Monday, 20 May 2013

Discover Scottish Land Records book promotion

My book Discover Scottish Land Records, published in Australia by Unlock the Past, is on a promotion just now from Gould Genealogy, retailing at AU$14.50, about £9.30 (normally AU$20), plus p&p. The promotion lasts until the end of May. For full details of what is in the book, and to order, visit www.gould.com.au/Discover-Scottish-Land-Records-p/utp0283.htm.

Alternatively, the book is also available in a PDF based ebook format from http://www.gen-ebooks.com, retailing at AU$18 (no p&p!), roughly £11.60, and where you can also find an ebook version of my Discover Scottish Church Records, at AU$21.50, about £13.80.

Happy reading!

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...!

Family Tree comedy series broadcast in July

The Facebook page for Who Do You Think You Are magazine (www.facebook.com/whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine) has announced that the Family Tree comedy series, starring Chris O' Dowd and already being broadcast in the United States on HBO, will be shown on BBC2 in July. There is no official confirmation yet from the BBC on an exact transmission date, such details normally being announced a fortnight in advance of broadcast.

For more on the comedy series visit my earlier posts at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/family-tree-comedy-series-coming-soon.html and http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/family-tree-comedy-series-series-preview.html - the original BBC press announcement when first announced last November is at www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/family-tree.html.

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...!

Ancestry Library Edition available in Aberdeenshire

The Library Edition of Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk) is being freely offered to visitors at libraries in Aberdeenshire. Amongst offerings available via this version of the Ancestry site are the 1841-1901 Scottish census transcriptions.

Full details at www.kincardineshireobserver.co.uk/news/local-headlines/chance-to-research-family-1-2935051.

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...!

Friday, 17 May 2013

Northern Irish GRO vital records platform online by October?

I've just received my latest copy of North Irish Roots (Vol 24, No.1), the Journal of the North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org), packed with goodies!

There's an interesting unconfirmed report in the journal within a feature on civil registration in Ireland that the planned GRONI civil registration records platform may be going online in October of this year - I stress may. The platform, inspired by the success of ScotlandsPeople (www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk), is believed to be intending to operate similar closure periods to the Scottish site for births (100 years), marriages (75 years) and deaths (50 years), as well as to offer, for the first time, online indexes to Norn Irish BMD records after 1921. For further back ground to this, see my previous posts at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/gro-northern-ireland-to-set-up.html (which includes a version of the tender that was posted on the United Kingdom Tenders website) and http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/more-on-new-groni-records-website.html.

It has to be stressed that this is unconfirmed - but it could make sense if GRONI was intending to perhaps launch it an event such as Back to Our Past in Dublin, which happens in that month.

One plea I would make in advance - if the GRONI has been inspired by ScotlandsPeople on this project, one would hope that they would follow the inspiration on that site's pricing also, where vital records can be purchased for approximately £1.40 each (including search fee). At present, the GRO in Belfast charges the highest rates in the United Kingdom for civil registration based GRO certificates for births, marriages and deaths, at £15 per record (cf £12 Scotland, £9.25 England and Wales).

Fingers crossed....!

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...!

Society of Genealogists events in London

Forthcoming events at the Society of Genealogists in London (www.sog.org.uk):

1 June 10:30-13:00 My Ancestor was Welsh
A half-day course with Mari Alderman Cost 17.50

1 June 14:00-17:00 Care & Conservation of your Family History Collection
Liz will explain the best methods of preserving your documents and photographs. There will be examples for you to view and a question and answer session for queries about specific items
A half-day course with Liz Yamada Cost 17.50

5 June 14:00 A Brief Introduction to Rootsmagic Software
This talk will give you a brief introduction to the latest version of RootsMagic, v 6. During the talk Charlie will highlight which new features were introduced in versions 4, 5 and 6 for the benefit of anyone thinking about upgrading from an earlier version
A one-hour lecture with Charlie Mead Cost 6.00

6 June 18:00-20:00 Education and Apprenticeship Records (evening skills course)
A two-hour evening course with Geoff Swinfield Cost 20.00

8 June 10:30-13:00 A Look at Cloud Computing: One Researcher's View of Computing in the Cloud
In a time where many of us have more than one computing device, as well as other family members who would like to see our genealogy research, the cloud offers us a way to share and transfer information with a far greater ease than previously available. “The Cloud” is something often referred to but not necessarily always understood. It not only offers us a way to collect the data associated with family history but also to share and collaborate with other people all over the world, in real-time if we want. This talk is how one family researcher makes use of cloud tools in his family research.
A half-day course with Graham Walter Cost 17.50

8 June 14:00-17:00 TheWork of the Heir Hunter
Despite good practices to ensure the benefits due to policy and bondholders or their heirs are paid out when due, a rising mountain of cash remain in member mutuals coffers estimated to be worth as much as 20 billion pounds, due to the fact those entitled cannot be traced. The Heir Hunters Association is concerned with providing advice and information to new and fledgling “Heir Hunters”, people who trace beneficiaries to estates left by people who died intestate - without a will.
A half-day course with Maurice Clarke Cost 17.50

12 June 14:00 Tracing Family in Australia
We will look at books and fiche in the Society's library, as well as useful material in the Guildhall, British Libraries, and The National Archives. Online sources will be reviewed: births, marriages & deaths, probate, passenger lists, electoral rolls as a census substitute, newspapers, biography, military, cemeteries and other sources.
A one-hour lecture with Peter Bennett Cost 6.00

13 June 18:00-20:00 Trades, Professions and Guilds (evening skills course)
A two-hour evening course with Geoff Swinfield Cost 20.00

19 June 14:00 Getting the Most from the Society of Genealogists
A one-hour lecture with the society’s genealogist, Else Churchill. Free of charge, but must be pre-booked - preferably by email: events@sog.org.uk

20 June 18:00-20:00 Army Records Before 1914 (evening skills course)
A two-hour evening course with Paul Blake Cost 20.00

22 June 10:30-13:00 Making the Best of the TNA Website
A day at The National Archives at Kew can be a daunting experience. Join this course and arrive better prepared. Well begin by looking at resources you can use before you visit to discover exactly which documents you need to order. You will then make the best use of your time in the reading rooms. There will be tips to help you find what you want easily and quickly.
A half-day course with Simon Fowler Cost 17.50

22 June 14:00-17:00 Manorial Records for Family History Research
The Lord of the Manor had many more rights than just those of a landlord. Apart from recording transfer of land and fines for infringements manorial records usually record the appointments of officers for the many other manorial functions, especially ale tasting!
A half-day course with Michael Gandy Cost 17.50

27 June 18:00-20:00 Royal Navy and Merchant Navy Records Before 1914 (evening skills course)
A two-hour evening course with Paul Blake Cost 20.00

29 June 10:30-13:00 My Ancestor Came From Bedfordshire
Your Bedfordshire ancestors can be a diverse cross section of the population following either agricultural lives involved with rural cottage crafts, or with more industrial occupations such as brick making or car manufacture. Your ancestors are likely to appear in many documents available for research within the county. Find out what records are available back to the medieval period that will identify your native ancestors.
A half-day course with Ian Waller Cost 17.50

29 June 14:00-17:00 Nonconformist Ancestors - including 19th Century Sects
A look at tracing ancestors who were Nonconformist (outside the Church of England) and will include the interesting and more unusual religious sects
A half-day course with Alec Tritton Cost 17.50

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...!

Dr Janina Ramirez to be after dinner speaker at Halsted Trust conference

From the Halsted Trust (www.halsted.org.uk), concerning its 2013 conference on migration, "Exodus, Movement of the People":

Dr Janina Ramirez to be After Dinner Speaker at Exodus: Movement of the People

The Halsted Trust is delighted to announce Ancestry.co.uk as the Platinum sponsor for our forthcoming International Family History conference, Exodus: Movement of the People at Hinckley, Leicestershire on Saturday 7th September 2013, organised by the Halsted Trust. We are also delighted to announce that we have engaged Dr. Janina Ramirez as our after dinner speaker.

Alec Tritton chairman of the Halsted Trust said "Ancestry.co.uk coming on board as the Platinum sponsor has enabled us to turn what we believe was already a great conference programme into a truly memorable one. We are also absolutely delighted to be able to invite such a well- known historian to bring her knowledge and expertise to our conference"

Karen Richardson Senior Manager of Community Marketing at Ancestry.co.uk said
“Migration and travel is one of the most fascinating areas of family history research, but also one of the most challenging. Whether your ancestors moved to a different town for work or crossed oceans in pursuit of a new life, their journeys can throw up a whole host of questions and complications when tracing your family tree. With this in mind, we’re excited to be supporting the The Exodus: Movement of the People conference and learning more from Dr. Janina Ramirez and the other speakers about many of these travels and how family historians can unlock the secrets of the journeys in their family’s past.”

Dr Ramirez is a presenter, lecturer and researcher. She specialises in interpreting symbols, and examining art works within their historical context. Following a degree in English Language and Literature at St Anne’s College, Oxford, Nina went to the prestigious Centre for Medieval Studies in York. Here she completed an MA and PhD on birds in Anglo-Saxon art and literature.

As a presenter, Dr Janina Ramirez has filmed a number of documentaries for BBC Television. In 2010 she presented her debut, ‘Treasures of the Anglo-Saxons’ which aired on BBC Four, before going over to BBC Two. In 2011, she presented The Viking Sagas, and Britain’s Most Fragile Treasure. Her three-part series for BBC Four, Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings aired in 2012. She has just finished writing and presenting Chivalry and Betrayal: The Hundred Years’ War and new documentary The Art of the Vikings: Secret Knowledge.

Janina Ramirez © Oxford Film and TV

Following her post-graduate study, she gained a lecturing post at the Department for Art History at York University. She has taught at Warwick and Winchester Universities, and is now Course Director for the Undergraduate Certificate in History of Art at the Department for Continuing Education, Oxford University. She also lectures for the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Dr. Ramirez has published widely on medieval art and literature, and is currently preparing a definitive cultural guide to Anglo-Saxon England. Nina has taught and researched across a broad chronological sweep, covering everything from the sculptures of antiquity to post-modern architecture. Her experience also stretches beyond the world of art, having lectured in archaeology, history, literature and language. She is a passionate and enthused academic driven by a desire to share ideas.

You can find out more about Dr.Ramirez at her blog http://www.janinaramirez.co.uk/
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Janina-Ramirez/246212975446522
Twitter at https://twitter.com/DrJaninaRamirez

For more information on Ancestry.co.uk and its migration records such as the "UK Incoming Passenger Lists" visit http://www.ancestry.co.uk

For more information about the conference and to learn more about historic British migration, visit the conference website at http://www.exodus2013.co.uk

(With thanks to Alec Tritton)

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...!

Who Do You Think You Are Live 2014 - change of dates

The dates for next year's Who Do You Think You Are Live show (www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.com) in London have been changed to bring the event a day forward, essentially now running from Thursday 20th - Saturday 22nd February 2014.

(With thanks to North West Kent FHS at http://northwestkentfamilyhistorysociety.blogspot.co.uk)

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...!

Cemeteries in Hong Kong

Ken Nisbet from the Scottish Genealogy Society (www.scotsgenealogy.com) has just dropped me a note about a useful web based resource, carrying cemetery details from Hong Kong. If your British ancestors lived and died there, it could be of interest - see http://gwulo.com/hong-kong-cemeteries.

The main site at http://gwulo.com/ has many other useful Hong Kong resources.

(With thanks to Ken)

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...!

War List of the University of Cambridge online

From Forces War Records (www.forces-war-records.co.uk):

Forces War Records Make ‘War List of The University of Cambridge’ available as a fully searchable database for the first time

The ‘War list of the University of Cambridge 1914-1918’ has been exclusively made available as a fully searchable database by leading military records website Forces War Records.

More than 14,000 members of the University of Cambridge took part in the First World War, but the University kept no official records of their services. Founded on the arduous work of J. Austin Fabb, printer of The Cambridge Review, the ‘War List of the University of Cambridge’ was laboriously compiled from various separate college records. It was the seventh and last edition, produced in April 1917, while the Battle of Arras was at its height.

Listed alphabetically by colleges, the ‘War List of the University of Cambridge’ can be explored easily like many of the other records and lists available on Forces War Records. There are various search options and tools available via the site, helping to make your quest into your ancestor’s military past a proficient one. Searchable information includes the roll of Cambridge graduates who served and fell during the war, and (where known) gives details and dates of period of service, rank and regiment, casualties and place or battle in which they occurred. Service qualification, honours, awards and year of graduation are also detailed.

Forces War Records is the definitive online guide to military ancestry searches and sister site to Forces Reunited, the leading British military community on the web with more than one million members. To search this war list, or to find out more about your ancestor’s military past visit: www.forces-war-records.co.uk. Reconnect with forces pals, veterans or comrades via: www.forcesreunited.org.uk.

(With thanks to Gemma Senington)

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...!

Thursday, 16 May 2013

Peterborough Cathedral burial records on Deceased Online

From Deceased Online (www.deceasedonline.com):

One of the UK's top 10 historic landmarks*, Peterborough Cathedral (pictured), has had all identifiable burial records digitized and uploaded to www.deceasedonline.com
* according to a 2007 survey

Exterior of Peterborough Cathedral

All available records from the mid 16th century are included, together with some earlier records which date back to the early 12th Century.

We believe that this is the first time that any Cathedral has digitized its burial records and made them available online**

** Brechin Cathedral (records also available on Deceased Online) is, strictly speaking, no longer a cathedral

The Peterborough Cathedral records feature many notable burials; including Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, executed in 1587 in Fotheringhay Castle, and Catherine of Aragon, Queen of England and first wife of Henry VIII

The records comprise scans of register entries (until 1995) and some photos of memorials and graves
Brompton Cemetery records start next week

Next week we start uploading records for the historic Brompton Cemetery in West London. This is the first time that one of the 'Magnificent Seven' Victorian Garden cemeteries has had all records digitized and made available through any website.

(With thanks to Deceased Online)

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...!