Cymru 1914 site

Posted on December 30, 2013 | Leave a comment

Next year will be a great year for family historians due to the anniversary of the First World War.

I was excited to learn about a new website – Cymru 1914 – as I have a Welsh ancestor who died during the First World War. According to the homepage:

This project has conducted mass digitization of primary sources relating to the First World War from the Libraries, Special Collections and Archives of Wales. The project will make available a coherent, consolidated digital collection revealing the often hidden history of the First World War as it impacted all aspects of Welsh life, language and culture. This digital archive brings together source materials that were previously fragmented and frequently inaccessible. This digital archive is a unique resource of vital interest to researchers, students, and the public in Wales and beyond.

I haven’t found any mention of my great uncle Alfred Mansel Young yet, but I hope to have some more time to explore the site soon.

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Posted in anniversary of the First World War, First World War, Young family

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Start Your Family Tree Week with findmypast

Posted on December 24, 2013 | Leave a comment

I thought I would share this email which I received from find my past in case it’s useful:

Christmas is the perfect time to build your family tree as you catch up with relatives and share stories around the Christmas dinner table. Make sure you join findmypast for this year’s Start Your Family Tree Week! Each day from Boxing Day until New Year’s Day, visit findmypast.co.uk and the findmypast Facebook page for hints and tips on how to research your family tree, how to get the most out of their records and a whole host of free gifts and prizes to help you along the way. Get the whole family involved and see how much of your tree you can build together, whether you are starting for the first time or a seasoned expert – you are sure to find something of interest.

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Findmypast.co.uk adds details of Royal Navy ships destroyed during WW1

Posted on November 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

Leading family history website, findmypast.co.uk has published some fascinating new military records online, in partnership with The National Archives.

Over 500 British Royal Navy ships were lost at sea during the First World War. Thanks to these new records, you can now discover more about the vessels that were destroyed.

The WW1 Ships Lost at Sea records are available on all findmypast websites and can provide the following information:

·         Ship name
·         Date it was destroyed
·         Number of officers killed or wounded
·         How and where it was destroyed

For more information and to search the records, please visit http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-united-kingdom-records/military-armed-forces-and-conflict/ww1-ships-lost-at-sea-1914-1919

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Remembering

Posted on November 11, 2013 | Leave a comment

felt poppy (1)

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Consultation on the future of English and Welsh censuses

Posted on October 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

We have a chance to share our opinion in the future of censuses in England and Wales which is such an invaluable tool for family history.

Ian Cope, Director of Population and Demography Directorate at the UK’s Office of National Statistics says: “We are launching a public consultation on ‘The Census and future provision of population statistics in England and Wales’.

“You may be aware that our ‘Beyond 2011’ programme has been reviewing all of the options. Our research has resulted in a clear view that there are two possible approaches to census-taking in the future:

  • a census once a decade – similar to the 2011 Census but primarily online; or
  • a census using existing administrative data and compulsory annual surveys.

“Both approaches would provide annual statistics about the size of the population, nationally and for local authorities, as we do currently. A census using existing data and annual surveys would provide statistics about population characteristics every year. An online census would provide more detailed statistics but only once a decade.

“Different users will have different views on the approaches, depending on how they use the data, and we welcome views from anyone.

“The consultation will run until 13th December 2013. We have arranged a number of events to support the consultation, listed in the link below. You can find the consultation document and a link to the online questionnaire here.”

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New Royal Household Staff records released

Posted on September 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

Leading family history website findmypast.co.uk has, in partnership with the Royal Archives, added more than 300,000 new records to their Royal Household Staff collection, bringing the total to over 386,000 records. The collection now covers almost four centuries of life in the service of the British Royal Family, stretching from 1526 to 1924.

The records include detailed information about the nature of each staff member’s employment, their salary and their reason for leaving service. Some also contain signatures of staff members, allowing their own handwriting to be seen for, on many occasions, the very first time.

Paul Nixon, Licensing Manager for findmypast.co.uk, said: “While finding a link to royalty is seen by many as one of the most interesting things for a family historian, now we can tell the fascinating stories of those who lived and worked alongside them.”

The records are available on all findmypast sites and can be searched at http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/other-records/british-royal-archives/

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