criminal London' blog...


Wednesday 13 June 2012

Curious Death / Burial Entries


Burials. 7th March 1781: Catharine, wife of John Bitten of Hythe, who on Monday 5th of this month was found lying in bed with her throat cut, and as her husband John Bitten was lying in the kitchen behind the back door in the same condition with a bloody knife clenched in his left hand, it was immediately suspected he was the murderer. According from circumstances the Coroner's Inquest found a verdict against him of wilful murder and suicide. He is buried at Headley Lane End leading to Bewley in the Cross Roads.

[Fawley PR, Hants]



Buried, R----, S---- and T---- (3 brothers), aged 24, 27 & 96 hours.

[Earls Barton PR, Northants]



1665: several deaths due to the plague, burials carried out at homes, in fields, etc, but not in the churchyard.

[Lamport PR, Northants]



Buried, P----, found dead after drinking spiritous liquors stolen from R----'s cupboard. Sad, sad, sad!!!

[Twywell PR, Northants]



Burial. An infant of Mary Ogden's, which she bare, murdered, and buryed. Aug 4, 1665.

[Calverley PR, West Yorkshire]



Burial. 5th Dec 1900 - Reginald Bruce Dear - age 6 months, an unbaptised child and therefore not brought into the church.

[Eling PR, Hants]



One day last week, as Ebenezer Harris, Esq., who was many years a partner in the firm of Richard Hunt & Co., iron merchants, Bristol, and was well known as a commercial traveller in the Western Counties and South Wales, was cutting his toe nails, he let the knife slip, and produced blood; mortification and lock-jaw ensued, and he died at his residence in Bristol, on Saturday week.

[from the Plymouth, Devonport & Stonehouse Herald of 21st November 1846]



If anyone has any other such oddities, then do let me know.





Tuesday 12 June 2012

MyHeritage Landmark + Events


A big moment for the ever-growing genea giant that is MyHeritage, as they reach the 1 billion profiles mark. Blimey.

Here's your usual Tuesday 'events listing'...

Those of you keeping a close eye on the future of our libraries may wish to keep tabs on the 'Envisioning the Library of the Future' blog. The post for 9th June is particularly interesting.

A new website for Irish researchers has popped up at 'Irish Lives Remembered'.

Many of you may find this post from Nicola Elsom useful re. utilising the DeceasedOnline website.

The Passionate Genealogist's weekly 'recommendations' post is always worth a look - with an honourable mention for the BI-Gen Blog (thanks!).

There has been quite a lot of comment lately about the blogging world and genealogy. The debate is neatly summed up by a post on the Geniaus blog. If you're a blogger or enjoy following blogs then I would urge you to click through to the two major links contained in the Geniaus post. Interesting stuff ... and it knocks us bloggers down a peg or two!

Having a look round some of the other genea blogs, I came across a pretty neat post about the 'generational divide' of our hobby. Is it real or imagined? As a 47-year-old, I'm kinda caught in the middle. Check out Elyse Doerflinger's thoughts here.

More news, etc., available via the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




The 'good' old days...

One and forty years
In wedlock we have been;
Ten children we have had,
But one is to be seen.

Epitaph from Preston Churchyard, near Weymouth.

Monday 11 June 2012

News From Ireland & England, Mainly


One of the more prominent news items to surface since I last reported to you is the announcement of the new (and free) genealogy service to be made available at the National Archives of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland. The disappearance of the former service a short while ago caused something of an uproar, so this is a welcome turn of events. The new e-newsletter from Eneclann is as good a place as any to go for the full story.

The next talk in the PRONI/Linen Hall Lecture Series will be delivered by Dr Ann McVeigh of PRONI. The title of the talk will be ‘Gone for Good: PRONI Sources on Emigration’. The lecture will take place at 1pm on Wednesday, 27th June 2012, at the Linen Hall Library. Admission is free, but it’s best to book your place in advance as seating is limited. Booking is via the Linen Hall Library website.

Users of The National Archives online catalogue will, perhaps, already be aware of this piece of news re. the 'switching off' of the old version of the same.

Worcestershire Archives have put out a reminder of the pending re-opening of their research facilities, namely, 'The Hive' on 2nd July. See here for full details.

University College Falmouth are running a 5-day writing course aimed at family historians - see here.

A few Irish events for the next few days can be found listed here.

Thanks to Chris Paton for spotting the release of the latest edition of the Scottish Council on Archives' 'Broadsheet' publication - looks extremely useful.

I'm sure many of you will be interested in the recent adventures of one of our most prominent genealogists, Nick Barratt - see here. Sounds a rather busy (but exciting) life!

If you're looking for more reading then check out the latest offering from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

FindMyPast take a look at the family tree of Simon Cowell.

More news and stuff at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




From the 'Wonders & Marvels' blog...


Saturday 9 June 2012

Something for the Weekend 11



TV Genealogy: Back to Basics

We are currently enjoying something of a ‘Golden Age’ of TV genealogy. Who Do You Think You Are?, War Hero in My Family, Find My Past and Long Lost Family have all graced our screens of late – to say nothing of other hidden nuggets on radio. It’s all a far cry from a decade or so ago when family history was not deemed worthy of even a passing mention on the box.

We may have ‘never had it so good’, but questions have been levelled at the quality of the research behind the glut of TV coverage. Have stories been ‘sexed up’? Has the quality of the research been up to scratch? Frankly, from a distance, none of us can comment on such accusations; but some of those close to the shows have expressed concern that academic standards have been compromised in the search for a ‘good story’.

TV commissioners are, more than ever these days, interested only in what has wide public appeal. In a highly competitive market, viewing figures are all – and this is reflected in the subject matter of the current crop of genealogical programmes. To pique the interest of the casual viewer, stories often involve a celebrity; and if the process involves something as ‘risky’ as an unknown member of the general public taking centre stage then we have to have high drama: a world war, perhaps, or an emotional reunion. And, dodgy research or not, this is understandable. After all, how else are we going to persuade non-family historians to tune in?

Will there ever be room, I wonder, for a return to basics?

Back in 1979, ex-news presenter and actor, Gordon Honeycombe, presented a low-key five-part series on BBC2 entitled, simply, Family History. The series, repeated several times during the 1980s, was, if memory serves, a simple affair, and followed the central figure on his journey of genealogical discovery. It would show really boring things like parish registers (usually still held by the parish church), census returns, and all sorts of other dry old source material in the flesh. You know, the very basics of genealogical research. The accompanying book of the series (Discovering Your Family History by Don Steel) was loaned to me by a work colleague in the mid-1980s, and away I went on my own 20-odd year journey of discovery.

These days, any such basic, on-screen guidance to the records is limited to occasional on-line tutorials – but even these are hard to come by. Is there any chance, do you think, that the golden media that is television will lower itself to producing a back-to-basics, step-by-step guide to genealogy? Let’s see what a parish register looks like, tell us how the census returns can be used to maximum effect, and indoctrinate folk in the principles of structured, rigorous research techniques. And, of course, tell them how rewarding and fun the whole process can be.

I shouldn’t think it’ll make for sexy enough viewing, though.

More excellent comment on the subject of family history and TV can be found here.


Mick Southwick



If you’d like to write a piece for the ‘Something for the Weekend’ feature, run it past me - I'd really like to hear from you. There is no need to be an expert, a published author, or qualified in any way. You just need to have something interesting to say – or maybe you’d like to promote a product, a research technique or even show off your expertise! And you can even give something a little ‘plug’ if you wish (a book, or whatever). Get in touch with me at micksouthwick@blueyonder.co.uk . Oh, and it’s OK to be controversial!

Friday 8 June 2012

More Ancestry Rumours + Other News


More on the Ancestry.com-for-sale story can be found here. Oh, and there's much more protracted discussion here.

The latest Parish Chest newsletter is now available (remember to scroll down for the 'New Products & Suppliers' section).

Chris Paton's British GENES blog has a few especially handy posts, thus:

A couple of items of interest have been flagged by blogger Ruth Blair:

This is still a few weeks away, but you may wish to consider booking your place on this special occasion at the HQ of the Society of Genealogists on Saturday 4th August.

Most of you will be aware of the British Newspaper Archive's ongoing digitisation project - well, this looks like a handy page to keep tabs on.

And then there's the BBC's HistoryExtra website...

And remember to keep in touch with genealogy news, etc., over the weekend at the BI-Gen Twitter feed. Many items and links to articles, etc., which don't make it onto this blog can be found here - so do have a look.




As a genealogist, there's every chance that you're a bit of a romantic. So I think you'll like this one...


Thursday 7 June 2012

FMP, Ancestry & the Irish


FindMyPast have released another batch of records pertaining to North-West Kent.

How about this little snippet of gossip re. Ancestry's future?

Think you might be interested in Irish gravestone inscriptions/photos? If so, then check out the 'comment' made to my posting of 31st May by Jane Lyons - see here. And there's more Irish gravestone news here.

A couple more bits of Irish news from the keyboard of Claire Santry:



A few more 'forthcoming events' have popped up:

I am sure that you will find this post by Kirsty Wilkinson interesting: Is There Too Much About the War in Family History TV? Do you agree?

The latest HistoryToday Podcast can be found here (Opium Wars).

More snippets available via the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




From Belturbet Churchyard, Ireland:

Here lies John Higley, whose father and mother were drowned in their passage from America. Had they both lived they would have been buried here.

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Genealogical Oddities


Joseph White, a puddler at the iron works, of 44 Rockcliffe Road, Middlesbrough. He took more to drink than was good for him yesterday and whilst in a dazed condition walked into Cannon Street police station in mistake for his own home. Fined ten shillings or seven days in prison.

[North Eastern Daily Gazette, c.1903]


Yesterday morning the body of Alexander Griffiths who hung himself Monday last at Temple Back was, agreeable to law, buried in the cross-way upon Totterdown Hill and a stake drove through his body. A report having prevailed that the woman with whom he had long kept company had sold his body for dissection, the mob, upon the cart's arrival, grew very riotous, threw dirt and insisted on the coffin being opened to see if the body was there. When they found the body intire they suffered the officers to perform their duty unmolested. 

[Felix Farley's Bristol Journal, 20th January 1770]


13th March 1800. In the present great scarcity of bread flour Major Gibson orders the battalion for the future to appear upon parade without hair powder till further orders.

[from the 'Orderly Book for Captain Clark's Company, Whitby Volunteers']

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Not Much Happening


There is very little going on this coming weekend - well, as far as I can tell. If I've missed anything, then do let me know:


There is virtually nothing to report from elsewhere today, I'm afraid, as our nation feasts itself on the remnants of the Jubilee celebrations and overindulges itself in Bank Holidays. However, I fell across this useful summary of recent genea news on the Family Tree Magazine website (most of the stuff I've already covered, but there still a few bits which I've missed).

Though it's not strictly UK/Irish history, I know you'll like this piece entitled When John Met Sarah - Convict Courtship on the 'A Rebel Hand' website.

Thanks to @findmypastIE on Twitter for this list of Top 10 Celebs You Never Knew Were Irish.

Indeed, there are a few other bits and pieces of news, etc., available via the BI-Gen Twitter feed ... but it's a little on the quiet side, too!

That's all for today.




Try this out for size...

Monday 4 June 2012

Lost Cousins & The Family History Show


What is arguably the best online genealogical newsletter is that produced by Lost Cousins - latest issue is up for grabs here. It would seem that the Lost Cousins website itself is completely free up until 6th June - according to this report.

Episode 7 of the excellent Family History Show can be viewed here.

The latest e-bulletin from the Essex Record Office can be viewed here (PDF file).

Important news re. Belfast burial records has been flagged by Chris Paton.

Also from Ireland: more detail on the suspension of the 'Genealogy Service' at the National Archives from blogger Claire Santry.

A neat way to keep up to date with worldly goings-on in the genealogy world is to take in GenealogyInTime's latest round-up.

The 'Warfare' website/magazine has a good few military stories to peruse, here.

The BBC's HistoryExtra website has put out another Podcast.

A nice little round-up of history links is available at the Two Nerdy History Girls website.

There's just time to cash in on the special offer from Origins.net / Burke's Peerage - I'm told that by using the promotional codes jub2012 or diamond2012 (or even djub2012) at registration / checkout you can get 20% off their subscription rates (offer ends 5th June).

More genealogy news available via the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




Two lovely entries from the 'Questionable Advice & Advertisements' blog...



Friday 1 June 2012

The Jubilee Looms...


OK, so it's the Jubilee weekend...

FindMyPast are celebrating the occasion with the timely release of a new dataset, being the Royal Household Staff Records, 1526-1924. The index is free, but you'll need credits to view any finds.

The Genealogist has a few new items of interest in connection with the monarchy, too, here.

More monarchy-related bits and pieces can be found on the HistoryToday Magazine website, here and here.

Around 120,000 Scottish memorial transcriptions have recently been added to the DeceasedOnline database. See their website here, and explore the options at the bottom right of screen.

Interested in Scottish Valuation Records? Check out this brief but promising news item from Christine Woodcock

Some extraordinary goings on in Brent, with the closure and emptying of Kensal Rise Library.

Recent developments concerning the London Probate Registry and the likelihood of the provision of online probate calendars can be followed here.

For those of you considering a One-Name Study, take a look at this book from the GOONS.

Here's an unusual tale. It's about the study of arborglyphs ...

As usual, here's what the BBC HistoryExtra site has to offer this Friday:

Remember, please, that most of the UK's libraries and archives will be closed on Monday & Tuesday...

Some of you may be interested to know that I now have a Google+ account. I'm not sure that I really know how it works yet, but if you'd like to add me to your 'Circle' then please do so - and I will reciprocate. But bear with me, as I'm a novice.

One more point. I've a busy weekend ahead so will not be posting to the blog on Saturday or Sunday. If you're at the Sunderland History Fair (at the Seaburn Centre) on Saturday do say hello to me, as I have a stall for the day. I shall do my best to keep posting to Twitter, though, during the next couple of days (@HistoryMick).

Have a nice street party.




Here, boy...