Proposals have been announced for the merger of The National Archives and the Office of Public Sector Information, under the name of The National Archives. The proposal, if carried out, would reduce the four existing sites - at Kew; the Family Records Centre (Islington); and the two Office of Public Sector Information offices in London and Norwich - to just two, with most services being transferred to Kew and a small London office would be retained. There will be a public consultation on this move and the Minister responsible, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, plans to invite family historians to a meeting at Kew in September to discuss developments in family history service provision. For members of the public who are able to travel, TNA are holding open sessions at the Family Records Centre on 29th June, 2006 at 12:00 and at Kew on 30th June, 2006 at 11:30. Representatives of the SOG will be attending both meetings. Further details at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/stories/117.htm?homelink=docstill http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/21jun06b.pdf

In message of 19 Jun, Ian Edwards <tafwys@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > > An ancestor of mine appears to have changed his surname in the 1860s, > probably for professional reasons (he was an opera singer). His > children's births were registered under the new surname. > Would he have had to do this officially (e.g. by deed poll)? No. In English law, you can call yourself by whatever surname you like as long as you don't set up a fraud. A great uncle of mine married a lady who had a stage name but she married (and to her second husband) in her real name. So your ancestor may not have changed his real name at all. > If so where can I find the details? Not necessarily anywhere. My paternal grandfather and his father both changed their name by deed poll but twenty years apart. In both cases their solicitors put a notice in The Times, but there was no need to do this. I suspect the need for the deep poll was to provide a piece of paper to send round to change the name on any assets they owned - insurance policies, properties, stocks and shares, etc. Certainly the deed poll bits of paper are now completely lost. Anyhow I am fairly sure you can access The Times for nothing in the SoG library. Some public libraries also have subscribed to do this. But if your ancestor put any announcement in another paper, then you may have a bit of a problem finding it. -- Tim Powys-Lybbe                                          tim@powys.org              For a miscellany of bygones: http://powys.org

Has anyone any idea where you can find information about the different gypsy families living in the Hampton/Chiswick/Ham area in the 19th century?

An ancestor of mine appears to have changed his surname in the 1860s, probably for professional reasons (he was an opera singer). His children's births were registered under the new surname. Would he have had to do this officially (e.g. by deed poll)? If so where can I find the details? Ian

I have access to the probate indexes upto 1995. Our local probate registry does not have a user access terminal for more recent ones. I would be grateful if SKS with access to probate indexes could look for the following please John Gordon STEELE (death registered in Birmingham January 1997) and Alice May STEELE (death registered in Birmingham September 2000) Any information in the indexes would help me. Thanks in advance. Peter

No, he wouldn't have had to do it officially, he could have just quietly gone ahead and done it; this is quite legal so long as fraud isn't involved, and after 1916 so long as he was not an alien. There are several ways which would be recorded: (1) advertising in a newspaper; (2) a private act of parliament; (3) a royal licence, normally advertised in the London Gazette; (4) by deed poll, accompanied by enrolment in the Close Rolls of Chancery (until 1903) and later in the Enrolment Books of the Supreme Court. Look at the article on surnames in Terrick FitzHugh's 'The Dictionary of Genealogy'; a free leaflet on 'Change of Name' s available at the PRO. Regards, Colin Mills

I have a book called 'A portrait of Ham in Early Victorian times, 1840-1860. It states that there were there was a mass baptism of gipsies on May 30 1853 at St Andrew's Church, Ham when 17 were baptised. 8 more were baptised in 1858 (no date given). So if you haven't already found those entries in the St Andrew's registers of the time, they would be worth looking at. Hope that helps, Julia -----Original Message----- From: DJ & S Holden [mailto:djs@holden32.fsnet.co.uk] Sent: 19 June 2006 16:47 To: SOG-UK-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [SoG] gypsies Has anyone any idea where you can find information about the different gypsy families living in the Hampton/Chiswick/Ham area in the 19th century?

This may be well known to some, but it is new to me, perhaps because I usually buy certificates for my own use from the G.R.O. This morning I received a birth certificate from the register office at Canterbury (Kent, apart from the Medway towns, is now a single sub-district). Despite my slight colour-blindness, I noticed immediately that it was printed in black and not red. Of greater interest was that the details on it appear to be a facsimile of the entry in the register. This means, of course, that the register entry can now be seen without the risk of copying errors either on the quarterly return to the G.R.O. or on a certificate prepared in manuscript. Also, one can see a facsimile of the informant's signature. I wonder how common this practice is nationally. Incidentally, I sent a message of appreciation to the register office. Jeremy Wilkes

Come on you guys - surely one of you knows enough latin to translate the following:- MERCURIUS PRECETERIS HUIC FAUSTE EMPORIIS ILLUSTRO This is at the top of the picture around Neptune, on an old print at the Italian Restaurant near the SoG and the proprietor asked if we can help. - Perhaps it is not Neptune? The print was covered up by the flag of Italy when we were last there, so it was hard to check - something to do with football !! Geoff Geoffrey T. Stone, SoG Mailing List Administrator. lists@sog.org.uk http://www.sog.org.uk On-line retail shopping? Use http://www.buy.at/genealogists our affiliate shop and the SoG gains funds at no cost to you.

Derrick, Regarding the strange initials, I had a similar set on an 1890 birth certificate which I read as U.S.A.; in the end I determined that it was U.S.D. and stood for Urban Sanitary District. Walt O'Dowd

I have two questions relating to British Birth Certificates. The first is that in the where born entry I have a number of certificates where the address given is followed by initials, such as Dovercourt M.D. Other examples have U.D or A. D. Could this be in some way indicative of a military establishment? The second is related, I have a record of a birth in 1895 at Great Bowden A.D. where the father is described as being "a Sergeant in the Military Staff". Does any one know of military connections in Great Bowden at this time and where I could find more information? Many thanks. Derrick Ross

Hi guys, I knew I was doing the right thing asking the list! Thank you so much for your help - I'm feeling less panicky now. I've already noted down the subjects for beginners as I think thats where the emphasis will be. I'm only too aware of the 'standing at the front talking at people' syndrome. I had to conduct a talk on the difference between Scottish and English records for my family history society in February (I'd managed to get out if it for the last 5 years) and while I had notes and handouts there was very little interaction and I hated every minute of it. Jill - I had totally forgotten about people arriving late, leaving early etc. and the variety of approach is just what I need to think about. I want this to be fun for everyone, not stressful. I'd already thought about asking people what they have done already and using that to help tailor things a little. The practical exercises will take a lot of thought I think - the differences between Scottish and English records can sometimes be quite marked. For a laugh if things get too serious I'll hand out some records in secretary script and get them to translate :-) Im kidding on that one - I think! I've also got some English wills that are challenging for a beginner. Michael - the Sog Educational course sounds just what I need! and the idea of getting people to read out lines of a census is a good one I would never have thought of. Being able to read handwriting that's worse than mine is quite a challenge but something that a lot of researchers need. I've lost count of the amount of times I've seen mis-transcription of registers. I've also got some rather nice Methodist register photocopies that can highlight the difference between one incument and the next. I'll be using an overhead and a white board if possible. Easy to use and set-up, and like you say I can print out my own overheads. I've got my own whiteboard cleaner too - the board was a rash buy to help me with my research and I've used it twice. I'll phone the college tomorrow and confirm that I'll do it. Thanks for your help, I may contact you further if I get stuck if thats ok with you? I think Im going to have a busy summer :-) Thanks again, you've made me feel much better about this! Sara (where the rain has returned!)

-----Original Message----- > From: Michael.C. Isherwood [mailto:mci3@tutor.open.ac.uk] I often have to phaff around when I arrive at lecture room because the required facilities are not there (usually for me that's white board pens or duster (toilet paper works for the latter) or overhead projector). <<< Beware some toilet paper is too abrasive and can damage the surface of a white board. I find a soft duster useful to keep in my bag. Jill

> -----Original Message----- > From: Michael.C. Isherwood [mailto:mci3@tutor.open.ac.uk] > > > ...On another tack, check out the facilities you will have and > sort out what > you are comfortable with. Whiteboard, Overhead Projector, > Data Projector. Just a quick practical point here; you can buy packs of clear acetate sheets at office suppliers, W H Smith, etc. These will work in your inkjet printer - just look through the menu of paper types in the printing properties dialogue box for 'transparency' or similar. The resulting printouts will work fine with an OHP. Of course, each sheet will cost a fair bit to buy and print, but they are re-usable! You might have to avoid printing on about 1" from one end of an A4 sheet though, to fit the printed image onto the projector's glass screen. Lawrence Greenall. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Ta-raa! Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.8.3/360 - Release Date: 09/06/2006

Sara The SoG Education committee has developed a similar course which has yet to be trialed. The idea is to sell it on to others. I'm sure that members of the Ed committee read this list so will be able to contact you on it - I've not been involved in its development However just one or two pointers directed at your concerns and bearing in mind your self declared inexperience at delivering courses :-) Have a subject for each session: Civil Registration; Census; Family Sources; etc Have plenty of practical. Example select a census page and have each person in the group read out one line; learning process is very rapid in learning from repetition, characteristic letters etc, and its fun. I've used this with Open University computing courses when considering issues relating to data and information Practicals can be discussion in groups drawing deductions from data. Several groups tackling the same problem and the distinct conclusions. Too many presenters talk too much - as a presenter you are not a talking textbook; some presenters see themselves as this. They give little - might as well read a textbook. The first session needs to be introductions. Why are you here? What do you know? You could have students sketch their tree as far as is known; you could ask them to bring it with them (this will depend on pre knowledge of course and your students). The first session can help you scope further sessions and, more importantly, tweak to specific student interests. Perhaps have students swap e-mail addresses/tel nos or collect to distribute (protect yourself from big brother fraternity - data protection chimeras) Engender continuity and participation by asking class to carry out task for next session. Eg if next session is civil registration bring in parents/grandparents certs (if they have them) and start with any problems they have with interpretation. Eg if next session is census bring in an 1881 or other census record of the student's family. Again so often beginners (and not beginners!) miss much. Depending on individuals take care not to isolate people who may not be able to do this I recently took part in a look at a University (on-line) course and it consisted of:- Intro Research Process Oral History for Family History Using the Internet for Family History Census parish Registers Civil Registration Wills and Probate records Monumental Inscriptions The family in C19 - issues and debates Genealogy, Family History and history of the family Where next As is evident from the titles (12 written lectures), it was fairly wide ranging. On another tack, check out the facilities you will have and sort out what you are comfortable with. Whiteboard, Overhead Projector, Data Projector. I often have to phaff around when I arrive at lecture room because the required facilities are not there (usually for me that's white board pens or duster (toilet paper works for the latter) or overhead projector). I'm almost at the stage of going to data projector as they are nearly as common as overhead projectors now! HTH Michael SOG-UK-L@rootsweb.com writes: >I've very recently been asked to teach a non-vocational evening class on >family history at our local college. I've been approached many times in >the past >unofficially, but as I've been approached directly I've decided its time >to >bite the bullet and go for it. > >However, although I have the experience and knowledge, I have never >taught a >class before. The course will be a ten week block of 2 hour sessions. As >we >are in Scotland I have the opportunity of covering both English and >Scottish >records - obviously the students will want to look locally as well as >nationally for their ancestors. > >Can any of you given me advice as to what is usually covered in such a >class. I've googled for sylabuses but come up with nothing. The IHGS >sell tutorial >packs but I am loathe to buy them all as this would cost me the wages I >would be earning. I also need to think about homework as this is >something I >expect the students would want. Ideas are family records and how to >build a tree, >registration, census, non-conformist, probate etc. I am wondering what >level >of detail to go into - 2 hours seems a long time, but I dont want to >drown >them all in information. > >Any evening class teachers out there who could point me in the right >direction? > >I'd appreciate any help or ideas folks, this is new territory for me >(and >just a little bit scary!)

Hi Sara I am an experienced evening class teacher who has recently started to also teach e-genealogy. I think the first thing to think about is what level are your students going to be. If beginners then your approach will be different to that needed to assist those who have been doing family history for years. If you don't know I would suggest starting at the basics and then adding in a few extra bits or references for those more advanced. It is surprising how many self taught people are missing bits of the basics. Often with this kind of course it is worth providing a basics course and then you may well find that later you will have enough students for a follow on course. One of the main things to remember is that 2 hours is not long - there will be admin. to do especially in the first and last sessions and most classes have a 10 minute break in the middle, not everyone comes on time and some may need to leave early. Try not to do too much in a session. Most students will not be keen to face a long lecture style session especially if they have been working all day. Try to have a variety of approach - e.g start with an overview of the topic for the evening, some Q&A to see what people may know, an introduction to the theory, practical exercise- maybe done individually, then group sharing of results from exercise, more theory, overview and summary. On the subject of homework getting students to reread handouts and any notes they have made in class, plus do some work on their family trees is often more than many have time for. If you want to e-mail me directly I would be happy to be of more assistance. Jill riginal Message ----- From: <SaraJayneD@aol.com> To: <SOG-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2006 10:40 AM Subject: [SoG] Re: advice needed for teaching evenng class > Hi all, > > I've very recently been asked to teach a non-vocational evening class on > family history at our local college. I've been approached many times in the past > unofficially, but as I've been approached directly I've decided its time to > bite the bullet and go for it. > > However, although I have the experience and knowledge, I have never taught a > class before. The course will be a ten week block of 2 hour sessions. As we > are in Scotland I have the opportunity of covering both English and Scottish > records - obviously the students will want to look locally as well as > nationally for their ancestors. > > Can any of you given me advice as to what is usually covered in such a > class. I've googled for sylabuses but come up with nothing. The IHGS sell tutorial > packs but I am loathe to buy them all as this would cost me the wages I > would be earning. I also need to think about homework as this is something I > expect the students would want. Ideas are family records and how to build a tree, > registration, census, non-conformist, probate etc. I am wondering what level > of detail to go into - 2 hours seems a long time, but I dont want to drown > them all in information. > > Any evening class teachers out there who could point me in the right > direction? > > I'd appreciate any help or ideas folks, this is new territory for me (and > just a little bit scary!) > > Regards, > > Sara Donaldson in Caithness (where the sun is peeping through the clouds) >

Hi all, I've very recently been asked to teach a non-vocational evening class on family history at our local college. I've been approached many times in the past unofficially, but as I've been approached directly I've decided its time to bite the bullet and go for it. However, although I have the experience and knowledge, I have never taught a class before. The course will be a ten week block of 2 hour sessions. As we are in Scotland I have the opportunity of covering both English and Scottish records - obviously the students will want to look locally as well as nationally for their ancestors. Can any of you given me advice as to what is usually covered in such a class. I've googled for sylabuses but come up with nothing. The IHGS sell tutorial packs but I am loathe to buy them all as this would cost me the wages I would be earning. I also need to think about homework as this is something I expect the students would want. Ideas are family records and how to build a tree, registration, census, non-conformist, probate etc. I am wondering what level of detail to go into - 2 hours seems a long time, but I dont want to drown them all in information. Any evening class teachers out there who could point me in the right direction? I'd appreciate any help or ideas folks, this is new territory for me (and just a little bit scary!) Regards, Sara Donaldson in Caithness (where the sun is peeping through the clouds)

Perhaps one of you scholars can help me with the translation of the following text. This comes from a print (at our regular after-meeting restaurant near the SoG), but I have not checked the spelling or context. The proprietor gave the details as follows but I suspect the the text may run in line not necessarily in list form as shown below. MERCURIUS PRECETERIS HUIC FAUSTE EMPORIIS ILLUSTRO I can't guarantee the spelling, especially the double i. Thanks, Geoff

thanks for your helpful reply Adrienne Ruth <historyscape@gmail.com> wrote: Take a look at the National Archives' research guide on the subject: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=53 Most case files since 1938 have been destroyed (once they are 20 years old). A small sample for this period survives at TNA and you can search those using the surname and restricting the search to the series J 77. Ruth On 6/4/06, ADRIENNE NORBURY wrote: > I am interested in some divorce papers, which took place in the 1950's probably in Bromsgrove Worcestershire, are these papers likely to be detailed in those days, and where are they likely to be held:? > Adrienne > >

Dont forget that divorces were quite often written up in local newspapers in the 50's when it was still a relatively uncommon phenomon! Or even in the national papers if they were sufficiently "juicy" of course! hugh