Sunday, 29 September 2013

Genealogy News - 29th September


We'll begin with a bit of news which will be of great interest to all genealogists: the future of the Census (well, in England & Wales, anyway).

The latest Lost Cousins newsletter includes an interview with the UK's first 'celebrity' genealogist, Gordon Honeycombe. Also included (among many other things) is news of Ancestry.co.uk's price increases.

September bulletin from ScotlandsPeople.

New from Ancestry: UK Foreign & Overseas Registers of British Subjects 1627-1965 - see their 'updates page'.

Details of newly-released Irish & British newspapers from FindMyPast.

News for Devon researchers from Origins.net.

Fancy a British & Irish genealogy cruise?

Latest Eneclann newsletter.

Thanks to @YourFamTreemag on Twitter for this piece of news re. the National Army Museum.

Special offers at TNA's new online bookshop. More info here.

A few items from Chris Paton's BritishGENES blog:


Background info on the most recent episode of WDYTYA?

Forthcoming changes to the DeceasedOnline website.

These Sussex nonconformists sound like a bundle of laughs.

A worldwide genealogy round-up from GenealogyInTime.

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

Latest from the BBC History website:


Forthcoming events:


And keep an eye on the latest news via the BI-Gen Twitter feed.


Ending soon!


Thanks to @DebbieKennett on Twitter for flagging this...


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Saturday, 21 September 2013

Genealogy News - 21st September


Irish family history website, FindMyPast.ie, has launched its Irish Newspapers Collection, making almost 2 million historical Irish newspaper articles available to search on the website. This collection is also accessible on all FindMyPast international sites through a World subscription.

 And Findmypast.co.uk has released over 300,000 new Royal Household Staff records. Again, the records are available on all FindMyPast sites.

 Ancestry have announced the unveiling of new Birmingham material. An alternative way into the records can be found here.

 Know what COPAC is? Have a look here.

 A similar cataloguing-type post is here.

 Scottish researchers may wish to check this out (old films!). Oh, and this, too (Scottish Postal Service).

 Just spotted this: WDYTYA? Magazine Podcasts. And here's more from the latest WDYTYA? TV show.
Special offer from RootsIreland!

 A useful-looking source of worldwide genealogy news.

 Blogger John D Reid has been busy compiling his 'Rockstar Genealogists' lists - a couple of the more relevant results for the Brits/Irish can be found here and here. John also flags an interesting inheritance story.

 The DeceasedOnline blog takes a look at St.Pancras and Islington Cemeteries.

 The National Archives are tinkering with their website layout - see here.

 Latest GOONS Newsflash.

 News for MyHeritage users.

 An Irish diaspora TV station?

 More Irish stuff from blogger Claire Santry:


 Chris Paton brings us some handy items, too:


 A crucial - and often overlooked - aspect of family history research from blogger Michael J Leclerc.

 Here's your weekly dose of entertaining history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

 A history crossword.

 Usual stuff from the BBC:


Forthcoming events:

And don't forget to keep calling in at the BI-Gen Twitter feed!




And finally, beware of ...


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Sunday, 15 September 2013

Genealogy News - 15th September


We'll begin this weekend's post with some reading:

Here's a worldwide family history round-up from GenealogyInTime.

Background info on the most recent episode of WDYTYA? (inc. a link to the programme itself).

Latest TNA Podcast.

Irish news from Claire Santry:

Oh, and then there's the latest issue of Irish Lives Remembered.

A new society of interest to family and local historians: the Society of One-Place Studies.

Derbyshire researchers may wish to check this out.
A useful general article on 'Types of Burial Records'. The same blog has a couple of other posts on the subjects of mourning etiquette and examples of mourning.

Interesting food for thought: The Things We Couldn't Say.


October issue of HistoryToday.

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

Latest from the BBC:

Forthcoming events:

And there's more to be found at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




More animal antics...


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Saturday, 7 September 2013

Genealogy News - 7th September


Not a huge amount to report on this weekend, but below you will find a fair bit of reading to catch up on...

What sounds like a big story from Ancestry/FamilySearch can be found here - though I guess we'll have to wait for the specifics.

Well worth a look: the latest IHGS Newsletter.

Also worth a quick gander: the latest releases from TheGenealogist.

Latest e-newsletter from TNA. You may wish to take special care to read the item entitled The Gloves Are Off.

September e-bulletin from Essex Record Office.

More info on the latest episode of WDYTYA?

Another newsletter from S&N Genealogy Supplies.

And yet another newsletter: Scottish Council on Archives' Broadsheet.

Those with merchant seamen ancestors will want to have a listen to TNA's latest podcast. Oh, and there's also a podcast on the subject of emigration/immigration.

Some great random history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

Thanks to @GuildOneName on Twitter for the latest news on the future of the Census.

@WYorkshireLives on Twitter brings us an update on developments in Bradford.

And @BMSGH on Twitter brings us the BBC news item re. Birmingham's new super-library.

October issue of Family Tree mag.

I see the nominations have been made for John Reid's 'Rock Star Genealogists' poll.

Various Irish bits and pieces from Claire Santry's blog:

I should really say that there are a good few more minor news stories from Ireland to be found on Claire's blog - have a browse here.


Latest from the Beeb:


Forthcoming events:

And the latest news can be found at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.




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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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