Big Ideas

NEWS

Today has seen the unveiling of two or three really quite ambitious schemes in the genealogical world, so let's not waste any more time - here they are in order of 'big-ness'...

Of major significance is the launch of the World Memory Project by, jointly, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Ancestry.  The goal of this important venture is to "create a free online resource about victims and survivors of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution during World War II" - and they're looking for help from volunteers to put it together.  Rather than have me natter on about it, take a look at Ancestry's summary here, where you will also find further links of interest.  The project's main site is here.

TNA have announced, here, that the 1911 Census is being made available to the UK's schools this summer.  With the help of FindMyPast, the returns are being offered to our kids until the end of July in the hope that they can be used for research projects, and the like.  Can't help feeling that there may be a little something in this for FindMyPast, but you can't grumble, can you?  Any effort to get the younger generation interested in their ancestry/local history should be applauded - so 'well done' to TNA and FindMyPast.

TNA are also launching a new User Advisory Group, which presents those with a keenness for putting their oar in with a great opportunity to, well, er, put their oar in!  But seriously, this low key announcement will hopefully attract the right sort of individuals who can effectively represent our views and expectations at the higher levels of our hobby.  If you would like to get involved, then click on the link above and follow the instructions.

I have received an email from the Federation of Family History Societies reminding me of their ongoing competition, which poses the question: Who is the Most Interesting Person in Your Family Tree? - see here.  There is a corresponding compo for those under 21 years of age.

ARTICLES

GeneaBloggers have begun a series of blogs/articles on organising a Genealogy Conference (this link will take you to part 1).  OK, so it may have a bit of a US bias, but I'm sure that those who are into this sort of thing will be able to learn something from the series.

ON THIS DAY

1926:  The General Strike begins;
1979:  Margaret Thatcher becomes British Prime Minister.