Monday, April 02, 2007
A2A
Have you used the Web site Access to Archives or A2A? According to the site,
“A2A allows you to search and browse for information about archives in England and Wales, dating from the eighth century to the present day. These archives are cared for in local record offices and libraries, universities, museums and national and specialist institutions across England and Wales, where they are made available to the public.
“To find out whether archives are of interest to you, it is necessary to consult a catalogue or other finding aids. A2A allows you to search across detailed catalogues from around 400 repositories in England and Wales beyond The National Archives at Kew, so you may arrange to see or to obtain copies of genuine historical documents with just a few clicks of your mouse. The database is regularly updated, so revisit often for newly-included catalogues!”
One of the advantages of this site is that you don’t need to know where the material might be housed, just your ancestor’s name. While looking for one of my more elusive ancestors, I found correspondence between he and his brother in Norfolk. It would not have been on my list of places to look having no known reason to suspect someone had been in Norfolk.
Once you’ve found a document, you can easily follow through to find the record office and send off a request for a copy. Some of the repositories may offer copies of a page or two free, but most are going to charge you for the service
Within the site is a list of items recently added to the now more than 10 million records. It’s an easy way to check periodically to see what has been added to the site. Not only can you search by a person’s name, you can search by a partial name. I used the first two given names of my grandfather without his surname and the first item up was about him. You can also search by subject or place. There is a lot of information on the site to read before you actually search. I find the whole site very well laid out.
One warning however, about this site. It is extremely addicting!!
Happy hunting! ¶ 12:54 PM 0 comments
“A2A allows you to search and browse for information about archives in England and Wales, dating from the eighth century to the present day. These archives are cared for in local record offices and libraries, universities, museums and national and specialist institutions across England and Wales, where they are made available to the public.
“To find out whether archives are of interest to you, it is necessary to consult a catalogue or other finding aids. A2A allows you to search across detailed catalogues from around 400 repositories in England and Wales beyond The National Archives at Kew, so you may arrange to see or to obtain copies of genuine historical documents with just a few clicks of your mouse. The database is regularly updated, so revisit often for newly-included catalogues!”
One of the advantages of this site is that you don’t need to know where the material might be housed, just your ancestor’s name. While looking for one of my more elusive ancestors, I found correspondence between he and his brother in Norfolk. It would not have been on my list of places to look having no known reason to suspect someone had been in Norfolk.
Once you’ve found a document, you can easily follow through to find the record office and send off a request for a copy. Some of the repositories may offer copies of a page or two free, but most are going to charge you for the service
Within the site is a list of items recently added to the now more than 10 million records. It’s an easy way to check periodically to see what has been added to the site. Not only can you search by a person’s name, you can search by a partial name. I used the first two given names of my grandfather without his surname and the first item up was about him. You can also search by subject or place. There is a lot of information on the site to read before you actually search. I find the whole site very well laid out.
One warning however, about this site. It is extremely addicting!!
Happy hunting! ¶ 12:54 PM 0 comments
Sunday, March 11, 2007
ISBGFH Announces Annual Writing Contest
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the establishment of an Annual Writing Contest for the Society. The purpose of this writing contest is to encourage people to write articles about British research problems which they have encountered and successfully resolved.
The winning article will be published as the lead article in the third quarter issue of British Connections. The winner of the contest will receive a complimentary registration to the British Institute held in Salt Lake City in October of each year.
The detailed contest rules are listed below and you are encouraged to submit an article of interest on British genealogy.
If you have questions or comments on this contest, please contact Gordon Gray via email: ggray01@aol.com or by postal mail at ISBGFH, P.O. Box 350459, Westminster, CO 80035-0459.
Process:
The winning article will be published in the third quarter issue of British Connections, and the winner will receive a complimentary registration to the British Institute which is held in Salt Lake City in October of each year. Travel and lodging accommodations are not provided.
Each person may submit only one entry. It must be an original article, and previously unpublished. You do not have to be a member of ISBGFH in order to submit an entry.
Each entrant must include a brief bio including:
1. Name and address (address will not be published)
2. Number of years of genealogical research experience
3. Number of years of British Isles research experience
4. British related surnames not included in the article, if any
5. A photograph of the entrant is requested but not mandatory
Each entry should be between 2,500 and 3,000 words and include any appropriate descriptive pictures/charts. They can be submitted electronically via email to admin@isbgfh.org or a hard copy submitted to ISBGFH, P.O. Box 350459, Westminster, CO 80035-0459. Deadline for the entries is May 1.
The winning article will become the property of ISBGFH and cannot be published elsewhere in any format without the written approval of ISBGFH.
The article must focus on how a British research problem was resolved. Specific records and depositories will be of help to others and should be noted in the article. The sources should be cited according to the guidelines outlined in Evidence! by Elizabeth Shown Mills.
The Board members of ISBGFH will be the judges and select the winning article. Their decision will be final. ¶ 1:26 PM 0 comments
The winning article will be published as the lead article in the third quarter issue of British Connections. The winner of the contest will receive a complimentary registration to the British Institute held in Salt Lake City in October of each year.
The detailed contest rules are listed below and you are encouraged to submit an article of interest on British genealogy.
If you have questions or comments on this contest, please contact Gordon Gray via email: ggray01@aol.com or by postal mail at ISBGFH, P.O. Box 350459, Westminster, CO 80035-0459.
Process:
The winning article will be published in the third quarter issue of British Connections, and the winner will receive a complimentary registration to the British Institute which is held in Salt Lake City in October of each year. Travel and lodging accommodations are not provided.
Each person may submit only one entry. It must be an original article, and previously unpublished. You do not have to be a member of ISBGFH in order to submit an entry.
Each entrant must include a brief bio including:
1. Name and address (address will not be published)
2. Number of years of genealogical research experience
3. Number of years of British Isles research experience
4. British related surnames not included in the article, if any
5. A photograph of the entrant is requested but not mandatory
Each entry should be between 2,500 and 3,000 words and include any appropriate descriptive pictures/charts. They can be submitted electronically via email to admin@isbgfh.org or a hard copy submitted to ISBGFH, P.O. Box 350459, Westminster, CO 80035-0459. Deadline for the entries is May 1.
The winning article will become the property of ISBGFH and cannot be published elsewhere in any format without the written approval of ISBGFH.
The article must focus on how a British research problem was resolved. Specific records and depositories will be of help to others and should be noted in the article. The sources should be cited according to the guidelines outlined in Evidence! by Elizabeth Shown Mills.
The Board members of ISBGFH will be the judges and select the winning article. Their decision will be final. ¶ 1:26 PM 0 comments
Monday, December 04, 2006
Updates and holiday greetings
To update the information about FindMyPast that was written about previously. You can access this site by going to http://www.findmypast.com or http://www.findmypast.net. Some people had problems with the .com so hope this information is of help to you.
Another site we came across recently is very international so may be of help in your British Isles quest. GeneaNet has different levels of membership/or registration, but it is free to use. You might want to read about the different levels of registration to see what fits for you.
Another site is Dear Myrtle. Lots of help here for you. Check this site out!
With the holidays fast approaching, you might want to add to your wish list a membership to the family history society in the county where you are researching. One of the best ways to be connected to the area you are researching is to be a member and get the quarterly journal. Very often there is information there you won't find elsewhere. And there will be ways to contact the society for support or help.
Another item you might want to add to your wish list is a trip to Salt Lake City next October to attend the British Institute. This is a week-long class, with lectures in the morning and research in the library in the afternoons. The instructors are excellent and the knowledge you gain will more than get you on your way with your British Isles research.
Happy holidays to one and all!! ¶ 12:48 PM 0 comments
Another site we came across recently is very international so may be of help in your British Isles quest. GeneaNet has different levels of membership/or registration, but it is free to use. You might want to read about the different levels of registration to see what fits for you.
Another site is Dear Myrtle. Lots of help here for you. Check this site out!
With the holidays fast approaching, you might want to add to your wish list a membership to the family history society in the county where you are researching. One of the best ways to be connected to the area you are researching is to be a member and get the quarterly journal. Very often there is information there you won't find elsewhere. And there will be ways to contact the society for support or help.
Another item you might want to add to your wish list is a trip to Salt Lake City next October to attend the British Institute. This is a week-long class, with lectures in the morning and research in the library in the afternoons. The instructors are excellent and the knowledge you gain will more than get you on your way with your British Isles research.
Happy holidays to one and all!! ¶ 12:48 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Web site updates and British Institute
The Web site "1837online" now has a new name "findmypast.com." The new name, according to their website, better reflects who they are, having outgrown the "1837online." If you have used 1837online, then you will probably have to have a new user name and password.
Findmypast.com now includes, in addition to birth, marriage and deaths, military, census, migration, directories and occupations. These records can go back as far as 1656 up to 2004. If you haven't looked at this site recently, you really should go to http://www.findmypast.com and see what's new.
The 6th Annual British Institute was held during the first week of October this year and two tracks were offered, Welsh II, and Solving Problems and Research Strategies. Each morning found everyone in class and each afternoon everyone was using the records housed at the Family History Library, applying what was learned in the morning as it applied to personal research. The instructors were available in the library to help and offer suggestions to each attendee in the afternoon. Next year it is hoped to have three tracks available for attendees to choose from. The 7th Annual British Institute will be offered 8 - 12 October 2006 in Salt Lake City. Check here or at the Society's Web site for updates, etc.
A number of Web sites are available that will help you keep abreast of new resources for your research: Cyndi's list-what's new ; Family Tree Magazine; Dick Eastman's blog and The National Archives. Follow the links to "news" or "what's new."
Also check to see if your county of research has an on-line newsletter. A great way to stay on top of things. If you aren't a member of the county's family history society, you should be. Many times, various records are printed in the newletter/quarterly and will never see their way to the internet or to a book.
Do you have a great Web site you use for your British Isles research that you think others should know about? If so, please send it our way and we'll post it here. ¶ 12:12 PM 2 comments
Findmypast.com now includes, in addition to birth, marriage and deaths, military, census, migration, directories and occupations. These records can go back as far as 1656 up to 2004. If you haven't looked at this site recently, you really should go to http://www.findmypast.com and see what's new.
The 6th Annual British Institute was held during the first week of October this year and two tracks were offered, Welsh II, and Solving Problems and Research Strategies. Each morning found everyone in class and each afternoon everyone was using the records housed at the Family History Library, applying what was learned in the morning as it applied to personal research. The instructors were available in the library to help and offer suggestions to each attendee in the afternoon. Next year it is hoped to have three tracks available for attendees to choose from. The 7th Annual British Institute will be offered 8 - 12 October 2006 in Salt Lake City. Check here or at the Society's Web site for updates, etc.
A number of Web sites are available that will help you keep abreast of new resources for your research: Cyndi's list-what's new ; Family Tree Magazine; Dick Eastman's blog and The National Archives. Follow the links to "news" or "what's new."
Also check to see if your county of research has an on-line newsletter. A great way to stay on top of things. If you aren't a member of the county's family history society, you should be. Many times, various records are printed in the newletter/quarterly and will never see their way to the internet or to a book.
Do you have a great Web site you use for your British Isles research that you think others should know about? If so, please send it our way and we'll post it here. ¶ 12:12 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
NGS Conference and other things
We were delighted to meet so many of you at our luncheon at the NGS Conference in Chicago. From all reports it was one of the biggest lunches held during the week. A number of people won door prizes - one year memberships for ISB and several others won CD's from the Family History Library, thanks to our speaker, Paul Smart.
There were a number of lectures that pertained to doing research in the British Isles. Many people noted that while they weren't at the level of the lecture, they had their syllabus and notes to keep on hand for when they were ready for that area of research. This is a good point - you might not be exactly at a point where you can use the information, but if you keep a file of ideas, suggestions and research sources, when you are ready, you'll have the information at hand.
ISB has announced a writing contest for our members and non-members. The details have not been finalized, but the prize is registration for the 2007 British Institute in Salt Lake City - an approximate value of $350. The article must be on how you solved a British research brick wall. How did you solve it? What sources did you use? The article should be about 2000-3000 words. For more information, send an e-mail to isbgfh@yahoo.com and we'll get back to you with the details. Once the details are finalzed, we will write them here. ¶ 11:32 AM 0 comments
There were a number of lectures that pertained to doing research in the British Isles. Many people noted that while they weren't at the level of the lecture, they had their syllabus and notes to keep on hand for when they were ready for that area of research. This is a good point - you might not be exactly at a point where you can use the information, but if you keep a file of ideas, suggestions and research sources, when you are ready, you'll have the information at hand.
ISB has announced a writing contest for our members and non-members. The details have not been finalized, but the prize is registration for the 2007 British Institute in Salt Lake City - an approximate value of $350. The article must be on how you solved a British research brick wall. How did you solve it? What sources did you use? The article should be about 2000-3000 words. For more information, send an e-mail to isbgfh@yahoo.com and we'll get back to you with the details. Once the details are finalzed, we will write them here. ¶ 11:32 AM 0 comments
Thursday, May 18, 2006
England is getting closer (although a few years away) to putting the 1911 census online. The project is in process, but won't be released until the first working day of 2012, in this case 3 January 2012. Read more about this project at The National Archives.
The British Library has some online newspapers. They are rather limited right now, but a site worth checking periodically.
If you have Irish research, you might find TIARA (The Irish Ancestral Research Association) a worthwhile site. Also of interest to Irish researchers might be the Ireland newspaper abstracts. These are mainly from 19th century Irish newspapers. You can also find this link within TIARA. ¶ 12:51 PM 0 comments
The British Library has some online newspapers. They are rather limited right now, but a site worth checking periodically.
If you have Irish research, you might find TIARA (The Irish Ancestral Research Association) a worthwhile site. Also of interest to Irish researchers might be the Ireland newspaper abstracts. These are mainly from 19th century Irish newspapers. You can also find this link within TIARA. ¶ 12:51 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Conferences
One of the great things about spring and summer is the opportunity to travel and do some genealogy. The other great thing is the opportunity to attend a national conference. Each year the National Genealogical Society (NGS) offers a conference, usually in May in conjunction with the local society. This year NGS Conference will be held in Chicago June 7-10, 2006, co-hosted by the Chicagoland Genealogical Consortium.
In late August, the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), along with the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) will host a conference in Boston. The dates for this event are August 30 through September 2, 2006.
Both of these conferences will offer a number of "tracts" including the British Isles. In addition ISBGFH will host luncheons at both of these events. The luncheons are a great way to meet others researching the British Isles and perhaps can offer you some suggestions on your own research, or you can offer some suggestions. The people joining you at the table may just be friends you haven't met yet!!
People attending these conferences have been doing research for as little as a month or for many years. There are beginners to advanced researchers all gathering to hear what is new in the genealogical world or what is new in their country or area of research. If you have never attended one of these conferences, you really don't know what you are missing. Besides the lectures, there is time to network with others and visit the various vendors (bring you checkbook or credit card!).
This year ISBGFH will be sponsoring luncheons at both conferences. Paul Smart will be the speaker at the NGS Conference in Chicago and Sherry Irvine will be the speaker at the FGS Conference in Boston. Sherry is currently the Vice President of ISBGFH and Paul has served on the board for a number of years.
In addition, ISBGFH will have a booth in the vendor area at Boston. We hope you will stop by and introduce yourself as a member. We are looking forward to seeing you in either Chicago or Boston. ¶ 10:18 AM 0 comments
In late August, the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), along with the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) will host a conference in Boston. The dates for this event are August 30 through September 2, 2006.
Both of these conferences will offer a number of "tracts" including the British Isles. In addition ISBGFH will host luncheons at both of these events. The luncheons are a great way to meet others researching the British Isles and perhaps can offer you some suggestions on your own research, or you can offer some suggestions. The people joining you at the table may just be friends you haven't met yet!!
People attending these conferences have been doing research for as little as a month or for many years. There are beginners to advanced researchers all gathering to hear what is new in the genealogical world or what is new in their country or area of research. If you have never attended one of these conferences, you really don't know what you are missing. Besides the lectures, there is time to network with others and visit the various vendors (bring you checkbook or credit card!).
This year ISBGFH will be sponsoring luncheons at both conferences. Paul Smart will be the speaker at the NGS Conference in Chicago and Sherry Irvine will be the speaker at the FGS Conference in Boston. Sherry is currently the Vice President of ISBGFH and Paul has served on the board for a number of years.
In addition, ISBGFH will have a booth in the vendor area at Boston. We hope you will stop by and introduce yourself as a member. We are looking forward to seeing you in either Chicago or Boston. ¶ 10:18 AM 0 comments
