Society of Genealogists appoints new Chief Executive

The English based Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk) has appointed a new Chief Executive - here's the announcement:

The Society of Genealogists has appointed Philip Spedding as its new Chief Executive.

Philip joins the Society from the Royal Albert Hall, having previously been Director of Development at The London Library and also Executive Director at Arts & Business for 16 years.

Philip joins the Society from the Royal Albert Hall, having previously been Director of Development at The London Library and also Executive Director at Arts & Business for 16 years. He will take up the role on 1st July 2024.

He brings an impressive portfolio of knowledge and experience from his career of over 25 years in the creative and cultural sectors, including senior responsibility for strategy and business development, individual giving programmes, fundraising and external development plans at organisations as diverse as Tate, The British Library and The Charities Aid Foundation. Philip holds a Bachelor of Commerce (specialising in Finance) from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Philip said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Society of Genealogists, especially at such an exciting time in a splendid new home. It is a real privilege to be taking up this role and to be entrusted with steering the Society in a new chapter of its illustrious history. I know from personal experience how researching a family history is a deeply satisfying way of finding out more about ourselves and our personal history. The Society of Genealogists occupies a unique place in genealogy and invaluably aids this journey for members in the UK and across the world, myself included. I am looking forward to meeting my colleagues, volunteers and members, all of whom continue to play a key part in our enduring success.”

With a membership packed with educational benefits, and a Research Hub housing a unique archive and library of family history records and resources, the Society of Genealogists, which was founded in 1911, remains dedicated to its unique mission to help people discover their heritage, no matter what their background or level of expertise.

Graham Walter, Chair of the Society of Genealogists, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Philip into this role at such an exciting time for the Society of Genealogists. We have just completed our move to a marvellous new headquarters and library in London N1 and carried out a significant upgrade of our membership services and digital infrastructure. Philip brings significant experience as a proven senior executive and leader in the voluntary sector and a real passion for the Society and its mission”.

Graham added: “We are very grateful to our Interim Co-CEO’s, Natalie Pithers and Rebecca Gregory, who remain valued members of the Society’s team of passionate employees.”

Natalie and Rebecca commented: “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our time as Interim Co-CEO’s, especially the successful launch of Gold Membership. We’re so proud of the new gold video library of talks and have been delighted by member feedback.”

(With thanks to the SOG via email)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

Records for Scotland and Ireland - Society of Genealogists Family History Skills Course Stage 2

On Saturday 22nd June 2024 I will be contributing a two-hour session to the Society of Genealogists'  Family History Skills Course Stage 2, the final session in a twelve-week tutorial programme that will also see sessions from Else Churchill, Alec Tritton, Janet Few, Debbie Kennett, Simon Fowler, and Dave Annal. 

The full programme starts on April 6th, with each two-hour session given over Zoom from 10.30am-12.30pm. Bookings are open until 19 April 2024. My particular session will specifically look at Scottish and Irish records (Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland), with an hour devoted to each. 

Family History Skills Course Stage 2

About this event:

• 12 week course on Zoom. Saturday 10.30am to 12.30pm with a range of expert tutors
• £192 for Members. See here for more information on how to join and access our 20% course discounts here.
• £240 including a bonus 3 month membership of SoG
• Recordings available until 7 July. Pre-booking essential.
• Perfect for those who have completed stage 1, or familiar with basic genealogy sources.

The 12-week course covers:

1. Techniques for localising the elusive ancestor
2. Education, trades and professions
3. Apprenticeship records and guilds
4. The British overseas
5. Immigration to England
6. Army and Navy records before 1914
7. Crime and punishment in the 19th century
8. Records of the 18th century
9. Maps and estate plans
10. Tithes and surveys
11. Lloyd George's Domesday Survey
12. Using DNA in genealogy
13. Scottish & Irish resources

For further details please visit https://members.sog.org.uk/events/6442ac7af5f3c2000856fb65/description?ticket=6442ac7af5f3c2000856fb67 - and I hope to maybe see you there!

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

Chris Paton talk on Scottish marriage records for the Society of Genealogists

On February 8th I will be giving a talk for the Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk) on the topic of Instantly Buckled for Life - Scottish Marriage Records. The event will kick off at 2pm, with the talk lasting an hour o so. Here's the blurb:

“Suppose that young Jock and Jenny, say we two are husband and wife, the witnesses needn’t be many, they’re instantly buckled for life”.

Beyond church and civil marriages, historically there were many other 'irregular' ways that you could be legally married in Scotland that were not found within the other countries of the United Kingdom. Most of these forms were abolished from 1940, with another finally removed from the Scottish statute in 2006. For all of them, a celebrant was not required.   

If you cannot find a marriage in the records, family historian Chris Paton will endeavour to explain why!

To book, please visit https://members.sog.org.uk/events/65315c9ccc4d040008c3bb11/description?ticket=65315c9ccc4d040008c3bb13 - the adnission price is £10, and for non and standard members the talk will be available for a month after; for SOG Gold members, a year.

I hope you can join me!

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors talk for Society of Genealogists

I'll be giving an online talk to the London based Society of Genealogists on Saturday 13th May, at 2pm, entitled Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, which ties in with the release of my latest book. The talk is £10 to attend for non-members, and £6.50 for members. 

For more on the talk, and to sign up, please visit https://members.sog.org.uk/events/640a1c61a8ecf00007ea6041/description?ticket=640a1c61a8ecf00007ea6043.

To purchase the book in the UK, please visit https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Belfast-Ancestors-Paperback/p/23194. 

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Conference - The Future of Genealogy: Young Genealogists at the Helm

From the Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk) in England, news of a forthcoming conference:

The Future of Genealogy: Young Genealogists at the Helm

Saturday 7 May 2022 8am - 8:15pm (BST)

The Society of Genealogists, in collaboration with The Family History Federation, is looking forward to hosting this exciting online Zoom event on the 7th of May.

The conference provides a platform for genealogists under 35 to come together, exchange ideas and support each other. This is an international event to connect young people from around the world and help shape the future of the genealogy community. Youth-led, sessions will include a facilitated safe space to discuss what young people want from the community and family history societies, with a range of presentations, panels and discussions.

This event will be led by our young genealogists but is open to all to attend. If you are a genealogy society officer or programme secretary or educator looking to engage young family historians then this is the conference to learn about their expectations and interests.

The conference programme includes ten diverse sessions from young genealogist influencers and historians who will look at sources, resources and the world of genealogy from their perspective. Talks will include (amongst others) - The Effects of DNA Testing Results on Biological and Family Identities; Building a Bridge between Generations; Using Family History to Comprehend the Roots of Climate Crisis: Reflections on Personal Experience.

Representatives from commercial organisations including Ancestry, Findmypast and My Heritage as well the Society of Genealogists and Family History Federation will take form an industry panel from leading genealogy organisations and young family historians to discuss the issues, answer questions and hear the insights and concerns of young family historians. A PDF copy of the programme is attached and online line here Layout 1 (prismic-io.s3.amazonaws.com)

Cost is £1.50 which covers your registration fee. Everyone is welcome, come for all or part of the day Bookings can be made Conference: The Future of Genealogy – Young Genealogists at the Helm - Society of Genealogists (arlo.co)

Door prizes and prize draw donations for attendees include:

· TWO free annual memberships from Society for One-Place Studies

· One £20 voucher to be spent with Devon FHS (either on membership, attending an event or publications)

· TWO FREE COURSES (for any course, without assessment) from Pharos Tutors

Other offers and discounts available to attendees include:

· 20% off your first year of Society of Genealogists’ membership

· 60% discount from MyHeritage for first-time users

(With thanks to Else Churchill)

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Society of Genealogists talk: Scottish Research Resources Before 1800

It's busy on the talks front again! I've just given a talk this morning to Phyllis Court Family History Society, and my next offering will be this coming Saturday 19th February 2022 for the Society of Genealogists in London, with the topic being Scottish Research Resources Before 1800. Here's the description:

In this talk Chris Paton, author of Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records, takes us to pre-19th century Scotland, when things begin to get a little more complicated with our ancestral research.

From kirk to state, a variety of records are available, but it's one thing to find them, and quite another to understand them, with different handwriting styles, language problems and the feudal nature of Scottish society some of the many challenges that keeps earlier Scottish research fun but challenging.

Chris will explore the various record types available, and how to access them both online and offline.

To sign up, please visit https://societyofgenealogists.arlo.co/w/events/218-scottish-research-resources-before-1800

I hope to see you there!

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

June Perrin retires as CEO of the Society of Genealogists

From the Society of Genelaogists (www.sog.org.uk) in London:

Our Chief Executive Officer, June Perrin, has retired as of 16 December. Having been with the Society of Genealogists for twenty years, June first joined the Society to work with former Director Robert Gordon. They directed and refreshed the Society’s finance and HR operations. After Robert Gordon stood down as Director, June continued to guide the Society and became CEO in her own right.

The Society’s finances in the early years of the 21st century have remained precarious, as the hoped-for rewards of digitisation and growth weren’t as anticipated. June worked with several Chairmen and Trustees to guide the Society. It has always fallen upon June to implement and managing the difficult but necessary systems and personnel changes needed to keep the Society’s nose above water.

During her time as CEO significant partnerships and contracts were achieved within the Genealogical Community. These include digital publishing companies for SoG Data on our platform and in partnerships with Findmypast, FamilySearch and others. The Society’s web presence and digital offerings have grown apace and have been improved for members. The Society has become host to the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain, the Irish Genealogical Research Society and is now an Affiliate Search Library for FamilySearch.

Having joined the SoG in the middle of our major refurbishment of the buildings, June oversaw the recent refresh of the building, the transfer of SoG storage facilities from London to Essex and latterly successfully negotiated the sale of the current building thus enabling the Society to lay the foundations for our transformation.

Highlights during her tenure include our centenary celebration in 2011 and the Society’s huge active presence at the major genealogical shows. These included our own event at the RHS Hall, eventually partnering with Who Do You Think You Are? and RootsTech both in the USA and in the UK.

As CEO and Company Secretary to the SoG and its trading arm SoG Enterprises and Secretary to the Fellows, June’s calm direction of the Society and her contribution to the Society and its members is much appreciated. June leaves many friends amongst the board, membership and staff.

Now she has decided to retire we all wish her the best in the future and hope she enjoys her life with her children and grandchildren.

June has been a great CEO for the Society and a terrific colleague. She has guided the Society through significant transformation and changes, and I am very grateful for her excellent stewardship.

Laura Doyle (right) has agreed to step down from the Board of Trustees and act as Interim CEO, effective immediately, until we find a permanent successor to June. Laura has been a member of the Trustee Board for five years including a term as Treasurer. A Chartered Accountant by training, she has spent 20 years in the City working as Investor Relations for FTSE listed companies. She has been involved in genealogy for some 25 years, custodian of the One-Name Study for the surname Blissenden, is a Trustee/Treasurer for the Halsted Trust and is currently working towards an MSc in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies at the University of Strathclyde.

I’m sure you will join me in thanking June for her service and to welcome Laura to the helm.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and looking forward to 2021.

Edward Percival, Chairman , Society of Genealogists

(With thanks to Else Churchill)

Chris

Pre-order my next book, Sharing Your Family History Online, at https://bit.ly/SharingFamHist. My book Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is also out, as are Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Society of Genealogists in London closes

June Perron, CEO of the London based Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk), has announced that its library has now closed because of the coronavirus outbreak:

Coronavirus and the Society of Genealogists

Further to last week's announcement we have had a visitor to the Society who now feels they may have the Coronavirus (they have not yet been tested). He had no personal contact with anyone and wasn’t doing research so no material should be contaminated. However, we regrettably feel the time has come to close the Society until further notice.

We will carry out a deep clean and then keep the situation monitored but we feel we cannot put you, our valued members and visitors, at risk until the escalation and spread of the virus is bought under control.

Anyone who does develop any of the symptoms are advised to follow NHS guidelines and if you are in the age group regarded as vulnerable (over 60s) and particularly if you have any other existing health conditions to ring 111 immediately.

All events attendees will be contacted and given the various options open to them. We will be hoping to reconvene events when we are able to re-open but refunds will also be offered if you do not wish to wait until that time.

We will continue to offer the web services and staff will work remotely to service members where possible. This has happened quicker than we expected but I am hoping tomorrow after I meet with staff to go through the logistics I may be in a position to see if volunteers can man the help line more frequently.

Anyone who misses this notice and arrives tomorrow will be offered external refreshments before having to return home but I will be unable to let anyone in the building.

We appreciate your understanding in these unprecedented times and hope you all stay safe.

Monitor our web page here and our blog to see when we will re-open. We intend to revisit the decision each fortnight, the first review will be on March 27th.

Kind Regards
June Perrin, Chief Executive

Keep an eye out for further updates on the Society's website at www.sog.org.uk/about/coronavirus.

(With thanks to @valmayuk via Twitter)

Chris

You can pre-order my new book, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 (out April). Also available, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.