News & Information

The Compton Martin burial transcripts covering the period 1813-1894 are now available for society members to view online.

Please report any transcript errors to the author of this news article.

The Chew Magna burial transcripts covering the period 1562-1685 are now available for society members to view online.

Please report any transcript errors to the author of this news article.

To coincide with Remembrance Day - until midnight on Sunday the 13th November all of Findmypast's military records - will be free to search and free to view. You don't have to provide credit card or bank details but you will need to register if you haven't done so before. For more information go to this page

The Chew Magna baptism transcripts covering the period 1562-1685 are now available for society members to view online.

Please report any transcript errors to the author of this news article.

The monumental inscription including photographs for Kewstoke St Pauls are now available for society members to view online.

Photographs have been kindly provided by member Sue Hoddinott.

If you require a higher quality image of any of the photographs please contact the editor of this news article.

Clocks have gone back, Halloween over, Guy Faux Celebrations and the Winter Carnival fast approaching - it is time to settle down and reconsider some of your family history research.

Researching your Family History sometimes has to take a back seat while the living family takes up your time but with more resources becoming available online every month it is quite refreshing to look again at what you already know (or think you know!).

I know that many of you subscribe to the excellent monthly Lost Cousins Newsletter for which there is no charge and the latest edition contains a very helpful item about finding Birth Certificates with tips to help you think again about finding an elusive ancestor.

Aspects of Poverty

• Watching the BBC Programme The Victorian Slum is proving to be a thought provoking experience and can still be seen on iPlayer. 
• If any of you would like more information about conditions in London during the 19th Century there are various sites which deal with the situation - you might like to look at Hidden Lives Revealed.
• The investigation by Charles Booth into Poverty was remarked upon and you can read some of his findings and take a look at his maps on the Charles Booth Online Archive.

Free Resources

• If you have relations in Canada you may be interested in the free 1901 census of Canada available online together with images.
• Whilst looking at free resources don’t overlook Familysearch - this site is constantly adding new items to its collection – From Victoria, Australia you can see Inquests from 1840 to 1925.  These are files from police and witnesses regarding inquests of people who died unexpectedly.
• For an overview of what is new on Familysearch go to the Familysearch Blog which keeps you up to date with what is available.

Workhouse Records

Findmypast has some workhouse records fromMonmouthshire 1843-1929 - I found a couple of men called HASE amongst the vagrants – but don’t think they are ours!

Reading old Documents

• As a follow on from my talk about my family documents  – I have been asked for the link to the National Archives for the help in reading old documents . This covers much helpful advice to assist in understanding a document whether you are lucky enough to own one, are faced with one at a Record Office or have downloaded an original.
• For those who were not at the meeting I have included a link at the end it this update to the Handout - Reading old Deeds

Future Events

• Rotary Charity Fayre - As usual we will be taking a stand at this event which this year will be held on Satuday Nov 12th at the Royal Hotel Weston-super-Mare from 10.00am.  Why not come along and support local charities and perhaps find out a little more about your family?
• Just a reminder that the North Somerset Archivist will be visiting the Weston Library on Thursday 1st December- details of the visit can be seen here  If you would like to see an original document please order it in plenty of time.  The online catalogue for the Somerset Heritage Centre can be seen here
• Our next meeting on Tuesday, November 22nd (the 4th Tuesday of the month) will be our AGM and for the Members’ Evening which follows it we are asking you to bring in any memorabilia you have which tells something about your family.  It can be something quite small and doesn’t have to be a family heirloom but something which relates to or illustrates a family story.  We have had some very interesting items in the past.  We do not have a meeting in December so this will be the last meeting in 2016.