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Family History 4 All - Newsletter No. 49 - August 2011

Contents:

1. Our welcome message.

2. Featured Article – Family History More Popular And Easier Than Ever -  By yours truly

3. News from Ancestry.co.uk - Putting their stamp on history ? Post Office ancestors

4. News from www.GenesReunited.co.uk

5. Next Months Featured Article:  Family Tree Search: How To Find Your Ancestors - Jim Ackroyd

1. Our welcome message.

Carol had a bad fall several weeks ago. Bruised and in a lot of pain she was unable to carry out her duties at the Doncaster & District Family History Society.

Thankfully she is almost back to her usual self. However it meant that I had to play mother for a while. What an experience! I never realised how much work there is in keeping house and looking after a patient as well. Oh  you poor thing I hear you say!

The upshot is that I'm still trying to play catch-up. But I'm getting there.

This month and next month. We must not forget that we have new subscribers joining every month so here are a couple of articles mainly for newbies but there will also be plenty of new stuff for those of us with more experience

Enjoy. Jim - Editor.

2. Featured Article:

Family History More Popular And Easier Than Ever By Jim Ackroyd

Family history is becoming a more popular pastime, especially now that the Internet has made researching your ancestry easier than ever. More than 60 percent of the U.S. and UK Population is interested in tracing their family history, according to a 2000 poll by Maritz Marketing Research Inc. This is a 15 percent increase from 1995. This number has most likely increased since then.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints provides a number of helpful resources for family history enthusiasts. One of the best resources for family history on the Internet is www.familysearch.org . According to the website it is “the largest collection of FREE family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.” This website is the result of decades of research and includes 957 million names. The Family Search website also gives some advice for beginning your family history. It says: Begin with yourself and your immediate family by recording information you already know. Look for important documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates. When you have written down all the names, dates, places, and relationships you know, then ask your parents, grandparents, other relatives, and family friends for information. Gather as much information from living sources as possible. Then begin to search for records that other people may have compiled about your family (such as published family histories, county histories, and genealogical databases). When you have examined these sources of information, begin your search for records from the time and place your ancestors lived (look for census data and vital records such as birth, marriage, or death certificates).

The LDS church also provides family history research centers at 4,407 sites around the world. These facilities are essentially branches of the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City. They provide access to almost all of the microfilms and microfiche from the central library. These family history centers also have volunteers that will help visitors with their genealogical research. Mike Provard, North American Operations Supervisor for Family History Centers says that in many centers the majority of the patrons are not members of the LDS church. “In the eastern U.S., 90 to 95 percent of the patrons [in some centers] are not members. They are thrilled to have the centers in the area.” (“Family History Centers Spreading,” Ensign, February 2006, 74).

The LDS church definitely provides more resources, records, facilities and tools than any other source for genealogical research. There are, however, a good number of other free family history resources that can be found on the internet. You'll have to be fairly diligent though as some of these sites can be difficult to find. One site that may be useful in your search of the Social Security Death Index is: www.newenglandancestors.org/research/database/ss/ . This site will allow you to search the SSDI for free.

As millions of people begin to look for their ancestors and want to know more about them, the resources and tools available to them are more readily available and easier to use then ever. Now is a great time to start your search.

3. News from Ancestry.co.uk

Here's an email I received recently from Ancestry.

Hi James ( Sunday name! )

Putting their stamp on history ? Post Office ancestors

Few employers can claim a history to rival the Post Office. From individual messengers on horseback to airmail flown all over the globe, this British institution has gone through centuries of constant change.

Now you can see this fascinating story through the eyes of your ancestors who worked there, thanks to new records at Ancestry.co.uk. British Postal Service Appointment Books, 1737-1969, spans more than 200 years when the Post Office was at its strongest.

During the 18th century, it grew from a specialised service for the wealthy to a truly national organisation. Then, during the Industrial Revolution, it became vital to the spread of ideas and inventions around the country, and across the wider world.

As its significance increased, so did its workforce. By the 1900s, it was one of the largest employers in the country. Most families will find at least one member listed in this collection, whether they delivered the mail, ran a sorting office or made the tea.

The records tell you exactly what job your ancestors did, and crucially where they worked. So, you can build up a picture of how they spent their working days, and track their movements around the country.

As a bonus, you can often see who recommended them for the position ? perhaps this was a close friend, or even another relative for you to add to your tree?

Jump straight in and discover the part your ancestors played in this absorbing tale. Search the records now

 

4.  News from www.GenesReunited.co.uk

5. Next months featured article:

Family Tree Search: How To Find Your Ancestors - Jim Ackroyd

Summary:
Are you planning on making your family tree? Are you curious to find where you come from and uncover your family's history throughout the years? You must know that it's not an easy task and you will need time and effort to create a complete family tree. You have to be organized and patient. But when you're done the feeling you get is really unique. So let's start...  Read full article in the next edition.