03 May 2013
|
Capturing the digital universe. Copyright British Library.
We've been putting together the News pages for Family Tree's June issue. In case you've missed any of
We've been putting together the News pages for Family Tree's June issue. In case you've missed any of the following stories, you will be able to read them in full in the magazine when it hits the shops on 17 May.
Saving our digital memory
Six major libraries – the British Library, the National Library of Scotland, the National Library of Wales, the Bodleian Libraries, Cambridge University Library and Trinity College Library Dublin – have been granted the right to receive a copy of every UK electronic publication, on the same basis as they have received print publications such as books, magazines and newspapers for several centuries.
To mark the passing of the new regulations, curators and other experts from all the participating libraries chose the 100 Websites which they judge will be essential reading for future generations researching our life and times in 2013. You can see their choices at http://www.bl.uk/100websites/top100.html.
Masonic periodicals online
The Library and Museum of Freemasonry, with King’s College London Digital Humanities and Olive Software, has undertaken a groundbreaking project to provide free access to searchable digital copies of the major English masonic publications from the late 18th to the early 20th centuries.
The major titles digitised for this project, which comprises approximately 75,000 pages, are as follows (shown with the dates of publication available digitally): Freemasons’ magazine or, general and complete library (later The scientific magazine and Freemason’s repository) 1793-8; The Freemasons’ quarterly review 1834-1849; The Freemasons’ magazine and masonic mirror 1856-1871; The Freemason 1869-1901; The Freemason’s chronicle 1875-1901; and Masonic illustrated: a monthly journal for freemasons 1900-1906.
Access to this digital resource is free via the Resources page of the Library and Museum website at www.freemasonry.london.museum or the project website at www.masonicperiodicals.org.
New look website for Society of Genealogists
The Society of Genealogists (SoG) website at www.sog.org.uk has a brand new look and refreshed content. The pictorial grid layout makes it simple to find your way around the site, which includes a new Learn section, as well as sections for publications to buy, becoming a member, society information, records, events and courses, news, and more.
Tynemouth World War I commemoration project
A biographical database, including photographs and images from original documents, of the more than 1,700 casualties of the Great War from within the former Borough of Tynemouth who were included on a Roll of Honour published in 1923, is being created by an enthusiastic group of volunteers based at the North Shields’ Linskill Community Centre. The database will be available for public use in early 2014. Learn more at tynemouthworldwarone.org.
Knowledge and wonder
The Digital Public Library of America website is now live at http://dp.la, providing free access to digital content from America’s libraries, archives and museums. You can explore collections by date, place and keyword, and visit online exhibitions.
WWI pension record look-ups
The Western Front Association is offering a look-up service for the 6.5 million Great War records that it saved from destruction last November. There is a fee for look-ups and requests are subject to a 100-year rule. Further information and details of how to make a request are at http://tinyurl.com/ctcrnlr. The records will eventually be digitised and made available online.
Mary Rose sets sail
The new Mary Rose Museum opens to visitors on 31 May 2013 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – the very same dockyard at which the warship was built more than 500 years ago.
Tickets cost from £17 for the Museum and £26 for the entire Historic Dockyard including the Museum, on sale at www.historicdockyard.co.uk or at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Revisions of Griffith’s Valuation for Northern Ireland
In conjunction with FamilySearch, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) has digitised the Valuation Revision Books, 1864-1933. These are now available on the PRONI website at http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/search_the_archives/val12b.htm.
New tools at FamilySearch
FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org) has made significant changes to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance – all for free.
Family Tree is available in WH Smiths, leading supermarkets and all good newsagents, or you can download our latest issue as a digital edition right now – visit www.pocketmags.com, the App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore. Single issues, back issues and subscriptions are available for PC, Mac, eReaders, smartphones and tablets. A free sample is also available for all devices.