News & Information

This June we will be celebrating 60 years since the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and some of us remember the excitement – not of lining the streets on that rather rainy day but of watching television for probably the first time.  I understand that TV companies put TVs in Villlage Halls and other community areas so that people could watch the Coronation and then perhaps buy a set. Looking at the local newspapers for that week you can get a very good idea of what celebrations were on offer at that time.  I recall spending the day at the home of a Great Aunt – the only member of our family who owned a TV set - with others of our family all huddled around a tiny 12” black and white TV and marvelling in the pageantry.  A few months later my entire school was taken to a local cinema in Bristol to see the colour film of the Coronation coupled with a film about the ascent of Everest.  Memories like these make me realise how much has changed over the years both in technology and in the way we live.

For a regular update of information about family history research you cannot do better than look at the newsletter published by the LostCousins Web site.  To take a look at this month’s edition click here  This one includes some useful tips on researching Military Ancestors and a section on breaking down brick walls. 

In searching for some information about a WW1 casualty recently I came across the web site entitled War Memorial Archive which is currently building a database of all information taken from War Memorials.  Although this is intended for release to mark the centenary of the First World War 2014-18, there are already details of some of the memorials held in Weston-super-Mare, including those in St Paul’s Church (where we hold our meetings) and in other locations in Weston. If you search for a particular place in another part of the country you may find similar information.  Some of the War Memorials list those who fought and returned - not only the casualties – when this is finished this will be a very valuable site.

Don’t forget that the North Somerset Archivist will be in Weston on Thursday June 6th – see Forthcoming Events - where you can also find details of the Gwent Family History Society Open Day in Newport on June 8th when the Society will have a stand and we hope to see some of our Welsh members there.  I will be taking part in the Devon FHS Summer Special in Bideford on June 15th - for details click here - It would be great to meet up with some of our members there as well.  Looking forward to next month - plans are now well in hand for the SWAG Fair at the Winter Gardens here in Weston  on Saturday July 13th which is always an excellent event both for those beginning their family History and for those who are more experienced.  Finally for those members who would like to share their researching problems with a sympathetic audience or would like to help fellow members with their brick walls – please come to the next Members’ Evening  on June 25th when we can all help each other!  Please can you let Brian Airey have your questions in time for the panel to do some preliminary research before the evening.  I’m not sure how many (if any) we have received yet.  This evening is literally a “Members’ Evening” and we would like to be able to respond to your enquiries.