Libraries on a Roll!

NEWS

After similar news from Somerset early this month (see here), the courts have now stepped in to force Surrey Council to rethink their plans over library closures/restructuring. It now seems as if the recent negative trend has been well and truly brought to a halt!

The National Archives are all set to launch their new online catalogue, Discovery, at the end of the month - so if you're a regular user then you'd better examine the fine detail, here.

Chris Paton brings us news of the Northern Scotland journal, here - with a free sample issue up for grabs.

The latest newsletter of the Ireland Reaching Out (Ireland XO) Project is now available. And the website itself is here.

The British Library have some stunning images up for sale at their 'Prints' section.

WEBSITES

Follow blogger John Reid to some newly-available records/documents from the British Army.

ARTICLES

Kirsty Wilkinson has a little piece on Scottish naming habits.

There's an article on the History of Ellis Island at The History Channel website.

And the usual excellent weekly listing of history articles is now available at the Two Nerdy History Girls blog.

TWITTER BITS

• Radio programme on our industrial past (from @EnglishHeritage);
• New exhibition at Bolton Museum (from @THP_Local);
• Lunchtime talks in Sunderland (from @TWArchives);
• 100 years in same house (from @genesreunited).

Articles Galore

ARTICLES, etc.

Was having a wander round the Internet this morning and have found plenty of weekend reading for you. So let's get cracking...

The National Library of Ireland have published a piece entitled 'Researching the Irish Famine'.

Those with an interest in Irish emigration to Australia may find FindMyPast Ireland's recent post on the topic of interest.

An unusual piece on the death of Tom Williams, Edinburgh's hangman, has been flagged by Christine Woodcock. See the relevant post, with link, here.

With WDYTYA? Live 2012 approaching fast, That Moment in Time blog reminds us that you can still get your hands on the handouts/notes from the 2011 event, here. Very useful.

The latest newsletter from GenealogyInTime is worth a quick look - see here.

The week's 'History Headlines' from the BBC are now available.

The same website also gives us some smashing images from the travels of Captain Scott.

Might as well stick with the Beeb, and their latest Podcast (again, more Antarctic stuff).

Oh, and there's another Podcast - this time from TNA - to be found here.

BTW, just one slight amendment to give you to yesterday's blog entry. Many of you will have spotted the deliberate mistake in the email address given for the Ancestral Tourism Partnership event - yes, it should have read n.phillips@kingston.ac.uk (and not three l's as previously given!).

I think that's enough for the weekend. See you Monday. Occasional minor updates and other nonsense available on Twitter by following me at @HistoryMick (or click on button, top-right).

Fancy a book? Have a browse of...

1881 Scottish Census at FMP

NEWS

A freshly-transcribed version of the 1881 Census for Scotland is now available at Find My Past. For full details and the relevant link see here. And, as far as I'm aware, you can still get 10% off the membership rates for FMP by using the promotion code NEWYEAR12 - or if that doesn't work try STFTW12 (until 31st January - try the site out here).

FMP have also released additional records for the county of Cheshire - see here.

DeceasedOnline have come forward with more releases - this time from the Scottish Highlands.

The February issue of Family History Monthly is now available.

Pen & Sword Books have issued another 'offers' bulletin.

And finally, news-wise, I will give you the next announcement (via the FFHS's Roger Lewry) in full...

The following announcement has been received from the Ancestral Tourism Partnership:

Dr Nick Barratt will be among speakers at the Archives, Digitization and Heritage Tourism Workshop taking place at The Centre for the Historical Record, Kingston University, London 2.30 - 5.30pm on Wednesday, 22 February 2012. This innovative workshop aims to facilitate discussion and dissemination of information about the latest digital developments in the field of archives and heritage that are designed to increase public use and awareness of historic records and to encourage more people to visit local repositories and sites of historic interest. It will be of particular interest to archive, museum and heritage professionals, local councils keen to promote heritage and tourism in their area, and anyone interested in public history, local history and family history.  Everyone is welcome and entrance is free but places are limited so please reserve your seat online (http://number8glass.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dd1d56a1060255e3c02857d1b&id=2ae699084b&e=b2cded504a).  This link will also provide more information about the scope of the workshop. For more information please contact Dr Nicola Phillips, The Centre for the Historical Record at:  n.philllips@kingston.ac.uk or 020 8417 2895.

WEBSITES

The 3rd anniversary of GeneaBloggers has just passed - which gives me an excuse to direct you to a neat little post on the worthy set-up, here.

Fell across the MemoryBistro website on Twitter, and thought it was worth a mention. Doesn't appear to have launched yet, but looks like an interesting concept.

ARTICLES

The Family Recorder blog has two recent articles of interest. Firstly, there's a piece on Free Online Genealogy Tools; then there's an item on an unusual, and often ridiculed, occupation - the 'monthly nurse'.

MEDIA NEWS

What looks like a great week ahead for history on TV & radio can be scrutinised here.

TWITTER BITS

• 'Napoleonland' theme park (from @74guns via @2nerdyhistgirls);
• 1984-85 Miners' Strike (from @heritagehistory);
• Dublin City Book Fair on 22nd (from @findmypastIE);
• Early Photography (from @Amateur_Casual);
• Wolverhampton events (from @WolvesArchives);
• 1960s London footage (from @peter_watts);
• Pram fashions - fantastic! (from @BritishPathe).

Need a Genea book or software? Try...

BI-Gen Store

Of Scott and Scots

ARTICLES

One hundred years ago today the brilliantly named Captain Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole on his ill-fated British Antarctic Expedition - and was a wee bit disappointed to find that he'd been beaten to it by some Scandinavian bloke. The Internet is awash with the anniversary news - but you may not have seen this entry on the Europeana website (see also 'Twitter Bits').

A few sources have mentioned the recent story regarding the appeal for descendants of, or information about, the victims of Scotland's Tay Bridge Disaster of 1879 - no doubt as a result of the recent Find My Past TV show about the event. As good a place as any to 'read all about it' is here.

NEWS

Remaining in Scotland, Chris Paton brings us news of the opening of the new resource centre of the FHS of Buchan. 


The recent release of those London Electoral Registers by Ancestry has prompted a fair bit of debate. Blogger John Reid offers his views here (where there is also reference to Audrey Collins' recent article on the topic).

The Manx Museum Reading Room will be closed during 23rd-28th January - details here.

There's a Podcast from TNA - it's another presentation from the Census conference back in October.

And here are a few events of interest in the next few days...

• Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd January - Oxford Book Fair;
• Talk (27th) and Advice Session (4th Feb) at North Yorkshire CRO - see here;
• Postcard Fairs at Twickenham (20th & 21st), Sittingbourne (21st), Chester (21st), Bloomsbury (22nd) and Digbeth (25th) - see here (please check with organisers).

TWITTER BITS

• Archive Pace Setter Scheme (from @Bradfordww1);
• Founder of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home info appeal (from @findmypast);
• Muhammad Ali 70 today (from @LondonHistorian);
• More Captain Scott stuff (from @heritagehistory);
• Grade II listed 'no entry' sign! & here (from @EnglishHeritage).

Need a Genea book or software? Try...

BI-Gen Store

A Few Articles for You

ARTICLES

It's a quiet start on the news front this week, so we’ll entertain ourselves with a few articles.

The eternal question of which of the major genealogical subscription websites to sign up to perplexes many a new-starter in this hobby of ours. The Family Recorder blog has a stab at providing a bit of guidance on the subject, here.

I’ve been quite taken by the Two Nerdy History Girls blog since discovering it a few days ago. Once a week they provide us with a neat listing of recently-spotted articles - mainly stuff picked up on Twitter. The 'Nerdy' pair themselves are US-based, but the content of the blog has lashings of British material. The latest weekly instalment of article links can be found here. And I'm sure you'll find the piece on 'The Fine Art of Walking' entertaining, too.

'Malthus and the Seven Billion' provides an interesting angle on population studies, and leaves the reader wanting to learn more about the chap in question. 

And it is always worth checking out the GenealogyInTime feature 'Newest Genealogy Records on the Internet' from time to time.

NEWS

Claire Santry brings us another update to the Ireland Genealogy Project Archives.

And those within striking distance of London may wish to consider what the British Library has on offer over the coming weeks, here.

WEBSITES

A new-ish website for researchers in the East of England has popped up in the shape of the 'East Anglian Film Archive'. Follow the link from Chris Paton's helpful blog post, here.

Scottish Bits, Ancestry + Podcasts

NEWS

Details of the timetable for the SAFHS 2012 Conference on Saturday 21st April in Dundee has been spotted by Chris Paton - see his post here and follow the link.

In what is a very busy year for anniversaries, the National Library of Scotland is commemorating the ill-fated Captain Scott expedition to the South Pole - see here.

And there's another news item of interest to historically-minded Scots with a piece on TNA's website about the loan and display, in Scotland, of a 700-year-old William Wallace letter.

Two new history Podcasts are available:

• BBC HistoryExtra (early modern Germany, and Victorian notions of Ancient Egypt);
• TNA Podcast (Henry III Fine Rolls)

Ancestry have released Electoral Registers pertaining to Dorset covering 1839-1922 - see their updates page.

And Ancestry have also released a free update to Family Tree Maker for Mac2.

Oh, and the February issue of HistoryToday is now available.

ARTICLES

The week's 'History Headlines' from the BBC can be viewed here.

OTHER STUFF

A history crossword for you to tackle (darn tricky).

OTHER BITS FROM TWITTER

• BookShelfPorn - pics of bookshelves! (from @EHChalus);
• SoG's Book of the Month (from @SoGGenealogist);
• Don't forget free WWI stuff today! (from @AncestryUK);
• Family Tree Mag competition (from @familytreemaguk);
• Emilia Fox at WDYTYA? Live (from @wdytyamagazine);
• Irish TV history programme (from @findmypastIE).

And you can 'follow me' at Twitter by clicking on the relevant button at the top right of this page.

Need a Genea book or software? Try...

BI-Gen Store

And what about a Kindle?

Libraries Bite Back!

NEWS

Tucked away on the BBC website is a story to warm the hearts of library lovers, historians and genealogists across the land concerning the decision taken by Somerset County Council to scrap their plan to close several of the county's libraries. Fact is, they have had their hand forced by the High Court, no less - and it looks like it will lead to a bit of a cash injection for the institutions, too. Wow! One would assume that a precedent has now been set...

The Parish Chest has issued its latest newsletter, which includes details of the release of many, many new genealogical products.

As this year sees the passing of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, I guess we'll be hearing rather a lot from the guy in the near future. Londoners can kick off with this offering from the Museum of London.


I had a look at Claire Santry's Irish Genealogy News blog this morning, and realised that I'd fell behind a bit with the same! Claire has been busy catching up with various bits and pieces concerning Irish research - so I'd urge you to go there now and bring yourself up to speed on items such as ... oh, there's too much, so just take a look for yourself!

It seems that legendary blogger, Dick Eastman, is over the worst of his health scare.

And Pen & Sword Books have more offers up for grabs, here.

MEDIA NEWS


TV & radio guides for the next few days can be found here and here.

ARTICLES

Another story out of Somerset, with the unearthing of an alleged 'Jack the Ripper' manuscript.

And if, like me, you're just getting into Twitter (or are thinking about it), then check out these two online articles on the same which I found most helpful:

• GenesReunited item on 'Social Media';
• New to Twitter? piece for genealogists.

Thanks to the many of you who have already decided to 'follow me' (see http://twitter.com/HistoryMick ) - which means that I shall have to at least try to entertain you as best I can with regular instalments!

OTHER BITS FROM TWITTER

In the meantime, I realise that many (most?) of you don't bother with Twitter, so the blog shall very much remain the main medium through which I work. And here are a few more little stories from the, er, Twittersphere, as I believe they call it...

• Footage from Ireland in 1962 (from @thejournal_ie);
• Canadian Emigration Papers release from FMPIreland (from @findmypastIE);
• 'What a clever girl' story from Ireland (from @the_irish_times);
• Online Palaeography lesson from TNA (from @familytreemaguk);
• History in schools discussed in House of Commons (from @HistoryExtra);
• History of Leinster House (from @findmypastIE).

TNA Stuff & a Good Deal of Reading

NEWS

A couple of announcements from The National Archives first:

• BT Archives to be digitised;
• Closure of 'Your Archives'.

And there is also a new TNA Podcast to take in - Anxiety, Dread & Disease: British Ports 1834-1870.

The Scottish Genealogy Society is offering free advice sessions for newbie genealogists - see their homepage. (thanks to Chris Paton/Chris Halliday).

And followers of US blogger, Dick Eastman, will no doubt already know about his recent illness.

ARTICLES

And with a good few articles to get through, we'll start, in fact, with the aforementioned Mr Eastman, and a strange tale about genealogy and crime detection. 

The Passionate Genealogist blog's post from a couple of days ago makes mention of two very interesting articles. Firstly, there's a lengthy piece on War and Famine in Ireland, 1580-1700; and then there's a light-hearted piece about how NOT to conduct your FH research. Access both here.

And the eternal question of the location of the geographical centre of Great Britain is tackled on the OS blog.

MEDIA NEWS

Several blogs and websites are reporting the beginning of a new series of BBC Radio Scotland's Digging Up Your Roots. It began on Sunday - access it on the BBC iPlayer, here. It's only online until 15th - but is also available as a download from iTunes.

OTHER BITS FROM TWITTER

As I've just signed up to Twitter (@HistoryMick), I will, in due course, be working out ways of bringing you extra snippets of news from this area of the Internet - just as soon as I've got used to the darn thing. For the moment, though, I'll tag a few bits on at the end of my daily posts for you to take or leave as you wish...

• TNA looking for help with their new guidance notes (from @UkNatArchives);
• TNA Chief to speak in London (from @KathrynHannan);
• @findmypast recommends this TV programme;
• New book on dieting in history (from @genesreunited);
• Predictions for the future from 1900 (from @findmypast);
• 1940s POW twitter diary (from @genesreunited).

If you want to 'follow me' then please do (@HistoryMick). Once I'm up to speed with the set-up, I shall no doubt contribute as best I can!

Check out the TEXTBOOK SALE at...

News from ALL Five Nations!

NEWS

Unusually, today we have news from all five major 'nations' of the British Isles...

The biggest announcement of the day is probably Ancestry's release of 130-year's worth of London electoral registers, 1835-1965 - a whopping great resource by the sounds of it, though I've not yet investigated it myself. Have a look at the story here.

Ancestry has also released a new batch of records for Kent, namely, the Tyler Index to Wills, 1460-1882 - see Ancestry's updates page.

And, lastly from England, there's this news story about the threat to the future of the Wedgwood Museum & Archive in Staffordshire.

News of a forthcoming Open Day at the National Library of Wales can be found here. Note that some sources are giving the date as 29th January - but surely the library's website itself can be trusted with the correct date, namely, Saturday 28th January. Not sure if the talks have to be booked.

Electric Scotland has issued another update - follow the relevant link from here.

There are genealogy courses available on both sides of the border in Ireland - see Claire Santry's blog entry on the topic.

We're off to the US now for a useful video presentation by FamilySearch regarding search methods which may be employed when using their website. A neat lesson in lateral thinking which could come in handy when using other databases and websites.

ARTICLES

We return to Ireland for an article from the Irish Echo (via the CIGO website) about the campaign for the early release of the 1926 Irish Census - with plenty of background info, too.

And FindMyPast Ireland has a piece on Irish Marriage License Bonds.


On a slightly grander scale, we have another media rumour about Henry VIII and the identity of who should have been the 'real Queen Elizabeth I'.

MEDIA NEWS

The WDYTYA? Magazine website has a media update, including a chance for you to appear on TV.

Click here>>>  BI-Gen Store   <<<Click here

FamilySearch Bonanza

NEWS

FamilySearch have announced massive additions to their datasets over the holiday period - over 100 million new records from 33 countries. Included are developments relating to the 1871 Census for England & Wales, Norfolk PRs, and Welsh Probate Abstracts.


There's more information about the release of additional detail from the 1911 Census for England & Wales at FindMyPast. Important that you read this, too, as there's a special offer on regarding purchasing credits for viewing the 1911 Census.

Manchester researchers will want to keep an eye on the Manchester Histories Festival website. This year the programme runs from 24th February to 4th March.

Southampton City Archives are due to re-open soon. However, the occasion has been put back from Tuesday 10th January to Tuesday 17th January - keep an eye on the situation here.

And there's a new history Podcast from the BBC, here.

ARTICLES

Following on from yesterday's effort, there's another twins story, here.

There's the week's 'History Headlines' from the Beeb.

And there's a 'taster' article from the Jersey Evening Post about governmental record releases. Though the article doesn't give much away, I think you get the gist - especially when you read the comments underneath! One of the comments actually makes an interesting (and valid, I think) point about confidentiality regardless of any 100-year-rule... (thanks to James).

MEDIA NEWS

I see the US is preparing itself for another series of WDYTYA?

Famous Old Photos

ARTICLES

Was delighted to see these old photographs on the MyHeritage blog. I've seen them from time to time over the years, but always a joy to see them again - aren't they great? Makes me wonder why my lot didn't start taking pics of themselves until the 1920s.

I found another Christmas article this morning which is worth passing on, I think. It's from the Irish Times website and concerns a 100-year-old letter to Santa - see here. What an amazing survival!

NEWS

Still awfully quiet on the news front...

The January programme at Belfast's Linen Hall Library can be found here.

There's a book sale at The National Archives Bookshop - and there really are some cheap 'uns on offer, too!

On the subject of books, see what's coming onto the market soon thanks to this post from John Reid. Lots of North American stuff in there, but interesting all the same.

Scottish Monumental Inscriptions have released a few new CDs - see here (and click on 'News').

And if you're an Ancestry customer then you'll want to read this post about the new print facility on the Image Viewer.

Slow Start

A slow start to the year, news-wise - but I'll give you what I've got...


NEWS

Claire Santry's Irish Genealogy News blog is back on the road after the festive period, with an update to the Ireland Genealogy Project Archives, and a helpful events listing for January. I hope you will excuse the slight lull on Claire's blog of late, which is due to her being otherwise engaged.

The first Lost Cousins newsletter of 2012 can be found here - which in itself gives you plenty of reading to make up for today's paltry blog effort!

A handful of events are coming up this weekend...

• Saturday 7th January - York Book Fair;
• Postcard fairs at Powick (7th) and Glasgow (8th) - see here. Please check with organisers before travelling.

ARTICLES

Scottish researchers with an interest in WWI are sure to want to have a look at a guest post on the British GENES blog by Tunji Lees. It concerns the Scottish WWI Pensions Appeal Tribunals records held at the National Records of Scotland.

And thanks to this post at The Family Recorder for a rather odd but interesting analysis, here, of the place-names of the UK.

OTHER STUFF

Came across this interesting new product this morning. Seems like a neat idea, namely, Blank Family Tree Sticker Charts from My History. Click on the link below to be taken straight to the relevant page...

New Beginnings

WEBSITES

As you would expect, the Internet is awash with New Year stuff. Lots of nonsense and waste-of-time efforts, but a few notable items, too. If anyone spots any particularly entertaining pieces, do let me know.

Those I've noticed include this post on the GeneaBloggers site - with mention, too, of weekly blog/research themes of former years. Not sure how the 2012 theme will pan out, but the 2011 instalments, prompting the individual to record their own personal history, were a great idea (and are still available for persual).

The Passionate Genealogist is having a crack at regular postings, too - but in this instance it's a Daily Research Tip via her Facebook page. See the relevant post here.

ARTICLES

For those of you utterly determined to stay in the festive mood, then take a look at this article on the MyHeritage blog concerning New Year traditions from around the world.

And if you're wondering which anniversaries will dominate our historical world in 2012, then The Family Recorder blog suggests that the coming year may have a Dickensian feel to it.

NEWS

If it's old-fashioned genealogical news you want today, then John Reid's Anglo-Celtic Connections blog brings us the latest update from the FreeBMD site; and then there's a little item from John concerning UK nurse records.

Check out the January newsletter from the CWGC, here.

And there's a newsletter, too, from the National Library of Ireland.

Latest Family History Magazines

NEWS

I've been a bit lax of late when it comes to mentioning new releases of our genealogical magazines - so here are the latest editions of the periodicals in question:

• Family Tree
• Your Family History (not sure if Jan issue out yet)
• Your Family Tree (out on 3rd Jan)
• Who Do You Think You Are?
• Family History Monthly

Additionally, of course, there are:

• BBC History Magazine (out 3rd Jan)
• HistoryToday
• Best of British

As regards HistoryToday, a great round-up of some of their more notable articles from 2011 is freely available here. Some good reading is available there, so don't miss out!

And there's also a Podcast available in connection with the BBC mag. Oh, and the week's TV & radio can be found here.

If anyone is thinking of buying anything from Lulu.com, then now's a good time to do so as they're offering 25% off until the end of 6th January (UK pounds only). It's completely free to join/register and there are no catches. Click on the homepage and you should see mention of the voucher code. And remember, my Lulu Storefront is here.

A warning for users of TNA's website: there may be some disruption to online services on Tuesday 3rd - see here.

Today is Day 6 of 'Start Your Family Tree Week' - click below for further info...

And the week's activities have been backed up with some extra guidance from several sources, including both the Family Tree magazine blog and Your Family Tree magazine website. Plenty of useful reading there, especially for beginners.

That's all for today and, erm, the year, of course. Thanks for dropping by - and remember to make BI-Gen a regular port of call during your genealogical wanderings in 2012!

Scottish News & TNA Releases

NEWS

Chris Paton's British GENES blog brings us a selection of news announcements from the National Library of Scotland - see his post here. It includes news of the NLS 'Roadshow' in March.

The turn of the year sees the usual release of a new batch of public records by TNA (30-year rule, and all that) - see the announcement concerning the unveiling of the 1981 files here. Look out for the link to a related Podcast concerning the same, too, near the bottom of the item.

There's more information on FMP Ireland's release of 'Thom's Irish Who's Who 1923' (which I mentioned yesterday) to be found here.

Looking forward to 2012, I see that North Yorkshire County Record Office has organised a special 'Next Steps in Family History Day' on 4th February. It's a full-day course, bookable in advance - so get in ASAP to secure your place.

MEDIA NEWS

The British Library is carrying an interesting piece about their role in a forthcoming BBC Radio 4 programme entitled In Our Time: The Written World.  Fascinating stuff.  The press announcement is here - and be sure to click on the link after the second paragraph, too.

ARTICLES


The Ordnance Survey blog is carrying a 'best of' post which includes some interesting reading. Those of you who are a bit unsure of how to read maps (grid references, etc.) will want to take in the relevant articles.

OTHER STUFF

We began with a Chris Paton blog post, so we will end with one. Here's a bit of humour from the Inverness kirk session minutes.

Day 5 of 'Start Your Family Tree Week'...

10 Great History Quotes

History is... the men and women of the past talking and we overhearing their conversations.

(Anon)

There is no history of mankind, there are only many histories of all kinds of aspects of human life. And one of these is the history of political power. This is elevated into the history of the world.

(Karl Popper, Austro-British philosopher)

Stern accuracy in inquiring, bold imagination in expounding and filling up. These are the two pinions on which history soars - or flutters and wobbles.

(Thomas Carlyle, Scottish Historian)

To walk into history is to be free at once, to be at large among people.

(Elizabeth Bowen, Irish novelist)

The best benefit we derive from history is the enthusiasm which it excites.

(Goethe, German poet & dramatist)

History is but a picture of crimes and misfortunes.

(Voltaire, French writer)

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
(Karl Marx)

History shows that there are no invincible armies.
(Joseph Stalin)

History is the essence of innumerable biographies.

(Thomas Carlyle, Scottish Historian)

That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons of history.
(Aldous Huxley, English writer)

Day 3 of 'Start Your Family Tree Week'...

Boxing Day Reading

ARTICLES

In the expected absence of any major news stories breaking on the day after Christmas (with one major exception, see bottom of post), I have lined up a few articles for you to peruse, plus a link to a 90-minute video presentation which may have passed you by last week...

Let's start, in fact, with the video. It's a recording of a presentation given by the famous Dick Eastman to the Massachusetts SoG entitled 'The Family History World in 10 Years Time'. The quality of the video is not especially good, but the subject matter is interesting none the less. It's only available online until 14th January - click here, then scroll down a little bit, make a note of the password and follow the link.

Some of the subject matter of the above presentation is also covered in a recent post by Dick on his well-known blog. It concerns the much anticipated FamilySearch project to convert their entire microfilm stock to digital images (which will then be made available worldwide free of charge!) - read Mr Eastman's take on the issue here.

From the digital environment to the old-fashioned world of books (remember them?), and an insight into the art of bookbinding - see this article on the National Library of Ireland blog.

The Genealogy Paradigm Shift: Are bloggers the new "experts"? seems to have sparked a fair bit of debate in the family history world, with spin-off blog posts and articles across the Internet. I certainly do not consider myself an 'expert' by any stretch of the imagination, but rather a disseminator of information. End of.

NEWS

Don't forget, too, that Boxing Day is the official launch date of 'Start Your Family Tree Week'. Click below for further information...

No Christmas Let-Up for us Bloggers!

I was hoping for a few 'blog-free' days over the Christmas period, but an unexpected rush of news items has put paid to that! Seems like everyone is trying to clear their desks of all sorts of bits and pieces - so here's a selection for you. Nothing major, really, but I'll run them past you none the less...


NEWS

If document preservation is your thing then you may be interested in the December newsletter of the British Library Preservation Advisory Centre.

Or maybe you're interested in developments in the library sector on the Continent? In that case you'll want to have a look at Europeana Libraries Project's December bulletin (check out the article on the forthcoming 'European Library' website).

Blogger John Reid has fell upon some important news for those of us with an interest in Welsh wills.

And though it's not of direct interest to genealogists, I have noticed a recent burst of activity on the 'Heritage of Wales News' blog. Well, fans of Welsh history may be interested, I guess.

More 'Workshops' of interest to family & local historians have popped up on the National Library of Scotland's website - see here.

Dick Eastman brings us news of the release of The Master Genealogist version 8.

And both students and tutors of family history will want to cast their eyes over the December issue of the Pharos bulletin.

ARTICLES

The Anglo-Celtic Connection blog has an article on the effect of breast-feeding habits on infant mortality rates.


Still hungry for more Festive reading? Then have a browse of these special articles plucked from the HistoryToday archives.

And there's more general comment from Nick Barratt, here, which includes reference to a Daily Mail article on our family history skeletons (link is at the very bottom of his post).

And don't forget the following coming up on 26th (which is when you'll next hear from me)...

Genealogical Festive Offers and News

NEWS


FindMyPast are offering 10% of all subscriptions from (as far as I can tell) now until the end of January. Reports vary as to the length of this offer and even when it officially starts, but I'll be carrying a link on my blog entries for a few days to remind you of the same - at least until we get through the 'Start Your Family Tree Week' during 26th Dec - 1st Jan....



Pen & Sword Books are (again) in discount mood, too - check out their latest bulletin, here.

Ancestry have made a couple of 'techie' announcements: the first concerns their new 'Android App', and the second relates to updates to their 'Image Viewer'.

Off to the Society of Genealogists now, and a reminder of their holiday opening hours on their main page; and they have also began pushing their January lectures.

There's bad news concerning the future of Carmarthenshire County Museum, with various blogs and websites reporting on the source of the news story, here.

And BBC History Magazine has posted another Podcast, here (Exeter's underground tunnels and the perils of water in Tudor times).

ARTICLES

The BBC also has a raft of special 'Festive Features' on offer. And of course there is the usual batch of 'History Headlines' for the week.

MEDIA NEWS

... Oh, and don't forget the next week's worth of TV & radio highlights.

OTHER STUFF

The HistoryToday website has posted its latest prize crossword.

And if you're a follower of Nick's Barratt's new-ish Family History Show website, then you may wish to offer a bit of feedback, here.

Famous Scots Blog Discontinued

NEWS

Followers of prolific blogger/writer/lecturer, Chris Paton, will perhaps have already heard the news that he has discontinued his famous Scottish GENES blog. The news is not quite as dramatic as it sounds, however, as Chris has simply transferred his entire blogging effort over to his British GENES blog - and the Scots coverage will not suffer in the slightest. Get it from the horse's mouth here.

Chris's blogs have kicked up a couple of recent items which I have missed, namely, the pending change in the opening hours of the Hawick Heritage Hub, and a new project concerning the East India Company.

I keep banging on about this, but please take care with opening hours of libraries and record offices over the next couple of weeks or so. Also, of course, many repositories have the habit of changing their hours permanently with the dawning of a new year! I see that The National Archives have publicised their holiday hours here - ditto the ScotlandsPeople Centre here.

The ScotlandsPeople Centre have also published details of a Family History Talk on 25th January, and are reminding folk of their free taster sessions (plus one or two other bits of news) on their main page, here.

And returning to TNA, why not have a listen to their latest Podcast (How the Ministry of Pensions Constructed Gender in the 1950s).

ARTICLES

And if you feel like cancelling Christmas this year, then you can take a lesson from history.