Is ScotlandsPeople talking to Ancestry?

An interesting post from the Anglo-Celtic Connections blog yesterday describes the visit of Scottish Registrar General Duncan MacNiven to the BIFHSGO conference at the weekend. The post briefly mentions the forthcoming Roman Catholic records release, and other well known up and coming releases such as the Valuation Rolls and Kirk Session records. However, the bit that caught my eye was the following:

"He also mentioned that there is some potential for extra Scottish information to be made available by suppliers other than Scotland's People, including Ancestry, although negotiations are at an early stage."

There was a bit of a stir last year when the the Sunday Herald in July 2008 reported on the possibility of the GROS partnering with other institutions - see License sale may mean that money doesn't grow on family trees - but it has all been very quiet since then. So is ScotlandsPeople now in discussion with Ancestry?

One to keep an eye out for!

(With thanks to JDR at the Anglo-Connections blog)

Chris

www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton

Action 4 Archives counter proposals for TNA

From the Federation of Family History Societies:

In July TNA (the National Archives at Kew) announced proposals to cut expenditure by £4.2m. These included staff cuts, Monday closing to the public, and the introduction of car parking charges.
Action 4 Archives has posted alternative proposals for TNA to consider. They may be found on their website at http://action4archives.com/wp-content/uploads/TNA-review-suggestions-20-9-09.pdf

TNA will be announcing its plans on Thursday, 24 September at the next public User Forum, to be held at Kew from 12.15pm.

(With thanks to Roger Lewry, FFHS Archives Liaison officer)

For more on the background to this, see the following blog posts:

Major Changes Proposed at National Archives (1 JUL 09)

National Archives Proposals Challenged (28 JUL 09)

TNA Consultation to end September 12th (9 SEP 09)

Chris

www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton

How 2 *t ur Fmly Hstry - ancestry for kids

At the National Family History Fair in Gateshead I caught up with Jane Starkie of the publisher Family History Partnership, who very kindly gave me a copy of her latest book Hw 2 *t ur Fmly Hstry, a beginners guide for kids on how to look into your family history.


I had a read last night whilst reviewing it for Discover my Past Scotland, and it is a fantastic book, full of exercises and facts and fun for kids of all ages. Did you know there are places in Britain called Peover, Looe, Bottoms and Great Snoring?! Pure playground stuff, but it gets the kids talking about it!

Definitely worth a look, £12.95, or £14.95 inc p&p from the FHP - see www.familyhistorypartnership.co.uk/prod116.htm

Chris

www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton

Gaelic psalms

If your ancestors came from the Western Isles, you're in for a treat. The style of psalm singing there in the Gaelic churches has not changed for centuries, and is one of the most haunting sounds on Earth.

To get a flavour, visit www.inlightofthegospel.org/?p=6126

Chris

www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton

A Viking Saga

Ancestors magazine editor Simon Fowler has recently been on a trip to Iceland, on an Icelandic sagas tourist trip, taking in museums and attractions all linked to ancient texts.

Read his account of the trip at www.ancestorsmagazine.co.uk/?page=blog

Chris

www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton

Ancestry.co.uk TV commercial

Ancestry.co.uk has a TV commercial



Chris

www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk/
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton

The first thousand!

The Scottish Genealogy News and Events (SGNE) blog has been going for almost two years now, doing its very best to bring you the latest news and events affecting Scottish genealogy, and free of charge. Today sees a milestone - this has been the first week with more than a thousand unique visitors to the site.

A huge thanks to all of you for your continued support, and as they say, the only way is up!

PS: In hindsight, I could have called this blog Genealogical News and Events of Scotland (GENES). Possibly that would have been a bit too obvious...! :)

Chris

www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton

Not looking good for Google Books

Google Books is facing major opposition from the US Justice Department to its plans to upload millions of books online. The internet giant's plans have been heavily criticised by the Federal Government, which is urging the New York courts to reject a deal next month which would see Google obtain massive dominance of the internet archive business.

For more on the story visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8264544.stm

Chris

www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton

Appeal to save 'cursed' Campbell mausoleum

A charitable company called Argyll Mausoleum Ltd has been set up to raise half a million pounds to rescue a Kilmun based mausoleum, last resting place of the Dukes of Argyll and chiefs of the Campbell clan. The site is said to have been cursed, threatening anyone who enters other than the Dukes with certain doom.

It is hoped that if the money can be raised, following restoration the building can be opened to the public. Then we can all be equally doomed!!! :)

For more on the story, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8262989.stm

Chris

www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton

Bank holiday Monday 21st September

Just a quick note to remind people that it is a bank holiday on Monday. If you plan on travelling to the ScotlandsPeople Centre or the NAS, you might want to put it off for a day - no-one will be in!

Chris

www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton