Listen Up!

This week I thought I’d return to the topic of how to go about developing new skills and educating ourselves in the ways of the genealogist.  One very simple and frugal way is to listen to podcasts. 

Family history podcasts seem to abound, but I’ve chosen just a few to give a taste of what's available.  From both the UK and the US, their presenters discuss areas of special interest and share stories of success in growing family trees.  These can range from cold case murders to house histories, parish records to software reviews.  Most podcasts provide a brief summary of the content of each episode, allowing you to pick one on a subject that interests you or that will help you tackle a brick wall.

Some of the presenters are sponsored by commercial organisations, some are independent enthusiasts, and some are professional historians.  All share a common passion for exploring the past and sharing their knowledge.

Being easily downloadable, podcasts are great for a long journey – unless, of course, you’re the driver and the spoken word tends to send you to sleep!  
However you plan on listening to them, do try one or two of these out:

• Amateur Family History 
• BBC 4 Tracing Your Roots 
• Extreme Genes: Family History Radio 
• Genealogy Gems
• Genealogy Guys

Gifts of Genealogy

It’s approaching the time of year when “What can I buy X for Christmas?” becomes the most pressing question.  If your nearest and dearest happen to be into family history, I have some gift ideas that don’t (a) include a DNA kit or (b) cost a fortune.  Handmade, personalised presents are the most thoughtful of all, I reckon.  And what could be more personal than the gift of heritage?  Here are my suggestions:

 A framed family tree.  There are many ways to present this; if you have a steady hand and good penmanship (or a decent Italic pen), your costs can be limited to finding a suitable frame and paper – both available at budget stores.  Or your local charity shop might have some pictures for sale whose frames can be re-used.

Another option is to print a chart.  Family history computer programs can do this, with varying degrees of eye-catchingness.  FamilySearch allows users to freely print out their tree in a range of attractive formats.
 
If you have enough photographs of the people featured on the tree, these can be mounted on a chart, with or without name labels.
 
Photographs.  Compile an album for an older relative to prompt memories, and perhaps some heart-warming recollections too.  Frame any number of photographs to make a conversation piece for the hall, stairway, or living room – either in a collage frame or individually.
 
This Is Your Life.  The photo album idea could be taken a stage further to include mementos such as programmes, letters, postcards, certificates and so on, forming a record of the recipient’s life.  An appropriate presentation ceremony would add to the occasion!

Frame an heirloom.  This isn’t as unlikely as it sounds.  Medals are an obvious choice, and can be combined with photographs.  These could be military or sports awards; one of my great-uncles took part in a police tug-of-war team, and I still have the medal to show for it.  Other heirlooms might include a wedding favour, a piece of fabric with a special meaning, or even an item of jewellery.

 
A Gift For My Grandchild.  Although these types of books are available commercially, a homemade version would be something to cherish.  Starting with the grandparent, it can tell the story of how the family has grown to include the grandchild.  Make it even more personal with lists of favourite music, books, food etc., and include blank pages for the child to add their own artwork and memories.  You can find plenty of inspiration online for creating a unique family keepsake.
 
Keeping A Diary.  Generic notebooks can be transformed into the gift of a personal journal, diary or travel log – or you can buy ready-made ones quite cheaply.  Personalise the book by adding a photograph or the recipient’s name or initials to the cover.  To get them started with their writing, include a journal jar in the gift.  Any decent-sized jam jar can be transformed with ribbon or other embellishments.  Write “prompts” on small slips of coloured paper to put in the jar.  These can be questions such as “What did you most enjoy about today?” or ideas like “Write a description of your garden”. 
 
This idea might also be applied to someone writing their own life history.  Again, there is no shortage of suggestions on the internet; just search for “journal jar”.
 
 Give Them Their Story.  This may require a bit of pre-planning, and co-operation from your relative, but it can be very worthwhile for the giver too.  Over a number of occasions, chat to the intended recipient about their life, using photographs or other memory-joggers, and (with their permission, naturally) record their recollections.  This could be on paper, if your shorthand’s up to it, on tape or digital voice recorder, or on video.  Follow up by transcribing the conversation and then typing it up and compiling a book(let).  Add photos as above, bind in a folder, and gift-wrap.

As a prelude to Christmas, I’d like to finish with this video by Martin Lewis

which, if you’ve not seen before, I would urge you to watch.  Being frugal isn’t just about saving money, it’s about peace of mind, and what says more about Christmas than peace?  

The Best Source of Local Knowledge

A recent chat with a fellow family historian prompted me to think about how helpful it can be to draw on the resources of family history societies, heritage groups and local history organisations. 

Usually these groups are run by volunteers and focus on a subject of common interest, like the area where ancestors lived or originated from.  Other societies are based on religious affiliation e.g. the Quaker FHS or ethnic background e.g. the Romany and Traveller FHS.  Some groups cover a broader subject area, such as the Family and Community Historical Research Society (FACHRS). 

Paying to join a society is customary and although these charges vary, they’re usually fairly affordable.  However, society meetings are often open to non-members for an entrance fee, and are one of the most accessible aspects of family history societies’ work.  Attending a meeting can be a good way of gauging whether membership will benefit you.  Check out your local family history society’s website for their calendar of upcoming events in your area, as well as membership rates and details of ongoing heritage projects.

Another feature of many societies is their local research premises, sometimes hosted in a library or archive.  Here you can access indexes to census returns, gravestone inscriptions, parish registers, newspapers and other resources that society members have compiled or collected.  Some may have microfilm copies of original records to browse through.

One of the aims of family history societies is to connect members who have common ancestry.  They do this by compiling a register of members’ interests and publishing society magazines or newsletters.  Access to these is included in membership fees.

So how do you identify a society that covers your area of interest – for instance, the county where your forebears hailed from?  A good starting point is the website of a national umbrella group.  In the UK, these include the Family History Federation and the Scottish Association of Family History Societies.  Links to other historical societies and genealogical groups from around the world are found at genealogy directory Cyndi's List.

You can also try searching on social media for an organisation related to your ancestors; many FH societies have Facebook or Twitter accounts, offering another way to get in touch with them.

One very active group is the Families in British India Society.  Their website hosts resources and ideas for tracing those in your tree who, for example, served in the British Army or the East India Company in the subcontinent.

The Ulster Historical Foundation boasts a rather impressive website which includes a bookshop for those hard-to-find genealogical publications, and some free finding tools such as a list of Ulster graveyards.

One example of a society which has a broad reach is the Northumberland and Durham FHS, which has branches not only in local towns but also in London – this is true of other organisations, like the Aberdeen and North-East Scotland FHS, which also has groups in Glasgow and Manchester.

When you’re researching an area for the first time, an excellent way to learn more is to contact the relevant family history society for advice.  You’ll find the members are more than happy to give you pointers on where to look for the information you need, especially when the organisation has close links to local archives.  Some FH societies offer remote research for a charge, if you aren’t able to visit the area in person.

My tip this week is to look at the branch, twig, or leaf of your family tree that’s causing you the most headaches, and then find a society in that county or town to check out online.  Contact them with your question and ask them to suggest a solution.  If they are helpful, consider making a donation if you aren’t going to become a member.  Societies like these depend on voluntary donations from their members and others who have used their resources.  And if you do join a family history society, get involved and give back, especially to those who follow in your footsteps.