A new index to births in England and Wales from 1916 to 2005 is now available online at www.ancestry.co.uk. It is fully searchable, meaning patrons no longer have to trawl through pages of index images to search for a specific name, though these are still available.
MAJOR points to Ancestry for this, hopefully it will be expanded and added to with marriage and death entries in the near future! It's amazing that Ancestry seems able to achieve what the GRO at Southport can't...
UPDATE: There is in fact a separate database for 1837 to 1915 as well. FreeBMD were responsible for this part of the project, with Ancestry for the latter. Marriages and deaths are now confirmed by Ancestry to be following soon.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Friday, 30 January 2009
The Riot Act in Glasgow
Today saw the 90th anniversary of the last ever reading of the Riot Act in Britain, which happened at Glasgow's George Square on a day that became known as "Bloody Friday". The issue leading to the riots was worker's rights on Clydeside, and by the time the authorities had dealt with the strike some 19 policemen and 34 strikers were injured.
For more on the story visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7859192.stm.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
For more on the story visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7859192.stm.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
Famous Scots exhibition - Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly's family origins are explored as part of the new Famous Scots exhibition at the ScotlandsPeople Centre. The exhibition was officially opened on January 23rd by Minister for Europe External Affairs and Culture, Linda Fabiani MSP.
A full write up is now available at the National Archives of Scotland and ScotlandsPeople Centre websites, at www.nas.gov.uk/about/090126.asp and www.scotlandspeoplehub.gov.uk/scotlands-people-centre/famous-scots.html .
(Thanks to Tristram Clarke and Pete Wadley at NAS)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
A full write up is now available at the National Archives of Scotland and ScotlandsPeople Centre websites, at www.nas.gov.uk/about/090126.asp and www.scotlandspeoplehub.gov.uk/scotlands-people-centre/famous-scots.html .
(Thanks to Tristram Clarke and Pete Wadley at NAS)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Proposed changes to 30 year rule at The National Archives
Changes are being proposed to the rule that sees many government documents released after 30 years by the National Archives, in a bid to produce "effective and open government". If successful, the same documents may be made available after a closure period of just 15 years.
For more on the story, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7857370.stm.
(With thanks to Alison Spring at the LDS family history centre in Glasgow)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
For more on the story, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7857370.stm.
(With thanks to Alison Spring at the LDS family history centre in Glasgow)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Your Family Tree 74
Your Family Tree issue 74 (March 2009) is on sale from February 2nd, and contains the usual mix of fascinating articles and tips. As well as features on 100 money saving tips, period dress, bastardy records, finding ancestors in Munster and the 1911 census, yours truly has also contributed an article on the need for proof within research, and online directories. (Since going to press, there have been some developments in this field, including the first online availability of some Scottish directories through Ancestry.co.uk).
Scottish content includes news on the launch of Homecoming Scotland, and a case study from genealogist Chris Duncan, in search of a family tartan for his brother-in-law's forthcoming wedding.
£4.99 at all very friendly newsagents...
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
Scottish content includes news on the launch of Homecoming Scotland, and a case study from genealogist Chris Duncan, in search of a family tartan for his brother-in-law's forthcoming wedding.
£4.99 at all very friendly newsagents...
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
DNA and Genetic Genealogy
A huge thanks to the Largs and North Ayrshire Family History Society for their hospitality last night, where I gave a talk on the use of DNA within family history research.
For those interested in finding out about genetic genealogy, a useful little book on the subject is that by Chris Pomeroy, entitled "Family History in the Genes", published by The National Archives, whilst an article on how to use the DNA Ancestry service, step-by-step, is available from Scotland's Greatest Story at www.scotlandsgreateststory.bravehost.com/DNA.html.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
For those interested in finding out about genetic genealogy, a useful little book on the subject is that by Chris Pomeroy, entitled "Family History in the Genes", published by The National Archives, whilst an article on how to use the DNA Ancestry service, step-by-step, is available from Scotland's Greatest Story at www.scotlandsgreateststory.bravehost.com/DNA.html.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
The Preservation of Auschwitz death camp
The BBC has an interesting feature on the efforts being undertaken to preserve the former Nazi death camp at Auschwitz as a museum. To view the audio-visual presentation, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7842671.stm.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Robert Burns
It's 250 years ago today that Robert Burns was born in Ayrshire. Scots all over the world have celebrated the genius of Burns once a year ever since his death in July 1796, a man who is widely regarded by many as Scotland's national bard.
In 1915, when Scottish civilians were interned in Germany, a group of them formed a Burns Club at Ruhleben, sending a postcard to James Wills, the secretary of the Ayr Burns Club, with the lines "Here's a health frae them that's awa', Here's a health frae them that's awa'; And wha winna wish guid luck to our cause, may never guid luck be their fa'!" It seems that no matter where Scots are around the world, Burns provides people a way to once again reconnect to their Scottish roots. It is for this reason that the Homecoming Scotland celebrations officially launch today, marking a year long programme of activities to celebrate the best of Scottishness and the worldwide Scottish diaspora.
To find out more about the man, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns , and whatever you are up to today, have a good one!
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
In 1915, when Scottish civilians were interned in Germany, a group of them formed a Burns Club at Ruhleben, sending a postcard to James Wills, the secretary of the Ayr Burns Club, with the lines "Here's a health frae them that's awa', Here's a health frae them that's awa'; And wha winna wish guid luck to our cause, may never guid luck be their fa'!" It seems that no matter where Scots are around the world, Burns provides people a way to once again reconnect to their Scottish roots. It is for this reason that the Homecoming Scotland celebrations officially launch today, marking a year long programme of activities to celebrate the best of Scottishness and the worldwide Scottish diaspora.
To find out more about the man, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns , and whatever you are up to today, have a good one!
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
US President Andrew Jackson - a Gaelic history
Well it's the 250th anniversary of Rabbie Burns' birthday today, and everyone in Scotland will be going incredibly Scots like with their 'wee sleekit mousies' and their 'auld lang synes'...!
As a counter to that, and to tie in with the fact that a new president has taken over in the US, I've uploaded an article to my Scotland's Greatest Story website written by myself some ten years ago in Scotland's other ancient language, Gàidhlig
The article is located at www.scotlandsgreateststory.bravehost.com/ulsterscots.html and follows a brief history of the Scots settlements within Ireland over the centuries. (Translation available on request!)
Don't forget that Scotland's Greatest Story, the foremost genealogical research service in Scotland, is only too happy to help with your genealogical problems or family tree research requests!
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
As a counter to that, and to tie in with the fact that a new president has taken over in the US, I've uploaded an article to my Scotland's Greatest Story website written by myself some ten years ago in Scotland's other ancient language, Gàidhlig
The article is located at www.scotlandsgreateststory.bravehost.com/ulsterscots.html and follows a brief history of the Scots settlements within Ireland over the centuries. (Translation available on request!)
Don't forget that Scotland's Greatest Story, the foremost genealogical research service in Scotland, is only too happy to help with your genealogical problems or family tree research requests!
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
Saturday, 24 January 2009
MAJOR Irish genealogy news - BMD indexes online
In what is rapidly becoming the best year yet for Irish genealogy on the net, the FamilySearch team in Utah have just uploaded indexes to the statutory registration records of Ireland, from 1845 to 1958.
Statutory marriages for Protestants on the Ireland commenced in 1845, whilst the registration of all births, marriages and deaths for the population commenced in 1864. At the moment the FamilySearch record Search Pilot site at http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=2;t=searchable;c=1408347 allows access to the indexes, but not to the digitised images of the index books, though this is clearly designed as something that will follow.
The release of these records online is the first time that this has happened, now making Irish research considerably more easy to do, and in line with its British counterparts. At present the site appears a bit sluggish, possibly because of demand.
(Many thanks to Deirdre on the Your Family Tree magazine forum for the update.)
UPDATE: Images from the original indexes can now be viewed, and also downloaded to your computer.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
Statutory marriages for Protestants on the Ireland commenced in 1845, whilst the registration of all births, marriages and deaths for the population commenced in 1864. At the moment the FamilySearch record Search Pilot site at http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=2;t=searchable;c=1408347 allows access to the indexes, but not to the digitised images of the index books, though this is clearly designed as something that will follow.
The release of these records online is the first time that this has happened, now making Irish research considerably more easy to do, and in line with its British counterparts. At present the site appears a bit sluggish, possibly because of demand.
(Many thanks to Deirdre on the Your Family Tree magazine forum for the update.)
UPDATE: Images from the original indexes can now be viewed, and also downloaded to your computer.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Scotland's Greatest Story
Professional family history research & genealogical problem solving
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