BIFHS-USA JOURNAL

VOLUME XXV, NUMBER 1

Spring/Summer 2014

JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH ISLES FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY- U.S.A.

BRITISH ISLES FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY- U.S.A.

Board of Directors

President Linda Jonas [email protected]

1st Vice President, Programs Open

2nd Vice President, Membership Dolores Andersen [email protected]

Recording Secretary Open

Treasurer (interim) Lydia Davis Jeffrey [email protected]

Corresponding Secretary Terry Brown [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Fran Smith [email protected]

Journal Editor Barbara Randall [email protected]

Past President Lydia Davis Jeffrey [email protected]

Members at Large Sue Kaplan Linkedin.com/in/suekaplanmba/

Miriam Fitch

Gerrianne Williams

Nancy Ellen Carlberg [email protected] 714- 772- 2849

Mailing address: BIFHS-USA Website: www.bifhsusa.org 9854 National Blvd., #304 www.facebook.com/bifhsusa Los Angeles, CA 90034-2713 USA

BIFHS-USA Journal Volume XXV, Number 1

President’s Message…

Dear BIFHS-USA members,

Welcome to the new PDF version of the Journal! The benefits of PDF as opposed to the old paper version are many. First, we are now able to show color images. You will see many of these in this issue. Next, you will be able to save your Journal to your computer, then read and review articles anywhere. The articles are also searchable, so you will no longer have to struggle to find information. If any article contains a website link, you will be able to click the link directly from the Journal and go right to the website.

For more great news, the Society now has a Facebook page. You will find news, photos, links to online resources, and much more. The page is frequently updated, and the Study Group leaders are active in this process. Some postings may be limited-time notices of special events and sales, so you will want to check often. You can visit us at https://www.facebook.com/bifhsusa. When you visit our page, please click ‘Like!’

To keep you up-to-date and ensure that you receive all of your membership benefits, be sure to always update us with your current email address. To update, send an email to: [email protected]. In the subject line put "Current email," and in the body of the message type your name. We don't want anyone left out!

Linda Jonas

BIFHS-USA…

The British Isles Family History Society- U.S.A. (BIFHS-USA), a 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation established in January 1988, is a member of the Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS), the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations (CIGO), the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), and the National Genealogical Society (NGS).

The Society’s purpose and objectives are as follows: 1. To promote and encourage interest in family history, particularly relating to British Isles ancestry. The British Isles includes , Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. 2. To encourage and educate members of the organization and the general public in British Isles family history through publications, lectures, consultations, etc. 3. To facilitate the acquisition and exchange of family history research information. 4. To maintain British Isles family history materials for the use of its members and the general public.

The society can provide knowledgeable conference speakers to lecture to other societies on various aspects of British and American research.

BIFHS-USA Journal Volume XXV, Number 1

Table of Contents

Editor’s Message/Submission Guidelines……………………………………………….……1

The Genealogy Conference Attack by Barbara Randall…………………..…...……2

A Remembrance of Hannah Palmer by Ivan C. Johnson…………………….……..…….6

Using Your DNA To Find Your British Isles Ancestors by Linda Jonas..……....…11

Researching with Jill: England and the Channel Islands by Jill Kirby..…..…….…22

Alien Enemies Must Report by Barbara Randall.……………………………..…….…….25

Tracing Your Ancestors in by Jackie Cotterill…………………..…..….29

Society Share

Birmingham & Midland Society for Genealogy & Heraldry……………………37

Alloway & Southern Ayrshire Family History Society…………………………...39

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society………………………………….………..40

British Isles Family History Society- USA

Meeting Calendar……………………………………………………………………….….……42

Study Group Leaders & Surname Register……………………………………………43

Membership Application……………………………………………………………………..44

Disclaimer: The British Isles Family History Society-USA takes no responsibility for the views and opinions expressed in the articles. Copyright is retained by the author with permission granted to the BIFHS- USA Journal for publication. Articles may not be reproduced without permission.

Spring/Summer 2014

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Editor’s Message

We are very proud to recreate the BIFHS Journal in its new pdf format. This format offers a cost effective format to deliver our content with links to websites embedded in the articles for quick reference. I am honored and excited to be the new editor of the journal.

I would like to invite you to submit an article. The submission guidelines are below. We are open to a wide range of topics, as can be seen in this issue. We will soon include the Surname Register and include Queries.

We are asking societies to share their activities and resources in our Society Share section.

Please let me know what you think of the BIFHS Journal and send your suggestions. The goal is to make this journal something you enjoy reading and want to contribute to.

Barbara Randall [email protected]

Submission Guidelines:

BIFHS- USA is accepting:  Articles of any length (although no more than approximately 5,000 words is preferred)  Other forms of writing may be considered (poetry or book/technology reviews, etc.).  Good quality maps and/or photographs, properly cited, may accompany your article. Please submit them separately with a notation in your article of where you would like them placed.  Include a cover sheet with title, author(s) name, address, phone and e-mail contact information.  E-mail all submission materials to [email protected] as a doc file, docx file, or rtf file.

All articles must be related to the British Isles and British Isles research.

Topics may include:  Ancestor stories  Repositories (descriptions or how to use)  Place descriptions (many researching in the US have not been to the British Isles)  History as it relates to genealogical research  Research strategies  Records (how to find/interpret various types; transcriptions)

If you are unsure if an article would be appropriate, please send an e-mail and ask.

Society Share. Tell us about your society- where it is, what you do/produce, how we can access you and use your resources in our research from across the pond. What would you like us to know about you?

Due Dates:

May 1 for the Spring/Summer issue October 15 for the Fall/Winter issue

Please make any inquiries to the journal editor, Barbara Randall, at [email protected]

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The Genealogy Conference Attack! by Barbara Randall

Do you attend a conference or attack it? To get the most out of a conference you must attack!

Conference attendance offers many benefits for all levels of genealogy enthusiasts. In addition to a variety of workshops on skills, strategies, and experiences, conferences offer an opportunity to peruse books and products. Major software companies bring computers and technicians to demonstrate their products, answer questions, solve problems and offer opportunities for limited research. And, how could you pass up an opportunity to talk family history with people who LIKE family history?

Attacking an upcoming conference takes planning- much like making a research plan. Luckily it doesn’t take a special skill set. Developing a conference plan is something many conference attendees do not do, whether first-timers or veterans. Having a plan can prevent the “I went but didn’t get anything out of it” or “there’s nothing new” syndromes.

I learned the basics of genealogy at my first conference, Southern California Genealogical Society’s Jamboree, and had a plan from the start. I have had a plan for every conference I’ve attended since, no matter how big or small the conference may be. The plan develops from two basic questions. What do I want to know? What do I want to do?

Me

Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree, DNA conference, 2013.

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Before the conference.

Most conferences have conference schedules, session descriptions and exhibitor lists available before the conference. Check online for those resources. They may even have an app available for download to your phone, laptop or tablet in advance of the conference. There may be a syllabus available for download in advance as well.

The conference plan starts with your registration. Why do you want to attend the conference? There may be speakers that you love to hear, even if they speak gibberish. There may be exhibitors who have products you want to investigate or who can answer your questions and frustrations. The topics may address gaps in your knowledge or your brick walls. You may have friends or relatives attending you wouldn’t see otherwise. These are all valid reasons to attend a conference. What are your priorities?

Your most successful conferences will be the ones where your priorities match your activities. A successful conference is one you enjoy! If you want to get together with friends, don’t feel guilty for passing up workshops or the exhibit hall. You will get more by spending time with those friends. If your priorities are learning from the workshops- immerse yourself. Socialize around the sessions. If you want to explore the exhibit hall, plan lots of time so you can speak with the vendors.

Whatever your priority, once that decision is made, you are ready to make your plan. What sessions are a ‘must attend’? What sessions look interesting? You may be attracted to the speaker- one you love to hear or one you’ve never heard before. You may be attracted by the session title and synopsis. The best conferences will have so many good choices that you may have two or three interesting sessions at one time. Highlight the sessions you want and the sessions that are interesting. Are there times with no offerings of interest? This is a great time to visit the exhibit hall or socialize. Are there extra activities that are of interest? Some may be free but expect that those with a meal will have an extra charge. If your budget is tight, don’t look at these extra offerings so that you can keep to your budget.

Your next step is to note the sessions that are being recorded and available for purchase. This is helpful if you have more than one ‘must attend’ marked for one time slot. If one is going to be available for purchase you might want to go to the other session and buy the recording. When the syllabus is available look for the handouts of the sessions you’ve highlighted. Sometimes the handouts cover the material you want/need so you don’t have to attend to gain value. This can help to narrow your choices. You may also find that a session is not what you expected and not what you want.

You also want to take a close look at the exhibitors. Some you may have some familiarity with, such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, FindMyPast. Other exhibitors will be new to you. Your plan should include a list of the exhibitors you must visit, along with questions or problems to discuss with them. Some exhibitors may run demonstrations (demos) or mini-workshops during the conference so you’d want to be sure to get that schedule. Allow time to go through the exhibitor hall at least twice.

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If there is a map available of the conference area (workshop rooms and exhibit hall) review that as well. It helps save time if you already have an idea of where to go. If you can pick up your registration materials early you will have more information to finalize your plan with.

Packing for the conference is an art in itself. You don’t need to take as much with you as on a research trip (unless you will have research time). You want to bring something to take notes on whether it is paper/pen or tablet. Syllabus material for the sessions you attend may be helpful. If you are requesting research assistance you will need to bring supporting materials so that you can provide the information needed to obtain your answers. And if you plan to purchase books, make sure you know your library. There’s nothing worse than coming across a great sale and either purchasing a book a second time or not purchasing a book because you mistakenly think you already own it.

Dress for comfort for a conference. Whether activities are informal or formal, the days will be long and tiring and you will be sitting in chairs that will soon become uncomfortable. Wear shoes that will be comfortable for walking, standing, and just wearing them for long hours. Dress in layers so you will be prepared for hot or cold. The temperature outdoors may be hot but the rooms may be anywhere from warm to cold. Pack what you need but try to pack things that are not bulky or heavy. And remember to leave room for purchases.

At the conference.

If you know you are going to a popular session, go early. Generally, when the room is full you are out of luck. Fire codes do not allow for attendees to stand in the back or by the walls.

If you want to visit the exhibit hall to talk to certain exhibitors the best time to go is during a workshop session. This is when the exhibit hall is the least busy and exhibitors will have time to talk without distraction. Plan your first visit to the exhibit hall to be just a walk through. This will give you a general sense of what is there and help to firm up your plan. Then go back during a session to speak to exhibitors of interest. Don’t forget to sign up for drawings along the way. And help yourself to the freebies at exhibitor booths- literature, items, candy.

If you have free time, sit in a common area or a food court and strike up a conversation. You have something in common with everyone at the conference. Talk about the conference, your family history, your brick walls, and the weather. Make new friends and acquaintances.

At day’s end, remove what you don’t need from your bag for the next day. Review and revise your plan each night. It’s not unusual to change your mind on sessions you want to attend based on what you’ve already seen or heard. Sometimes a session will take you in a different direction than you had planned. Get a good night’s sleep so you will have the energy to have fun the next day.

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After the conference.

At the end of the conference review the experience. Would you come back to this conference? What workshops would you be interested in attending? Check in your home area to see if they are offered in the future. Are there exhibitors you want to use online or trips you would like to plan? Do you have new resources to assist you in your research?

Conference attendance is a great tool in our family history research. It is also a great way to meet fellow family historians and genealogists who understand your passion. These simple techniques can maximize your conference experience.

Barbara Randall, editor of the BIFHS-USA Journal, is also a board member of the Southern California Genealogical Society and chair of the 2015 Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree conference.

Photo can be found at: http://www.yourgeneticgenealogist.com/2013/06/the-first-ever-independent-genetic.html

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A Remembrance of Hannah Palmer (née Parker)

Taken from a talk given by her daughter, Louise Johnson (née Palmer)

Transcribed by Ivan C. Johnson

Hannah Palmer was my maternal grandmother. I never knew her, as she died long before I was born. Although it is clear from what follows that my grandmother was a great influence on my mother's life, I do not recall my mother saying very much about her as I was growing up. One story she did tell was that just before her death my grandmother had been knitting a pair of socks, and after her death my mother found a letter addressed to her giving detailed instructions on how she was to finish the socks.

After my mother died I found among her papers a small book where she had written several of her sermons. In middle age, my mother had become a lay preacher in the Methodist Church, but before she ever preached at a regular Sunday service, she spoke at various women's meetings in the area. The first item in the book is what I believe was one of the first, if not the first, talk that she ever gave to such a group. It was given to the Women's “Bright Hour” at Bardney Methodist Church in Lincolnshire, but its interest for me is what it says about her mother (my grandmother). Perhaps the part of that talk that follows says more about my mother than about my grandmother, but this vignette about my grandmother is the only “eye witness report” I have of her.

[A]s I sat wondering what I would talk to you about . . . my mind wandered back over a number of years to the time when I was a girl of about twelve years old. At that time, my mother used to go to the Women's Bright Hour at the church to which we belonged,1 and I remember so well one particular occasion; it was during the school holidays, and as I was the only girl amongst a family of four boys, and was often left stranded whilst they played the rough games that boys will play, on this occasion, mother took pity on me and took me along with her to the Bright Hour.

1 The Church of Christ (Disciples) in Nottingham, England. All the members of the rather extensive Parker family appear to have belonged to the Church of Christ (Disciples), attending churches throughout Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

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Incidentally, the Bright Hour was held on a Monday afternoon and in that town where we lived, they had rather a strange, shall I say, custom. Monday was always called "Swing Key Day." I don't know whether any of you have heard that expression, but it was a day when mothers could lock up the house and swing the key as it were, and go off and enjoy themselves for a couple of hours or so away from all the cares and troubles of the home. Some mothers would go off to do some shop-window gazing, some would go off to the pictures, some perhaps if they had young children would pop them in the pram and go for a good walk in the park or in the forest,2 but my own mother always chose the Bright Hour, and on this particular day, I too went to the Bright Hour.

I remember so well sitting there amongst all the ladies feeling very important indeed, and hoping that whoever was going to speak, would not have much to say, because I had spied at the far end of the room, a table set with cups and saucers and a huge plate of delicious looking biscuits [cookies], and I'm afraid that my ideas of the Bright Hour were centered on that table more than on the service.

Anyway, we proceeded in the usual way of Bright Hours and I eventually dragged my thoughts from the biscuits, and I began to wonder who the speaker was going to be. I looked around at the various faces, some I knew, and some I didn't, but I remember how I first thought it would be Mrs. So-and-So, then I thought oh no, I think Mrs. Someone-else would be better, and all the time the service went on around me.

Well, we finally arrived at that part of the programme when my wonderings would finally be settled, and it was then that I had the biggest shock of my life; the speaker was to be none other than my own mother. I think my amazement must have been visible to several people around me, because I remember hearing more than one little chuckle as my mother left my side and mounted the platform.

I shall never forget that day. Never before had I known my mother to take any active part in any service. She was a very keen worker in the church, but being of a shy and reserved disposition, she always preferred the background. She was usually to be found cutting bread and butter at teas, or washing up afterwards, and doing

2 "The forest" mentioned here is the Nottingham forest of Robin Hood fame. The actual forest is really long gone, but the locals continue to refer to any wooded parkland in the area as "the forest".

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all the other little duties that have to be done behind the scenes, but for her to take her place on the platform before all those people was beyond my comprehension.

Well after my first shock at the turn of events, I sat back in my seat and prepared to listen, and I remember how, although I was only a little girl, a feeling of nervousness came over me. I wondered if mother could really give an address, and what would happen if she failed to find the words to describe what was in her heart. I have often thought since I grew up, that she must have had implicit faith in her heavenly father to have found the courage to stand before all those people and address them as she did.

I need have had no fear for her, for she stood there and gave her address in her usual quiet way, with, I am certain, no feeling of nervousness, and with a look on her face that I had never seen before.

I think it was during those few minutes, while I sat listening to my mother that I really began to grow up. I went to that Bright Hour meeting as a child, but I came away with a feeling of something stirring within me. I certainly did not know then what it was, but I was old enough to know that there was something else in this life that I was living besides playing and learning my lessons, and I began to be more thoughtful toward helping my mother in the home. I had always found it trying to have a few errands to run. I had thought it very unkind of mother to expect me to stay indoors and do some washing up for her while the boys went off to play. But from that day, all these feelings of childhood indignation vanished. I saw myself as mother's help instead of mother's responsibility, and I tried in my small way to make up to her for all the pain I think I often must have caused in her heart.

Well as time went on and I became older, I was able to understand what had happened in my heart that day. I had been drawn nearer to my mother, I had seen her there as a different being, with the light of God's love shining from her face, and I had moved a step nearer to becoming one of the Master's followers.

At the age of 18, I became a member of that church where I had gone with mother to the Bright Hour six years before. You can imagine the joy I gave to my mother that day. Although at the time she was lying very ill in hospital3 and would not witness the occasion, I knew and understood what it meant to her; I had given my heart to my Lord, and her Lord, and she was content.

3 She was terminally ill with colon cancer.

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She passed away a year later, and only those who have experienced the loss of a loved one can understand what that meant to me. I took her place in the home,4 but it was as if the light had gone. All was dark around us, and we all felt as if the centre of our existence had been taken from us. We passed through a time of readjustment, and “time” the great healer of wounds, did its best to set us going again, but it was only faith in God that gave us comfort in our time of trouble, and it was then I realized more fully my mother's love and teaching. I realized the struggle and hardships she had been called upon to bear, as she tried to bring up her family to be true Christians, and I was more determined to pattern my life from the one she lived.

I like to think of her looking down on me today, speaking as she did at the Women's Bright Hour, and as I think of her that day, the words of the text she used seem to stand before me: Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

4 My mother ran her father's home for five years until she married my father at the age of 24.

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The Parker-Palmer Families

Luke PARKER ==== Elizabeth Adcock

b. 1841 1843–1918

(Newark, Northants)

Annis William Martin Sarah George Ernest

1863–1943 b.c1867 b.1869 b.c1873 b.c1877 1884–1918

Jane John Elizabeth John (Killed in Belgium during b.1864 b.c1868 b.1871 b.1876 WWI)

(died young)

Charles Herbert PALMER ==== Hannah

1878–1952 1880–1931

Nelson Sydney Albert

b&d.c1904 1907–1956 1914–1996

Ernest Edwin Louise

1902–1979 1906–1995 1911–1996

Ivan C. Johnson is a founding member of BIFHS–USA. He has served two terms as President of the Society. Ivan is Lincolnshire-born.

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Using Your DNA To Find Your British Isles Ancestors

by Linda Jonas

We all have 23 pairs of chromosomes and, until recently, only the 23rd chromosome of males was tested for family history. Both men and women can now do DNA testing for family history and achieve incredible results to verify and extend their family tree.

There are currently three major tests that are used for genealogy: Y-chromosome DNA test (Y-DNA), mitochondrial DNA test (mtDNA) and the autosomal DNA test (atDNA). In this article we will discuss the Y-DNA test because it has been around the longest and it is quite common to make meaningful matches with others, compare paternal lines, and verify and extend what you already know. You might even verify the origins of your British Isles ancestors! There are many tools that can help achieve phenomenal success.

The 23rd pair of chromosomes determines the sex of the individual. Women have two X chromosomes, and men have one X and one Y. When the child inherits from the parents, he or she always gets an X from the mother (because that's the only one she has), and the child inherits either the father's X or the father's Y chromosome. Therefore, a man always inherits his Y chromosome from his father who inherited it from his father. Y-DNA tests a strictly paternal line, which is great for surname studies since the surname is often passed from father to son. Because only men have a Y chromosome, only men can take a Y-DNA test. Women, however, can encourage a brother or other male family member to take the test. So, for example, if a woman wants to find out more about her father's paternal line, she can ask her father, brother, male cousin or other male relative with her maiden surname to take the Y-DNA test. If possible, test the oldest living male in your paternal line your grandfather instead of yourself.

So, let's get started.

Ordering your test

You will achieve the best results if you order your Y-DNA kit from Family Tree DNA. [I recommend different companies for other tests]. Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) gives discounts to those who join a surname project and then order a DNA test.

To order through a project, go to the Family Tree DNA Project Index page, http://www.familytreedna.com/projects.aspx. The projects are listed by type and the first letter of the project name. If the group pre-screens members, you will have to submit a join request to the project administrator. The project administrator will then contact you with directions for ordering a kit through the project if you are accepted into the group. You will

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receive a kit number and password as soon as you order. You will use this information to access your results, contact matches, and more.

Record your kit number and password for future reference and log into your Family Tree DNA account with that kit number and password. Become familiar with your page and check your contact information to make sure it is correct.

When your kit arrives, do not eat or drink anything for about two hours before taking the test. Carefully follow the directions and then mail in your kit.

Document your family tree

While you’re waiting the several weeks for your results to arrive, work on your family history. A documented family tree is essential for DNA research. In addition to any genealogy software programs and online family trees, I recommend that you create your own family tree at www.ancestry.com and also document your paternal line at https://familysearch.org. Trace descendants of your ancestors and add them to the trees to make it easier for people with matching DNA to find your common ancestor.

You will find that you will currently make the majority of your matches using www.ancestry.com/. Most serious DNA researchers have their own tree there. When you find people in your list of DNA matches, you will need to ask them to identify their tree or share it with you, and you will do the same with your tree. You don't have to be a subscriber to add ancestors to your tree, but you do need to subscribe if you want to document the tree using records from ancestry's collections.

In the near future you will make most matches at FamilySearch.org because nobody has their own tree there; Family Search Family Tree is one tree that everybody works on. It is free to use the tree and to see all documentation. No subscription is necessary. If two people share the same ancestor they will both be working on the same page in the Family Search tree. Remember that nobody can search for or find any living person in the tree, so any living people you add will be visible only to you. Family Search Family Tree is very

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new, and lots of ancestors and documentation have not yet been connected. However, you only need to add an ancestor's vital information and any photos, documents, or stories one time, and nobody ever has to look for them again. Use the Search Records feature on the right side of an ancestor's personal page to find documents (birth, marriage, and death certificates; census records; passenger lists, etc.) relating to your ancestor. You can then attach the records to his/her page. If you have your own scanned documents, use the Memories feature at the top of the page and attach the documents to the appropriate ancestors. As more and more ancestors are connected to the tree and documented, all you will have to do is ask "Where is your ancestor at FamilySearch?" You will not have to worry about whether someone will share their tree with you.

When you've created your family tree, using your genealogy software or your tree at ancestry.com, create a GEDCOM file that you will upload to your account at Family Tree DNA. GEDCOM is a file format that can be read by any genealogy program.

Here's how to create one at ancestry.com. Log into your ancestry.com account and open your tree. Next to the name of the tree, you will see the link "Tree Pages". Click Tree Pages, then Tree Settings.

On the next page at the right of the screen you will see a green link to export your tree. Click Export tree.

This will generate your GEDCOM file. When it is ready, download the file to your computer. Then log into your account at Family Tree DNA, go to My Account, click GEDCOM/Family Tree and upload the GEDCOM file.

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You will now have a family tree at Family Tree DNA that will be valuable to other researchers who are trying to see how they're related to you. Please note that although you have traced descendants in your ancestry tree, your tree at Family Tree DNA will only show your direct ancestral line, and no documentation will appear. So the Family Tree DNA tree is only the start. Refer people to your other online trees for full documentation and collateral lines.

Your DNA results

You will receive an email from Family Tree DNA when your results are ready. Log into your account and see your matches in your surname project. You can get to your project by clicking on Projects--Manage, and click the link to your surname project's website. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your surname project administrator.

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An example

So let's see how success can be achieved with a common surname from Ireland. [We don't want this to be too easy!] We will use the Jackson family. From genealogical research we know that our ancestor Matthew Jackson was born in Ireland about 1845 and married in Killinchy Parish, County Down in 1864. He later moved to Scotland where we are fortunate to have a death record that names both parents. His parents were Samuel Jackson and Ann Bennett. We hope to find out more with Y-DNA.

In the surname project our Y-DNA results are the second one on the image below. Notice that the first three Jacksons match closely. They will rarely be matching exactly all the way across because occasional mutations occur naturally. The more distantly-related two people are, the more differences we would expect to find. We love the fact that the first man names his ancestor Samuel Jackson, but this is such a common name. There's no way to tell yet if he's the Samuel who is the father of our Matthew. These three men are related to each other, but the rest of the men on the list are not related to the first three. We need to see if we can make contact with these men to see what they know about their family tree.

Log into your Family Tree DNA account and look at your list of Y-DNA matches. Send an email to your closest matches and share information about your paternal line including where to find your online family trees.

In our list of matches below, we have only two results. Both men are named Jackson, so that's a good sign. These are probably the two men in the surname project whose results closely match ours. The first man tested 67 markers and has a two-mutation difference

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from our results (Genetic Distance=2). The second man tested 37 markers, and his results have a four-mutation difference from ours. The first man is probably much more closely related to us, and he's the one who has Samuel Jackson as an ancestor. Now we need to click on each of their names to contact them.

At the bottom of your matches, you will also find a link to upload your results to YSearch.org. In our case we already did this, so the link says "Take me to YSearch.org."

YSearch was created by Family Tree DNA to allow men to make matches with people who tested with other DNA testing companies. YSearch gives you additional matching tools and is also a great way to help other people connect with you. When you click the link, your DNA results will be loaded automatically to your YSearch record, so you don't have to worry about correctly copying each number. You will add your contact name and email address.

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Only your contact name, but not your email address, will show on the YSearch record. When people want to contact you, they will see the following message:

On your YSearch record, add information about your paternal line in the "Additional Information about Paternal Line" box (See below for an example). Attach your GEDCOM file to your YSearch record [although adding a GEDCOM does not always work at YSearch.]

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After you have created your record, click Search for Genetic Matches.

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Our results are shown below.

The first result is ours. The second one looks interesting, so we will compare the two by clicking in the Compare column, then clicking the link "Compare."

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We can now see exactly where this man's results match ours and where the mutations occurred. We can see his complete record and find a link to contact him by going back to the previous page and clicking his User ID. When we looked at his record, we found that this is the man we want to contact.

We did exactly that, and the results were unbelievable. Mr. Jackson replied to our mail and told us that he lives in Ireland and has remained in the same area where his ancestors lived.

He writes: “My 3x great-grandfather was Samuel Jackson. I am trying to establish where he lived. I got his name from his son John's marriage certificate of 1847. No address was given. His occupation was given as labourer - probably engaged in farm work. I think he may have lived at Ballycloghan near Killinchy in County Down but I am trying to find some proof. I don't yet know how many children he had. It may be that your Matthew born about 1845 was one of them. I am trawling through church records for the Killinchy area to see if I can trace what we need.”

So here's a man whose Y-DNA matches ours. He lives in Ireland where our ancestor was married. Both of us have an ancestor from that area named Samuel Jackson. He is going through local records to see if he can find the connection. Who knows what will happen next? In addition, new matches come in all the time. Maybe one of them will have traced his family even further back. With a surname like Jackson coming from Ireland where research can be very difficult, this is a dream come true.

Put information about your DNA discoveries in your online family trees. In the description, include your ancestral line. For example, I took a screenshot of the YSearch record and

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attached it to all paternal ancestors in this line (Samuel Jackson, Matthew Jackson, etc.) on both the ancestry.com family tree and the familysearch.org family tree. Here is the document as it looks at familysearch.org

When you contact men on your list of DNA matches, encourage them to create a YSearch record and to add their paternal line to the "Additional information about Paternal Line" box. Work together on documenting your paternal lines, especially at FamilySearch where you will leave a permanent record that your ancestry is not only documented, but your DNA results prove the research to be correct.

Websites: DNA products www.familytreedna.com cost for products Family Tree and records https://familysearch.org free Family Tree and records www.ancestry.com some free access; subscription Y-DNA matching www.ysearch.org free

Linda Jonas is the President of the British Isles Family History Society- USA.

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Researching With Jill:

England and the Channel Islands

Journaling My Travels

by Jill Kirby

I set my GPS for the village of East Harptree in Somerset. I wound my way along very narrow country lanes with hedges towering above my car, hoping that I would not meet anyone coming in the opposite direction. Finally, I reached a small picturesque village with the Church of St Laurence. After parking, I set off to explore the churchyard and surrounding area. The church was founded in the 12th century and I knew this must have been where my Gane family worshipped. Reaching this St. Laurence Church village had taken over 2O years of research and, thanks to modern technology; I was finally able to break that long lost line and extend my family back from this village several more generations.

There is nothing more thrilling than being in the places where your ancestors came from and contemplating for a moment the courage of a young Mary Savage Gane who, at 20 years, journeyed from this village to South Africa circa 1846. How did she get to London? What ship was she on?

Twenty years earlier I had been in South Africa and found the grave of my second great grandparents in the quaint picturesque town of Riversdale along the Garden Route. It was the only grave left in the churchyard of St. Matthews Church. They had been married in Trinity Church in Cape Town. Mary Savage Gane, spinster, and William White, bachelor, were married on 28th August 1850. Their tombstone stated “In Loving memory of William and Mary White.” From death notices and family knowledge I knew that Mary had been born in Somerset, England prior to Civil Registration. I had previously been to the record office in Taunton, Somerset but to no avail. Countless searches led me nowhere, so I put this research on hold.

When FindMyPast.co.uk made online census records available, I had an idea. My great grandfather, Albert Stanhope White, was one of the five children of William and Mary. He had been born in London in 1854, but how do you find a William and Mary White in

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England, knowing only that they had lived in London in 1854? The clue was that William White had been born on the island of Mauritius. While on a visit to this island I had uncovered massive amounts of data on his family, so, on a whim, I thought I would check the 1851 census for England using the name of William White with Mauritius as his place of birth.

The island of Mauritius was once called the Isle de France. William’s father, John White, had been sent from Dover, Kent to the Isle de France in 1810 to fight the French. He was there when the name was changed to Mauritius. It turned out there was only one William White in England born on Mauritius. It was my 2nd great grandfather, with his wife Mary Savage White. According to the 1851 census’ occupation, they were a Gentleman and a Lady living in East London, Saint Botolph. The census listed Somerset as Mary’s place of birth. Soon after their marriage they must have set sail for England where they were to live for another 10 years.

Not content with this information, I thought I would give the 1861 census a try and this is where things began to change.

On the 1861 census they were living in St Marylebone, London and had 4 children. My great grandfather was one of them. Thank goodness for relatives who come to stay, listed on this same census in 1861 was a John Gane, a brother-in- law born in Somerset in 1842. This was within civil registration so I sent for the birth certificate and there it was! Place of birth: East Harptree, Somerset. From here other records unfolded, revealing numerous records I thought impossible to find and extending my family back three more generations. In 1861 I also found next door to them in St. Marylebone her mother, Martha Gane, living with a married daughter. Here I was 152 years later standing in that very village of East Harptree where it all began. It was a thrilling experience that any genealogist will relate to.

This was one of 4 trips I made to England in 18 months. My next trip, in April 2013, I stayed in London and headed to The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. It is a spectacular place to visit and is close to the Prime Meridian. The National Maritime Museum has a massive manuscript collection and is the largest and most important dedicated archive for the study of maritime history in the world. The collection occupies over 4 linear miles of shelf space and covers all aspects of British seafaring history from the 14th to the 20th centuries. A Reader’s Ticket is required but is available at no National Maritime Museum cost. With reference in hand I was able in a short period of time to see and copy the actual document relating to my Titanic ancestor. Then I was off to Upton Park where I was able to find the house where my mother was born on Churston Avenue.

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Next stop was to Kew and a visit to the National Archives where, with Reader Ticket in hand, I began my search of Coast Guard records. I was searching for my great grandfather, who was stationed at Costello Station in Galway on the west coast of Ireland. I was looking for pension records and was able see the actual pension books. I searched many record books and took photographs. This gave me National Archives at Kew an understanding of how the records were organized. Although I did not find my record, one must never overlook the National Archives when searching for Irish records.

I stayed at my cousin’s flat in London and a 5 minute walk down the road led me to Abney Park on Stoke Newington High Street, London N16. Considered one of London’s Magnificent Seven , it was founded in 1840. Many famous graves lie within its walls, notably Salvation Army founders William and Catherine Booth and several Booth family members. The park has close associations with the London Missionary Society (LMS). The society is close to my heart, as two LMS members were my ancestors who went to Mauritius and South Africa to teach Christianity.

A very large statue in the centre of the park of Sir Isaac Watts (1674- 1748) acknowledges his association with Abney Park. Born in my hometown of Southampton, he was invited to stay for a weekend at Abney Park and ended up staying for twenty years. Much of his inspiration was gleaned there for the hymns and prose we cherish today. From the gatehouse here I learned that all the graves are documented and available (a common practice in many cemeteries today) at www.abney-park.org.uk.

I was able also to visit Portsmouth, Hampshire and the home of Charles Dickens, who was born there on 7February 1812. I was also able to climb on board HMS Victory, which changed the course of English history because of Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758 – 1805). His statue stands atop Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square in London to commemorate the winning of the Battle of Trafalgar. The HMS Victory marks the spot where he lost his life during that famous battle.

In June 2013 I returned again returned to England and flew to St. Helier in Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands. Although not part of the United Kingdom, Jersey is a protectorate of the United Kingdom with a fierce loyalty to the Crown. This was a long awaited trip and I cannot wait to return. My family has a long association with this island just 14 miles from France. There are 12 parishes within only 44.87 square miles on Jersey and the Parish of St. Peter’s was clearly visible from the plane as we flew in. The records are impeccably kept here. From the Societe Jersiaie I learned that there is ready access to the records on the other islands as well. The island has a rich and fascinating history, as it was on this island that Victor Hugo was exiled and he completed his epic, Les Miserables, on the adjacent island of Guernsey.

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The famous actress Lily Langtry was born in Jersey in 1853 and is buried in St. Saviour’s churchyard a short distance from the grave of my Great Aunt Estelle Stanhope Floyd. It was to visit Estelle’s last living child and my mother’s first cousin that I came to Jersey. Known to my sisters and me (when small) as Uncle John he is now in his nineties. John and his wife have lived at La Rocque for many years.

They have views across the water to Mont Orgueil Castle, built circa 1204 and are just 200 yards from the slipway where, in their teens, John and two of his friends made a daring escape into the English Channel during WWII (a John and his wife plaque marks the spot). They escaped in a boat rigged with an outboard motor using fuel “stolen” from the German lorries. Surrounded by German turrets they were successful, although many had failed and died in the attempt. However, soon after getting out into the rough English Channel, John dropped their only compass into the sea! So, instead of reaching England they washed up on the shores of France. After interrogation by the Americans at Normandy they managed to get to London.

With minds still keen, it was sheer delight to lunch with John and his wife and to spend the afternoon sharing memories and old photographs. One photograph in particular was of their first car

that became our first car when we were children. John and his John holding the book wife sold it to my Dad when they set off to live in Jamaica for a about his escape number of years. They called it ‘Sweetie Pie’ but we called it the ‘Old Jalopy’ (yes, cars had names).

The Jersey Archives were well situated and I could walk to these facilities easily from the guest house I was staying in. Entrance is free and a Readers ticket is required. The hours are limited. Once inside help is cheerfully at hand from those working there. All of the parishes are extracted and easy to find. From The Archives, it’s a short walk to the harbor. One passes the Registrar’s Office at 10 Royal Square, St. Helier where you can search and purchase birth, marriage and death certificates. Another

Jersey War Tunnel short walk takes you to Liberation Square at the harbor, so called to commemorate the end of WWII.

Behind you is the Societe Jersiaie, founded in 1873 for the study of Jersey archaeology, history, natural history, ancient language and the conservation of the environment. The Lord Coutanche Library at the Societe Jersiaise contains a substantial collection of civil, parish and church records from the island which are available to anyone researching

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family history in Jersey. There is a fee and one can also become a member. It was here that I found many documents on my family and a very helpful archivist who spoke both French and English with perfection. I was also able to donate the documents and photographs I had so that anyone following the shared lines could benefit from my research.

I flew from St. Helier to Manchester (about 1 hour flight) and took a train across to Sheffield where I spent time with family and wandered the estates of Chatsworth House and Hardwick Hall. This is a part of England that is full of history and wonderful places to visit.

My last trip was in November 2013. This time it was to attend the funeral of my dear Aunty Barbara in Hampshire (the only place she had ever lived) who lived to be 91 years of age. I had spent many happy hours with her through the years and loved the simplicity of her life and her great sense of humour. In her teenage years she worked in service. She could recall the lady she worked for and her nephew, who as a child, would always be popping over to play with his cousins. He later became known as the comedian Benny Hill. So my Aunt would say, “I knew Benny Hill before he became Benny Hill.” She took her first flight at the age of 84 and loved every minute of it. She would say to me in her later years, “I have reached my expiration date.” So on a beautiful sunny day in November, a day she would have loved, we said goodbye to her. She joins the rest of the family on my tree and will be missed.

The reflections on each life that is a part of who we are, make up our family’s past and present add colour to our lives. From Hampshire I drove north again to Sheffield, visiting family and enjoying the sights. I am so grateful for the modern technology that has opened areas of research once thought impossible to find and am very excited about the future and where it is all leading.

Wells Cathedral, Somerset- one of my favorite places

Jill Kirby is a member of the British Isles Family History Society- USA and the leader of the Scottish Study Group.

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Alien Enemies Must Report by Barbara Randall

The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 (still in place today – although modified) grants the President the authorization to take certain actions against enemy aliens. At the time the law was enacted, under President John Adams, it was thought it would apply to an anticipated war with France. The War of 1812 against the British was the first time it was applied in the United States. The United States felt it was of utmost importance to know where British subjects were within its borders- whether they were military, merchants or farmers.

Records kept included letters used as evidence by the Department of State, permission to sail from the US, prisoner of war records, passenger lists, passport correspondence, prisoner exchanges and releases, secret agent reports, memorandums and other miscellaneous correspondence. The most interesting, from a genealogy perspective, may be the marshal’s returns.

Secretary of State James Monroe issued a notice a few weeks after war was declared ordering that all British citizens report to US marshals. Several restrictions were placed on British citizens during this time but it became a boon to genealogists. British citizens were restricted in their activities and where they were allowed to reside. They were also ordered to report to the marshals regularly on their location and activities. If British citizens did not comply with the orders, they were imprisoned. Marshals were to report their findings to the Department of State regularly.

Circulars were sent to each jurisdiction in the country and copies of them can easily be found online. (A copy of a circular can be found at the end of this article.) They may be found, as in New York, with naturalization records. The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 applied to ordinary citizens, not combatants. It is possible to find citizens (merchants and farmers) on prisoner lists of British military as they often were imprisoned together. Legal challenges to the law and the rights given to British citizens highlighted personal rights that are still being discussed today.

Marshal returns give the same information for each reporting period: name, age, occupation, residence, members of his family and, naturalization status. The head of each

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household was required to give a report and provide all required information. The report on Adam Ainslie and his family is an example of the information provided.5

From this we learn that Adam Ainslie was 35 years 6 months old on 29 September 1812. He had been in the United States 11 years and 5 months. His family consisted of his wife, one child and one bound boy. Adam resided in Manlius, Onondaga county, New York and was a farmer. At this time he had made no application for naturalization.

Many of these records can be found at https://familysearch.org but they may not be searchable by name. You may have to browse the records to find them. Go to the bottom of the search page and click on “United States,” then the state you are searching. You will probably find these records in naturalization papers rather than their own record set. You may be able to narrow down your search

5 "New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-27303-1180-38?cc=1999177&wc=MDS6- JPD:326204201,326204202 : accessed 30 Apr 2014), entry for Adam Ainslie citing Onondaga Declarations of intention 1802-1840 > image 56 of 1600.

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further by county and year before you really have to browse page by page.

FamilySearch may also have the records on microfilm that you can borrow to look through at a location near you. Originally these records would have ended up in the National Archives as they are a federally mandated record.

These records would only apply to British born citizens who came to the United States between the formation of the country and 1812- 1815. If you find a record for an ancestor don’t stop looking. They would likely have had to report to the marshals multiple times so there would be multiple records.

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Circular from Onondaga county, New York:6

6 "New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-27303-1480-38?cc=1999177&wc=MDS6- JPD:326204201,326204202 : accessed 30 Apr 2014), entry Circular citing Onondaga Declarations of intention 1802-1840 > image 62- 63 of 1600.

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Barbara Randall, editor of the BIFHS-USA Journal, is also a board member of the British Isles Family History Society- USA.

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Tracing Your Ancestors in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM – The Workshop of the World!

by Jackie Cotterill

For over a 200 year period Birmingham had a worldwide reputation in manufacturing, everything from buttons and buckles to guns and jewellery. Nearly everything bought and sold across the world had ‘Made in Birmingham’ stamped on it. It is no wonder that the city proved to be such a magnet to a migrant population- not only from across the Midlands, but from across the world.

In the 18th century Birmingham was a minor market town with a total population of 12,000 in 1720. By the end of that century, Birmingham’s population was approximately 73,000. The population continued to expand until by the 1851 census it totalled 294,122 and then on the 1901 census totalled 744,973.

The key to this rapid expansion was the explosive growth in manufacturing and industrialisation. Increased mechanisation in agriculture, the potato famine in Ireland coupled with the advent of the railways and better roads brought people in from the countryside to the town looking for work and a better life.

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The effect of this unprecedented rise in the population placed a huge strain on the existing housing. In order to accommodate ever more people, the boundaries of Birmingham expanded into the neighbouring counties of Staffordshire, and Worcestershire taking in districts such as Aston (Warwickshire), Balsall Heath, Yardley, King’s Norton, Northfield (Worcestershire) and Handsworth (Staffordshire).

The records covering Birmingham are held in the Archives and Local History Department at the new which holds films for over 130 Anglican parishes as well as many non-conformist and other religions. Some of the church records are now available to view on Ancestry.com, although many are still only available in the Library.

However, you can view all the parishes within the present day city boundary, detailing Anglican churches, non-conformist, Catholic and Jewish, what church records exist and where they are held via the Birmingham & Midland Society for Genealogy & Heraldry website, http://www.bmsgh.org/TYAIB/index.html.

Catholic records are held at St. Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham. Research is by personal visit only or via one of their researchers. Full details are on their website http://www.birminghamarchdiocesanarchives.org.uk/index.asp.

The oldest church in Birmingham is St. Martin’s, dating back to the 11th century. The early town was concentrated in this area, so it is a good place to start when looking for your ancestors.

Apart from the prolific manufacturing which took place in the City, there are two specific areas which are world famous.

The , based in Hockley, has been the home to skilled goldsmiths and jewellery makers for over 200 years. Often these tradesmen worked from their own home or in small workshops, each specializing in one particular craft, which could then be incorporated into another Tradesman’s work.

If your ancestor was a goldsmith or a silversmith it is possible that the Assay Office may have a copy of their hallmark. The Assay Office has an online database containing sponsors’ marks registered with the Assay Office between 1773 and 1858. Their website is: http://www.assayofficeuk.com/esh/usingthissite.html.

St. Paul and St. Mark’s church in St. Paul’s Square, built in 1779, is known as the Jeweller’s Church being in close proximity to the Jewellery Quarter where you should start your search for your ancestors.

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Birmingham’s Gun trade was built up around the church of St. Mary’s Chapel, Whittall Street. St. Mary’s, built 1774, was a small parish about a quarter of a mile square. In the 1871 census 5,931 people are listed as being involved in the gun trade which was another industry primarily taking place in people’s homes or in small workshops. Usually the gun parts were manufactured by a variety of workmen, and would then be assembled to make the final product.

Many of the leading Industrialists during the 19th century belonged to non-conforming religious movements. The Cadbury family were Quakers as was the Lloyds of Lloyds Bank; was Unitarian and was an Atheist. Birmingham Archives do contain some Non-conformist registers. On line indexes include the Latter Day Saints website, www.familysearch.org, www.thegenealogist.co.uk (subscription website) or some can be purchased from BMSGH via our online e-shop, www.bmsgh-shop.org.uk. The original indexes are held at National Archives, Kew.

In 1836 a group of leading businessman got together and formed the Birmingham General Cemetery, Birmingham’s first public non-conformist cemetery. This was opened in the City’s Jewellery Quarter on the site of a sand quarry with a series of catacombs built in the base of the sandstone cliff.

Across the road from Key Hill is another important cemetery. Warstone Lane is a Church of England Cemetery dating back to 1847. In this cemetery are two tiers of catacombs. Buried in this cemetery are John Baskerville, famous printer; James Cooper VC and Harry Gem, Lawn Tennis Pioneer.

Birmingham library holds a large selection of Trade Directories dating back to 1767 and up until 1974. They also have a large selection of telephone directories, some going back to 1886 covering Birmingham and surrounding areas. These are particularly useful for finding people between censuses.

The library also holds electoral registers from 1832 until 2001, excluding 1916-17 and 1940-44 when the registers were not compiled. From 1920 these are on open shelving in book form, listed by address, but before that date they are on microfilm. Some Birmingham electoral registers, searchable by name, by address or both, from 1912-1955 are available on http://www.midlandshistoricaldata.org/.

Also at the library are Rate Books, dating from 1736-1961. The poor rate was a tax on property levied on the parish which was used to provide poor relief to the parish poor. The tax was collected by local magistrates or Overseers of the Poor, and later by Local Authorities. These books generally give the occupants/owners (people responsible for the rates) of the premises but not tenants.

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Many people are interested in workhouse records. The first workhouse in Birmingham opened in 1734 In Lichfield Street, later Corporation Street in the centre of Birmingham. Eventually overcrowded conditions saw the building of a new workhouse in Dudley Road in 1852. The holdings in the Archives Department include poor law union records for Aston, Kings Norton and Birmingham unions going back to Guardian minute books 1783- 1930, which mainly deal with general running of the workhouse. Rarely contain listings of the inmates. There are some baptism records from 1864.

RC baptisms in the Workhouse, Western Road (1856-1902) are held at St. Chad’s Cathedral.

There are so many other records available, it is impossible to list them all. The Archives Department hold documents dating back to the 12th century. There are court records for Birmingham Quarter Sessions from 1838 and magistrates’ courts/petty session’s records; hospital records, coroner’s court records dating from 1875, probate records including copies of wills proved in Birmingham 1858-1941 to name a few.

There is a wonderful selection of newspapers. The oldest of these is The Aris, published between 1741 – 1956. The births, marriages and deaths within the paper have been transcribed into book form, available on open shelves in the library. Copies of the newspaper have just been launched on the British Newspaper Archive website http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/.

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Birmingham Places of interest:

Museum of the Jewellery Quarter www.bmag.org.uk

The Pen Museum www.penroom.co.uk

St. Paul’s Square www.saintpaulbrum.org

Key Hill and www.friendsofkeyhillcemetery.co.uk

Back to Back Houses http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birmingham-back-to-backs/

Useful websites:

www.birmingham.gov.uk/archives

www.bmsgh.org

www.birminghamarchdiocesanarchives.org.uk/index.asp

www.assayofficeuk.com/esh/usingthissite.html

www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

www.thegenealogist.co.uk

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

www.midlandshistoricaldata.org/

www.workhouses.org.uk/Birmingham/

www.findmypast.co.uk (United Kingdom); www.findmypast.com (USA)

Jackie Cotterill is the General Secretary of the Birmingham & Midland Society for Genealogy & Heraldry.

Photos of Birmingham (in order of appearance): http://visitbirmingham.com/birmingham-areas/birmingham/ http://visitbirmingham.com/what-to-do/heritage/the-history-of-birmingham/ http://visitbirmingham.com/what-to-do/heritage-culture/the-library-of-birmingham/ www.jewelleryquarter.net/visit/public-spaces/jq-cemeteries/ www.birminghamheritage.org.uk/

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Society Share…

Birmingham & Midland (Staffordshire, Warwickshire & Worcestershire) Society for Genealogy & Heraldry

Birmingham & Midland Society for Genealogy & Heraldry was formed in 1963, and was one of the founding Societies of the Federation of Family History Societies.

The Society covers the pre-1974 counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire & Worcestershire, plus the modern day metropolitan area of the . We have eight branches throughout three counties, Burton on Trent, Stoke on Trent, Wolverhampton (Staffordshire); Birmingham and Kenilworth (Warwickshire); Bromsgrove, Stourbridge, Worcester (Worcestershire) and a branch in London. Each branch holds monthly meetings with visiting speakers and/or help and advice sessions.

On joining the Society you will be allocated to a correspondence secretary who is your first port of call should you need any assistance about records, resources or record offices. Membership of the Society costs GBP14.50 per year, plus GBP6.00 should you wish our quarterly journal to be sent by airmail post. From the end of this year you can also request to receive our journal digitally. Our year runs from January to December.

Our Reference Library, situated right in the heart of Birmingham, holds over 8,000 publications and is open most weekdays with a number of volunteer librarians on hand to offer advice and assistance. All the Society’s publications are available to view within the library either in book form, fiche or on computer as well as many other publications. We also offer a search service either via the Library or with our many index holders. In particular we hold the Staffordshire Marriage Index and Worcestershire Marriage Index. Further information can be found on our website under search services. The Reference Library catalogue is also available to download and any enquiries should be addressed to Mary McLean, our Reference Librarian on [email protected].

Many of our publications are now available as downloads and purchased via our online shop, www.bmsgh-shop.org.uk. BMSGH have photographed and indexed the Internment Registers to two of the most important cemeteries in Birmingham, (1836-1999) and Warstone Lane Cemetery (1848-2007) as well as Handsworth Cemetery. (1909-2012). Historically, Handsworth was in Staffordshire, but it was incorporated into Birmingham in 1911. The indexes to all three cemeteries are on www.Findmypast.co.uk and we do offer a search service.

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As well as the three cemeteries above, we have photographed and indexed the Internment Registers to . This is the largest cemetery in Birmingham, opened in 1863, covering 106 acres and containing approximately 500,000 burials. An online index up to 1893 is available on the FindMyPast website (www.findmypast.com in the United States and www.findmypast.co.ukin the United Kingdom). Entries between 1894-2007 are currently being checked, but searches can be made. See BMSGH online shop for further details.

If you would like further information, please contact Jackie Cotterill, General Secretary, on [email protected] or go to our website, www.bmsgh.org

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Society Share…

Alloway & Southern Ayrshire Family History Society

Based in the South-West of Scotland, 3 miles south of the town of Ayr, our Society extends a warm welcome to all interested in family history and those with family connections in Southern Ayrshire. Our aim is to encourage interest in family history, by assisting members in researching their family tree or how their ancestors lived. Our Society holds meetings at The Alloway Parish Church Halls, Auld Nicks View, Ayr, KA7 4RT

For full details of the Society, our meetings, publications and members’ interest list, see our website: www.asafhs.co.uk

(images from the society’s website)

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Society Share…

Somerset and Dorset Family History Society

The Somerset and Dorset Family History Society (SDFHS) was founded in 1975 following a suggestion by our now President, the distinguished genealogist Sir Mervyn Medlycott. The aim was to further family history research in the two counties, and beyond. The Society grew rapidly and now has over 2000 members in the UK and throughout the world. The Headquarters of the Society is in Sherborne, a beautiful market town in Dorset, close to the geographic centre of the two counties and an excellent base for our many out-of-town and overseas visitors. Our friendly volunteers are on hand to get you started or to provide more specialist advice. We have fast broadband connection and a network of 6 computers which visitors may use. We subscribe to the main family history websites, so those with interests outside Somerset and Dorset will still find the Research Centre a great resource.

SDFHS Research Centre and Headquarters in Sherborne

The Research Centre in Sherborne holds meetings and events covering a wide range of topics on family history as well as local and social history. In addition we have ten regional groups who run regular (usually monthly) meetings.

The Research Centre in Sherborne also houses the Society’s library. The main holdings are for Somerset and Dorset and include a comprehensive range of books on the two counties as well as a large number of parish register transcriptions. Our village files contain histories, details of churches and other notable buildings, press cuttings, brochures and leaflets of local interest. The library also holds reference material on family, local, social and military history.

For those not able to get to Sherborne we can undertake research on behalf of members and others. We have a large collection of pedigrees, parish register and monumental inscriptions on our databases.

The Society has a website with comprehensive information about the Society and its services, which can be found at www.sdfhs.org/ We are also on Facebook, where up-to- date information about the Society’s activities is posted: www.facebook.com/SomersetDorsetFHS

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The Greenwood Tree is the journal of the SDFHS and is available free to all members. It was first published as a newsletter in 1975, shortly after the founding of the Society, taking its title from one of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex novels.

Since then we have published over 150 editions and the journal has grown to be one of the most respected family history journals anywhere. In 1998, 1999 and 2000 it was joint runner-up in the Elizabeth Simpson competition organised by the Federation of Family History Societies. In 2001 The Greenwood Tree won the Elizabeth Simpson Award outright and won again in 2010 & 2011 in the category for large Societies.

The latest edition of The Greenwood Tree

The Greenwood Tree is published 4 times a year, in February, May, August and December.

Back numbers are available £5 (UK) or £6 (OS), to include postage

Indexes to recent editions are available on the Society website

What’s in The Greenwood Tree?

The Greenwood Tree belongs to the members; it is the way to read about and share an interest in family history with an emphasis on Somerset and Dorset. Typical content includes original articles; reports and news about the regional groups; a People, Places and Problems section for help and advice from our world-wide membership; details of activities in the Research Centre in Sherborne; regular features on the two counties and more general news and information for researchers.

We also include details of the Society’s services, including our pedigree collection, databases and parish information.

Writing for The Greenwood Tree

The editor welcomes articles of any length, handwritten, typed, or preferably as an email attachment. Illustrations are particularly welcome. Digital images should be scanned to at least 300dpi. Please include your full postal address and email address if you have one. All material should be sent to: Email: [email protected] Or The Editor, SDFHS, PO Box 4502, SHERBORNE, Dorset, DT9 6YL

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British Isles Family History Society- USA

Visit the website for information on the society and our upcoming calendar at www.bifhs-usa.org.

Meetings are held the 4th Sunday of each month at 1:00pm and include a program each month. Following the program research assistance is available. Meetings and classes are free and open to all with plenty of available free parking. The library is open until 5:00 pm following our meeting.

Meetings are held at: Los Angeles FamilySearch Library (LAFSL) 10741 Santa Monica Blvd. (enter from Eastborne at Manning) Los Angeles, CA 90025 310- 474- 9990

Upcoming Schedule

June 6-8, 2014 Southern California Genealogy Jamboree, Burbank, CA. Stop by and see us at table #121. Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Hotel.

Sunday, June 22 General Meeting. Program: An Introduction to English Legal Systems: 1:00- 3:00 pm Cases and Records of the Middle Ages by Esther Liberman Cuenca

Sunday, July 27 General Meeting. Program: Dudley Castle (Staffordshire, England) by 1:00- 3:00 pm Linda Essig

Sunday, August 24 1:00- 3:00 pm Check the website for the Sunday, September 28 1:00- 3:00 pm program for the month at www.bifhs -usa.org. Sunday, October 26 1:00- 3:00 pm

Sunday, November 23 Annual “Show and Tell” 1:00- 3:00 pm

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Study Group Leaders

English Peggy Wishon [email protected]

Irish James McNamara [email protected]

Scottish Jill Kirby [email protected]

Welsh Open [email protected]

Colonial Connections Nancy Ellen Carlberg [email protected]

Committee

Surname Register Sue Wilson [email protected]

BIFHS-USA Journal Volume XXV, Number 1

BIFHS-USA Journal Volume XXV, Number 1