Saturday, 31 August 2013

Genealogy News - 31st August


FindMyPast Ireland has made a further 2.5 million court records available to search online in its Irish Petty Sessions Court Registers 1828-1912 record set, which exposes the petty crimes Ireland’s residents committed and how they were punished. This collection is also accessible on all FindMyPast international sites through a World subscription.

Looking for a soldier's will? Try this. Or perhaps you can look forward to this. More useful comment from Audrey Collins.

The latest Lost Cousins Newsletter is up for grabs.

Recent additions to Ancestry's datasets can be found here (Eton College stuff, Railway records and various Nonconformist material - the latter is completely new to Ancestry, but has previously appeared elsewhere).

There's more info on the latest WDYTYA? programme here.

As usual, blogger Claire Santry is well on top of Irish news, with pieces on the Irish GRO Research Room, Cork news, Clare news and a Donegal guide-book.

Chris Paton brings us news re. Clackmannanshire records. Chris also sums up recent shenanigans at Brightsolid.

A little update from the British Newspaper Archive.

You may like this suggestion from FamilySearch.

An interesting little post on TNA's blog about records of those not fit to serve in WWI.

A couple of handy mentions by blogger Christine Woodcock: Cromarty website and Highlands records.

Don't think I've mentioned this yet: a new criminal records release from TheGenealogist.

If you think you may be interested in the RootsTech get-together in the US next February, then see here. As you can see, 'early bird registration' is now open.

Here's a round-up of worldwide genealogy news from GenealogyInTime.

MyHeritage are offering free access to US Census records until 2nd September.

Latest from the folk at BBC HistoryExtra:



Forthcoming events:


More news items can be found on the BI-Gen Twitter feed.



And remember to get along to this if you can...



Thanks to @findmypast on Twitter...


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Saturday, 24 August 2013

Genealogy News - 24th August


With my hernia operation behind me (thanks to all the well-wishers) and all the rigmarole surrounding my Cuthbert Ottaway project over, too (see here and here), it's time to get back to all things genealogical. Not that there's a great deal to report on this week, though...


First of all, here's the latest Lost Cousins Newsletter.

I see that millions of school records are to be digitised.

Something for Sussex researchers.

A new criminal records release from TheGenealogist.

And as for TheGenealogist, you may wish to try a free trial.

Latest issue of 'Irish Roots' magazine.

Don't forget that you can get free access to the 1911 Census of England and Wales at Ancestry - and by clicking back to their main homepage you should see that they also have an offer (until 26th) for free access to all UK Census records 1841-1911. Fill yer boots!

Ancestry users may also wish to take in this news. And if you're interested in West Yorkshire or in British WWII PoWs then check out Ancestry's 'updates page'.

Thanks to Beryl Evans at the FFHS for guiding us to the latest news on developments in Manchester.

Thanks to Vicky Rea / FFHS for the following announcement:
The Royal Free Hospital is transferring its archive collections to London Metropolitan Archives. The reading room at the Royal Free Archive Centre will close on 13 September. The collections are due to become available at the LMA in early 2014. During the move, we will continue to answer as many remote enquiries as possible, subject to staff and document availability.

I see that The National Archives' online presence is to be improved - see here. And TNA also has something of interest for railway history enthusiasts.

Here are some handy preservation tips from the National Library of Ireland.

Some important Limerick news.

Usual weekly stuff from the BBC:

Forthcoming events:


Keep up to date with the latest genealogy news at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




The Oldest Person Ever?



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Sunday, 18 August 2013

Genealogy News - 18th August


Hello again. I'm finally back online after a week or so's break. A few days down in the Thames Valley are now behind me and a minor hernia operation lies ahead next week (unless it's postponed again!). It's all go. You may wonder if I was up to anything special 'down south' - well, I was, actually. Read on (or scroll down) for further information, nosey-parker.

And here's what's been happening in the genealogy world since I last blogged...


FindMyPast have released more newspaper records.

Recent additions to the Ancestry database can be found here.

Haven't had a chance to digest this yet, but here's the latest Lost Cousins Newsletter.

Latest newsletter from ScotlandsPeople.

Parish Chest produced another little update a few days ago - see here.

August e-news from S&N Genealogy Supplies.

And here's the August e-bulletin from TNA.

Latest issue of Your Family Tree magazine.

If you've been watching the UK version of WDYTYA?, then you will find programme background info here.

Here's the August issue of Irish Lives Remembered. As for other Irish news, I'm gonna be lazy and pass you over to the Irish Genealogy News blog - Claire Santry has been out of action herself of late, but her blog is always the best place to go for news from over the Irish Sea, and she gives a nice summary of stuff from the past week or so in one of her posts. Click here and scroll down a bit.

Chris Paton's BritishGENES blog is also, of course, an excellent source of genealogy news. Not wanting to pinch any of his stories, I would encourage you to have a quick scroll through his recent posts to see if anything has popped up whilst I've been distracted by my holiday.

Recent worldwide genealogy news stories can be found here.

Don't think I've mentioned this one yet: Welsh newspapers release.

More info on military cemeteries from DeceasedOnline.

Catch up on recent TNA Podcasts.

There's a new family/local/social history magazine on the horizon - see here. Ah, but the full story behind the new effort can be discovered here!

Thanks to @findmypast on Twitter for this interesting look at previous generations.

A new photographic initiative from MyHeritage.

Here's a history crossword.

The September issue of 'History Today' is now available.

Two instalments of history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls can be found here and here.

Do the experiences of your ancestors affect your genetic make-up? Possibly, say the experts.

Latest from the BBC:

Forthcoming events:


Keep in touch with other bits and bobs at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.

In case you were wondering, this is one of the things I was up to last week. More info about the subject matter can be found here (though I've yet to update the website with last week's developments).




An unusual record entry...


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Saturday, 3 August 2013

Genealogy News - 3rd August


*** Due to family commitments there will be no post next weekend. It is anticipated that the next instalment from the BI-Gen blog will be the weekend of 17th/18th August. In the meantime, I shall try to keep tweeting at the BI-Gen Twitter feed ***


FindMyPast Ireland have released the country's National Roll of Honour 1914-21.

Another Lost Cousins newsletter is now available.

Latest CWGC newsletter.

And here's the most recent IHGS newsletter.

More info on the latest episode of WDYTYA? (including a link to the programme).

17th century London ancestors?

Don't forget that Ancestry are offering free access to the 1911 Census of England & Wales. You've got until 14th October to take advantage, but you will have to register with the website (free).

News from The National Archives:

FindMyPast have released some new Worcestershire records.

The Catholic FHS blog has been busy, with recent posts on...
Latest news from the Scottish Genealogy Network.

Thanks to blogger John D Reid for spotting this Irish records resource.

Here's the most recent Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives update.

And more Irish stuff: Offaly History Newsletter.

Latest e-bulletin from Essex Record Office.

And here's the most recent newsletter from the Community Archive & Heritage Group.

GenealogyInTime has a couple of useful articles:

Welsh researchers may wish to take in the National Eisteddfod 2013 - two of several posts available can be found here and here.

Autumn events, etc., at The British Library.

Newspaper digitisation news.

Interested in Scottish maps?

Latest Newsflash from the GOONS.

Thanks to @GuildOneName on Twitter for pointing out a lengthy article on 'Surnames of Occupation'.

The usual weekend stuff from the BBC:

Forthcoming events of which I am aware for the next TWO weeks (not actually very many!):


And, as I said earlier, despite the fact that there will be no posts on this blog for a fortnight, I will try to keep you up-to-date as best I can with the latest news via the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




A genealogist's nightmare...

Derek: Secret Sperm Donor

 And an uplifting story...

Lifetime of Love


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Saturday, 27 July 2013

Genealogy News - 27th July


Ancestry are once again offering free access to the 1911 Census of England & Wales. You've got until the 14th October to indulge yourself - but you will have to register with the website (free).

Miss the first episode of WDYTYA? Check it out here (info about the episode + link to the show itself). Your Family Tree magazine have a related (free) download.

Over 400,000 new Royal Navy and Merchant Seamen records have popped up at TheGenealogist (thanks to @SueWilkesauthor on Twitter). Indeed, this news is included in the latest S&N Genealogy Supplies e-newsletter.

You may wish to browse the July e-newsletter from ScotlandsPeople.

Three good spots by blogger Chris Paton:



Thanks to @DebbieKennett on Twitter for flagging this interesting article entitled 'Selling Roots'.

The DeceasedOnline blog has a neat piece on the rituals and rigmarole surrounding death. Also, DeceasedOnline's latest news bulletin can be found here.

Leeds researchers will want to check this out.

Could you be related to Oliver Cromwell?

Cemetery records news for Limerick and Clare. More Irish stuff - this time for Cavan - to be found here. And the source of all this info (Claire Santry) also brings us a little update re. the Irish GRO Research Room.

Get confused about the Royal family tree? Check out this helpful graphic (thanks to @My_History on Twitter). And here's another royal-related article from the 'Abroad in the Yard' blog.

Barnardo's Archive to be binned? Read all about it here (thanks to @archives4london on Twitter).

Some interesting history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

Famous family trees: Sean Bean.

Weekend stuff from the BBC:

Forthcoming events:

And don't forget to keep calling in at the BI-Gen Twitter feed, which is updated most days.





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Sunday, 21 July 2013

More Genealogy News!


Oops! Despite yesterday's assertion that I'd be posting to this blog once a week, I find myself writing to you almost immediately thereafter. The reason? I forgot something! Here are your genealogical events for the coming week...



Why not come along to...

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Saturday, 20 July 2013

Genealogy News - 20th July


Welcome to the first of my once-per-week Saturday news posts from the world of genealogy. Yeah, I know, it looks like I'm getting a bit lazy in this balmy summer weather ... and there's a bit of truth in that, too, with several personal commitments looming up in the coming months which are gonna leave less time to do stuff like this. Fear not, though, as there will be no let-up in the amount of news I bring you - it's just that you can now read it all in one go every weekend!

Off we go then...

Where better to begin than with the ever-excellent mid-July issue of the Lost Cousins Newsletter.

British Telecom records have gone online - and they're free. See the report here.

I see that The National Archives & FindMyPast are getting together to digitise WWI RAF & RFC Service Records - around 360,000 entries in all. Chris Paton has the full text of the announcement here.

Dublin's GRO Research Room is set to move in August - a decision considered a strange one by most of us. Full story here.

Wondering why the British Newspaper Archive website hasn't had much to report on lately? John D Reid has spotted the problem.

New issue of Your Family Tree.

Check out the Manchester Catholic Register Index.

Welsh researchers may wish to have a quick glance at this piece of news.

Chris Paton reports on a little development at FindMyPast and recent UK Electoral Registers. The very same blog also carries an interesting snippet re. Scottish Window Tax records.

The latest TNA Podcasts offer a variety of historical listening.

Those of you who are deeply interested in the archives sector in England may wish to read this report from TNA.

What did you all make of the new BBC comedy show, 'Family Tree'? Most commentators seem to be reserving judgement or have responded rather coolly to the first episode, but I loved it! Have a look for yourself here.

As for TV-related news, well, don't forget about WDYTYA? starting next week.

And as for the BBC HistoryExtra website...

Remember that despite the slight let-up in the frequency of my posts, you can still find daily genealogy news updates at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




Here's a strange one from the Far East...


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Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Genealogy News - 16th July


*** Please note that from this week I will be experimenting with a SINGLE blog post per week, which will appear every SATURDAY. The summer months are usually a little quiet, and I have a number of upcoming personal events to attend to (a holiday and a minor operation, to name but two), so the move makes sense. The next post will therefore be Saturday 20th July.***


First up are a few new bits and bobs from TheGenealogist (Lancs, Suffolk, Worcs, Jewish & Railway stuff).

GenealogyInTime has a neat summary of recent worldwide genealogical developments.

You may find these short articles handy ... Scottish Marriages and Illegitimate Births.

Latest update to the Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives is provided by Claire Santry. Claire also brings us some important Irish cemetery news.

Here's a useful article: Tips for Googling Your Family Tree.

The regular round-up of history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

History crossword.

Forthcoming events:


Thanks to @YourFamTreemag on Twitter for...

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Friday, 12 July 2013

Genealogy News - 12th July


The latest record release from FindMyPast concerns the Royal Naval Division Service Records, 1914-20. FMP have also collected some rather tenuous genealogical links for the forthcoming royal baby.

 Northern Irish researchers will want to check out this forthcoming event at PRONI.

And here's another useful-looking Irish event - this time in Dublin on 21st August.

August issue of Family Tree magazine is now out.

There's been a glut of recent e-newsletters...

First up is the latest effort from S&N Genealogy Supplies (lots of stuff of note).

Then there's the latest e-newsletter from Parish Chest.

Another bulletin from Ireland Reaching Out.

The latest issue of Irish Lives Remembered.

And here's the July e-newsletter from TNA.

A new issue of Century Ireland is also up for grabs.

Free downloads from Your Family Tree Magazine (Derbyshire researchers take note).

More on that recent Wakefield record release by DeceasedOnline. Oh, and more here.

Dudley developments.

Some interesting developments re. GRO Ireland.

And yet more Irish news with the Kerry Genealogy Roadshow.

TNA's annual report and accounts can be found here.

The usual Friday stuff from the BBC:


More news available at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.






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Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Genealogy News - 9th July


There's an appalling lack of family history news to be had at the moment - seems like everyone's been cheering on Andy Murray these past few days. Can we get back to the serious business of genealogy now, please? Anyway, there's virtually nothing to report on, so I'll not keep you long....

Probably the best thing to come to light in the last few days is the old RootsTech lectures popping up online. Not sure how long they've been there, but thanks to @Infolass on Twitter for pointing them out.

The latest offer from Pen & Sword Books includes a special family history deal.

Think you may be interested in Chichester Consistory Wills, 1482-1800? Then check out the latest update from Origins.net (and go to bottom left of page).

Claire Santry brings us a little bit of Roscommon news. And there's also a report of a discount available at RootsIreland.

And from Scotland Chris Paton gives air to an interesting new project from ScotlandsPlaces.

Here's your weekly round-up of history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

Even the 'forthcoming events' listing is struggling...


More news, etc., at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




Thanks to @MyHeritage on Twitter for...


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Friday, 5 July 2013

Genealogy News - 5th July


DeceasedOnline have some important news for West Yorkshire researchers.

Essential reading by way of the July issue of the Institute of Heraldic & Genealogical Studies newsletter.

Ancestry's 'updates page' has seen a fair bit of activity of late, including a couple of items of UK interest.

The more serious researchers out there may wish to peruse TNA's announcement on the subject of 'Open Government Licence.' TNA are also flying the flag for independent booksellers this week - a worthy cause indeed for us history nuts.

Whilst with TNA, I should also remind folk of the wealth of entertainment available at their podcast website - see here.

Sussex researchers may wish to investigate mention of their little corner of the world in the latest FamilySearch update.

New records for railway workers from England's south-west.

Nice article on the the work of the CWGC (thanks to @YourFamTreemag on Twitter).

Here's a new genealogy blog that you may wish to add to your reading list - from Debrett Ancestry Research (thanks to Dr Susan Morris for the tip-off).

And the usual Friday stuff from the Beeb...

More at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.



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Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Genealogy News - 2nd July


FindMyPast have released 2 million new Hertfordshire records.

The best regular genealogy e-mag on the market is, of course ... the Lost Cousins Newsletter!

The latest Essex Record Office e-bulletin.

Here's the July e-newsletter from the CWGC.

More muddying of the water for future genealogists, possibly? (thanks to @DebbieKennett on Twitter).

More 'sale' books from TNA.

Latest news/talks from Gresham College, London.

Old handwriting a problem - try this?

Here's a short piece on the destruction of the Irish PRO in 1922.

More Irish news from Claire Santry with the latest Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives update.

And you'll want to check out the weekly round-up of history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

Forthcoming events:
And remember my mention last week of the National Family History Fair at Newcastle on 7th September? Well, I have put my name down for a stall - so I hope to see you there!

More stuff at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




Some fun from a 2012 post at the 'Abroad in the Yard' blog...

Surprising Ancestral Origins

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Friday, 28 June 2013

Genealogy News - 28th June


FindMyPast have added 1.2 million records to their Wales Collection. More comment here.

More price reductions from FamilyTreeDNA - as outlined here by blogger Debbie Kennett (BTW, don't worry about the prices in US dollars, as you can still order from the UK).

For Scottish researchers: the latest issue of Broadsheet.

Here's an interesting option from Forces War Records.

I see English Heritage is to become a charity (thanks to @SueWilkesauthor on Twitter).

Here's a great story about an accidental find in the rafters of an old building.

As for the rest of the week's news, well, I'm going to be a bit lazy and divert you elsewhere! Seriously, though, it provides me with an excellent opportunity to give a little plug to two other excellent sources of British & Irish genealogy news...

Claire Santry's Irish Genealogy News blog is, of course, essential reading for Irish researchers, and there has been a mini rush of news from this corner of the world. Rather than me steal all her stories, why not have a browse for yourself - there are items on PRONI, Co.Clare, Irish newspapers, as well as a reminder about free access to the Irish BMD records this weekend.

Similarly, you are probably familiar with Chris Paton's British GENES blog. Chris specialises in Scottish and Northern Irish matters, but actually covers all things UK & Irish on his blog - and there has been plenty to take in this week, too. So, again, why not have a wander through his recent posts, which include the latest 'Ireland's Genealogical Gazette', Ancestry's search features, and alternative comment on many of the stories also covered by Claire Santry's blog - and there is much more besides.

And then there are the usual Friday bits and pieces from the BBC:

More news, etc., can be found at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.



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Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Genealogy News - 25th June


Potentially explosive news for us genealogists from the legal corridors of the EU (thanks to @YourFamTreemag on Twitter).

From the keyboard of Chris Paton: a useful report on the PRONI User Forum Meeting (note the very last item - a major fair and a conference!). Thanks for that, Chris. And thanks, too, for this useful and informal guide to visiting PRONI.

Fancy meeting the top dog at The National Archives next month? Click here for more info.

TNA's online bookshop is to be re-vamped - see here.

Those of you who follow the adventures of the Scottish Genealogy Network will wish to take in this blog post.

A little update from the British Newspaper Archive.

Here's the latest (and very impressive) newsletter from the Institute of Heraldic & Genealogical Studies.

I see that PAF (Personal Ancestral File), the family tree programme launched by FamilySearch in 1984, is to be discontinued.

If you think you might be interested in Derry's Great Parchment Book, then check out this blog post.

The latest Eneclann newsletter can be found here. As you can see, the first story indicates that the Genealogy Advisory Service at the NLI is set to continue.

The National Library of Wales has put out an appeal entitled 'Calling all clubs & societies'.

Those of us who are fans of the Europeana website/blog may wish to sign the petition to keep the organisation alive.

And here's your weekly round-up of entertaining history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

Forthcoming events:
And I hope you don't mind an advance 'plug' for a major event in September which is right on my doorstep:
at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

More news and articles at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.



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Friday, 21 June 2013

Genealogy News - 21st June


Want some free online genealogy reading? You can have all you want here (thanks to @SueWilkesauthor on Twitter for the tip-off).

The same source (Dick Eastman) also provides interesting food for thought here.

Oh, I see the latest Lost Cousins newsletter is out, too. Another great read!

For those of you keeping up with the shenanigans surrounding the release of the 1926 Irish Census, see here.

A good spot by Chris Paton re. free access to Irish BMD indexes from FindMyPast.com (we're all assuming that the other FMP formats will fall into line in due course - co.uk, ie, au).

Chris also nicely summarises developments at Origins.net - including lots of things to come.

A newspaper update from FindMyPast.

Latest issue of Your Family Tree Magazine.

Here's a decent-looking offer from WDYTYA? Magazine.

A selection of Irish events over the coming weeks and months.

Latest offers from Pen & Sword Books. And some special offers from TNA.

The usual Friday stuff from the BBC:

And don't forget the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




Thanks to @HistoryforGirls on Twitter...

(then click on image to enlarge)

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Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Genealogy News - 18th June


As the popular family history TV series Long Lost Family returns to our screens here in the UK, look out, too, for the forthcoming Secrets from the Workhouse which begins next week - preview here.

The latest repository to suffer at the hands of the Europe-wide recession is the Irish Architectural Archive.

Latest from FindMyPast: London Volunteer Soldiers, 1859-1955.

Check out the latest from TheGenealogist.

For those with an interest in President Obama's Irish ancestry, then check this out.

Get to grips with GenealogyInTime's worldwide genealogy news.

Here's the latest e-bulletin for Family Historian users.

Fancy a free Family History guide from GenesReunited?

A couple of items via Chris Paton's blog:



Here's an online exhibition from PRONI relating to Co.Fermanagh.

Claire Santry brings us another IGP Archives update from Ireland.

The usual history links round-up from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

And, of course, here are your forthcoming events for the next few days:



And don't forget the BI-Gen Twitter feed.


 

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