Free Records from The National Archives UK

Although TheNational Archives UK is now reopening after lockdown on a limited basis, it is continuing to offer free access to thousands of its digitised family history records.

To access these , you have to register for an account on its website Discovery. This is free, and enables TNA to check that you are complying with its ‘fair use’ policy. The main restrictions are that you can’t put more than 10 items in your basket per visit, and you can’t download more than 100 items over the course of a 30-day period.

What you can access free includes :

• Army and military records - Many records have been digitised and are now hosted on the major subscription websites, but there are a good number of useful records that are now freely available on TNA’s website. Some, like the First World War Medal Index Cards (MICs), are also available on commercial websites.  Other collections include the service records of First World War nurses, the Household Cavalry records which cover both the First World War and earlier service and Recommendations for military honours and awards 1935–1990.
• RAF records -  These include the Royal Air Force Operations Record Books (ORBs), the Women’s Royal Air Force service records, and combat reports from the Second World War. The last is an incomplete collection and can only be searched by pilot, air gunner or date, but is fascinating nonetheless.
• Royal and Merchant navy records -  The collections include service records for both officers and ratings, as well as medal records for merchant seamen covering both world wars and the unpaid pensions claims from 1830–1860 which often include supporting documents such as wills, death certificates and marriage records.
• Wills from the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC) - Dating all the way back to 1384, these wills can be a gold mine of information if you find an ancestor in them. PCC wills are available on various commercial sites as well, but there are other records here that can’t be found elsewhere. 
• Migration records - These include the aliens’ registration cards 1918–1957, which usually include photos; and the naturalisation case papers from 1801–1870. If you see “naturalised” in the “Where born” column of a census record, then the case papers would be worth investigating.
•  First World War service appeal tribunal records from Middlesex - Tribunals were set up across the country to listen to those who appealed against conscription. Although conscientious objection was allowed as a reason not to serve, the records show that most people appealed for other reasons. This is one of the few sample collections that survive – the rest of the tribunal records were destroyed after the war.

So take the opportunity to explore this wonderful free access to records you would normally have to pay to obtain, yet another example of how  many companies are changing their practices to keep people going through the pandemic.

Divorce Procedings

Until fairly recent times, divorce was fairly rare and a difficult and lengthy process to navigate.  One of the few pre mid 20th century divorces in my family if that of James Nicholas Clark and Eliza (nee Hawley).  The couple, who married in 1886, had two children before their marriage broke down and they separated in 1891, Eliza leaving the children with their father.

Divorce then was a lengthy process, and was not finally granted to James until 1897, six years after the couple separated.  While James alleged his wife had committed adultery as well as abandoning him and their children, he was unable to provide the court with proof of this, despite naming two men who Eliza had lived with since their separation.  As a result, the divorce was granted on the grounds of desertion only.

There is no mention in the report below of Eliza attending the court or responding in any way to the allegations made against her.

Caulfield & Elsternwick Leader, Sat 14 August 1897, p2.

Widow's Application for Relief

One of the saddest stories I have found in my family history is that of Eliza Pummeroy (nee Beseler).  Eliza was born in 1871 in Learmonth, Victoria to Edward Beseler and Emma (nee Flower).  Eliza married Alfred Pummeroy in1895 in St Kilda, where Alfred worked as a plasterer.  They had four children before Alfred suddenly became ill with pneumonia and died on 6 Feb 1901, leaving Eliza with 4 young children and in a desperate situation.

The family lived in rented housing and had little by way of savings.  With four children to look after, the eldest 4 years old and deaf and mute, the youngest (my grandfather William) only 2 months old, Eliza was unable to do much by way of paid work.  She took in washing to make a little money, and was given 3 shillings a week by the local Ladies Benevolent Society.  It wasn't enough.

After struggling for a month after her husband's sudden death, Eliza took the step of applying to the local court for help, risking having her children removed from her custody and placed in an orphanage, something she was adamant she did not want.  The judges hearing the case awarded her 10 shillings from the poor box and committed the children to the department, with the recommendation they be handed back to their mother.

This appeal was reported in several newspapers.  Two reported the case with a fair amount of detail, including the fact that the children all appeared clean and well cared for, while a third much briefer article gave a somewhat different impression, especially with the heading 'Neglected Children'.

Prahran Telegraph, Sat 9 March 1901, p3.

The Argus, Sat 9 March 1901, p15.

The Herald, Fri 8 March 1901, p5.

RootsTech 2021 Goes Virtual

RootsTech, which has been held in Salt Lake City, Utah annually for the last several years, will be held virtually in 2021 due to the current global health issues.  For the first time ever, this major international genealogical conference will be completely online, and completely free.

Features of the virtual conference include :

• Celebrity Keynote Speakers : Keynote speakers for this year's conference are Lorena Ochoa, former Mexican professional golfer, mother and entrepreneur ; Francesco Lotoro, Italian musicologist ; Sharon Morgan, founder of OurBlackAncestry.com,  writer and genealogist and Nick Vujicic, international motivational speaker and New York Times best-selling author.
• Classes from Speakers around the Globe : There will be dozens of classes in multiple languages on topics including as discovering your family story, tracing your ancestors, and preserving your memories.
• Virtual Marketplace : The Virtual Marketplace will provide opportunities to see the latest innovations, interact with companies from around the world, and find answers and resources to aid you in your work. There will also be opportunities to get real-time help via video or live chat.
• Cultural Activities : Celebrate the world’s cultures with activities such as homeland cooking demonstrations, yoga, and music from around the world. These experiences will be available throughout the online event and on demand. 
• Access to Content Year-Round : All recordings and videos will be available to you on demand throughout the year, allowing you to access the many talks and classes at you own pace.

Taces Magazine

The latest issue of Traces magazine is out now and is available free in digital form from Campaspe Regional Library via our eMagazines from RB Digital.  Ask our staff for more information or for help to download the magazine onto your PC, tablet or iPad.

Launched in December 2017, Traces is the only quarterly printed magazine dedicated to providing its readers with insight into the latest historical research, news and heritage projects taking place around Australia. The expert voices of historians, researchers, heritage professionals, genealogists, and journalists uncover the fascinating characters and stories of our past.

Focusing on Australian history, this edition features 

• Deciphering pharmacy registers
• Uncovering your convict ancestors
• The great fire of Melbourne
• And more

Merry Christmas to all

2020 has been an unprecedented, and for many the end of the year will come with welcome relief and a certain amount of trepidation for what 2021 may hold.  The global epidemic has changed our lives in so many ways, separated many of us from our family, friends and daily lives, and made us relearn many of our normal routines.  For many this Christmas will be unusual, with restrictions on travel and limits on gatherings.

It is still, however, Christmas, and no matter how we celebrate this year there are still many Christmas traditions we will still follow.  I feel fortunate indeed that after the challenges and uncertainty of the year, here in Victoria, Australia we have our lives running fairly close to normal.

For me, Christmas means that the tree is up - in fact it has been put up several times thanks to the enthusiasm of my cat who sees the Christmas Tree as his own personal climbing gym - and the house is decorated.  The fridge is full, the presents wrapped, cards sent and received.  Work is about to shut down until New Year, a lovely week of leave.

Tonight, my sister and I will continue the annual tradition of watching The Muppet Christmas Carol.  It is a tradition that we have had since I was a child and we watched it one Christmas on TV.  Much searching from my mother produced a video of the Carol and even as teenagers the tradition of watching "The Muppet Christmas Carol" on Christmas Eve prevailed.  It continued as we became adults and spent Christmas with our parents, was tolerated by baffled partners and friends, and after our parents passed was continued by my sister and I.

Starring the brilliant Michael Caine, so shiningly evil as Scrooge before he finds the spirit of Christmas, he seamlessly interacts with his Muppet costars.  Kermit is a perfect as the kindly, patient Bob Cratchit, with Miss Piggy as his feisty wife Emily, Statler and Waldorf are the evil Marleys, cackling gleefully about evicting children from orphanages.  And Gonzo shines as the 'omniscient narrator', a blue furry Charles Dickens with his sidekick Rizzo the Rat who cheerfully states he is here for the food.

We both pretty much know the film by heart.  We've watched it every Christmas Eve since we were young children.  We will happily settle in to recite lines, sing the songs, munch mince pies and thoroughly enjoy our evening. This is our Christmas.

Whatever your traditions and however you celebrate the end of 2020, I hope everyone out there enjoys the festive season and I look forward to 2021.  Merry Christmas!

#ANZAncestryTime

#ANZAncestryTime is a Twitter Platform for anyone with an interest in Family History and Genealogy.  Whether just starting out or an experienced researcher, #ANZAncestryTime is a place and time where like-minded people in the genealogy community can come together and connect in conversation. #AncestryTime has an initial focus on genealogists with an interest in Australian and New Zealand family history but we enthusiastically welcome the participation of genealogists all around the world.

Each week, a topic for discussion will be introduced. To participate, follow Australia & New Zealand Ancestry Time on Twitter, use the #ANZAncestryTime hashtag to tweet and retweet participate. You can share your experiences, services, ask questions and offer help. Need more help on how to participate? Then check out How to join in now.

#ANZAncestryTime will be hosted at 7 PM AEST every Tuesday. You will find out your local time on the Time Zones page.

Topics already covered include Newspapers, Military and Occupations.