 It would be a coup for our society to be able to research the family history of Weston-super-Mare’s latest temporary resident – Banksy – but at least we can help others at our Saturday afternoon Help Sessions at Weston Library in the Town Hall. If you have any queries, come along and discuss it with one of our members or add it to our Research Forum online which should reach a wider audience.
Sadly we have just lost one of our Honorary Life Members - Millie Knox – who was a founder member of our society, the secretary for many years and with her husband George, who edited the journal, represented us at the Open Days and Fairs. Kindly and knowledgeable she guided the society with a gentle hand and was respected for it, not only by us but also the other societies with whom she had contact. Our thoughts and sympathy go to George and their family at this time. Millie’s funeral is at the Weston-super-Mare Crematorium on Friday 4th September at 12 noon.
September sees the visit of the North Somerset Archivist to Weston Library on Thursday 3rd September. There isn’t another visit until December so you need to hurry if you want anything brought up to Weston this week.
Also in September it is Open Doors Days - See what is open in your area
In Weston-super-Mare
All Saints Church , Weston-super-Mare for more details, timing etc
· Thursday 10 September: 1000-1600
· Friday 11 September: 1300-1600
Emmanuel Church, Weston-super-Mare for more details which include refreshments and music etc
· Thursday 10 September: 1030 - 1430
· Friday 11 September: 1030 - 1430
· Saturday 12 September: 1000am -1500
St Nicholas Church, Uphill for more details includeing archealogical interest and Phil Harding from Time Team
· Thursday 10 September: 1000-1600
· Friday 11 September: 1000-1600
· Saturday 12 September: 1000-160
For those of you who have used the fascinating site – Know your Place - you will be pleased to hear that plans are in hand to extend it to cover Somerset as well. Maps will be digitalised at the Somerset Heritage Centre later this year. I am hoping to get someone to talk to the Society next year about its implications to our research. Have a look at what is available already here - it already has a 2015 map of parts of this area online.
The LDS Family History Centre at the Church in Ellenborough Park North has been closed during August while renovation work was done at the chapel but hopefully will reopen on the 17th September. As you will see from this website - submit Weston-super-Mare to find details.- Weston does not have the facility to view films but a visit to this Centre does give you the opportunity to use their dedicated computers to search records which are only available at such a centre. As more images become available this will eventually take the place of films.
According to their own web site Family History Centres provide free access to many subscription genealogy websites, including:
- 19th Century British Newspapers
- Newspaper Archives
- Alexander Street Press (American Civil War Collections)
- Ancestry.com (Family History Library Edition)
- ArkivDigital Online
- findmypast
- Fold3.com
- HeritageQuest Online
- Historic Map Works (Library Edition)
- Origins.net
- Paper Trail, A Guide to Overland Pioneer Names and Documents
- WorldVitalRecords.com
From my inbox
- Does anyone know of a photograph of Harry SAUNDERS? – he taught at Walliscote Boys’ School for 35 years. He was a keen Sportsman and was Secretary and Captain of Weston Cricket Club. He died in 1942 but there is a still a chance that someone remembers being taught by him or there may be relations of his in the area who could help. He also played for Somerset Cricket Club and is to be featured in a book which is being written at the moment.
- We have had a similar request for a photograph of Jim (James John) BRIDGES who was also a well known Somerset cricketer. He ran a hotel - I believe it was the Cavendish Hotel in Regent Street in the 1940s. He died in 1966 but I know that he had children who were born in Weston so if anyone knows of this family can they get in touch with me.
Some Blogs you might find interesting
The History Interpreter - Janet Few with her take of Local and Family History is always enjoyable and good value. She’s coming to talk to us again next year.
The British Genes Blog from Chris Paton is useful in keeping you up to date if you are researching Irish or Scottish ancestry. Look out for the Podcasts.
History Repeating does have a bias towards Cambridgeshire but covers some interesting themes – look out for the one on DNA.
The Paul Milner Genealogy Blog is written about UK genealogy for the Americans
Next Meeting - September 29th 2015
At our September meeting we will be welcoming one of our own members, Peter Towey, Vice President of the Anglo German FHS and who I mentioned last month has recently been elected as a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists, to talk about A Cornish Family in Chancery - The Darleys of North Hill
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