Monday, July 6, 2020

National Archives UK Free Access

Have you been taking advantage of the free access to The National Archives during lockdown?  The UK National Archives has announced in April that it was offering free access to its digital records for as long as it remains closed to the public during the Coronavirus pandemic.  How much longer that access will remain free is unknown, but it has certainly been a boon to many who have been researching from home in the past few months.

Users can download records digitised by The National Archives and published through Discovery, its online catalogue. These include:

  • First and Second World War records, including medal index cards
  • Military records, including unit war diaries
  • Royal and Merchant Navy records, including Royal Marine service records
  • Wills from the jurisdiction of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
  • Migration records, including aliens’ registration cards and naturalisation case papers
  • 20th century Cabinet Papers and Security Service files
  • Domesday Book

Registered users can order and download up to 10 items at no cost, to a maximum of 50 items over 30 days. National Archives explains that the limits are there 'to try and help manage the demand for content and ensure the availability of our digital services for everyone'.  Registration itself is also free.

To access the service and download for free, users will be required to:

  • Register/sign in to their Discovery account before adding items to their basket (maximum ten items per basket)
  • Abide by the terms of the fair use policy
  • Complete the order process to receive a download link, which will remain active for 30 days. (The link will also be saved in ‘Your orders’ in your account for 30 days)
So if you haven't already been downloading records, make sure you take advantage of this great offer of free records while they last, and see what new detail you can find about your family history.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

WDYTYA Magazine

The latest issue of Who Do You Think You Are magazine is now available free online for Campaspe Library members via our subscription to RB Digital eMagazines.

Inside this month's issue

  • Free records from The National Archives Discover millions of online family history records that are now unlocked during lockdown

  • Marriage records What does it mean if your ancestors were 'married by certificate'?
  • Postwar photographs The latest in our family photo dating series from National Trust curator Catherine Troiano
  • Catholic ancestors How to find Roman Catholic baptism records
  • Holiday camps Can't get away this year? We look back at the golden age of British holiday camps
  • Strathclyde Our complete guide to finding Scottish ancestors in the area around Glasgow
  • Plus... The best websites for finding coal miner ancestors; the secret history of private eyes; tracing family in Wales, and much more...

Friday, June 19, 2020

Using Ancestry Library Edition from home

During the Covid-19 outbreak, the wonderful people from Ancestry have allowed public libraries to make Ancestry Library Edition available for our members to use from home.  Normally this database can only be accessed in the library, using our public PCs or wi-fi.  It has been a fantastic resource to offer people while they have been quarantining at home, especially while libraries were closed or operating with reduced numbers as they are now.

This access was to end 30 June, but Ancestry has just announced that home access will continue for another month, until 31 July.  So those Campaspe Regional Library members who are still self-isolating can continue to access this fantastic genealogical resource from home.

To access Ancestry Library Edition, go to the Campaspe Regional Library web page at https://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library  On the right hand column, click on the link for 'Things to do from Home'.  The link for Ancestry Library Edition from home is at the top right.  You will be prompted to log in using your library card number and PIN, then follow the prompts to Ancestry's page and continue researching your family history from the comfort of home.

A huge thank you to Ancestry for making this resource available from home during the pandemic.  I hope you all enjoy access and stay safe.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

The Crazy month of May 2020 meme: pandemic experiences

I’ve seen a few genealogists posting their responses to the Covid-19 crisis and how it has changed their lives, so thought I would post my own responses as I restart my genealogy blog after the break while stood down from work.

What are you most grateful for during this covid-19 crisis? 
That I live in Australia, which has certainly fared better than many other countries.  I’m grateful for friends and family, to all the people who have stood up and pulled together during the pandemic, made the necessary changes to their lives to limit the outbreak and keep each other safe.  I’m glad I was able to work during at least part of the stand down, only spending a few weeks stood down from my job, and especially glad to be back at work, even in a somewhat limited capacity as we practice social distancing and keep working to limit risks of transmission within the community.

What have you missed most during the full or partial lock-down? 
Being able to get in the car and go anywhere I please.  Simple things like browsing through shops, having coffee with friends, going to the cinema or a restaurant when I please.

What changes have you seen in your life over the last few months? 
Certainly I am going out less, changing my usual habits to practice social distancing and keep safe.  While I have never considered myself to be particularly social, not being able to go out, meet friends, stroll through shops and chat face to face with workmates has made significant differences to life.

Have you been exercising more or less?
During the time I spent not working I tried to keep busy and keep moving, doing jobs around the house and garden, but not going out has definitely impacted my activity levels.

Has the refrigerator been your friend or foe?
A little of both.

Have you been participating in virtual gatherings with friends or family?
Some, although there are times when my internet connection can be a little slow.  I think many of us have found ourselves using technology to communicate a lot more that before the pandemic.

Have you taken up new hobbies during the lockdowns? 
The ones I have already have been enough, plus the projects around the house I have finally made time for.  Certainly being stood down from work meant more time for my hobbies than usual.

Are you cooking or gardening more? 
I have never been much of a cook – or a gardener – but during lockdown I have definitely done more of both.  Dinners were occasionally more elaborate and I even found myself baking a few cakes and scones.  The garden also shows some improvement from the extra attention.

Have you found the changes and experience stressful/anxious/worrying? 
I think there would be few who have not.  Being stood down from work was certainly stressful, but I was also aware of being much better off than many, knowing my job would still exist afterwards and having enough leave stored to see me through.

How have the closures affected your local community? 
I know many businesses are struggling and some may not survive.  There are too many who have lost their jobs – either temporarily through stand-downs of permanently through business closures, and the losses will continue to be felt for months to come.  While so many have struggled, it has been wonderful to see so many pulling together to look after each other and help out friends and neighbors.

Have in-person meetings been replaced with virtual meetings via Zoom, Skype etc? 
In some areas, yes, it has certainly been a change.  Living in a country town online attendance to meetings has always been an option, but it is much more common now.

Do you enjoy the virtual meeting format? 
Sometimes.  It can be difficult missing out on face to face contact and the ability to chat to friends and colleagues during breaks.  Meetings are all very well, it is the networking and socializing that happens around the edges that I miss.   

Are you working from home instead of in your usual place of work? 
No – after we closed to the public and shut everything down staff were stood down. 

Have you had to cancel travel plans for pleasure or family? 
Yes.  I had been planning a trip for an upcoming significant birthday (50th!!) and those plans have had to be cancelled.  I will look into something closer to home in the meantime, and look to a bigger trip next year.  Australia has plenty to offer, places I have never been, and I think local travel will be the only option for months to come.

Have you/others been wearing masks when out and about in your area? 
Not many masks locally, but there have been a few around.  I haven’t worn one yet but have used gloves and plenty of hand sanitizer (when I could get it), and am much more aware of things like wiping shopping trolley handles and washing thoroughly when I get home.

Will you change your lifestyle after this experience? 
I think there will be ongoing changes for many people, in the way we live, shop and work.  While many things will return to normal it is very much a case of ‘wait and see’.

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Family History Show Goes Online

The Family History Show is hosting their new virtual show this weekend to replace the family history events closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.  The Family History Show Online will take place from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday 20 June (UK time).

The promotional video promises “access to all your favourite family history features from the comfort of your own home”, including online talks, the chance to submit questions to a panel of experts, family history products available to purchase and download, virtual chat with exhibitors and a virtual goody bag worth over £10.

The speakers will include genealogy expert Mark Bayley, house historian Gill Blanchard and military historian Chris Baker.

Tickets are £5.50 in advance or £6 on the day and you can access the show on Windows 7 or newer, Mac, iOS and Android.  The Family History Show recommends a broadband speed of 10Mbs or higher to engage in video or chat.

The Family History Show is organised by the magazine Discover Your Ancestors and normally holds three annual events in Bristol, York and London.

If, like me, you will be attending from another time zone, lectures and live streams will be available for 24 hours and you can submit questions to their experts in advance.

Monday, June 15, 2020

WDYTYA Magazine

The latest issue of Who Do You Think You Are magazine is now available free online for Campaspe Library members via our subscription to RB Digital eMagazines.

Inside this month's issue

  • Parish registers online
    Find your ancestors' baptisms, marriages and burials in our annual county-by-county guide to British parish records online
  • Sort your photographs
    Looking for a lockdown project? Discover how to organise, digitise and share your family photographs
  • Reader story
    Stephen King shares the moving tale of his parents' wartime romance
  • Firemen
    The story of how our ancestors fought the flames
  • Jamaican ancestors
    The best online records for finding family from the Caribbean nation
  • Plus...
    The best websites for finding prisoners of war; the lives of Sheffield's cutlery manufacturers; using Name & Place software, and much more...
     

Around Britain

  • Devon
    How the historic county is marking the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower - and how you can trace your Devon ancestors

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Campaspe Genealogy is back!

From Monday 1 June Campaspe Libraries reopened to the public in a limited capacity following Government guidelines and observing social distancing.  I hope everyone out there has stayed safe and well during the shut down and look forward to getting back to genealogy and a more 'normal' life over the next few weeks and months.

May has certainly been a very different month this year, and a challenging time for so many.  It is wonderful to be able to come back to work, see colleagues and people in the community, and start trying to rebuild after the shut down.

I hope the past weeks have not been too challenging for you all.  For myself, my garage is organised, several jobs around the house have finally been completed, and I have been able to spend a bit of extra time on genealogy during my time at home.

More to come!