April 2007

Society of Genealogists

The "What's On?" programme for 2007 from the SOG is now available. There is a mind boggling array of things on offer but to give you some idea the subjects cover such as:- Using various Family History Software Programmes, preservation of documents, lectures on tracing railway, London Transport, Theatre and postal worker ancestors (among others); death and diseases of the past, Latin for beginners, vestry records and so on. There are a few brochures to pass around.

1911 Census

Further to the campaign for the early release of the 1911 Census you may be interested in this e-mail received recently from Denis McCready who spearheaded that campaign.

"If you are dismayed by the new £45 charge for a Freedom of Information Act extract from the 1911 Census and you feel the charge is unreasonable, you may like an opportunity to let Tony Blair know. We invite you to add your name and your full postal address to the following petition and to e-mail it to Tony Blair at webmaster@pmo.gov.uk with a copy to us at denis.mccready@clara.co.uk

SUBJECT: Petition about £45 census search fee: I/We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop the National Archives demanding a £45 search fee before processing any application for a copy of an extract from the 1911 Census for England or Wales. (Your name and address to appear here)."

The Closure of The Family Record Centre, Myddleton Place

The FRC is definitely to close by April 2008. It is expected that by then the indexes to "historic" births (1837-1934) will be available, free of charge, on line with marriages and deaths to follow. As an interim measure those indexes not available on line will be accessible at TNA at Kew on microfiche. The original vellum and paper indexes will be moved to Kew but will NOT be on open access. As the ONS has no plans to operate any facility in London, or elsewhere, all certificates will have to ordered on line or by post. No decision has yet been reached as to whether the certificates themselves will be available on line as digitised images. No decision has been made as to what will be happening to the miscellaneous and overseas indexes at the FRC.

The National Archives and Office of Public Sector Information are to merge. This will, apparently be a more efficient unit to cope with looking after, and making available information with the rapid advances in technology.

Further information from Robert Smith, Head of Press & Communications at TNA robert.smith@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Similarly for news of the modernisation of Civil Registration go to www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/aboutus/lookingahead/Digitisation_of_Vital_Events.asp

The Changing Face of Britain

Online Historical Populations Reports http://histpop.org

This is a major new resource made available by AHDS History at the University of Essex and through JISC's digitisation programme. This site contains all the British Census reports along with the Registrar-General's reports of the period. As a rich and accurate picture of a period of immense upheaval and change, the resource also contains vivid examples of some of the prejudices and stereotypes then held by the population.

For example, traces of anti-Catholic bigotry can be detected in the Registrar-General's report of 1875:

"The mortality of catholic priests after the age of 55 is high; perhaps the effects of celibacy are then felt"

Class distinctions were reinforced by the report of 1851 which spoke of -

"young children drink(ing) scalding water out of the spout of the tea kettle, or fall(ing) into scalding water. This often happens in the lower classes"

The resource has advanced functionality, including searching by date and geographical area, zooming, rotation of pages and the ability to download statistics into a spreadsheet format.

Parish Chest

The premier online family history and genealogy store for everything you need to trace your ancestors and build a family tree. Parish Chest has become well known throughout the UK and across the World for it's friendly approach and speedy delivery of products, supported by the top quality goods and services made available by the Societies and other on-board organisations. This is a family run business located in Perranwell Station about 6 miles from Truro. You can shop on-line at any time of the day or night or you can telephone between the hours of 8am and 10pm.

The King's England Press

The King's England Press is reprinting the Arthur Mee King's England Series from the 1930's. They are published by county and the cost differs depending on the county but they seem to be between £12 and £20. Counties available are -

• Cambridgeshire
• Co Durham
• Derbyshire
• Essex
• Hertfordshire
• Leicestershire & Rutland
• Lincolnshire
• Nottinghamshire
• Staffordshire
• Surrey
• Warwickshire
• West Riding of Yorks.

From the same people comes his biography "Arthur Mee's Dream of England 2 by Maisie Robson, £$.95 + 72pp.; Jordan's Guide to British Steam Locomotives, £14.95, Jordan's Guide to English Churches, £9.95 and many more.

York Ancestral Research Services

My name is Carole-Anne Melia and I am Head Researcher at York Ancestral Research Services. At YATS we offer a wide range of research services including :-

• Family history
• House history
• Local history
• Writing and advisory service
• Latin & old English transcription and translation service
• Location photography service

We cover the whole of Yorkshire and are willing to go further afield if necessary. We have worked on various projects including "So you think You Are Royal?" for Sky TV. We have highly competitive rates and offer a personal and professional service.