News & Information

Wishing all our members and fellow Family Historians a Joyous and Successful New Year. It's a swiftly moving time for family history with even more resources becoming accessible, shedding light into the dark corners of our research.   

• 2014 has seen the start of the commemoration of WW1 and has raised our awareness of the happenings of that time – exhibitions, books, films and private projects have inspired many to take up Family History and explore their families.  In 2015 we will be looking back 200 years to the Battle of Waterloo.  We are lucky in that our Treasurer, David MILNER, has compiled an index of men who fought at the battle of Waterloo 16th to 18th June 1815.  David is an authority on the Battle of Waterloo and can be contacted here.
• Research generally gets more difficult in the early 19th century so if you are stuck why not use our Research Forum or join us at Weston Library on a Saturday afternoon between 2.00 pm and 3.30 pm.
• We re-start our weekly Help Sessions at Weston Library on Sat Jan10th.  Before Christmas we had an interesting quest which involved looking at the local newspapers which are on film in the library.  They are not indexed so it is not always easy to find information but they are a rich source of local knowledge.  I have received an email of thanks directed to all the volunteers in the Library who helped in this particular search.  In this case it was an inquest which gave interesting details which were new to the researcher.  In many cases Coroner’s Reports have not survived and newspapers can fill a gap here. 
• Using the British Newspaper Archive  (which can also be accessed through Findmypast or free of charge in Weston Library  – in the same way as you can use Ancestry in the Library) I found that a great uncle who had served in WW1, returned home to find that his wife had sold some of their furniture and they subsequently separated.  He served  a prison sentence for embezzlement in the 1920s and later gave his wife an uncontested  divorce as he  “was seen entering a hotel bedroom with an unnamed woman” according to the newspaper.   His wife remarried but he didn’t.  I knew of him but knew nothing about this part of his life – I had always assumed that he was a bachelor when he died.  Never assume anything!!
• On the subject of assumptions; I have been less than complementary about the Family Trees published on Ancestry in the past but in December I spotted one which included my family with what I think was incorrect information.  I contacted the owner and had a reply – he explained that he had done his family history by accepting the hints from Ancestry and from other family trees so was pleased to have information from someone who had used original records. I was delighted to get this reply and have been in contact with him again.   In the past when I have attempted to correct other errors I have received – either no response at all or  “I’m not related to that individual – I took it from my brother-in-law’s research and he must be right!” or “As there are nine trees  all saying the same you must be wrong” .  These published trees can be useful as a tool and if the entries are accompanied with their sources  they can be really helpful - but you really do need to go to the original documents for proof. However, I'm very much aware that I can make mistakes like everyone else and that some of the original documents can be very hard to read.

Visit to Kew

• Our annual visit to the National Archives at Kew always proves exciting and with unexpected benefits.  As you will see elsewhere from Brian Airey,  this year we are going on March 5th so you have plenty of time to check on their web site which documents you may find useful. Do familiarise yourself with that is available.  If it is your first visit take a look at this site before you go. Brian has suggested some other sites as well.  My tip is to draw up a list of what you are hoping to find – nothing is worse than remembering you wanted something on the way back!!
• To find out which documents are available to download go to the National Archives  and tick the box  “Available to download from the National Archives”  If you enter “Weston-super-Mare” you get 475 results which if you download at home would cost you £3.30 each but if you download while at Kew you only pay the cost of printing.  Try entering the place where you ancestor lived or your family surname and see what is available. Records on Findmypast or Ancestry you can also be downloaded free of charge at Kew. 

Suggestions for Research

• In looking at censuses recently I came across a family who was living in rooms in the same house in London in 1881, 1891 and 1901.  By putting the address with the number of the house into a search engine (using inverted commas) I discovered that the same address was included in a report on the sanitation of that area in 1891, and it was included in Booth’s Survey of Poverty in 1892 and  mention was made of it in an account of a family who lived there in 1909.  Don’t just stop at the censuses!
• I’ve just discovered that the Trade Union Records which have recently been added to FindmyPast include the Railway Workers and the Carpenters & Joiners Branches of Weston-super-Mare.  Some well known local names show up – including a HASE!
• Watch the presentation on Findmypast on "Breaking Down Brick Walls"
• If you have Scottish ancestry, ScotlandsPeople allow you (for a fee - about  £1.15 each) to obtain the image of the early birth, marriage and death certificates.  Statutory registration started in Scotland in 1853.  Now available to view are images for Scottish statutory births until 1914, marriages until 1939 and deaths until 1964. These digital images of the official records are released under the legislation that allows the publication of birth, marriage and death records that were registered in Scotland more than 100, 75 and 50 years ago.  Certificates for events which took place after these dates are available for £12.00 each.
• If you don’t already subscribe to this newsletter do take a look at the Dec 25th edition of the Lost Cousins Newsletter  Although the offers may be over,  the advice contained in other parts is very helpful especially “Finding missing Children” and “Extending your tree beyond 1911”. 
• About this time of each year you will find that many County Record Offices close for a while for stocktaking so if you are thinking of making a visit to one do check its opening times.  For Example Bristol Record Office is closed between the 20th and 30th January.  Somerset Heritage Centre is closed for a similar period.

New Year Resolutions

• One of the best pieces of advice I was given when I started family history – was   “Slow down, savour each item as you find it – the information has survived for a hundred years - it isn’t going to disappear – it will wait for you!”  I still find it difficult not to get caught up in the excitement of each new lead. 
• Other Resolutions:-You can make your own list but mine would start with:
• Record all the sources of information I find.
• Read the background information available on Genealogical Web sites – there is so much more on many of these sites other than a search box!
• Write up my findings in an accessible way which might inspire others to follow on
• Make 2015 the year when I finally find the birth and parents of the Robert LONG who was married at St Mary's Church in Bitton in 1767 to Hester PRIGG. This marriage was one of the first things I discovered when I started to research in 1975 and I’m still stuck there!!

January Meeting

Our Meeting on January 27th will feature a return visit of  Christine Thomas who will be talking about the Hong Kong Colonial Cemetery.  She will be exploring the stories behind the gravestones of Colonial ancestors.  Christine is a member of our Society and a professional researcher covering Hong Kong and China. 

One of the most common sayings of family historians is  "I wish I'd asked them about it while they were alive - it's too late now".  It might not be - one of my sons told me something which my mother had told him but which was news to me.  Perhaps this Christmas when talking to your friends and relations you might discover some little clue which explains a mystery in your research.  There's often a grain of truth in those handed down tales which seem so far fetched - don't discount them out of hand.

Haven’t you finished yet? – A question posed by my husband recently when I gaily informed him that I had discovered another of his relations.  The answer to that is that everything new you find poses at least two new questions!  This time it concerned the Vicar of Hornblotton - Elias DYMOCK, (brother of Mike’s 5 x great grandfather) who in 1753 was convicted of cursing 20 profane curses!  I wonder what caused him to do this?

Upcoming Events

Just a reminder that the North Somerset Archivist  will be in Weston Library on 4 December 2014

• The morning session is from 11.00am-1.00pm and the afternoon session is from 2.00pm-3.30pm. Visitors are welcome at either or both of these sessions.  Please bring your library card, if you have one, as you will be asked to sign in when you enter the local studies room.  If you would like to look at original documents or microfiche held at Somerset Archives and Local Studies, please contact us the week before the visit ('last orders' are taken two days before the visit) and please be aware that spaces are limited.  You can carry on looking at microfiche over lunch, if you wish, but not original documents. Please contact Jane de Gruchy, North Somerset Archivist:  Tel: 01823 278805   
• This is a marvellous opportunity for anyone who wishes to consult documents which are normally held at Taunton.   I could even find out more about Elias DYMOCK!

BigWorle Week  

• Also on Thursday afternoon Dec 4th from 1.00pm until 5.00pm the Society is being represented at the BigWorle Week being held at the BigWorle Hub in Clovelly Road, Worle.  Do come along and see us – we will be offering assistance to anyone who is thinking about their family history or who is stuck and would like to know what to do next – You don’t have to have ancestors in Worle!

Rotary Charity Christmas Fair Saturday Dec 6th at the WinterGardens  

• For several years now we have had a stand at this fair and offered advice for people who are interested in researching their family.  This year is no exception - so come along and say “Hello” as you enjoy the Christmas atmosphere at this annual Charity Fair.   From 10-00am until 4.00pm.

Library Help Sessions – No Sessions Dec 27th or Jan 3rd

• We have been holding these sessions every Saturday since September 2013 and with the continued support of a loyal band of volunteers they are still proving very successful.  It is always very satisfying to hear the comments of people who are delighted (and sometimes surprised!) at what they have been able to find out.   
• It was interesting that during the weekend of the Weston Carnival we were able to help people who had come to Weston for the weekend to watch the carnival and to catch up on their research at the same time. 
• However, in case anyone is planning to visit Weston over Christmas we will not be in the Library on Saturdays Dec 27th and Jan 3rd but of course the Library will be open for individual research with access to Ancestry and other online facilities on all normal opening times. The Local Studies Section has Parish Records on Fiche for all parishes in North Somerset and a wide range of books, directories, Electoral Rolls, maps etc.  all relating to North Somerset.

Research Forum

• If you have a query please use the Research Forum on this site – It’s been a bit quiet of late – but several people have commented that they learn a lot from reading the questions posed and the suggestions offered.  No question is too basic to be asked - we were all beginners once and even those who have been researching for some time need to catch up with changing methods and availability of resources.

Internet Resources

• London Probate Search Rooms Closing December 2014 to be Replaced by New On-Line Index to Wills from 1858.  From the beginning of November it has been possible to access Wills  from 1996 online see this page for more details.  It looks as if from Dec 12th this will be extended to all Wills from 1858 Take a look at his announcement  and the response from the Society of Genealogists.  This will mean that all Wills from 1858 will be available for downloading
• FindmyPast has historically had links with the Federation of Family History Societies and gradually more parish records are appearing on their site.  I have been particularly interested in the records for Devon, Glamorgan and Kent which have resulted in me being able to find links to various members of my family.  FindmyPast has also just announced indexes to some Scottish Records which are well worth investigating if you have connections with Scotland
• Ancestry is also increasing their records  - some of you may find their Lunatic Admission Records useful - I did!.
• The Genealogist has Lists of Wounded and mentioned in Dispatches form WW1 on their site

If you know of any other new records becoming available perhaps you could add them as a comment to this Update

November Members’ Meeting – Thanks to Maureen Harvey for overseeing the light hearted quiz and raffle at the November meeting.  We have no meeting in December so we were pleased to start our Christmas celebrations with this meeting and mincepies.  Thanks also to those who brought in some memorabilia from their families and explained why they were important to them. We wish you all a very Happy Christmas and may all your brick walls come tumbling down in 2015!

[Burrington WW1] Have received information about an Exhibition and Book Launch to be held next weekend Nov 29th and 30th in Burrington. Many Parishes have been or will be holding similar events and some really interesting exhibits are being displayed.

This is a handout which we use in the Library at the Help Sessions and it has been suggested that other members might find it useful. It was compiled to help people who visit Weston Library and includes reference to the facilities accessible from our local library but these may well be available wherever you live - so ask at your own local library. 

Other useful web site addresses can be found by looking through the Monthly Updates which also include some helpful suggestions.

Seasons change, the clocks go back, Halloween has happened and Guy Fawkes is about to be commemorated with bonfires and fireworks just as the autumnal coloured leaves drop from the trees and (far too soon?) Christmas Decorations begin to appear.  How did our ancestors mark the seasons?  This project into British Life and Culture is intended for school age children but you can go through the entire year looking at examples of traditional activities which may have entertained our families. 

Parish Boundaries

• Do you know the area covered by the parish in which your family lived?    You can see current parish boundaries at a new facility called Parish Finder.  Enter the area in England in which you are interested and then click on the map where your ancestors lived and you will find the parish and adjacent parishes listed in the side panel.  The Parish boundaries will have changed over the years but it does give an overview of the situation today and the strange shape of some parishes.  Look at the boundary for Winscombe for example.
• Another site for locating adjacent parishes is the Parish Locator  This is a site I have been using for years and it lists parishes within a specific distance.  It is free to download and use - the only problem that I have found with it is that the distances are as the crow flies so consequently Lavernock in Glamorganshire, South Wales is listed as 9.7 miles West by North East of Weston without taking into account the Bristol Channel.  It uses the historic County names and boundaries. 

Weston-super-Mare Library

• Our WW1 exhibition is back in the main library in Weston-super-Mare for November – so do visit if you haven’t already done so – Why not come in on a Saturday when you will have the chance to meet other Society members?
• Saturday afternoons at the Library have been a little quiet of late.  If you have a query and can get to Weston-super-Mare Library between 2.00pm and 3.30pm you will find some eager helpers ready and willing to assist you.  The people who have been coming in have brought some very interesting problems with them.  Saturday we were faced with a challenge which included Italian and Hungarian ancestors, links with Dr Barnados, the 2nd World War, London Workhouses and legal adoptions so this just shows that although the Local Studies section is full of information about North Somerset  the range which we can get asked about is very much wider. We learn a lot as well!  For the record we couldn’t answer all the queries immediately but could suggest avenues for further research and often a 2nd opinion can be very useful.

Research Forum

• If you can’t get to the library why not try our Research Forum on the web site? Thank you to all who add comments to the Research Forum. You never know who will read your query and reply.  . It may be someone who is trying to help you having no connection with your family but is keen on researching or it may be someone who shares your interest in this particular family and you may even be able to help them in return.  It does help if you put the SURNAME in UPPER CASE – it makes the surname stand out.   
• There is another benefit in posting your queries here because the message can be seen by people who are surfing the net looking for a particular name.   Anyone putting the name of their ancestor in inverted commas into a search engine such as Google perhaps coupled with the place where they lived may find other examples of queries posted on other mailing lists or web sites.  See the September 2014 Update  for use of Search engines in Family History.   
•  Last week the Society received a small water-colour painting named on the back as “Simon Palmer, Parish Clerk”.  This was sent to us because the owner had found a series of questions and comments put on our web site in 2011 about Simon PALMER and wanted the portrait to go to a good home and for this we are very grateful.  It greatly resembles in style and size the series of paintings which make up the “Weston Worthies” – There are several Journal articles on our web site concerning them.  We will be consulting the Museum about adding it to the collection once some more research has been done on Simon PALMER.  In the meantime a copy has been sent to the person who first asked the question about Simon Palmer, to his great delight!

Ancestors who were servants?

• Tiger Aspect Productions are looking for people whose ancestors lived or worked in a grand house in the Victorian period. Was one of your ancestors a butler or a hall boy? Was your great-grandmother a housemaid or a cook? Did your forbears employ domestic staff? If so Tiger Aspect would love to hear from you. They are looking to speak to people of all ages who have a direct family connection to a historic house. They would like to hear what you know about your ancestor’s life and see any information you might have. They are not looking for comprehensive knowledge, just a connection and an interest to learn more. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Alice Ankeny at Tiger Aspect

Wills

• The British Government has produced a site called Find a Will which allows you to  search for the will or probate of any person in the UK who died in or after 1996 and download the will for a fee of £10.00. 
• You can also search for the will of a soldier who died while serving in the British armed forces between 1850 and 1986 and download their will for the same price. 
• You do need to know roughly the year in which the person died. 
• For wills between 1858 and 1996 you will need to apply by post – the cost is the same – full details from here  where you can download the application form. 

Pre 1841 Censuses

• Some of you will have noticed that the 1801 census for Huntspill has recently been put on our site.  This was found in the Baptismal Register for Huntspill.
• Censuses for a few parishes for the 1801, 1811, 1821 and 1831 have survived.  This one lists the name of the Head of the Household and the number of people living at that address.  Of course they may not all have the same surname at each address but it might be possible to reconstruct the parish for 1801.
• Genuki does have some
• There are at least two books which I know of which might help in finding other pre-1841 censuses
  • Census Listings, 1522-1930: Holdings in the British Isles by Gibson and Medlycott - which is in our Society Library and available for loan
  • Pre-1841 Censuses and Population Listings in the British Isles by Colin R Chapman
• It is worth enquiring at the Record Office of the county where your family lived if any have survived - In Bristol Record Office is the 1831 census for Bitton which lists name of the head of the household and the age and sex of others at that address but not names.  However I have been able to identify my family on it.

Society Meetings

• David Milner, our Treasurer, gave a very interesting talk at our October meeting about the background to some of the military memorials he had researched pointing out the very human stories behind the words carved in stone.  He also included much of local interest including the story of George BANWELL who was buried in Banwell but David queried the accuracy of his tombstone.
• He also spoke about Joel FISHER, a veteran of the Waterloo Campaign who may well have been suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) when he killed his wife in the London Inn in Weston-super-Mare.   Joel FISHER never made it to the Weston Worthies but he did add his bit to history as this drawing of him was the first illustration to be published in one of the local papers.
• Our November meeting will be a Members Evening when you are asked to bring along any memorabilia which you have about members of your family and be prepared to talk about it (and your family) for a few minutes.  This will be followed by a short quiz, raffle and refreshments getting you in the mood for the Christmas season as we do not meet in December.
• We will have a stand at the Rotary Christmas Charity Fair at the Winter Gardens on Saturday Dec 6th - come along and see us there. We offer help in your research but other stands will give you a marvellous opportunity to buy cards, decorations and presents there.

The society was represented at the Open Day of the Bristol & Avon FHS on the 27th September – this year held at UWE Exhibition Centre which gave space for numerous stands from Societies, Record Offices, Military Associations and Commercial Firms which supporting research plus some interesting talks.  It was an excellent day but I believe that the number of people attending was disappointing and this has been a trend at many of the Shows this year.  Why is this?  Do people really believe that they can sit at their computer screens and find out all they could possibly need to know about their family?  Maps, Books, Postcards and local knowledge (which was available from many Local History Societies and Groups which were there) is invaluable to breaking down those inevitable brickwalls.  If this trend continues it will cease to be financially viable to host these events. 

Please support any Fairs in the area where you live - A list of Family History Fairs can be seen on the Geneva Site -  just in case they might be where you are - and especially  make a note of the South West Area Group of Family History Societies – SWAG - which will hold its event in the Winter Gardens in Weston on Saturday May 16th 2015.

• Our first meeting of the Autumn session had an encouraging number of members present to hear a very detailed and carefully researched presentation from Andrew Janes about the involvement of members of his family in WW1. Tracing the WOOLDRIDGE family from their farming roots in Devon to the fields of Flanders became a textbook exercise in family history research.  He drew attention to the excellent web site The Long, Long Trail,  a site all about the soldiers, units, regiments and battles of the British Army of the First World War.
• We have received advance notice that the LDS Church in Weston-super-Mare is considering opening a small Family History Centre in its premises in Ellenborough Park North. This is exciting news because it should increase the facility for researching your family in other parts of the country and abroad.  We will let you have the details as soon as we have them.  At the moment the nearest LDS Family History Centre is the one in Wells Road, Bristol – see here for information about the Bristol Centre.
• Old Maps are often fascinating – do try this for maps of Great Britain – Go to this site – enter  Weston-super-Mare (or wherever your ancestor came from) and select which map group you wish to view.  It is run by the National Library of Scotland enabling you to access and view over 86,000 maps as high-resolution, colour, zoomable images. The maps date between 1560 and 1961 and relate primarily to Scotland but they also have maps of areas beyond Scotland, including maps of England and Great Britain, Ireland, and Belgium (trench maps of WW1)  
• If you have Irish Ancestors you may find this new site of help to you.  Included on this website are a collection of digitized maps of Dublin and Ireland, viewable in Google map format, a revised and improved townland database, scans and extracts from a number of directories, a guide to the important, and unique, system of land divisions of Ireland (townlands etc), and a brief introduction and guide to Irish records.
• The Federation of Family History Societies does list some free web sites here.

Where did they say they were born?

It is sometimes difficult to decide where an ancestor was born from the place given on a census. I was born in Bristol and have always found the series of books by Derek Robinson and Vic Wiltshire on the “Correct way to speak Bristol” or as they put it “Krek Waiter’s Peak Bristle” which gently poke fun at the Bristolian accent great fun.  From a Family History point of view these books emphasise how easy it is to have phonetically spelt entries on censuses.  For example - would you recognise these places?  You may need to read them aloud to get the best effect but it does give an idea of a West County dialect.

• Annum                 for Hanham
• Ashen Core         for Ashton Court
• Bart Nil               for Barton Hill
• Count’s Louse     for Council House
• Grape Written      for Great Britain
• Port Zed              for Portishead
• Shrampton           for Shirehampton
• Snanz                  for St Anne’s
• Wessun               for Weston
• Wess Vinglun      for West of England
• Wive Alley          for Wye Valley

More examples of the Bristolian dialect can be found here

Encouraging the younger generation

The problem with family history research is that most people do not get involved until they are of mature years but in order to attract younger enthusiasts the Devon FHS has introduced the “Acorn Club”.  There is some  helpful advice about encouraging young people on this site -  it includes ideas for activities which you might like to try with young relations. 

I have also just come across a book called Family History for Kids by Emma Jolly which was written for children aged 8 to 13 giving ideas about how they can find out more about their family backgrounds.   Although published in 2007 the basic information is still good and it includes interesting projects – in fact some adult beginners might also find it helpful! 

Making the most of our own web site

Several times recently I have put someone in touch with a member who is researching the same name.  I can only do this if all members put their research names on our Members’ Interests.  I note that it is over 2 months since any new names were added to the list and I know we have had some new members during that time.  If you haven’t already done so please add your names – it can be such a help to share ideas and information about your family with someone who shares an ancestor and you never know what new facts you will find.

I realise that if you are reading this you are using the site but do use the research forum if you have a query – it has been a bit quiet lately and I know we have many members who are very knowledgeable and can give help and advice.   In the August and September Updates I suggested that by using the Research Forum or by adding a comment to the Update you might like to share information about useful sites you have used - but no one has added anything yet. 

Dates for your diary

During October the Library Help Sessions will continue as usual every Saturday afternoon from 2.00 – 3.30 pm in the Weston Town Hall and the Chapel in Milton Road Cemetery will open for the last time this year (until the Spring) on Sat Oct 11th from 1.30 – 3.30pm. 

Our Speaker for the October meeting, Oct 28th,  is our own member (and Treasurer) Dave Milner who will share his extensive knowledge of family history research when he talks about researching your family by way of Memorials.

If you missed our WW1 exhibition - during October it is at the Campus Library, Highlands Lane, Locking Castle, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 7DX