In my last post, I pointed out that Scotland is NOT England. However, should any English readers be a tad upset on that front, here's a consolation prize - Discover my Past England, issue 2, is now on sale, at www.discovermypast.com!
Discover my Past Scotland is also available - two great partner publications, standing side by side, valiantly looking forward to the future as equals (well, back to the past actually!), etc etc.
So there!
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
We're NOT England! 150 years ago...
One thing that really gets my goat as a displaced Ulsterman is when people refer to 'Britain' when they are in fact talking about the 'UK' - a good example being the recent Olympic team of GBR. I am constantly reminding people, whether they like it or not, that the 'UK' is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - which is not the same as Britain, Great Britain, or indeed the British Isles, all of which mean different things. Four British countries, lots of islands - and infinite grief when describing them!
Scots often get wound up by the same thing, when people talk about 'Britain' when what they really mean is 'England'. But this is nothing new, and Audrey Collins from the National Archives has discovered the proof! Audrey has found two items within HO 45/7928, part of the extensive collection of Home Office Registered Papers relating to Scotland held at Kew, which she has transcribed and placed online at the Your Archives site.
The first document is a protest from 1864 against the use of the word 'England' being imposed to describe the United Kingdom, which was 'dishonouring to the Scots', and signed by over three and half thousand bolshy bovver boys (probably from Edinburgh's Canongate!); the second is a reply written on behalf of Lord Palmerston (a Sasannach if I ever saw one, grrrr!!!!), quite happy with calling Britain 'England', but contradicting himself by also mentioning the UK at that stage included Ireland. (Errr...my brain is going wobbly!)
Nothing changes! The documents can be read at A Protest against The Name England being imposed upon the United Kingdom.
So just to recap - we're NOT England, we're NOT North Britain and we're NEVER happy - we're SCOTLAND!!!! (OK, we're sometimes happy...!)
(Many thanks to Audrey!)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Scots often get wound up by the same thing, when people talk about 'Britain' when what they really mean is 'England'. But this is nothing new, and Audrey Collins from the National Archives has discovered the proof! Audrey has found two items within HO 45/7928, part of the extensive collection of Home Office Registered Papers relating to Scotland held at Kew, which she has transcribed and placed online at the Your Archives site.
The first document is a protest from 1864 against the use of the word 'England' being imposed to describe the United Kingdom, which was 'dishonouring to the Scots', and signed by over three and half thousand bolshy bovver boys (probably from Edinburgh's Canongate!); the second is a reply written on behalf of Lord Palmerston (a Sasannach if I ever saw one, grrrr!!!!), quite happy with calling Britain 'England', but contradicting himself by also mentioning the UK at that stage included Ireland. (Errr...my brain is going wobbly!)
Nothing changes! The documents can be read at A Protest against The Name England being imposed upon the United Kingdom.
So just to recap - we're NOT England, we're NOT North Britain and we're NEVER happy - we're SCOTLAND!!!! (OK, we're sometimes happy...!)
(Many thanks to Audrey!)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Edinburgh passports
Sheena Tait has been blogging about Edinburgh issued passports held at Edinburgh City Archives. (Who knows, in the next year or so, we might even begin to see them being issued again!)
An interesting read at http://setait.co.uk/?p=164
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
An interesting read at http://setait.co.uk/?p=164
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Archive Pace Setter Scheme
The following from TNA's second edition of online magazine Archive Sector Update may be of interest to Scottish based archivists:
The Archive Pace Setter scheme was officially launched on 1 October. The programme aims to promote and celebrate innovation within the UK archive sector and will run until 2013. Led by the National Council on Archives (in partnership with CyMAL, MLA, The National Archives, the Scottish Council on Archives and the Society of Archivists), the Archive Pace Setter Scheme helps organisations working with archives to receive recognition for innovative project work. In addition to exclusive use of the branding, successful applicants will become part of a network providing access to various workforce development opportunities.
During the summer a wide range of organisations were represented at introductory sessions held around the country, and many have already expressed interest in becoming an Archive Pace Setter. Applications are encouraged from all types of archive services across the UK. If you would like to receive future updates specifically about the scheme, please email Louise Ray at louise@nca.org.uk.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
The Archive Pace Setter scheme was officially launched on 1 October. The programme aims to promote and celebrate innovation within the UK archive sector and will run until 2013. Led by the National Council on Archives (in partnership with CyMAL, MLA, The National Archives, the Scottish Council on Archives and the Society of Archivists), the Archive Pace Setter Scheme helps organisations working with archives to receive recognition for innovative project work. In addition to exclusive use of the branding, successful applicants will become part of a network providing access to various workforce development opportunities.
During the summer a wide range of organisations were represented at introductory sessions held around the country, and many have already expressed interest in becoming an Archive Pace Setter. Applications are encouraged from all types of archive services across the UK. If you would like to receive future updates specifically about the scheme, please email Louise Ray at louise@nca.org.uk.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Happy Birthday Mary Queen of Scots
The National Library of Scotland has tweeted that today is the anniversary of Mary Queen of Scots' birth in 1542. Somewhat sombrely, they suggest celebrating it by reading a letter written by her on the last night of her life!
The document, with translation, can be viewed at www.nls.uk/mqs/index.html, whilst Mary's story can be read at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_I_of_Scotland.
Meanwhile, an interesting article on the current work and role of the National Library of Scotland was in Saturday's Herald and can be viewed at Power to the People in the Digital Age.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
The document, with translation, can be viewed at www.nls.uk/mqs/index.html, whilst Mary's story can be read at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_I_of_Scotland.
Meanwhile, an interesting article on the current work and role of the National Library of Scotland was in Saturday's Herald and can be viewed at Power to the People in the Digital Age.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Scottish Highlander Photo Archive
Meet Mrs Serafton and family from 86 Church Street in Inverness, in the early 1900s:
Her image, along with hundreds of others, can be viewed at the Scottish Highlander Photo Archive, located online at www.scottishhighlanderphotoarchive.co.uk.
The site will in due course be uploading some 20,000 images of folk from the Highlands, taken in the early 20th century, at the rate of 100 a week. To date, about a fifth have subjects who have been identified, and the site's organisers would like to hear from people who can help to build up more information on those featured. The site is free to view, and prints can be ordered up if you happen to come across your great granny along the way! A discussion forum is also planned in the near future.
Definitely worth regular visits, I can't find any of my lot from Inverness yet, but chances are that if Mrs Serafton lived on Church Street, she may well have known them!
(With thanks to Adrian Harvey for kind permission to use the image)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
The site will in due course be uploading some 20,000 images of folk from the Highlands, taken in the early 20th century, at the rate of 100 a week. To date, about a fifth have subjects who have been identified, and the site's organisers would like to hear from people who can help to build up more information on those featured. The site is free to view, and prints can be ordered up if you happen to come across your great granny along the way! A discussion forum is also planned in the near future.
Definitely worth regular visits, I can't find any of my lot from Inverness yet, but chances are that if Mrs Serafton lived on Church Street, she may well have known them!
(With thanks to Adrian Harvey for kind permission to use the image)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Monday, 7 December 2009
Bavarian World War 1 Personnel Rosters go online
Ancestry's showing off now! Having finished the upload of British WW1 service records from WO363 and WO364 at the National Archives, they have now turned their attention to releasing details on those they were fighting against, with the release of Bavarian Personnel Rosters 1914-1918. Amongst the records included are those of Adolf Hitler.
From Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.co.uk/):
In a world-first, Ancestry.co.uk, the UK’s leading family history website, has commenced the online launch of the Bavarian WWI Personnel Rosters, 1914-1918 , a comprehensive collection of World War One German service records.
The records now online detail the full military careers of 1.5 million Bavarian soldiers who fought during WWI, including then 25-year-old volunteer Lance Corporal Adolf Hitler, considered today as one of the most evil men in history.
Although unification in 1871 brought together the four kingdoms known as Bavaria, Prussia, Saxony and Wurttemberg into one modern German state, each retained its own military until the end of WWI. These records list soldiers from the Bavarian Regiment of the German Army.
The paper originals are held by the Bavaria State Archives, which is working in partnership with Ancestry to launch this collection.
Individual records include the soldier’s name, rank, date and place of birth, details of their active service, religion, status or occupation, marital status, parents’ names, and address.
Hitler’s record describes him as a ‘Catholic’, an ‘Artist’ and a ‘Messenger (bike rider) for the Regiment’, whose role was to carry messages back and forth from the command staff to the units near the battlefield.
His detailed injuries include ‘lightly wounded at Le Barque by an artillery grenade in the thigh’ in October 1916 and ‘gassed at La Montagne, taken to hospital’ in October 1918.
His record also shows that he was awarded five medals, decorations and other awards, including the Iron Cross twice – 1st and 2nd Class.
As with families in all countries that fought in WWI, Germans have become increasingly interested in the role their ancestors played in the ‘war to end all wars’ as historical records for this period are made available online.
Meanwhile, as announced on this blog a few days ago within another post, the reindexing of British WW1 service records in WO364 to retrospectively capture each soldier’s regiment starts in February 2010 and is scheduled to be available via Ancestry in June 2010.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
From Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.co.uk/):
In a world-first, Ancestry.co.uk, the UK’s leading family history website, has commenced the online launch of the Bavarian WWI Personnel Rosters, 1914-1918 , a comprehensive collection of World War One German service records.
The records now online detail the full military careers of 1.5 million Bavarian soldiers who fought during WWI, including then 25-year-old volunteer Lance Corporal Adolf Hitler, considered today as one of the most evil men in history.
Although unification in 1871 brought together the four kingdoms known as Bavaria, Prussia, Saxony and Wurttemberg into one modern German state, each retained its own military until the end of WWI. These records list soldiers from the Bavarian Regiment of the German Army.
The paper originals are held by the Bavaria State Archives, which is working in partnership with Ancestry to launch this collection.
Individual records include the soldier’s name, rank, date and place of birth, details of their active service, religion, status or occupation, marital status, parents’ names, and address.
Hitler’s record describes him as a ‘Catholic’, an ‘Artist’ and a ‘Messenger (bike rider) for the Regiment’, whose role was to carry messages back and forth from the command staff to the units near the battlefield.
His detailed injuries include ‘lightly wounded at Le Barque by an artillery grenade in the thigh’ in October 1916 and ‘gassed at La Montagne, taken to hospital’ in October 1918.
His record also shows that he was awarded five medals, decorations and other awards, including the Iron Cross twice – 1st and 2nd Class.
As with families in all countries that fought in WWI, Germans have become increasingly interested in the role their ancestors played in the ‘war to end all wars’ as historical records for this period are made available online.
Meanwhile, as announced on this blog a few days ago within another post, the reindexing of British WW1 service records in WO364 to retrospectively capture each soldier’s regiment starts in February 2010 and is scheduled to be available via Ancestry in June 2010.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Borders FHS seeks new periodical editor
Borders Family History Society is looking for a volunteer editor to take over the reins of its thrice yearly issued, 44 page long, magazine, which contains articles, members' interests, queries and correspondence.
For more information visit Peter Munro's Borders FHS blog at Vacancy for a Magazine Editor.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
For more information visit Peter Munro's Borders FHS blog at Vacancy for a Magazine Editor.
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
British Geological Survey opens archive
The British Geological Survey has made available for free maps and photographs from its library, including many Scottish images, such as photographs taken on Ben Nevis over a hundred years ago.
To view the material visit www.bgs.ac.uk/OpenGeoscience.
UPDATE: The BBC has coverage on this also at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8398451.stm
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
To view the material visit www.bgs.ac.uk/OpenGeoscience.
UPDATE: The BBC has coverage on this also at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8398451.stm
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Provisions for St Kilda
When they weren't out trapping seagulls and running after Soay sheep, just how did the St Kildans get their supplies?!
Pop along to Comann Eachdraidh Uig's blog to find out, at Provisions for St Kilda, and the Austrian shipwreck
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Pop along to Comann Eachdraidh Uig's blog to find out, at Provisions for St Kilda, and the Austrian shipwreck
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
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