Genealogy News - 26th February

Fall-out from the weekend's WDYTYA? Live! Fair is, well, everywhere! To catch up on the same you can do little better than scour Chris Paton's blog (you'll have to scroll down and click around a bit, such is the amount of news on his blog!). Included in Chris's reports are some interesting updates from TheGenealogist website and the big Tayroots Family History Day in Dundee on 5th April - so look out for them.

Elsewhere, we'll begin with that most excellent piece of fortnightly news, the latest Lost Cousins newsletter.

FindMyPast have some new Boer War records.

Here's the latest from DeceasedOnline's efforts in East London.

Good news for Essex researchers - have a look at this little lot.

Mocavo have launched their own online Family Tree Viewer.

A couple of handy posts from Christine Woodcock:

• Scottish broadsides;
• Scottish BMD notices.

Irish blogger, Claire Santry, offers the following:

• History Festival of Ireland;
• Irish news from WDYTYA? Fair.

The usual round-up of history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

The latest sale from Pen & Sword Books (inc. a genealogy books offer).

The latest newsletter from the National Library of Scotland can be found here.

Forthcoming events...

• Saturday 2nd March - Montgomeryshire Genealogical Society Open Morning, Caersws;
• Saturday 2nd March - Clitheroe Book Fair;
• Sunday 3rd March - Merseyside & Cheshire Family History Fair;
• Sunday 3rd March - Wilton Book Fair;
• Upcoming SoG events can be accessed here (you can change the month in the search bar);
• Belfast's Linen hall Library has a fancy new website - events page here;
• Postcard Fairs (please check with organisers before travelling a long way);
• BBC's 'Things To Do' page.

Don't forget to keep in touch with the BI-Gen Twitter feed.

From The Wellcome Library blog...

Premature Burial

Genealogy News - 22nd February

For those of you not attending the first day of the WDYTYA? Live! Fair in London, here's the latest news from the family history world...

FindMyPast have unveiled their latest major record set, namely their 'Crime, Prison & Punishment' records. Here's the National Archives' take on the news. Oh, and hello, here's some free credits! (check out my previous post from Tuesday for a few more Fair tips, including the Ancestry Academy Livestream).

Also from FMP (news just breaking!) is the pending digitisation of millions of parish records from Yorkshire dating back to 1538. Nothing official on their website at the time of writing, but it seems that the whole of the county and all of the archives in question will be involved. Wow! More details soon, no doubt.

Here's an important announcement from the guys at Mocavo - it's all about their new partnership with FreeBMD.

I haven't flagged this for ages: Ancestry's 'updates page' (new London & Lancashire stuff).

More Lancashire news here.

Latest TNA Podcast.

Here's an interesting event lined up for Dublin next month. And the latest Eneclann e-newsletter is now available, too.

Here's the latest Podcast from Nick Barratt (College of Arms).

Could this be the start of REALLY cheap DNA tests?

Here's the beginning of the 3rd series of the US version of WDYTYA?

Thanks to Alan Stewart for pointing out a great new website on Edinburgh's history.

Blogger Chris Paton provides a neat summary of recent news from the Scottish Genealogy Society.

Latest issue of 'Family Tree' magazine.

The March issue of 'HistoryToday' is now with us.

The spring issue of 'Irish Roots' magazine is now available.

This news may interest heritage groups.

Claire Santry provides the latest update from Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives. Oh, and here's her list of forthcoming Irish events ... and Dublin researchers may wish to take a look at this.

Fancy giving birth to TWO sets of identical twins in the same day?

From FMP - Famous Family Trees: Kate Winslet.
And from FMP Ireland: Famous Family Trees: Daniel Day Lewis.

The usual end-of-week stuff from the BBC:

• The week's 'History Headlines';
• Latest Podcast;
• Forthcoming history TV & radio.

Latest news, etc., can be found at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.

SPECIAL OFFER

 from

 GENESREUNITED...

Save 15% on membership between 22 – 28 February using promo code WDYTYA13. Search over 580 million family history records and start connecting with family - past and present - on Genes Reunited. Click below...

www.GenesReunited.co.uk 

Animal antics...

Parish pussy problems

Monkey Hunt

Genealogy News - 19th February

You don't have to look very far on the internet to find news of the forthcoming WDYTYA? Live! Fair. The official site is here. Also, TNA provide their take on proceedings here; and Chris Paton provides some invaluable advice, here. Oh, and if you're not going then it may be worth keeping an eye on Ancestry's live stream.

FMP Ireland have some new Irish memorial inscriptions available. The same folk are also currently running a subscription offer.

The S&N Genealogy e-newsletter is always worth a look. A good few new record releases, WDYTYA Fair news and a competition are all among the items on offer.

If you're interested in the digital side of genealogy then you may wish to learn a little about the forthcoming RootsTech conference in the States. Get a UK perspective on this major event from Audrey Collins.

Records for Perthshire and Sutherland have been added to the ScotlandsPlaces OS Name Books site.

The latest worldwide genealogy round-up is provided by GenealogyInTime.

Here's an interesting piece about human evolution.

Latest TNA Podcast.

Interested in Offaly history?

Here's a book review which you may find useful.

If you're a user of the 'Family Historian' software package then you may wish to take a look at their latest bulletin.

Thanks to Tom Morgan for pointing out the following resource for genealogy links - http://freepeoplesearch.org/88-must-have-resources-for-the-online-genealogist.html

Here's your monthly history crossword from HistoryToday.

Forthcoming events...

• 22nd-24th February - WDYTYA? Live! Fair, London;
• Upcoming Postcard Fairs (please check with organisers before travelling a long distance);
• Some advance notice about the RTE's Genealogy Roadshow at Derry/Londonderry on 23rd March;
• The BBC's 'Things To Do' page.

SPECIAL OFFER

 from

 GENESREUNITED...

Save 15% on membership between 22 – 28 February using promo code WDYTYA13. Search over 580 million family history records and start connecting with family - past and present - on Genes Reunited. Click below...

www.GenesReunited.co.uk 

From The Quack Doctor...

Crusade Against Kissing

Genealogy News - 15th February

Gosh, this year's been slow-going news-wise. Must be the build-up to next week's WDYTYA? Live! Fair which is occupying everybody's minds, I suppose! Anyway, here's what I have for you this Friday...

I have just noticed that GenesReunited has a YouTube Channel.

More interesting info on the recent Richard III discovery. For those who would like a basic grounding in the story of the controversial king, see Ros Bott's article, here.

The latest news from the GOONS can be found here.

A reminder about the latest developments from DeceasedOnline (London & West Yorkshire news + a competition).

MyHeritage has added millions of new records.

Spotted on the Anglo-Celtic Connections blog:

• Northumberland stuff;
• Lancashire stuff.

And, as usual, blogger of all things Irish, Claire Santry, has come up with plenty this week, including...

• Belfast 'suffrage' events;
• PRONI genealogy exhibition.

Several bloggers have reminded us of the forthcoming conference on migration in September (in Leicestershire).

OK, so it's from North America, but you may find this new online magazine of some interest.

Here's a little more info on those Irish WWI Wills from FMP.

Chris Paton's blog has this interesting piece of news re. the Boer War and related records.

Audrey Collins has some FamilySearch tips.

The usual end-of-week items from the Beeb...

• The week's 'History Headlines';
• Latest Podcast;
• Upcoming history TV & radio (look out for 'Meet the Izzards').

If you follow me on Twitter, you will have noted the following strange items...

Kiss wife or pay fine

Marry in haste?

Genealogy News - 12th February

The latest Lost Cousins Newsletter is now available - including news of their forthcoming forum.

DeceasedOnline have released new records for East London (and they have a competition, too).

You may wish to consider booking for the GOONS' next seminar (Trades Unions) in Coventry in May.

The latest Podcast from TNA is entitled 'The Will Forgeries: a forgotten sensation'.

Dick Eastman's blog carries an interesting DNA-related story about the pursuit of a cure for diabetes.

The National Library of Wales is calling for volunteers - see here.

FMP Ireland have some news about WWI Irish Soldiers' Wills.

More Irish news (TV stuff) from Claire Santry.

A couple of interesting posts from Chris Paton:

• Ireland's Genealogical Gazette;
• 'Interactive graves' technology.

A useful genealogy book review.

The weekly history links round-up from the Two Nerdy History Girls can be found here.

I forgot to mention this on Friday: the latest BBC History Podcast.

Nice piece about the origins of the British Library.

Here are your forthcoming events...

• Saturday 16th February - FHS of Cheshire's 'Family History Day', Northwich
• Saturday 16th February - Durham Book Fair;
• Upcoming events at the National Library of Scotland (updated list);
• Scottish FHS talks;
• Irish events;
• Forthcoming stuff at Belfast's Linen Hall library;
• Postcard fairs (check with organisers before travelling a long way). There is also a postcard fair at Kinross Church Centre (High St.) on 16th Feb, 10.30-4 (contact number: Gareth Burgess on 01368 860365);
• The BBC's 'Things To Do' page;
• And of course the WDYTYA? Live! Fair is getting pretty near!

And there's always the BI-Gen Twitter feed for more news, etc.

From the MyHeritage blog...

Shrove Tuesday

Genealogy News - 8th February

In the current climate it is something of a wonder that the powers-that-be are even allowing us to celebrate our libraries tomorrow, on what is being billed as 'National Libraries Day'. Check out the dedicated website and see if you can get along to an event to show your support.

Ancestry's latest release is their Manchester Parish Records Collection 1541-1985.

More news about TNA's catalogue, Discovery, can be found here.

Thanks to @ARebelHand on Twitter (and others) for pointing out that the latest issue of the free online magazine, Irish Lives Remembered, is now available.

The latest bulletin from Parish Chest is now available (remember to scroll down for the latest releases).

Essex researchers will want to check out the latest newsletter from the Essex Record Office.

Staffordshire researchers will be interested to note that a major digitisation project of the county's archives is in the early stages of planning - thanks to Claire Santry for flagging the relevant link, here.

More historical tax rolls have been added to the ScotlandsPlaces website (follow link and see left-hand side).

TNA's February e-newsletter is now up for grabs.

I am sure that you will all find this relationship calculator helpful.

The usual Friday stuff from the BBC:

• The latest history news (dominated by you-know-what);
• Upcoming history TV/radio;
• History TV on Demand service.

Don't forget the BI-Gen Twitter feed for the latest news.

And finally, can I remind all you genealogy-related businesses out there about yesterday's brief post.

From 'Forces War Records'...

The Army's WWI Special Branch

Deadline Looms

Just a short post to remind all of you out there who run a genealogy-related business of the deadline date of 10th February for the revamping of the 'Directory of Services' section of this blog.

You may or may not already be listed in one or more of the categories in the tabs above - but, either way, I'm gonna start culling the lists next week, leaving only those who have paid the minimum 'subscription' of £5 to remain in situ. Thanks to those of you who have so far coughed up - please get in touch with me at micksouthwick@blueyonder.co.uk if you want to jump aboard, too. The listings are going to be much reduced, so any businesses that remain will be quite prominent!

For full details of the guidelines click on the 'About BI-Gen' tab above, then scroll down a few paragraphs to the section beginning 'The DIRECTORY of SERVICES...'

If you've any questions, ask via the email address above.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Mick.

Genealogy News - 5th February

In case you've been on another planet these past few days, I feel I'd better begin with the most obvious news item. Arguably the biggest genealogy-related news story to hit the headlines for many a year is the small matter of the 'king in the car park' find of Richard III's remains. It'll not take you long to find the story online - but here's a brief overview from the BBC. The rather eccentric Channel 4 programme on the topic as shown last night can be found here. What a story, eh? Hopefully, we'll learn a little more about the genealogy/genetics involved with a further TV special in due course (please?).

The SoG blog has a helpful guide to the Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum.

Military enthusiasts will be interested in TNA's latest podcast.

FindMyPast Ireland have released new Roscommon records.

Want to search the IGI using batch numbers? See this post by Nick Thorne.

Blogger Audrey Collins reminds us that things were a good deal different in the old days with her post 'No Paperwork Required'.

Here's the latest National Library of Ireland e-newsletter. And there's more from the same part of the world with the latest 'Ireland Reaching Out' newsletter.

The latest bulletin from the Community Archives & Heritage Group is available here.

Plenty of advance notice about this year's Catholic FHS Day Conference & AGM.

The usual round-up of entertaining history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls.

TNA gives us more re. LGBT Month.

Back to Ireland with blogger Claire Santry: latest Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives news and a new County Clare book.

Two good spots by Chris Paton: Hants Record Office workshops and Islay FHS to close.

Last shout for the special offer/appeal from professional genealogist, Anthony Adolph - see my blog post of 29th January, and scroll down a bit (offer ends 6th February).

There's virtually nothing happening, events-wise, at the moment...

• Firstly, there are no local or family history fairs this weekend of which I know, nor have any book fairs been brought to my attention;
• There are a few upcoming Postcard Fairs (please check with organisers before travelling a long way);
• Some Irish events;
• And you can always try the History Section of the BBC's 'Things To Do' page.

Don't forget to check in regularly at the BI-Gen Twitter feed for more bits and bobs (most of which don't make it onto this blog).

Something for the Weekend 16

Carlo from the DNA testing company EasyDNA has offered to pen a brief and basic article on his particular area of expertise. So here we go...

Information about Ancestry DNA testing and Genealogy

A good number of people often associate deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with paternity cases and criminal investigations. However, ancestry DNA testing is a new technique used to trace one's ancestry and help complete a genealogy tree. Rummaging through old photos with relatives and seeking out family stories is of course one small aspect of learning your ancestry. But ancestry testing takes things to a genetic level. This type of testing allows the reconstructing of family lineage or ancestral origins via the analysis of a person’s DNA. Ancestry testing can aid in the determination of whether two individuals share the same ancestors or are even biologically related in the first place.

Ancestry DNA testing is now becoming an important component element of genealogy research. Ancestral origins testing and genealogy research are helpful in tracing family descent and history and genealogists often resort to such tests to help them confirm lineage. This allows many to learn about their personal ancestry and history in an accurate way. A DNA test can be done to confirm whether two people share a common paternal ancestry or perhaps maternal ancestry.

Maternal and Paternity Lineage

Maternal ancestry can be determined by analyzing what is known as MtDNA, or mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA is a special type of DNA which is passed down the maternal lines and tends to undergo mutations very seldom. Any two people who share the same MtDNA blueprint also share the same lineage from their maternal side. Through MtDNA testing, scientists can also work back to ancient maternal origins and tell the individuals tested which studied ethnic groups their maternal ancestors came from. They can, furthermore, tell what geographical regions their maternal ancestors are associated with.

Paternal lineage is also quite simple to establish by testing the Y chromosome. Males who share the same Y blueprint also share a common paternal line. The only drawback in this test is the fact that females cannot directly test their paternal lineage as they do not have Y chromosomes. However, they can simply ask a willing male relative to provide a sample of their DNA and use this sample to discover her paternal lineage.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

SNP’s (single nucleotide polymorphisms) are changes at various points in the genetic code from person to person, which allows each generation to recombine. There are two processes used namely: hapblock matching (counting the number and sizes of matches from one point to another) and bio geographical analysis (matching an individual’s SNP frequencies to that of the geographic population’s origins).

Companies that provide ancestry DNA tests like easyDNA have access to huge databases of information. In these databases they have the genetic information of most of the studied anthropological groups. What they do is compare your DNA with the DNA of the various anthropological groups to see which of these groups share a DNA profile that is most similar to yours. Once they have connected you with your ancient ancestors, they can also directly link you to your geogenetic origins; in other words, they can tell you what part of the world your ancestors originated from. This is possible because scientists and anthropologists have connected the anthropological groups they have studied to their region of origin.

Ancestry DNA testing and genealogy are undoubtedly very important tools within the field of ancestry and genealogy. Such tests are offered by various online companies that may assist you in your voyage to discover your roots. Tracing your roots may be a very informative and life changing experience for many and with ancestry DNA testing offered, you have chance to do just that.

By Carlo Lamanna Chapelle

If anyone else would like to pen a short article on any aspect of genealogy (and maybe even give their company, product or publication a little plug) then email me at micksouthwick@blueyonder.co.uk .

Genealogy News - 1st February

Welcome to February. First up is an interesting development from York in the shape of the UK's first 'staff-led mutual library & archive service'. I have to confess that I'm not sure what to make of it...

If you're into maps and Scottish research then check out this little lot.

And the Scottish Registers of Sasines are examined by Kirsty Wilkinson.

Irish researchers may wish to take a glance at this announcement from FindMyPast Ireland. And Cavan genealogists will want to check this out.

Catholic (London) researchers may wish to follow the link in this very short blog post.

Here's something else for Londoners: a prestigious-looking family history talk(s).

The beginning of LGBT History Month is celebrated at TNA's blog.

OK, so it's a couple of days late, but I've only just fell upon this colour film of Winston Churchill's funeral on 30th January 1965.

Rather more lengthy is a video of an entertaining lecture from the Gresham College website - and I'll let blogger John D Reid make the introductions, here.

The BBC's HistoryExtra website has the following...

• The week's 'History Headlines' (naval historians - check out the final story!);
• Latest Podcast;
• February issue of BBC History Magazine now out;
• Upcoming history TV & radio.

For a special offer from professional genealogist, Anthony Adolph, check out my previous blog post (scroll to bottom of post).

And over the last few days I've highlighted a few interesting articles on the BI-Gen Twitter feed. For example, take a look at this one about the Russian family who lived isolated from the world for 42 years!

Always worth a look...

Bizarre History's Stories of the Month

Genealogy News - 29th January

Well, there's still not a great deal to report on during what has been a sluggish start to 2013. An important piece of news from north of the border, however, is the availability of the Scottish Valuation Rolls for 1905 - see here.

Helping to keep the genealogy world afloat, too, is the latest issue of the always excellent Lost Cousins Newsletter.

TNA blogger, Audrey Collins, looks forward to a certain rather large genealogy event next month.

Essex researchers may wish to have a look at this.

Interested in the subject of Devon wills?

Here's a global genealogy round-up from GenealogyInTime - note the very first item for the Isle of Man.

I know I've mentioned this in passing before, but the National Library of Ireland's new family history booklet has been given a special blog post, here.

The usual history round-up from the Two Nerdy History Girls is always worth a browse.

Latest TNA Podcast is here.

Forthcoming events:

• Archives for London's future programme;
• The lecture line-up at Gresham College, London (free & open to all);
• National Library of Scotland events here (just updated) & here. And they have a newsletter here;
• The SoG's events page is accessed via this link;
• Upcoming Postcard Fairs (please check with organisers if travelling a long way);
• The BBC's 'Things To Do' page.

Finally, I have been asked to pass on the following appeal and 'offer' from professional genealogist, Anthony Adolph, which I am delighted to do...

Are you related to President Lincoln?

To help celebrate the British launch of Steven Spielberg’s movie ‘Lincoln’ and the 204th anniversary of the president’s birth on 12 February, genealogist Anthony Adolph is working with the Illinois Office of Tourism to find British relatives of America’s most famous president.

In 1637, Samuel Lincoln, an apprentice weaver in Norwich, left his home in the obscure Norfolk village of Hingham to brave a voyage across the Atlantic. Samuel had no idea he would survive to raise a family in the new colonies of America, let alone that his great great great grandson Abraham would become one of the greatest figures in American history.

This means that if you have ancestors from Hingham or have Lincoln ancestors from the Norwich area, you could have President Lincoln in your family tree!

Illinois, the home state of Abraham Lincoln, hosts many Lincoln attractions and is a great place to visit for a truly adventurous holiday, where you can visit the house Lincoln shared with Mary Todd, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Springfield cemetery where he is buried.

If you know of a family connection with the Lincolns of Hingham, Norfolk, please contact Anthony Adolph via www.anthonyadolph.co.uk. You could be in for a trip to Illinois!

Keep in touch with the latest news over the next few days at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.

Genealogy News - 25th January

There's been a bit of controversy surrounding the price of Irish BMD certs this week. Once more, Claire Santry is the girl to turn to for the finer detail of Irish news with posts here and here. Claire also lists some Irish events for next week.

The latest S&N Genealogy Newsletter can be found here.


London and Fife researchers will want to check out the latest announcement from DeceasedOnline.

The February issue of 'Family Tree' magazine is out today. And the latest issue of 'WDYTYA? Magazine' has been released this week, too. Oh, and February's 'Your Family History' magazine has also been published!


Chris Paton reports on a little disagreement between the IWM and War Memorials Online.

Here's the latest from the British Library Document Supply Service.

An interesting little item for Catholic researchers.

A very handy post for Scottish researchers.

The Foundling Hospital/Museum, London, is featured in this post at Ancestry.

Some interesting thoughts from blogger Audrey Collins can be found on TNA's blog.

And this is worth a look: The Military Service Act 1916.

FindMyPast have posted an article on the family history of actor Tom Ellis.

Here are a couple of stories which I recently fell across on Dick Eastman's blog:

• Mystery remains found at Benjamin Franklin's house;
• Storing data in DNA.

The usual stuff from the BBC...

• The week's 'History Headlines';
• Latest Podcast;
• Forthcoming history TV & radio,

Keep in touch with the latest news over the next few days at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.

You think it's cold now? Well...

The Great Frost, 1607-08

Genealogy News - 22nd January

Thursday 24th January has been designated 'Irish Family History Day' by FindMyPast - and the organisation is offering free access to some 21 million BMD records to celebrate. Irish expert Claire Santry does a great job of explaining the position here and here.

More Irish news concerning North Tipperary.

Blog post re. the Kent and Sussex Crematorium.

Here's a short post on the subject of 'Scottish Police'.

Interested in Offaly history?

Oxfordshire researchers beware.

And here is some important information for Devon researchers, via the FFHS news service:

Devon Heritage Services have informed us that Devon record offices in Barnstaple and Exeter will be closed for stocktaking from Monday 4th to Friday 15th February 2013 inclusive. The majority of the West Country Studies Library's holdings have been relocated to the Devon Record Office in Sowton, Exeter.
Devon Family History Society's Tree House is now the Exeter Service Point and has the Parish Register Fiche and IR Wills. Tree House is open 10.30 to 4pm Monday, Tuesday & Thursday. There are also other Service Points around the county, and the Plymouth & West Devon Record Office is open during this time - see
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/councildemocracy/record_office/dro-service-points-2.htm 

(thanks to Maureen Selley / Beryl Evans)

The usual round-up of interesting history links by the Two Nerdy History Girls.

If you've got a spare hour or two, you could do worse than investigate this handy resource as flagged by the FFHS.

Here's an interesting discussion of research methodology by Kirsty Wilkinson.

And several sources have made reference to Geoff Swinfield's recent summary of a lecture by geneticist Professor Steve Jones.

Forthcoming events:

• Sunday 27th January - Bracknell Family History Fair;
• Sunday 27th January - Stratford-on-Avon Book Fair;
• 20th-21st February - 'Digital Past 2013', Monmouth;
• Some events past & future at TNA - and a related listing here;
• Upcoming Postcard Fairs (please check with organisers before travelling a long way);
• The BBC's 'Things To Do' page.

And here's a history crossword for you to have a stab at.

More news items at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.

Oh, and I missed it, but the second anniversary of this blog passed us by on 17th January - thanks for reminding me John! (and a couple of other folk - cheers). Seems like a good opportunity for me to thank you all for sticking with me for so long - so, er, thanks!

Stiff Upper Lip...

A Man of Fashion

Genealogy News - 18th January

Ancestry have released a new dataset: Civil Divorce Records, 1858-1911 (note: they only cover England & Wales). Further comment from Audrey Collins, here.

The latest TNA podcast focuses on wills. And don't forget TNA's sale.

Here's the latest newsletter from the National Library of Ireland.

A new website dedicated to Methodist history has been flagged, here.

Other genealogy bloggers have been quite busy, so here's a round-up from my favourite trio (these are all worth following, by the way)...

John D Reid has 'blogged' a few interesting bits and bobs of late:

• UK DNA testing options;
• The Genealogical Proof Standard and DNA testing (food for thought!);
• Book review of 'The Genealogist's Internet'.

Similarly, blogger Claire Santry has several Irish items of note:

• Latest Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives additions;
• Limerick lectures;
• Book review of 'My Ancestor Was Irish'.

And Chris Paton has the following news to spread:

• More free credits for FindMyPast;
• Somerset Heritage Centre closure.

Oh, and here's the usual weekend stuff from the Beeb:

• The week's 'History Headlines';
• Upcoming history TV & radio;
• Latest Podcast.

And don't forget that there are more news items at the BI-Gen twitter feed.

A couple of oddments for the weekend...

The dangers of streaking, 1791

Alternative Histories: The Elephant Man

Genealogy News - 15th January

This looks very useful indeed: the new 'help section' from The National Archives website.

The Lost Cousins Newsletter is always incredibly useful, too - latest issue here.

The Ancestry.com blog has a couple of interesting posts. One concerns the AncestryDNA set-up (with some interesting 'comments', too), and the other introduces their new 'Support Communities' venture.

Ever wondered about the use of images from the internet and copyright? Well the National Library of Ireland has reminded us about the copyright-free source that is 'The Commons on Flickr'.

More about Bolton Cemeteries from DeceasedOnline. There's another helpful link here.

Scotland has a new 'Registrar General & Keeper of the Records of Scotland'.

Here's a little piece about tonight's FindMyPast TV Show.

Latest TNA Podcast (Cockleshell Heroes).

Important news concerning Baptist records from Chris Paton's blog.

The usual weekly round-up of history links from the Two Nerdy History Girls is here.

Many of you may be aware of the North American-based 'In-Depth Genealogist' - well, it's been re-jigged and re-launched. Read all about it here.

Your forthcoming events...

• Various London events;
• Events at National Library of Scotland;
• Events at PRONI;
• Postcard Fairs (please check with organisers before travelling a long way);
• The BBC's 'Things To Do' page.

More items of interest at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.

From the MailOnline...

Identical Twins x 3

Genealogy News - 11th January

Oh dear, there really isn't very much to report on at all this week - but that's not unusual for early January. Anyway, let's have a look at what's on offer...

First of all, you may wish to have a browse of this message from the WDYTYA? website. If nothing else, please do follow the link to their 'Directory' which looks very handy indeed!

Two useful recent posts by John D Reid:

• 'Maritime Medway' book (free PDF);
• Edinburgh stuff.

A couple of Irish items from Claire Santry:

• Irish events for Mid-January;
• New issue of 'HistoryIreland'.

PRONI have overhauled their online directories collection. More info here.

Forthcoming IHGS courses.

Latest Parish Chest Newsletter.

January newsletter from the National Library of Scotland.

Techies may be interested in the latest announcement from MyHeritage.

Pen & Sword Books' January sale.

And the usual Friday stuff from the BBC History website:

• The week's 'History Headlines';
• Latest Podcast;
• Forthcoming history TV/radio.

Please also call in at the BI-Gen Twitter feed for other items of news and useful links. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Twitter, well, you don't need to sign up to read my tweets - just click on the link above, then keep calling back regularly. However, it's best if you sign up fully - and even then you don't have to actively participate (or 'tweet'), as you can simply sit there quietly and merely 'follow' others. Good fun.

From the Sussex Ancestors blog...

Too Many Children!

Genealogy News - 8th January

The latest e-bulletin from Essex Record Office is now available, complete with a list of upcoming events (and many other things).

Here's a nice round-up of recent releases (and future plans) from DeceasedOnline.

Can't recall if I've mentioned this or not: news about an RAF records digitisation project. The same website has a piece about a Manchester map collection.

Canterbury Cathedral Archives reopen soon - see here (thanks to @AchievementsGen on Twitter).

Users of TNA's online catalogue should take note of this.

A new genealogy course begins at Durham County Record Office soon (thanks to @GenealogyGent on Twitter).

Recent developments on the FamilySearch site are covered by Chris Paton, here. And Chris also brings us happy news concerning the Scotsman Digital Archive.

Though it has a North American bias, Ruth Blair's blog is always worth a look. See this useful post as an example.

Here's a helpful post about Scottish Tax Rolls by blogger Alan Stewart.

Latest edition of 'Irish Lives Remembered' is now available (free).

Irish researchers may also wish to check out this post by John D Reid. And John also reviews a new genealogy book with Scottish connections, here.

GenealogyInTime has its latest worldwide round-up of genea stuff here.

The Two Nerdy History Girls give us their weekly round-up of history links.

Kirsty Wilkinson provides interesting food for thought on the process of genealogical research.

The latest TNA Podcast.

Forthcoming events (not many, I'm afraid)...

• Scottish Genealogy Society's upcoming Programme of Classes;
• GOONS DNA seminar (on 9th Feb - book before 27th Jan);
• Forthcoming Postcard Fairs;
• The BBC's Things To Do page.

Remember, there's plenty more news at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.

Thanks to John D Reid for this short video (funny, but contains swearing)...

Bills of Mortality

Genealogy News - 4th January

OK, so it's a bit of a slow start to the genealogy year, but it's about time I brought you up to speed...

First up, it's the latest Lost Cousins Newsletter.

London researchers will want to check out the free online heritage guide from the City of London's website, which includes a helpful 'What's On' section.

And more from London: the January listing from Gresham College (talks are free and open to all).

Here's the latest CWGC Newsletter.

Ancestry has added an important new resource to its database, namely, the 'UK Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960' - see their 'updates page' for the relevant link.

Blogger Alan Stewart reminds us of the upcoming episodes in the ongoing series of the 'Find My Past TV Show'.

There's a new railway workers database available at the National Railway Museum.

News from Claire Santry's 'Irish Genealogy News Blog':

• Wexford Church of Ireland Transcripts go online;
• Latest from Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives.

As we're a bit short of news, here's a couple of articles that may tickle your fancy. Firstly, check out this Chinese couple's very special celebration; then there's a really neat DNA analysis article.

The usual set of Friday links from the BBC History website:

• Latest history Podcast;
• January issue of BBC History Magazine;
• Forthcoming history TV & radio.

More bits and bobs at the BI-Gen Twitter feed.

New Year Stuff...

Origins, History & Traditions (sensible & daft!) of the New Year