The National Archives' record specialists are presenting free webinars, focusing on different series of records and the research skills that you will need to make the most of them. It's a great free way of understanding some of the varied records available to view at The National Archives.
The next webinar is on the 12th May at 4pm, entitled 'Why did people fear the Victorian workhouse?' This webinar will help you to explore records in The National Archives, showing what life was like inside the workhouse, and how it was viewed by those outside. It's presented by Paul Carter, specialist in modern domestic records.
If you'd like to view the free webinar, there are places still available . Book now by emailing [email protected] or there's more information at The National Archives website.
Latest news as mentioned via the Who Do You Think You Are? Live twitter page is there will be an announcement on the venue for the show in 2015 before this summer. With many rumours circulating that the show is moving out of London up to the NEC in Birmingham, confirmation is keenly anticipated by us family historians!
As soon as the venue for 2015 is confirmed we'll let you know.
There's a number of both free and ticketed events scheduled at The National Archives this week. On Thursday the 27th March, there's a free talk entitled 'We may lie and die in a land of plenty..'- the Victorian poor in their own words. This talk looks at pauper letters, statements and petitions highlighting the concerns, thoughts and feelings of the poor in their own words.
On the Friday, television broadcaster Jeremy Paxman explores what life was like for the British during the First World War, from politicians to newspapermen, Tommies, factory-workers, nurses, wives and children. Cost for this talk is £5.
For more details and to see the other talks and workshops available, go to The National Archives website.
In a flash the major family history show of 2014 has been and gone. Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2014 at London Olympia (and its new opening days of Thursday to Saturday) seemed to generate a healthy number of visitors. Attendees were steady although it was felt not exceeding the levels of previous years.
However, there was a healthy number of exhibitors and as expected a focus on the commemorations of the start of The Great War, with the Imperial War Museum present. All the usual main family history websites were present in what was as ever, a very enjoyable family history exhibition. Did you attend or exhibit, let us know what you thought of Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2014!
Mark Bayley of TheGenealogist delivers one of his popular talks
With 2014 marking the centenary of the start of The First World War, the premier family history exhibition 'Who Do You Think You Are Live? has announced a special 'Military History' area on the Gallery Level of the show hall at London Olympia.
The confirmed exhibitors include The National Archives, the RAF Museum, Belgian Tourist Board, BBC History and the National Army Museum.
The event starts on Thursday 20th February 2014 at 9.30am and more details can be found at the Who Do You Think You Are? website
The National Archives have an interesting free talk scheduled for Thursday 13 February, entitled 'Spies like us: the secret life of Ernest Oldham'.
Presented by Dr Nick Barratt, author and TV presenter, the talk is of interest to anyone keen to find out about the past work of the security services and the files stored on their work at The National Archives. The security service files are held in 'series KV 2' and include fascinating details on many ordinary people, such as Foreign Office clerk, Ernest Oldham, who entered the world of espionage in the 1920s and 1930s, often with tragic consequences.
There's more details available on the free talk from The National Archives website.
The story of Ernest Oldham and the world of espionage
The Imperial War Museum have announced that TV historian Dan Snow will be a special guest at Who Do You Think You Are? Live at London Olympia. Dan has been chosen as their official ambassador of their 'Lives of the First World War' project and will be attending the Show on Thursday 20 February.
For your chance to meet Dan Snow, there's more details on the Who Do You Think You Are? Live website.
Dan Snow will be appearing at Who Do You Think You Are? Live
As the 4th Unlock the Past Cruise gets underway in Australia early next week, the popularity of genealogy themed cruises shows no sign of abating. The Australian cruise was a sell out and the organisers will be hoping for similar demand on the 5th cruise, around the British Isles in July.
Scheduled for the 19th- 29th July 2014, on the Marco Polo ship, the cruise promises 40 topics, 25 different sessions and 10 Research 'help' zones during the voyage. Combined with the opportunity to network and discuss with other genealogists, you can find out more from the Unlock the Past website.
Unlock the Past Cruises explore the British Isles in July
A reminder that this weekend sees the Bracknell Family History Fair at Bracknell Leisure Centre. It's open this Sunday (26th January) from 10am to 5pm and there'll be a selection of free talks, including a few from TheGenealogist on 'Breaking down Brick Walls' and 'A Window into the Past' photo talk.
Admission to the family history fair is £3.
It's regarded as one of the major regional fairs so it's well worth attending for the great selection of exhibitors present offering all sorts of great resources for us family history researchers.
Hopefully see you there!
Bracknell Family History Fair, this Sunday from 10am to 5pm
This Thursday, the 23rd January, sees a free talk from The National Archives entitled 'Your Country Needs You' looking at the recruitment posters of World War One, including the famous Lord Kitchener 'finger pointing poster'. The talk asks if this was the most successful recruitment poster or if there were other more effective recruitment messages and posters that worked to encourage thousands of Britons to join up.
This talk draws upon official records from The National Archives to provide alternative and surprising stories. The talk is being given by James Taylor, former curator of the National Maritime Museum who also writes and lectures on maritime and military art and design.
There's more information available from The National Archives website.
Talk on World War One recruitment posters and their effectiveness at The National Archives
