Past Chairman - Denzil Levers
It’s with sadness that we report the death on the 16th June of Denzil Levers, aged 94, who many will remember was the Chair of this Society at the time of the first SWAG Fair at the Winter Gardens. He was methodical researcher and a valued member of our society. We extend our sympathy to members of his family. Denzil’s funeral service will be held at Milton Road Cemetery, Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday 4th July at 12.00 noon
Descended from Royalty and DNA Family History Research
At our meeting in June, speaker, Sue Burne, talked about her research which leads her to believe that her agricultural labourers in Norfolk were descended from members of Royalty – several of them in fact. She recommended a book by Dr Adam Rutherford who was recently reported saying that: "literally everyone of European ancestry is a direct descendant of one monarch: Charlemagne, who ruled much of Western Europe from 768 to 814”.
The book Sue recommended was: “A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived: The Stories in Our Genes” which is now available as a Kindle and a review of which was published in the Guardian last year.
There is currently much interest in the uses of DNA testing in family history research. At our next meeting, on Tuesday July 25th, Dr Geoff Swinfield, Fellow of the Society of Genealogists, and renowned authority on the use of DNA in family history research, will explain its value and advantages in discovering more about your family.
The excellent articles about DNA by Jenny Towey in the last two editions of Buckets and Spades give an introduction to this subject
My Family Tree
If you have contact with young people there is still time to tell them about this.
Earlier this year the FFHS launched a competition aimed at children and young people aged between 5-16 years. It is hoped that with the help and encouragement of their older family members, they might develop an interest in family history. The My Family Tree booklet produced by the FFHS will help to start their research adventure. There is still time to enter but please note the closing date is on Thursday 13th July 2017
To enter the Competition competitors must:
- Submit a photocopy or scanned copy of a completed double page spread of their ‘My Family Tree’ booklet and/or the completed family tree chart as printed in the booklet
- Write a short paragraph (no more than 450 words) describing what they enjoyed most about working on the booklet.
Free copies of the booklet can be requested via email to admin@ffhs.org.uk. Full details with links to the Rules and Entry Form are on the Home Page of our website.
Who do you think you are?
The 14th series of “Who do you think you are?” starts on July 6th at 9.00pm with actor, Charles Dance as the first subject. Other people to trace their family history are Clare Balding, Emma Willis, Lulu, Craig Revel Horwood, Fearne Cotton, Ruby Wax, Lisa Hammond, Noel Clarke and Adil Ray. The BBC states that “From the Australian gold rush to baking powder, from prisoners of war to African royalty, from long lost relatives to vanishing fortunes, our celebrities uncover the remarkable and compelling stories of their ancestors,”
LDS Family History Centres
The days of ordering a film or microfiche at a LDS Family History Centre are numbered:
- On September 1, 2017, FamilySearch will discontinue its microfilm distribution services. (The last day to order microfilm will be on August 31, 2017.)
- The change is the result of significant progress made in FamilySearch’s microfilm digitization efforts and the obsolescence of microfilm technology.
- Full details can be seen here
However, if you visit a LDS Centre you should still be able to use their computers to access relevant technology, premium subscription services, and digital records, including restricted content not available at home.
The Familysearch Blog includes several interesting articles including Canadian Research, Immigration (into America) and an unusual look at Kitchen Tables as a part of your family history.
Irish Ancestors?
For those of you with Irish ancestors look at Irish Genealogy News. So often people say that all Irish Records were lost – that is not quite the case and more are becoming available.
Avon Local History & Archealogy
The latest Newsletter from ALHA which is now on our site includes notice of this event which may be of interest to people with ancestors who lived in Clevedon.
SUNDAY 13 AUGUST – CLEVEDON
- Leader Jane Lilly – historian and local resident
- A Walk - a short wander through the seaside resort’s history, from medieval West End to Victorian pier.
- Meet at 1:45pm At the West End Salthouse car park (BS21 7TY) near the Hotel gates on Old Church Road.
Jane is very knowledgeable about Clevedon history so this should be an interesting walk.
The Newsletter also contains a review of the Local History Day in April – you can read what I had to say about Weston High Street!
Weston Museum
The opening date for the refurbished Weston Museum has now been announced - it will be on Saturday August 26th with a celebratory Victorian Family Fun Day
Library Help Sessions
Finally, a reminder that the Help Sessions at Weston Library continue of Saturdays from 2.00-3.30; at Portishead Library on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 2.00-4.00pm and at Worle Library on the 4th Friday of the month – The existing library at Worle is scheduled to close on Friday 28 July (when there will be a session from 2.00-4.00pm) with a provisional opening date for Worle Library and Children’s Centre in Mendip Avenue of Monday 14 August.
| 
login
