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.

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'...

GRO Debate Continues

ARTICLES

Blogger Audrey Collins has joined the 'GRO certificates' debate with an interesting analysis of her own on The Family Recorder blog. It's a funny old situation and it now needs to be carefully looked at by the folk in charge. It seems hard to believe that a system cannot be devised to modestly cash in on the sizeable demands of us family historians.

I see that Claire Santry has begun a series of guest blogs on the 'Certificate of Irish Heritage' website, with an article entitled 'In Search of the Townland'.

A short reminder of our early days of research is provided by the Genes Reunited website with their Top 20 Family History Tips as compiled by their members. Always useful to be reminded of such simple matters every now and again!

NEWS

Due to relocation in early 2012, Ceredigion Archives have revised their opening times for January and February - see here. It does, however, seem that they will specially open up for you if travelling from 'another continent', as they put it!

TheGenealogist has issued an update for it's Diamond subscribers - see here (mainly English stuff).

The National Library of Scotland has issued a fresh 'Events' listing covering January-March.

A listing of 'Black and Asian British History Seminars 2012' has popped up on The Historical Association's website.

MyHeritage have released a new version of their popular (and free) software program, Family Tree Builder - see the lengthy feature on the same here.

Check out some unusual discoveries made in The National Archives' holdings.

And I haven't mentioned the ReadIreland Book Database for a while - so check it out here (then click on 'Read Ireland Book News').

MEDIA NEWS

Here are a few TV/radio programmes which may interest you over the next week or so.

Archive Closures

NEWS


Essex Record Office will be closed for stocktaking from Monday 28th November to Saturday 10th December, inclusive - see their website, here. However, the conference centre and the ESFH research room will remain open. They will reopen on Monday 12th December at 9am.

North Yorkshire County Record Office will be closed for collections work and staff training from Monday 28th November to Saturday 3rd December, inclusive - see their website, here.

And, of course, remember that next Wednesday 30th November most of our libraries, archives and record offices will be affected by the planned industrial action.

Regular users of the FamilySearch website may wish to digest the information contained in two of the organisation's recent blog posts, here and here.

And Pen & Sword Books have some special offers on the go.

WEBSITES

Spotted on FamilySearch's Ireland Genealogy Facebook page are the following Irish place-name websites:

• www.logainm.ie 
• www.seanruad.com
• http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,591271,743300,0,10 

As the guy who recommended them suggests, you need to be creative when entering place-names, as there are often many ways of spelling a settlement's name!

Nice spot on Dick Eastman's blog of a UK company whose goods may well appeal to family historians!

MEDIA NEWS

TV & Radio for the coming week can be found here.

OTHER STUFF

For all us UK/Irish genealogists who wonder what the North American 'Thanksgiving' celebration is all about, check out this painfully ponderous ten-minute instructional film on the topic. Would never get away with holding those forks in the right hand on this side of the Atlantic. Naughty children!

New Genealogy Publication!

OK, so here it is. Get your cheque book ready:

Bi-Gen Collection 1: 

Dead End Hobby

Oddments from the World of Family History

Unusual & erroneous PR entries; witty MIs; unusual occupations; medical curiosities; sarcastic record entries; appalling living & working conditions; weird traditions; tall stories; coincidences; longevity; strange deaths; last wills, wishes & words; quotes; and other quirks of history. 

72 pages of genealogical entertainment and enlightenment from BI-Gen blogger, Mick Southwick.

The first in a series of 'collections'!

Ah, but how much does this fantastic new publication cost? Well, I haven't decided for sure yet, but when it's published on 1st December, it'll probably be priced at somewhere between £3.50-£4.00 + around a £1 p&p (overseas maybe £2-£3 more). So for 'early bird' orders, let's say the following:

UK customers: £4 including p&p;

Europe/RoI: £5 including p&p;

Other Overseas: £6 including p&p.

This pre-launch offer only applies to 'hard copies' of the booklet, though an e-copy version will be available from early December. There will also be other ways of obtaining the booklet other than directly from myself, such as via the publishers, Lulu.com (which may appeal more to overseas customers). But if you want your copy NOW, then send a cheque (GBPounds sterling only, please) made payable to 'M.Southwick', to 20 California, Winlaton, Blaydon-on-Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE21 6LY, UK. Or you can pay by Paypal via my email address micksouthwick@blueyonder.co.uk . Whichever way you do it, please remember to furnish me with your postal address. You can also use the DONATE button on the right - but you may have to send your address to me in a separate email. (Paypal is useful for overseas payments as it usually converts the currency automatically ... I think. I trust you to do the 'conversion calculation' yourself!).

The pre-launch offer will end on 1st December, so please get in touch before then. If you've any queries, then contact me on the email address above.

Class it as an early Christmas present ... for yourself.

Scottish Bits and Bobs

NEWS / WEBSITES

I seem to have fallen over several Scottish items during the course of the past couple of days. Nothing too dramatic or earth-shattering, but worthy of mention all the same...

Blogger John Reid has brought to our attention the availability of Census Street Lists for Scotland (note the 'comment', too).

Next we have a little update to the 'Electric Scotland' website - see the relevant post on the ScottishGENES blog.

And Christine Woodcock brings us three handy recommendations, thus:

• Glasgow/Paisley National Health Service records;
• Scottish military records guidance/website;
• Scottish Brewing Archives.

The only other item of note from elsewhere in the British Isles take us back to John Reid's Anglo-Celtic Connections blog for news on the addition of more Cornwall PRs to the FamilySearch website.

ARTICLES

We stay with John Reid's blog, and an interesting piece on the craft of transcription - see his intro (and link) here.

The History Man gives us a review of the James Clavell Library & Archives in Woolwich.

And it's back over the border and a nice piece by Chris Halliday entitled 'Memorials to Scotland's Last Witches' - rather appropriate for Halloween.

 

 

10 Great History Quotes

History is the sum total of the things that could have been avoided.
(Konrad Adenauer, German statesman)

The whole interest of history lies in the fortunes of the poor.
(Ralph W.Emerson, US poet & essayist)

Opinions concerning acts are not history; acts themselves alone are history.
(William Blake, English poet)

History is more or less bunk. It's tradition. We don't want tradition. We want to live in the present, and the only history that is worth a tinker's damn is the history we make today.
(Henry Ford, US car manufacturer)

History is an endless repetition of the wrong way of living.
(Lawrence Durrell, British novelist)

History never looks like history when you're living through it. It always looks confusing and messy, and it always feels uncomfortable.
(John W.Gardner, US writer)

The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.
(Leslie P.Hartley, English novelist)

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
(Peter de Vries, US novelist)

Study the past if you would divine the future.
(Confucius, Chinese philosopher)

Even God cannot change the past.
(Agathon, Athenian poet and playwright)

Lancashire Archives to Re-open

NEWS

Researchers in the NW of England will be pleased to learn of the re-opening of the Lancashire Archives on Monday 24th October. Prior to this, there will be a Preview Day on Friday 21st (10am-2pm). The Archives' website can be found here. The place will be back to normal for users from 9am on 24th (opening hours will be Monday 9–5, Tuesday 9–8.30, Wednesday 9–5, Thursday 9–5, Friday 9–5, 2nd Saturday of every month 10–4).

A tiny bit more information has trickled through about the recent addition to GenesReunited's resources, being this entry on the SoG's blog concerning Boyd's Marriage Index - which actually gives a nice bit of background info on the Index itself.

Thanks to the BritishGENES blog for pointing out the availability of Vol.1, Issue 1, of the Irish DNA Atlas Newsletter - being the voice of a new joint venture by the Genealogical Society of Ireland and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Looks like a fantastic idea!

The Irish Genealogy News blog brings us the latest update from the Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives.

And it's not often I mention art exhibitions, but the touring effort that is Family Matters: The Family in British Art may be worth a visit. The exhibition charts the depiction of its subject matter over four hundred years, and can be caught at any one of four venues.  It kicks off at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery (15th Oct-8th Jan), then moves onto the Millennium Galleries, Sheffield (2nd Feb-29th April), Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle (21st May- 2nd Sept), and Tate Britain (1st Oct-21st Dec 2012).

WEBSITES

Check out Kirsteen Mulhern's blog entry for the handy-looking Scottish Life Archive.

ARTICLES

And there's a wee bit more for the Scots to be found via Christine Woodcock's blog entry concerning famous final resting places.

Three-legged Man Mystery

In the absence of much in the way of news today, here are a few historical oddments to keep you entertained...


John Thomas Goddard of Weston, Bugsworth, was walking home with his father's wage - a sovereign - from the Lime Kiln where his father worked. He was set upon by two ruffians, who beat him so badly, his leg had to be amputated. Coincidentally, a day or so earlier, his brother had been killed on the Peak Forest Tramway. The amputated leg was buried in the coffin alongside the deceased brother.
[found among the records of St.Thomas Becket's Church, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire. Thanks to Jim Dunn]


The parishioners of Denchworth (formerly in Berkshire but now in Oxfordshire) must have wondered what Providence had in store for them when their new vicar was installed in the year 1446. He was called Parson Devyll.


C.Parker glazed this church in 1784 and glad of the job.
[message found scratched on the window of the south aisle of West Hendred Church]


1800 May: hail 6 inches in circumference.  July: temperature over 90 degrees F.
[Bulwick, Northants, PR]


And turn away if your name is Jay...
William Jay, buried the 24th day of March, being the last of his name in this parish and an end of a very worthless, malicious, ill-natured family, having for ages been remarkable for oppressing and (as much as in them lay) defrauding the Ministers of this parish of their just dues which character this person kept up to the last day of his life. Witness my hand, Rd Temple, Vicar, Pettistree.
[Pettistree, Suffolk, PR, 1744]

Hell Breaks Loose

NEWS

It's all kicking off in the genealogical world this morning following the news, yesterday, of the latest records release by Ancestry.  The original announcement - a huge piece of news pertaining to Irish records - can be seen here (you can also see them neatly listed here).  The National Library of Ireland, though, is not happy, as it insists that proper permission was not sought by Ancestry first.  The Irish Times has a reasonably full report on the matter here.  Trouble at t' mill, as they say.

Elsewhere, those other big-players, FindMyPast, have released their 'Manchester Collection', which pretty much speaks for itself.

A couple of items of slightly older news now in the shape of two reports on the FFHS website.  Both should be taken in by users of our London repositories especially:

• The 2nd meeting of TNA User Advisory Group;
• Archives for London Seminar.

I like to occasionally refer you to the list of forthcoming events maintained by the Scottish Association of FHSs - so here it is.

Staying in Scotland, East Lothian are flaunting their Polish connections with a special exhibition - see here.

Irish company Eneclann have released their latest newsletter, which includes a focus on Co.Clare.

And GenesReunited are currently offering a 10% discount on their Platinum subscription (valid until 3rd October).  Not that I've tried it myself, but the special code you need is, apparently, GENESRSEPT.

WEBSITES

'Some WWI Photographs' is worth a look.

OTHER STUFF

A bit of fun spotted by Chris Paton: The History of English (in 10 parts, in ten minutes!) - see his post here.  Nice one!

Your Story ... and Alan's

ARTICLES

On what is a bumper day for items, we shall begin with a batch of articles to get your teeth into.  Coincidentally, I have fallen across several online guides to studying and writing up your family history this morning, so I thought I'd pass them on.  I've not fully investigated them all, but they do look rather good.

Spotted on Your Family History Magazine's Facebook page are mention of, firstly, GENUKI's guide to 'Getting Started in Genealogy & Family History'; and, secondly, About.com's '10 Steps to Writing Your Family History'.

And when I was reading Ros Bott's interesting piece on Shakespeare's Genealogy, I came across her completely free e-book, An Introduction to Genealogy.  Yes, it really is free - though you can also buy volume 2 if you wish.

In case you're wondering about the 'Alan' in the title above, well, it's Alan Carr, star of last night's episode of WDYTYA?  For more background information on the show, click here.

NEWS

The Irish Genealogical Research Society is holding its 75th Anniversary Symposium in London on 1st October, where its theme will be Some Irish Comings and Goings - Aspects of Irish Migration.  If you're interested, you really need to act now and book your place.  So do it!

PRONI have announced some changes to their car parking arrangements, here.

Origins have announced the release of their Surrey 1695 Association Oath Rolls, containing nearly 12,000 names in total.

FamilySearch have announced some tweaks to their website - see here.

A few amendments/additions have been made to the Nottinghamshire page at GENUKI.

And the October issue of BBC History Magazine is now available.

WEBSITES

A major new British genealogy blog has been launched in the shape of Chris Paton's BritishGENES.  But fans of Chris's ScottishGENES blog needn't worry, as this site will continue to operate.

In line with the links at the top of this post, readers may be interested in having a browse of the 'Save Every Step' website.  I haven't had the opportunity of properly looking at the site yet, but it seems like a genuine effort - has anyone out there used the same?

OTHER STUFF

Finally, we're off to John Reid's blog now, and a recommendation for the new GenealogyInTime Toolbar.  Oh, and John also has a great post concerning some rogue genealogy TV ads - they're great, and do have a browse of the other videos which pop up in the YouTube display when the ads have finished, for there's more in there, too!  If you're easily offended, though, perhaps you should stay away!

Shape of Things to Come

NEWS

Yesterday I received a circular from David Holman, Chairman of the FFHS, imploring us all to act to help prevent pending cuts at Cornwall Record Office and the Cornish Studies Library.  The proposed changes can be seen here, and the gist of what David is saying is that this is the ‘thin end of the wedge’ for us countrywide.  And of course he’s right.  A pdf document was attached to the circular – a text which does not seem to be available online, so I will happily send it to anyone who is interested (contact me at micksouthwick@blueyonder.co.uk).  Otherwise, you should contact the repositories direct with your comments via the first link, above.  We should all be very wary of what is going on up and down the country in this respect, and be ready to act when we have to.  And, of course, to actually use the repositories as much as we can!

My usual Tuesday ‘Events Listing’ seems to get bigger every week.  And now I plan on including such items as ‘postcard fairs’, too, so brace yourselves…

• Wednesday 14th September – Cirencester Postcard Fair;
• Saturday 17th September – ‘Dig Up Your Roots in West Lancashire’ Family History Day, Ormskirk;
• Saturday 17th September – North Berwick Postcard Fair (St.Andrew Blackadder Church Hall, High Street, North Berwick – contact Gareth Burgess on 01368 860365 before setting out);
• Saturday 17th September – Chester Postcard Fair;
• Saturday 17th September – Powick Postcard Fair;
• Saturday 17th September – Lichfield Book Fair;
• Sunday 18th September – London (Alexander Palace) Book Fair;
• Sunday 18th September – Arkholme Book Fair;
• Sunday 18th September – Hungerford Book Fair;
• Sunday 18th September – London (Holiday Inn) Book Fair.

On the subject of ‘events’, now seems a good time to remind you all of the forthcoming ‘Exploring Local History’ Lecture Series at PRONI.

Oh, and here’s another one: TNA’s one day conference, ‘Titanic 2012’, is now open for early bird discount bookings.  The event takes place on 14th April next year.

Ancestry are offering us the chance to brush up on our genealogical knowledge (and push a few of their products, too, no doubt!), by way of their week-long (I think) ‘Ancestry Academy’.  Not tried it myself, but you can investigate here.

ARTICLES

A quite extraordinary genealogical story has appeared on the MailOnline website – see here.

OTHER STUFF

And though it’s not very ‘genealogical’, blogger John Reid points to a nice post about ‘Life’s Instructions’ – see his little intro here, where you will find the link in question.

Saturday Reading

ARTICLES

As I'll be spending most of today (Saturday) in Newcastle city centre, attending the National Family History Fair and taking in a few landmarks as part of the Heritage Open Days weekend, I have prepared this post a little early and scheduled it in for the early hours of Saturday morning.  I have had a look round for some reading for you, and the first thing I came across was an article on the issue of backing up your data - a thought-provoking piece which doesn't really provide any definitive 'best' answer ... though that's maybe because there isn't one.

The Ordnance Survey blog has a post which may be of interest to those of you who love maps (as many family historians do) and have been thinking about getting something in this line for your mobile phone.  Read the 'Mapping Applications for Your Phone' post here.

Then there is, of course, the BBC's 'History Headlines' weekly instalment.

WEBSITES

There's more reading for all you Welsh researchers who may not be aware of this useful-looking blog.

And read Christine Woodcock's blog post, here, for news of a handy online resource for Stray Scottish Marriages.

NEWS

Just the one item: a link to the latest Pen & Sword newsletter, which contains their '4 for 3' special offer and a family history books deal.

OTHER STUFF

A curious (and slightly perplexing) offering from the HistoryToday website, in the shape of 'Five Meditations on England'.  If nothing else it raises the question of English identity - both how they see themselves and how others see them.

Interesting Reading

ARTICLES

I seem to have fallen upon a glut of interesting little articles on the Internet over the past couple of days, so I thought I'd pass them onto you.  Oh, and do let me know if you yourself ever find anything useful or entertaining - contact me at micksouthwick@blueyonder.co.uk.

OK, so the first one is essentially a 'commercial' piece, but it still has a fair bit of value.  It's from Ancestry and is entitled 'Finding Your Immigrant Ancestors' - though it's mainly for the US market.

Christine Woodcock has blogged a useful link to help those engaged in researching Masonic ancestors - follow her lead by clicking here.  While I'm on the subject of Christine's blog, I should also mention her post on the subject of keeping a journal/diary - a useful prompt for us lazy genealogists (myself included).

If your looking for a bit of womanly advice, there's a curious piece to be found on the MailOnline website.

And finally, I have the 'Updates Genie' blog to thank for a helpful listing of how to go about applying for civil BMD certificates across Europe.  Follow the link on the original post, here (just in case there's a problem, the direct link is here).

NEWS


Please don't forget to cash in on the Heritage Open Days weekend across England - with operations commencing tomorrow, 8th September.  Similar schemes are, of course, operating in Scotland and Wales.

ReadIreland have issued another batch of book news.  Click here, then click on 'ReadIreland Book News'.

And talking of books, I see a major new work has recently been published by OUP entitled Surnames, DNA, and Family History.  I've not seen a copy, but if David Hey is involved it's usually pretty good. (Note: you may get it a bit cheaper on Amazon)

WEBSITES

A nice spot by Chris Paton: the Scottish 1841-1911 Census Street Indexes are now online.

Petition

NEWS

Just in case you haven't yet seen it, you may care to visit the government's e-petition website and join the campaign for reduced fees for 'research copies' of birth, marriage and death certificates in England & Wales - see here.  Do it now before you forget - even if you're Irish, Scottish, or anything else, for that matter!

Essex researchers may already be aware of this news, but I've just come across the Essex Record Office's 'Programme of Events' for 2011.  There's absolutely loads going on - coming up this month there is a conference on fashion (24th), a 'Discovery Maps' session (15th) and another of their regular 'Searchroom Tours' (21st).  All need to be booked in advance.

Several more records have popped up at TheGenealogist in the last few days, featuring lots of Worcestershire PR transcripts, a small selection of English trade directories and news of the release of the complete 1911 census for Hertfordshire.  Click here for further details.

And thanks to Chris Paton for spotting a new development at FindMyPast Ireland (new 'forum' section) - see his post here.

WEBSITES

Irish Roots' Facebook Page has flagged an interesting feature on the Belfast Telegraph's website.  As you can see, it offers folk the chance to obtain copies of images held in Linen Hall Library's collection.

ARTICLES

The remains of infamous outlaw, Ned Kelly, have been identified - minus his head, that is.  Read all about it here.

ON THIS DAY

1972:  The 'Munich Massacre' begins at the Summer Olympic Games in West Germany.  11 Israeli athletes (+ 6 others) would lose their lives in the two-day hostage-taking episode carried out by the Palestinian terrorist group 'Black September'.

 

'Extraordinary Concealment of Sex'

From the Middlesbrough, Stockton & District Daily Gazette of 27th November 1869...


Considerable excitement has been caused in the colliery villages of Etherley and Toft Hill [near Bishop Auckland] during the past few days, by a disclosure that had been made by the death of a woman who has for the past 50 years resided in that neighbourhood and married two wives.  It is said that she came from Scotland 50 years ago in the guise of a young man, and obtained employment at one of the collieries at which she worked as one of the men for some time, and paid her addresses to, and ultimately married, a servant girl at the village inn.


After her marriage she relinquished working at the pit, and commenced to make besoms, yellow clay balls, and pipeclay rubbers which she and her partner vended in the surrounding villages.  They lived together for 28 years, when the wife died, and the reputed husband professed to lament her loss very much, but at length the grief wore off, and she married a second wife, with whom she lived for a number of years, but not on the most affectionate terms, and eventually my mutual consent they parted.


For some time the woman had lain on a bed of sickness, and had been dependant upon some kind neighbours whom, however, she always prevented coming too near her, and latterly, she persisted in wearing trousers in bed.


The other day she died, and when her neighbours came and were doing the usual offices of laying her out, the discovery of the sex was made.  The deceased woman gave her name as Josiah Charles Stephenson, and she had often been heard to speak of being heir to some property near Berwick-on-Tweed, but had no money to go and claim it.


Many strange stories are told in connection with this singular individual's history...


At which point the article frustratingly ends!


[this extract originally appeared in the journal of the Cleveland FHS of April 1986]

Strange-Sounding Ailments

I dug this one out from my notes a few days ago when I was looking for stuff to give you to look at when I was away for a few days, so here it is.  Originally spotted on the Genealogy Gazette blog (see the post in question here), it’s a splendid website called ‘Rudy’s List of Archaic Medical Terms’.  Speaks for itself, really.

I’m not sat at my PC today and can’t guarantee it, but chances are that the following two websites have been updated in the last 24hrs or so – or will be any time soon:

• BBC HistoryExtra – for general historical chatter, and a TV/Radio schedule (see the blue-green bar just under the title);
• WDYTYA? Magazine – generally covers a handful of the week’s major genealogical headlines, plus a TV/Radio schedule, too, of course. 

ON THIS DAY

1960:  First communications satellite begins operating (Echo 1A).

Turnspit Dogs and Hedgehogs

Another interestingly little article taken from my other blog, the 'North-East History Tour', concerns that most curious of subjects, the turnspit dog.  If you’ve never heard of ‘em, then I suppose you can easily guess what they are.  I stumbled upon the strange subject a few months ago and couldn’t resist passing on the information, here.  There’s also a bit in there about a domesticated hedgehog.

The Devil's Dictionary

In my never-ending search of the Internet for historical curiosities, I came across this one a short while ago.  I made a note of it, thinking it might come in handy – so here it is: The Devil’s Dictionary.  It is best accessed through a neat little intro on the BBC’s HistoryExtra site, here.  The book’s author, Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce, was a great one for quotes, with examples of his wit and what we now call ‘observational humour’ scattered across the Internet.  The Devil’s Dictionary is a bit ‘heavy’ in places, but it’s worth the occasional ‘dip’.

If you’re getting desperate for family history news, well, at the risk of referring you elsewhere and losing you for good (“NEVER!”, I hear you say), these guys are the best ones to keep tabs on:

• Chris Paton’s Scottish GENES blog;
• John Reid’s Anglo-Celtic Connections blog;
• Claire Santry’s Irish Genealogy News blog.

All the above guys are independent of the genealogical big boys, and, although specialising in certain geographical areas, always keep an eye on the major stories in England & Wales, too.  Indeed, I’ve a lot to thank them for over the first few months of BI-Gen’s existence … so ‘Thank You!’ to Chris, John and Claire.  There are others too, but these three are the ‘stand-outs’.

ON THIS DAY

1842:  The Mines Act becomes law, preventing the employment of women and small children underground;

2003:  Highest temperature ever recorded in the UK: 38.5°C (101.3°F), at Faversham, Kent.