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Increased fees for registration services at the General Register Office (England and Wales) and at Local Registration Services
From 6 April 2010 people ordering birth, marriage and death certificates from the GRO will pay £9.25 instead of £7. However, this new standard rate will apply where the reference is known or not or where the order is placed online or offline. This is the first increase since 2003 but will mean a reduction in the current fee where the reference is unknown.
Full details can be seen in the press release at http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/1569.htm
The fee for all priority orders will be £23.40 instead of £23 where the order is made online quoting the reference. Where no reference is known or where the order is not placed online there will be a reduction compared to the current fee.
The fee for a certificate issued by a Superintendent Registrar will increase from £7.00 to £9.00. Details of other fees to be charged by the Local Registration Service are contained in the press release referred to above.
Family Tree Achievement Awards 2010
From left: Guy Etchells, Eve McLaughlin, Nigel Bayley from S&B Genealogy. Image courtesy of Lawrence Back.
Family Tree has decided to present annual awards to individuals or companies who have given outstanding service to family historians. We feel these achievements should be recognised.
The Family Tree Achievement Awards 2010 went to the following:
Guy Etchells
For campaigning, on behalf of family historians, for public access to historical records
Eve McLaughlin
For consistently producing family history publications for over 30 years
S&N Genealogy
For making computer-based family history resources more accessible
The awards were presented by Helen Tovey, the editor of Family Tree, at the Who Do You Think You Are? Live show at Olympia, London on Saturday, 27 February.
Family Tree 25 Years
Family Tree 25 years is a special 292-page issue to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Family Tree,the UK’s best-selling and longest running family history magazine. Family Tree 25 years is packed with a fascinating and inspiring collection of articles published over the past 25 years.
This is a bumper issue with 292 pages and numerous articles. Family Tree 25 years is available from the Family Tree bookshop.
OUR COVER CD DATA IS NOW ONLINE
We have over 2 million records online available to readers of both Family Tree Magazine and Practical Family History.
Information on how to access the new websites, set up to accommodate the huge amount of information available, is in the latest magazines.
If you subscribe to our magazines you will have access to the information for one year (or until your subscription expires). Every four weeks another massive amount of records is added to the website.
Don’t miss out, purchase your copy today.
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? LIVE – THE NATIONAL HISTORY SHOW 2009
27 February to 1 March 2009 at London’s Olympia
Make a note in your 2009 diary for the ‘largest genealogical event in the world’.
Prize-Winning Website
Sponsored by ABM Publishing Ltd
The winner of the UK Federation of Family History Societies’ Website Award in 2008 was the North Cheshire Family History Society.
Second place went to Kent FHS and third place to East Surrey FHS.
David Holman, chairman of the Federation presented the cheque to Derek Way. David made some interesting comments about his preferences with regard to web design: 'It is nice to see an attractive home page with a mix of text and links… Ideally one shouldn’t need to scroll too far especially on the home page…Also many sites have an overcrowded page with too many items all competing for attention.'
Congratulations to the winners.
Elizabeth Simpson Award 2008
The winner of the 2008 Elizabeth Simpson Award for the best journal contributing to family history is the Bristol & Avon Family History Society.
Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE
Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE takes place in the new, larger Grand Hall, Olympia, London from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th May 2008.
There is much more to see and do at this year’s event. Here is a taster of what we have in store…
Who Do You Think You Are? Theatre
Hear Alistair McGowan tell the story of his family history on the Who Do You Think You Are? Theatre featuring previously unseen footage. Plus, see other celebrities who have appeared on the TVprogramme and get an exclusive behind the scenes look at how the show is made!
SoG Family History Show
The Society of Genealogists Family History Show will take place for the 16th consecutive year and will feature more family history societies andorganisations than ever before. If you are tracing Scottish,Welsh or Irish ancestors there will be many more exhibitors to help you at the show this year.
Experts Galore!
The SoG Workshop Programme will continue to provide the most comprehensive level of family history expertise and information than anywhere else - speakers include Geoff Swinfield, Mike Gandy, John Hanson and Else Churchill. As well as this, the Ask the Experts area is where you can get one-to-one guidance and have specific questions answered by leading family historians.
New for 2008! Military History LIVE
Military History LIVE is a new part of the show that will feature the largest number of militaryrecords available than anywhere else, amilitaria shop and rare exhibits of military vehicles.Plus, Peter and Dan Snow will be hosting a new ‘Battle Theatre’ where you’ll be able to learn about the strategy of key battles of the twentieth century and the people that fought in them.
New for 2008! Discover Archaeology LIVE
The new Discover Archaeology LIVE section of the event is the place to meet leading archaeology experts who will be able examine and identify your finds. Plus Time Team presenter Tony Robinson will be on hand giving advice and tips to eager archaeologists who love to dig up the past.
For more information on the event, visit www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.co.uk
Did you go? Discuss your thoughts in our forum...
eBay your way to being Practical Family History’s Editor For A Day!
Log on to ebay.co.uk/toplots to bid to be ‘PFH’s Editor for the Day’ from 11-21 October. Don’t miss your chance to sit in PFH’s hot seat! Simply browse the list for our lot — and bid.
The auction has now ended, many thanks to all who made a bid and a special congratulations to the winning bidder.
Winner of the 2007 Web Award
Sussex Family History Group
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The Federation of Family History Societies awarded this year’s Web Award to the Sussex Family History Group whose webmaster is Alan Stoner. This annual award is sponsored by ABM Publishing Ltd and the £100 cheque was presented to Mark Richardson, the society’s chairman, by Colin Chapman at the Federation’s General Meeting at Durham.
There were 30 entrants and this year there was a larger number of sites worthy to be Commended or Highly Commended. This year’s results are as follows:
First Place: Sussex FH Group (webmaster, Alan Stoner)
Second Place: Buckinghamshire FHS (webmaster, Dave Foster)
Third Place: Essex FHS (webmaster, Colin Smith)
Congratulations to the winner and runners up.
For details of how your society can enter for next year’s Web Award please go to www.ffhs.org.uk
Elizabeth Simpson Award
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The winner of this year’s Elizabeth Simpson Award is North Cheshire FHS whose journal is The North Cheshire Family Historian.
Derek Wray, chairman of the winning society, was presented with the shield by Colin Chapman at the FFHS General Meeting at Durham.
ONS To vacate Ground Floor FRC By 31 October, 2007
At the Family Records Centre User Consultative Group Meeting this week at the Family Records Centre (FRC) Myddelton Street, London, the Federation of Family History Societies representatives (Maureen Bullows and Geoff Riggs) were extremely disturbed to be informed that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will vacate the ground floor at the FRC by 31 October 2007.
From 31 October until the previously announced date of closure, the end of March 2008, access to the Indexes for Births, Deaths and Marriages will be on the first floor of the FRC on MICROFICHE only.
Ordering of certificates will be ONLINE only and there will be no provision for certificate collection.
The ONS and General Register Office (GRO) were left in no doubt by the unanimous protestations of the Family Records Centre User Consultative Group.
Full details and a copy of the Public Briefing paper can be found at:
www.ffhs.org.uk/archives/gro/briefing070725.php
Maggie Loughran
Administrator, Federation of Family History Societies www.ffhs.org.uk
NEW FamilyBlogs
Create your own blog at Family Tree and tell the world who you are!
Blogging at Family Tree will help you share your stories, blog about your research and discoveries, keep up to date with friends and share details of your family history research.
Click here to start your own blog today.
A Family Tree blog can be a personal diary of your own family history. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A research tool. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of your favourite Ancestry links. A collection of your own private thoughts. Even a photo album of your family and its history.
Your blog is whatever you want it to be. All we ask is that your blog deals in some way with the subject of Family History or Genealogy. Best of all, its Free, so why not click here to begin...
The Retirement Show
A unique new event for the 'Retirement Generation' has been officially launched - the first of its kind in the UK. The Retirement Show, which will take place at London's Olympia, 13-14 July 2007, is aimed not only those already retired or semi-retired, but at all those who aspire to retire, be they 49, 39 or indeed 29.
A variety of modern retirement-related themes will be covered at the show, including equity release options, property in the UK and abroad, inheritance tax planning, healthy living, companionship, insurance, travel and a wide range of hobbies. An interactive seminar programme will cover gardening, antiques and other topics of interest, while a dance floor will allow demonstrations (and participation) of both dancing and yoga.
Given that over 20 million people in the UK are over 50, and that the over-50s control over 80% of the UK's wealth, interest in The Retirement Show is expected to be high. Show director Dr Robert McCaffrey said "It's now common for even 30somethings to be looking forward to retirement - if it's defined as everyone retired, semi-retired, or aspiring to retire, then the 'Retirement Generation' covers practically everyone of post-school age. Those coming up to retirement and those already retired are going to be an increasingly important factor in the UK's economy in the next 30 years, as we begin to outnumber those in work. Wealth in later life doesn't just fall into your lap - you have to earn it, and you have to plan for it. It would also be rather annoying if you were to retire, and not be able to enjoy your 'Golden Years.' We all want to be healthier and wealthier, and I hope that The Retirement Show will help its visitors to live longer, happier and more affluent lives."
Free internet pre-registration for the show, via www.the-retirement-show.com, is a reflection of widespread internet use by the 'silver surfers.'
Who Do You Think You Are? Live
For family historians, the highlight of spring this year will be a three-day show at Olympia in London. Held over the May bank holiday weekend of 5-7 May, Who Do You Think You Are? Live is subtitled ‘The National History Show’, reflecting the fact that this will be more than a showplace for family history, but spreads across the related fields of social and military history, as well as the history of objects passed down the generations and of houses and other buildings.
We will be attending in full force at this event, Helen Tovey (Family Tree editor), Belinda Yallop (FTM assistant editor) and Faith Back (our new computer editor) will be attending on Saturday, Caroline Davis (Practical Family History editor), Marion Murray (PFH assistant editor), Bridgett Baker (Advertising) and Gill Rayment will be attending Sunday, Sue Fearn, Stephen Lambert (Designer), Helen Marriott will be attending on Monday.
Darren Marriott and our very own forum guru Mary Evans will be there most days. We will also have some amazing show offers in hand and we will be bring along some experts for you to question.
BBC History Series
Have you got curious objects with links to the past?
Or family heirlooms with a hidden history?
Would you like to find out the true story behind your possession?
lion Television is looking for cases for a brand new BBC history series that will reveal untold stories from Britain's past. Our team of history detectives will tap into the latest research techniques to get to the bottom of each history mystery.
If you think you've got an artefact with an interesting historical past please get in touch and our team will help you to sort out fact from fiction once and for all. If you are keen to take part in the series or would like to know more, please contact Rowan on:
Tel: 0141 331 5424 or email: History.Detectives@liontv.co.uk
Family Records Centre on the move
The National Archives and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have made a joint announcement about the provision of services to family historians as part of a review of strategy. The intention is to move its Family Records Centre (FRC) staff and services currently located at Myddelton Street, Islington, to The National Archives site at Kew by the end of 2008.
The FRC houses the civil registration indexes for birth, marriage and deaths as well as the historic census returns. Certificates can also currently be ordered at the FRC and collected if required.
James Strachan, Director of Public Services and Marketing for The National Archives said: We have already made most of our material housed at the FRC available online. We remain committed to providing high-quality services to family historians, and are therefore planning to develop new online services that reflect customers’ needs, and to integrate FRC onsite services at Kew during 2008. We will retain a dedicated family history service, and retain the jobs of our FRC staff in the new service at Kew.
Peter Murphy, Director of Registration Services at ONS said: The hard copy indexes of birth, death and marriage registration, which are available at the FRC, remain for now the resource enabling the Registrar General to meet her statutory obligation to make indexes available to the public. Clearly advances in technology now permit other approaches to providing public access and that is what our review will be concentrating on. We will work closely with National Archives colleagues in conducting the review and hope to be able to reveal its main conclusions by the autumn of this year.
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