Events at Home & Abroad

The title's a bit misleading, really, as I never feature fairs and other events which are happening abroad - except at this time of year, that is. For 2nd-4th February sees the mighty RootsTech extravaganza take place in Salt Lake City in the US - an occasion which can be enjoyed by anyone worldwide thanks to the live online streaming of many of the presentations. Several blogs have been building up to the event for weeks, but there are a couple of helpful posts at Dick Eastman's site, and at the ScotGen blog. The page you need for the 'Live Streaming' seems to be here.

As for events here in the UK, well, there isn't much happening. A book fair + a few postcard fairs, thus:

• Sunday 5th February - Killerton (Devon) Book Fair;
• Postcard Fairs at Bristol (4th), Guildford (4th), Nottingham (5th) and Southampton (5th) - see here. Please check with organisers before travelling.

It is worth pointing out that there are a couple of family history courses being laid on at the Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland on 11th February and 10th March - with a whole lot of other talks available, too, during Feb-March. Full details here.

A quick reminder, too, of the Manchester Histories Festival during 24th Feb-4th March. A lot of the events are, I think, bookable, so get yourself registered at the site so that you don't miss a thing. Now I'll not be telling you again!

Please note that Devon's record offices and its local studies centre will all be closed during 6th-19th February - that is, the North Devon RO in Barnstaple, Devon RO in Exeter and the North Devon Local Studies Centre (also in Barnstaple). There are also to be some changes to opening hours in the near future, so do keep an eye on the situation if you're a regular visitor.

Many of you will have noticed the recent news from FindMyPast concerning the pending release of records pertaining to East Kent - with a pretty neat summary of what's to come available on the SoG blog.

FindMyPast's parent company, brightsolid, are, as you probably know, making moves on the US market. Blogger Dick Eastman sums up developments nicely here. 

FindMyPast Ireland has released a small record resource entitled Deserted Children Dublin 1850-54 - see here.

The outcome of the recent 'Rock Star Genealogists' poll has been published, the various category results being scattered across several posts on John D.Reid's Anglo-Celtic Connections blog (you will have to scroll back through the entries a bit). A public 'thank you' is extended to John, too, for mention of my blog a few days ago which produced a little surge of hits!

Family History Books for Kids!

(click below for details)

Entry from the unofficial 1816 Census of Rothbury, Northumberland, by the local clergyman:

Isabella Urpeth is a strange half-witted vagabond. She lives in a wretched filthy hovel with two grown up daughters whom she will not suffer to work or learn anything. She gives all imaginable licence to her tongue, and her hands, and her character is like her dress, all in tatters. She has a prayer book and a Bible, which she never uses, though she's asked for others!

We shall return to this curious document from time-to-time over the coming weeks...

(thanks to Pennie Redmile)