Nineteenth century merchant seafarers and their records
Published date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT
Specialist knowledge of merchant seafaring is a boon when identifying men and women and interpreting their lives in one of the most sophisticated 19th and early 20th century sources increasingly used by family history researchers. This talk explains how a new website will help users understand and appreciate the potential of the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen record series BT99.
Valerie Burton is Chair of the Maritime History Research Unit at the Memorial University in St John's, Newfoundland. Dr Burton researches and teaches maritime history. She combines an interest in the economics of shipping with an emphasis on gender, class and ethnicity and 'new historical' approaches to narrative and identity. Her long involvement in facilitating public access to the records of merchant seafarers came to fruition with the More than a List of Crew website which is the subject of this talk.
Author: Valerie Burton Duration: 00:45:40
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No vote no census
Published date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT
The National Archives held a one day conference at Kew on Saturday 1 October 2011. The conference brought together an audience wanting to know more about the census, from genealogists to local and social historians.
The conference looked at all aspects of the census and at what this rich source of information can tell us about our ancestors and society through the ages. Speakers included specialist staff from The National Archives, academics and professional genealogists. Ancestry, Findmypast and Genesreunited also offered hands-on workshops on census searching.
Author: Elizabeth Crawford Duration: 00:58:07
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How a chisel, a mule, a shipping container and a cloud contribute to family history
Published date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT
A thought-provoking journey through thousands of years of development of family history record keeping and record preservation. Not all technology over the millennia has changed and, surprisingly, the future is not entirely digital. You'll see your own family history research and documentation in a new light. Sharon Hintze is Director of the London Family History Centre in South Kensington, which is currently based at The National Archives at Kew. She is a frequent speaker and occasional writer on family history and a fifth generation family historian.
Author: Sharon Hintze Duration: 51:43
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Histpop - the online historical populations report website
Published date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:00:00 GMT
The National Archives held a one day conference at Kew on Saturday 1 October 2011. The conference brought together an audience wanting to know more about the census, from genealogists to local and social historians.
The conference looked at all aspects of the census and at what this rich source of information can tell us about our ancestors and society through the ages. Speakers included specialist staff from The National Archives, academics and professional genealogists. Ancestry, Findmypast and Genesreunited also offered hands-on workshops on census searching.
Author: Richard Deswarte Duration: 00:44:49
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Preparing the 1911 census for digitisation
Published date: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:12:00 GMT
The National Archives held a one day conference at Kew on Saturday 1 October 2011. The conference brought together an audience wanting to know more about the census, from genealogists to local and social historians.
The conference looked at all aspects of the census and at what this rich source of information can tell us about our ancestors and society through the ages. Speakers included specialist staff from The National Archives, academics and professional genealogists. Ancestry, Findmypast and Genesreunited also offered hands-on workshops on census searching.
Author: The National Archives Duration: 00:58:32
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When a woman is not a woman: how the Ministry of Pensions constructed gender in the 1950s
Published date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT
During the 1950s, the Ministry of Pensions was suddenly faced with a substantial number of requests by individuals to change their gender status on their employment and pension records. Why was this? How did the (slightly) bewildered men at the Ministry deal with these requests? What does this have to do with fashion models like Christine Jorgensen and April Ashley, and why does this 50-year-old problem still persist in 2011? Drawing on case studies, all of which are drawn from files at The National Archives, Dr Louise Chambers investigates these questions and attempts to offer some new insights into the issues they raised - which still have a bearing on contemporary questions about what constitutes a woman or a man. Dr Louise Chambers is an associate lecturer in the Department of Media & Communications, Goldsmiths College, London. She is particularly interested in the gendered relations that emerge in and between theories of embodiment, psychology and the mass media. This talk was part of our diversity week event in November, highlighting the diversity of The National Archives' collection.
Author: Dr Louise Chambers Duration: 51:26
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Untold histories: black Britons during the period of the British slave trade, c. 1660-1807
Published date: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT
What was life like for the 'average' black person in England before the 20th century? Most were quietly getting on with their lives, seeking employment, getting married and raising families. It takes a lot of work to uncover their life histories because there was no legal discrimination against these individuals. Glimpses into their lives can be found buried in The National Archives' vast collection, which reveals unexpected stories. Dr Chater's talk challenges some commonly held assumptions that have been made about the lives of black Britons during the period of the British slave trade. Dr Kathleen Chater is an independent historian and writer. Her doctoral thesis is published as Untold Histories: Black people in England and Wales during the period of the British slave trade, c. 1660-1807. She came to the history of Black British people through genealogy and has written books and articles on this subject. This talk was part of our diversity week event in November, highlighting the diversity of The National Archives' collection.
Author: Dr Kathleen Chater Duration: 00:44:00
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Making geographical sense of the census
Published date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:00:00 GMT
The National Archives held a one day conference at Kew on Saturday 1 October 2011. The conference brought together an audience wanting to know more about the census, from genealogists to local and social historians.
The conference looked at all aspects of the census and at what this rich source of information can tell us about our ancestors and society through the ages. Speakers included specialist staff from The National Archives, academics and professional genealogists. Ancestry, Findmypast and Genesreunited also offered hands-on workshops on census searching.
Author: Humphrey Southall Duration: 00:59:28
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English burial and cemetery records online and on film
Published date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:00:00 GMT
This talk gives an overview of online sources for English burial and cemetery records, including which of the major London cemeteries have online records. Both free and pay-for-view websites, and all parts of the country are covered, though is not possible to include all online sources. The resources for cemetery and burial records available on microfilm at the London Family History Centre are also highlighted. Sharon Hintze is Director of the London Family History Centre in South Kensington. She is a frequent speaker and occasional writer on family history.
Author: Sharon Hintze Duration: 46:48
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The 1911 Census: a vision of England
Published date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:00:00 GMT
The 1911 census was the 12th national census of the United Kingdom, and in many ways it represented a watershed in the history of census taking in this country - it was the first to use technology and was by far the most intrusive. The census captured a picture of society at the time before the Upstairs Downstairs world was about to be turned upside down. It records Britain's 'lost generation' - the 885,000 men who would lose their lives fighting in the war and it also adds a fascinating insight into one of the most important issues of the day - the campaign to give women the vote. In this talk, David Annal introduces the 1911 census and shows what it reveals about society at the time. Dave Annal first developed an interest in family history in the late 1970s when he began researching his own family. He became a professional family historian in 1990 and, from 1998 to 2009 was employed by The National Archives, working at the Family Records Centre and Kew. He has written a number of books including Easy Family History and, more recently with Peter Christian, Census: the Expert Guide. He was a regular columnist in Ancestors Magazine and gives regular talks on all aspects of family history research. Dave is now working as a freelance researcher.
Author: Dave Annal Duration: 54:05
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Searching for British records in the new FamilySearch website
Published date: Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:00:00 GMT
This talk demonstrates the format and British databases available on the popular FamilySearch website. The website has recently been relaunched and many new records added, and will prove a valuable resource to family historians of all levels. Sharon Hintze is Director of the London Family History Centre in South Kensington. She is a frequent speaker and occasional writer on family history, and a fifth generation family historian.
Author: Sharon Hintze Duration: 52:54
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Time travel: a journey through the timetables of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway 1860-1901
Published date: Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT
This talk takes a look beyond the day-to-day purpose of railway timetables, to consider how they reveal changes in the pace, regularity and frequency of mobility in the 19th century.
Dr Tony Wakeford is a historical geographer with research interests in the economic and social influence of 19th century railway development. He is a lecturer in social sciences at the Open University and is also the magazine editor for the Friends of The National Archives.
Author: Dr Tony Wakeford Duration: 00:51:11
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The Land Tax 1692-1963
Published date: Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT
The Land Tax was created in 1692 and was voted annually by Parliament until 1798 when it became a perpetual charge, which could be redeemed by the payment of a lump sum. After 1949 compulsory redemption was introduced in certain circumstances until the Finance Act of 1963 abolished all unredeemed land tax from 25 March 1963. This talk looks at the operation of the land tax, redemption, and the work of the Land Tax Redemption Office and its surviving records in series IR 20 to IR 25. Mention is also made of surviving land tax returns in county record offices and archives. Mark Pearsall is the Principal Records Specialist - Family History and manages the Family History team in the Advice and Records Knowledge department. He has written guides and contributed articles to a number of family and local history publications, and has also produced transcriptions and finding aids for various record series.
Author: Mark Pearsall Duration: 46:32
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Nineteenth century soldiers: getting the most from online resources
Published date: Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:00:00 GMT
This talk aims to explain the intricacies of soldiers' service records online, in record series WO 97, and how using the records of the First World War is something which should be considered when researching nineteenth-century soldiers. William Spencer is The National Archives' principal military specialist, and has worked for The National Archives for the past 17 years. He is the author of a number of books including 'Army Records: A guide for family historians'.
Author: William Spencer Duration: 37:08
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Overseas births, marriages and deaths: records in The National Archives
Published date: Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:00:00 GMT
There is no single place to find all the birth, marriage and death records of the British overseas. However, The National Archives holds a substantial number of them, in a variety of record collections. This talk looks at civilian and military registers kept by the British authorities, and by churches, consulates and other bodies abroad. Please note that this talk does not include events at sea, which are the subject of a separate talk. Speaker Keith Mitchell joined The National Archives ten years ago and specialises in overseas birth, marriage and death records.
Author: Keith Mitchell Duration: 30.27
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Suing and being sued - finding people in legal disputes
Published date: Fri, 17 Jun 2011 12:00:00 GMT
This talk covers the period from the mid-17th century to the present day and explains the different legal courts and types of cases they heard. Illustrations of individual cases with images of the associated legal documents held at The National Archives are included. Nigel Taylor is a legal records specialist at The National Archives, giving advice on records for criminals and for civil litigation cases. He also specialises in records of wills and death duty records. He has worked at The National Archives for over 20 years.
Author: Nigel Taylor Duration: 34:40
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The Metropolitan Police: an introduction to records of service 1829-1958
Published date: Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:00:00 GMT
This talk provides a basic outline of the surviving records of service for Metropolitan Police officers, with examples from the records, and an overview of the origins of the service. This will be of primary interest to those with ancestors in the Metropolitan Police, and those who have not used the records before. Chris Heather has worked at The National Archives for 25 years and is a Senior Reader Adviser in the Advice and Records Knowledge department. He has a particular interest in records of the Metropolitan Police, prisoners and transportation.
Author: Chris Heather Duration: 33:58
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Behind the scenes: two centuries of census-taking
Published date: Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:00:00 GMT
The census has been described as a 'snapshot in time', recording the nation as it stands at midnight on one Sunday every ten years. But the preparation for each census started years before each census date, and the collating and publishing of the results continued long after. This talk takes a look at the army of civil servants, temporary clerks, registrars, enumerators and others, and the part they played in this astonishing feat of organisation once a decade. Of course, there were incidents and accidents along the way, some of which are revealed in the talk, including the only time advertising was allowed on census material: it didn't end well!
Audrey Collins is family history records specialist with a particular interest in the history and organisation of the General Register Office, including the census. She is the author or co-author of several family history books and has contributed to a number of family history magazines. One of the highlights of Audrey's years as a freelance researcher was when she was retained as official Census historian by the Office for National Statistics for the bi-centenary census in 2001. She joined The National Archives in the following year as a Reader Adviser.
Author: Duration: 00:56:27
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Inheritance in Scotland - testaments and retours
Published date: Fri, 13 May 2011 00:12:00 GMT
Scottish testaments, loosely called 'wills', can be disappointing for genealogists because they often contain very few names, and no details of land and property. This is a consequence of the Scottish system of inheritance up to 1868. However, such details are often discovered in retours of services of heirs (usually in Latin), sasines, and in trust dispositions and settlements. In this talk, Dr Bruce Durie conducts a guided tour around these document classes, with 'live' online searches. Dr Bruce Durie is Course Director, Genealogical Studies, at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, where he founded and runs the Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters programme in Genealogical Studies. He is the author of a number of books, including Scottish Genealogy.
Author: Dr Bruce Durie Duration: 48:06
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From crime to punishment: criminal records of our ancestors from the 18th and 19th centuries
Published date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT
The second half of the 18th and the first half of the 19th centuries were characterised by rapid increase in population, urbanisation and impressive industrial growth. It was also a period of rising crime rates and grave concerns about criminality. This podcast takes researchers through the various stages of the criminal justice system of the period and focuses on the various records created, from the commission of a crime, through the court processes and on to the records of punishment. Jeff James is Director of Operations and Services at The National Archives, and has previously worked as Head of Operations at The British Library, in the University sector and as a Submariner in the Royal Navy. Jeff has an MA in History from the University of Hertfordshire and has a particular interest in 18th and 19th century crime and poverty.
Author: Jeff James Duration: 43:34
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Escape and evasion in Occupied Europe
Published date: Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:00:00 GMT
Most of the British servicemen taken prisoner by the Axis powers during the Second World War were not liberated until spring 1945. In contrast, a small number escaped from Prisoner of War camps and thousands more evaded capture, eventually making it back to the United Kingdom. This talk focuses on these men, the official organisations established to assist them and the civilian-run escape lines, while case studies are used to highlight the resourcefulness and courage of those concerned. Alan Bowgen has worked at The National Archives since 1996. He is a member of the Military, Maritime and Transport team and specialises in Prisoner of War records.
Author: Duration: 50:33
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Family history resources at The National Archives
Published date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:00:00 GMT
This talk provides an introduction to the main sources for family history research available via The National Archives website. Topics covered include the online catalogue, online resources and the research signposts. Gerry Toop is a Reader Adviser in the Family History team in the Advice and Records Knowledge department. He regularly gives talks on behalf of The National Archives, both in-house and at external events.
Author: The National Archives Duration: 00:42:00
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Sources for tracing agricultural labourers
Published date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMT
It's all too easy to fall into the trap of thinking that agricultural labourers are boring and that you can't trace anything about them. In fact they can be very interesting, and there's lots of information to be found if you know where to look. This talk covers resources available in The National Archives, parish and county records, and manor, estate and farm sources.
Mark Pearsall is the Principal Records Specialist - Family History and works in the Records Knowledge team in the Advice and Records Knowledge Department. He has worked in several departments of The National Archives over the years and has contributed articles to a number of family and local history publications. He is the author of The Family History Companion and co-authored The National Archives Guides on Immigrants and Aliens and Family History on the Move. He has also produced transcriptions and finding aids for various record series.
Author: Mark Pearsall Duration: 01:04:14
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In the High Court of Justice
Published date: Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMT
'In the High Court of Justice' examines the records of the Chancery Division of the High Court (the post-1875 successor of the Chancery Court). This talk shows what is available and how to find your way around the documents. The recently transferred records of the Court Funds Office is also discussed and Dr Watts uses a worked example - a case over a disputed will - that was in the High Court for 49 years! The case names over 200 individuals over five generations - giving their relationship and dates and places of birth, marriage and death. The talk contains guidance on the use of these records for all users not just family historians. Dr Christopher T. Watts, FSG has nearly 40 years experience in English genealogical research, both on his own family and professionally. He recently retired after 11 years as a part-time Reader Adviser at The National Archives. He has published books, including My Ancestor was a Merchant Seaman, My Ancestor was in the British Army and Tracing Births, Deaths and Marriages at Sea. He is a regular speaker in the UK and at conferences overseas.
Author: Dr Christopher T. Watts Duration: 00:42:35
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Follow that lead: from census entry to Google maps
Published date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:00:00 GMT
Having located a family in one of the census returns, how can one find out where the property in which they lived is located and what it looked like? An intriguing question, the solution to which is often hampered by the destruction of property during two world wars and the actions of property developers. The examples used will concentrate on the 1911 census, but will suggest avenues for earlier properties. Dr. Christopher T. Watts, FSG has nearly 40 years experience in English genealogical research, both on his own family and professionally. He recently retired after 11 years as a part-time Reader Adviser at The National Archives. He has published books on Merchant Seamen, British Army and Tracing Births, Deaths and Marriages at Sea. He is a regular speaker here in the UK and at conferences overseas. We apologise for the variable sound quality during the recording.
Author: Dr. Christopher T. Watts Duration: 33:17
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Journeys of discovery: Surgeons at sea - ADM 101 Research Symposium
Published date: Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:00:00 GMT
Professor Laurence Brockliss, from the University of Oxford, discusses how ADM 101 has been used by his team over the past ten years, and considers how the newly digitised files will aid their future research. This talk was recorded as part of 'The journeys of discovery: surgeons at sea - ADM 101 Research Symposium'.
Author: Duration: 22:22
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Hidden Women: uncovering the veil of silence during the partition of Punjab, India 1947
Published date: Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:00:00 GMT
Dr Pippa Virdee of De Montfort University uncovers the hidden voices of Muslim women during the partition of the Punjab, India in 1947. Using first-hand accounts, Dr Virdee reveals how women, often sheltered from private and public spaces, created their own space during this complex and traumatising time.
This talk was part of The National Archives' Diversity Week, a series of events and activities aimed at promoting equality and diversity in how we work and what we do.
Author: Dr Pippa Virdee Duration: 00:52:58
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The London Gazette - not just the brave and the bankrupt
Published date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:00:00 GMT
Family History specialist Audrey Collins discusses how researchers can get the most out of the London Gazette, Britain's oldest continually-published newspaper. From its first edition, produced in Oxford in November 1665 while London suffered through the plague, it became well-known as the source for official notices. This treasure trove for family and local historians and can reveal details of gallantry awards, notices of bankruptcy, changes of name, and much more.
Author: Audrey Collins Duration: 00:46:04
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Royal Hospital Chelsea: Soldiers' service documents
Published date: Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:00:00 GMT
Military records specialist William Spencer talks about WO 97, one of The National Archives' most popular record series. This series holds detailed and comprehensive military records of over 1.5 million soldiers who served in the British Army between 1760 and 1913. This talk reveals the enlightening information found in the records, for anyone with ancestors who served in the army during this period.
Author: William Spencer Duration: 00:07:19
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Credit crunch histories: records of bankrupts in The National Archives
Published date: Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:00:00 GMT
Bankruptcy proceedings have been taking place in England and Wales for over 400 years. The records created by this process relate to about a million individual 'credit crunches'. This talk describes the bankruptcy records for England and Wales held by The National Archives, indicating the best ways of researching them, and referring to related records elsewhere
Chris Cooper has worked at The National Archives since 1986, mainly in the public services and corporate planning areas. One of his first jobs when he arrived as a trainee was to write a guide to bankruptcy records, he has remained interested in them ever since.
Author: Chris Cooper Duration: 00:30:52
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Charles Dickens, Warren's Blacking and the Chancery Court
Published date: Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:00:00 GMT
At the age of 12, the delicate and genteelly brought up Charles Dickens was plunged into employment in a boot-blacking factory, while his father was incarcerated in Marshalsea debtors' prison. These events traumatised the young Dickens, and greatly influenced his future work. However, as an adult this difficult period was never discussed, and only after his death did his account come out. That account has never been corroborated or challenged, but author Michael Allen has discovered that Dickens' employers at Warren's Blacking were fighting each other in the Chancery Court, revealing a great deal of new information. Michael Allen has a 38 year career in libraries and has written and lectured widely on Dickens.
Author: Michael Allen Duration: 28:20
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Alcohol Consumption in Historical Perspective
Published date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:00:00 GMT
Dr Phil Withington is an expert on the role of intoxicants in the early modern period from the University of Cambridge. Dr Withington recently offered expert historical evidence to the Health Select Committee examining current day alcohol consumption in the UK. This talk offers a case study of how historical research - even on the early-modern period - can be used to inform contemporary policymaking.
This talk was given as part of the Using Archival Sources to Inform Contemporary Debates training course, which was held at The National Archives, Kew, on the 16 and 17 February 2010.
Author: Dr Phil Withington Duration: 00:27:55
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Tourists and booking clerks - information for family historians in the Thomas Cook Archives
Published date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT
Paul Smith, company archivist of Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, offers a general account of the holdings of the Thomas Cook Archives, with particular reference to records that might prove useful for family historians, such as staff magazines, contracts of employment and passenger lists. The talk also provides a brief history of the Thomas Cook organisation, and explains the importance of its archives for anyone, from academics to film producers, with an interest in the history of travel since the mid-19th century.
Find out how to research business records.
Find out how we advise business archives.
Author: Paul Smith Duration: 52:33
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The pub and the people
Published date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:00:00 GMT
Simon Fowler use contemporary accounts to look back at the pub 'experience' over the last 70 years. What was it like to be a 'drinker' in the late 1930s, and how have things changed? The divide between modernity and tradition caused some commentators to fear for the end of the British pub: how real was the threat? This podcast was recorded live as part of the Pub History Society conference on the 20th February 2010 at The National Archives, Kew.
Author: Simon Fowler Duration: 00:21:00
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Tracing marriages in 18th century England and Wales: a reassessment of law and practice
Published date: Fri, 21 May 2010 12:00:00 GMT
The Clandestine Marriages Act of 1753 marked an important development in the history of marriage by putting the requirements for a valid marriage on a statutory basis for the first time. But what was the situation before 1753, and what practical impact did the Act have on popular practice? This thorough reassessment of law and practice is of particular relevance to those tracing their ancestors. First, the universality of formal marriage increases the likelihood that a record of an ancestor's marriage will exist somewhere; secondly, parish-level studies provide us with a clearer idea of where one may need to look for a marriage; and, thirdly, success or failure in tracing a marriage can be set within the context of the marriage law and practice of the time.
Author: Rebecca Probert Duration: 36:50
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Bara Brith on the pampas: the Welsh in Patagonia
Published date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT
In 1865, a Welsh speaking colony was established in the valley of the Chubut River in Patagonia Argentina. The original emigrants sailed from Liverpool on the Mimosa and they were joined in the 1880s by a second wave of emigrants and a further colony was established in the foothills of the Andes. Although measures were later taken to remove some of the colonists to Canada and South Africa, most of the settlers and their descendants remained in Argentina. The National Archives holds a vast amount of material relating to this relatively unknown but fascinating episode in British history. This talk looks at the main records relating to the history and development of the settlement from the earliest days to modern times, and examines why the Welsh travelled to Patagonia, what they encountered when they got there, and how the colony developed over the years.
Author: Bruno Derrick Duration: 54:01
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Counting the people
Published date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT
Census returns are among the most popular records used by family historians and other researchers, but many of us give little thought as to what went on behind the scenes every time a census was taken. This talk explores the creation of the census, with the mass organisation of enumerators, temporary clerks, permanent civil service clerks and registrars, as well as the fascinating stories that lie behind each census, to help us better understand the records we think we know so well.
Author: Audrey Collins Duration: 1:04:09
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I'm All Right Jack! Britain in 1959
Published date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT
The famous Boulting Brothers film 'I'm All Right Jack!' was released just over 50 years ago. The film, in which a blundering innocent causes a nationwide strike, was a satire - but did it also reflect social realities in 1959? Were trade unions and government on a collision course at this time? Does it reflect other trends in post-war Britain? This talk analyses the film and examines related material in the public record of the late 1950s - some of the results may seem surprising from today's perspective.
Author: Mark Dunton Duration: 00:52:54
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Tracing ancestors in Nelson's Navy
Published date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT
An overview of the essential finding aids and documents held by The National Archives which can be used to trace ancestors who served in Nelson's Navy.
Author: Bruno Pappalardo Duration: 34:11
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New Britons - Immigration to the United Kingdom
Published date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMT
This talk looks at immigration into Britain from the 16th to the 20th century and the relatively few sources that can be used to trace immigrants entering, and living, in this country. Records discussed can provide vital clues to the overseas origins of denizens or naturalised British citizens, as well as providing insight into their first years in their adopted country.
Author: Mark Pearsall Duration: 54:09
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Transportation to Australia
Published date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:00:00 GMT
Over 162,000 British and Irish convicts were transported to Australia between 1787 and 1868. This talk explores the reasons behind the policy of transportation and looks at the experiences of the people who were shipped beyond the seas, using case studies from the archives.
Author: Roger Kershaw Duration: 48:03
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Records of births, marriages and deaths
Published date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT
This talk explores the sources available for searching for births, marriages and deaths, both at The National Archives and elsewhere, and features fascinating examples of birth, marriage and death records.
Author: Gerry Toop Duration: 59:10
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Apprenticeship records for family historians
Published date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:00:00 GMT
In this talk, Mark Pearsall, The National Archives' family history specialist, focuses on the apprenticeship system and how it worked in practice, and covers those records that survive in The National Archives, in particular the Apprenticeship Books in record series IR 1. It also suggests where to look for surviving apprenticeship records in other archives and record offices, as well as other useful sources for tracing apprentices where details of the apprenticeship indentures have not survived.
Author: Mark Pearsall Duration: 51:11
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An introduction to sources for Anglican clergymen
Published date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 GMT
Have you found a parson, a rector or a curate amongst your ancestors? This talk will introduce you to the main sources for the history and education of Anglican clergy, at home and abroad, using sources held by The National Archives and a variety of other repositories.
Author: Jessamy Sykes Duration: 20:18
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News from the London Family History Centre
Published date: Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:00:00 GMT
This talk highlights new features of this popular South Kensington destination, including access to important new databases, more English church records on microfilm, a newly organised collection of resources for Mormon ancestors and significant additions to English probate records - including record copy wills from 1858-1925 from the Principal Probate Registry.
Author: Sharon Hintze Duration: 38:19
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The final balance: researching families and wealth in the 19th century using the death duty records
Published date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:00:00 GMT
This presentation explores how The National Archives' collection of death duty records can be used to research families and wealth-holding in 19th century Britain. The talk unravels some of the complexities of working with the records and explains how the different records can be linked with other sources of interest to those researching families and wealth.
Author: Alistair Owens and David Green Duration: 47:40
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Dr Williams' Library: an early birth registry
Published date: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:00:00 GMT
Dr Williams' Library in London is an essential resource for people who are researching the history of protestant nonconformity in England and Wales. But the library has also given its name to an important collection of registers and certificates which were once held there. This talk looks at these fascinating documents which represent an early attempt to introduce a form of civil registration of births.
Author: Dave Annal Duration: 27:08
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Burial clubs - the unfriendly societies
Published date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:55:14 GMT
Friendly Societies were popular in the 19th Century, and were regulated by law. Surprisingly, burial clubs, which offered a form of life insurance, didn't always fall into this category, and provided many incentives to commit fraud - and even murder!
Author: Audrey Collins Duration: 00:55:14
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Titanic Lives: The Crew of RMS Titanic
Published date: Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:19:03 GMT
Much has been written about RMS Titanic, but this has tended to concentrate on the ship and its passengers. Using sources such as crew lists, local newspapers, Titanic Fund minute books and the newly released 1911 census, this talk traces the lives of a crewmen and his family and seeks to answer the question: What was life like for families in Southampton in the aftermath of the tragedy?
Author: James Cronan Duration: 47:05
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Catching Victorian and Edwardian criminals on paper
Published date: Fri, 08 May 2009 10:00:00 GMT
The problem of serious habitual criminals and how to keep track of them greatly exercised the minds of our Victorian and Edwardian forebears. This lecture focuses on the methods utilised by police and government to record and monitor such offenders, and how the surviving records can beused by present-day historians to investigate both historical and contemporary questions concerning serious and persistent crime.
Author: Professor Barry Godfrey and Doctor David Cox Duration: 27:26
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Every journey has two ends: using passenger lists
Published date: Fri, 01 May 2009 12:00:00 GMT
The National Archives' Chris Watts reveals the benefits of using both arrival and departure records when searching for details of our migrant ancestors, as well as demonstrating how the shortcomings of content, indexing and accessibility can be minimised.
Author: Chris Watts Duration: 45:21
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Naturalisation and alien registration
Published date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:00:00 GMT
Using records at The National Archives, this talk examines the various Alien Acts that affected the status of foreigners resident in the UK from the 19th century, and the reasons why so many chose to become naturalised British citizens.
Author: Roger Kershaw Duration: 44:40
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What can you learn from a DNA test?
Published date: Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:00:00 GMT
Chris Pomeroy, of the Pomeroy DNA Project, reviews the history of DNA testing and explains how it can be used by family historians, as well as discussing the experiences of leading family history projects that are using DNA testing to link and verify their family trees.
Author: Chris Pomery Duration: 1:00:23
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Tracing your ancestors: a case study featuring the Darwin family
Published date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT
A step-by-step guide to tracing your ancestors, using the Darwin family as a case study. Gerry Toop introduces researchers to the most important genealogical sources available at The National Archives and elsewhere, including birth, marriage and death indexes, census returns, wills and death duty records, as well as some of the main websites for family history research.
Author: Gerry Toop Duration: 1:00:35
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Tracing Scottish ancestors
Published date: Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:00:00 GMT
Holding records for Scotland from the union in 1707, The National Archives holds documents on many of our Scottish ancestors. Find out how to go about discovering them in this talk by Audrey Collins.
Author: Audrey Collins Duration: 52:37
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Irish land records
Published date: Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:00:00 GMT
With the loss of the 19th century census returns for Ireland, Sharon Hintze guides us through the alternative sources for family historians researching their Irish ancestors.
Author: Sharon Hintze Duration: 43:14
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Civil registration and beyond
Published date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:00:00 GMT
The National Archives' Audrey Collins takes civil registration as her topic and reveals some of the little-known facts and stories behind the records.
Author: Audrey Collins Duration: 56:58
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The Manorial Documents Register
Published date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT
Liz Hart, from the National Advisory Service, provides an introduction to the various types of manorial records and offers a practical guide to using the Manorial Documents Register.
Author: Liz Hart Duration: 33:34
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Introducing the 1911 census
Published date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:00:00 GMT
Mark Pearsall is a family history specialist at The National Archives. Here he provides an introduction to the newly released 1911 census and tells us how invaluable it will be for family historians.
Author: Mark Pearsall Duration: 7:14
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Introducing the 1911 census - British Sign Language Video
Published date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:00:00 GMT
Mark Pearsall is a family history specialist at The National Archives. Here he provides an introduction to the newly released 1911 census and tells us how invaluable it will be for family historians.
Author: Mark Pearsall Duration: 7:14
Further information, show notes and transcript
Child emigration to Canada
Published date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:00:00 GMT
Find out about the British child emigration schemes from 1618 to 1967 as Roger Kershaw examines the reasons and the records behind the schemes to Canada, Australia, South Africa and beyond.
Author: Roger Kershaw Duration: 38:26
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The parish: administration and records
Published date: Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:00:00 GMT
For hundreds of years the parish was the most important unit of local government. This talk covers the historical administration of the parish, its officials and their records, as well as showing you how you can use these records to trace your ancestors and find out more about their local community.
Author: Mark Pearsall Duration: 48:03
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Railway staff records
Published date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:00:00 GMT
Historian Bruno Derrick offers guidance on how to trace ancestors who worked on the railways during the Victorian era, both at home and abroad. Discussing the extensive collection of railway staff records held at The National Archives, this talk looks at various company records, accident records and railway magazines, and offers advice on the best ways to approach and use these resources.
Author: Bruno Derrick Duration: 37:41
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Introduction to Family History
Published date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT
Need advice on how to begin tracing your family's past? Presented by Audrey Collins, this talk is for anyone new to family history. As well as advising on good research habits, the speaker provides an overview of the main resources available to family historians, such as birth and marriage certificates, online and offline resources, parish records, military records and newspapers.
Author: Audrey Collins Duration: 58:17
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How the Society of Genealogists can help you
Published date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT
The Society of Genealogists offers a unique combination of research material, guidance and support for those interested in family history and the lives of earlier generations. The charity's broad objectives are to "promote, encourage and foster the study, science and knowledge of genealogy".
Author: Else Churchill Duration: 54:58
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Divorce records after 1858
Published date: Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT
An in-depth and light-hearted look into divorce records, put in context by an introduction to the very antiquated divorce laws pre-1858. Hear about the famous feminist and family planning crusader Marie Stopes' high-profile divorce. At the other end of the scale, hear the numerous reasons cited for divorce including going out without a bonnet!
Author: Liz Hore Duration: 35:26
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The National Register of Archives
Published date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT
This talk introduces users to the structure and content of the National Register of Archives (NRA). The NRA contains information on the nature and location of manuscripts and historical records that relate to British history. The speaker demonstrates search techniques to make best use of its indexes and other resources.
Author: Alex Ritchie Duration: 38:11
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Using the London Family History Centre
Published date: Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT
Director of the London Family History Centre, Sharon Hintze, gives an in-depth talk about the excellent facilities available for family historians at the centre. The centre is one of more than a hundred in the British Isles, run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Author: Sharon Hintze Duration: 44:19
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Solving census problems
Published date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:30:00 GMT
David Annal takes a practical approach to overcoming the most common problems faced by family historians when using the 19th century census returns. It may seem that some of your ancestors are missing from the returns - this talk aims to convince you that, if your ancestors were living in England or Wales at the time of the census, they were almost certainly recorded and you should be able to find them. The odds are firmly stacked in your favour.
Author: Dave Annal Duration: 22:50
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Emigration records
Published date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT
This talk explains the reasons behind the emigration of some 16 million people since the 17th century. It discusses the most popular destinations for emigrants as well as sources, such as outgoing passenger lists, passport records, and a host of emigration schemes supported and fostered by the Government. It also features the various child migration schemes that have been responsible in migrating some 150,000 children from the UK between 1618 and 1967. Particular reference is made to the growing number of online sources relevant to this subject.
Author: Roger Kershaw Duration: 41:50
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Criminal ancestors: trial records at The National Archives
Published date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:00:00 GMT
Nigel Taylor takes us through a short introduction into the records that can be used to trace criminal ancestors.
Author: Nigel Taylor Duration: 16:22
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Modern sources for immigration - part 2
Published date: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 08:00:00 GMT
The second part of Roger Kershaw's talk looks at key immigration sources at The National Archives such as inwards passenger lists, certificates of arrival and alien registration cards.
Author: Roger Kershaw Duration: 32:30
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Modern sources for immigration - part 1
Published date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 08:00:00 GMT
Part one of an in-depth look at key immigration sources at The National Archives from inwards passenger lists and certificates of arrival to alien registration cards, records of internment, and citizenship papers.
Author: Roger Kershaw Duration: 40:17
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Army deaths, marriages and births 1761-1913
Published date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 08:00:00 GMT
Many family trees fall at the hurdle of locating the death of a British soldier, his marriage or the birth of his children. The records available are woefully incomplete, scattered and often not fully indexed. In this presentation, Chris Watts examines the material available for tracing these events, for a pre-First World War British soldier, and guides the researcher in its use; material available on microfiche, microfilm or the Internet is highlighted.
Author: Dr Christopher Watts Duration: 00:40:11
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Sex, lies and civil registration
Published date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:00:00 GMT
When you have been researching family history for even a short time, you will realise that the information shown on certificates is not always completely accurate! Sometimes this is the result of an honest mistake, or misinterpretation of the question; sometimes people are being 'economical with the truth'; and sometimes they just tell outright lies. Why? The answer is usually to do with money or sex, and sometimes both.
Author: Audrey Collins Duration: 60:00
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In the name of God, Amen: wills for family history
Published date: Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:00:00 GMT
Whether your ancestors owned large swathes of land in the north of England or came from a more humble background in the West Country, the chances are that somewhere along the line some of them will have left wills. In this talk, Dave Annal looks at how to access wills and how you can use them to get a better understanding of what life was really like for your ancestors.
Author: Dave Annal Duration: 33:32
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Tracing your Irish ancestors at The National Archives
Published date: Thu, 14 Jun 2007 08:00:00 GMT
Less than a century ago all of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom; six of its northern counties, making up Northern Ireland, still are. Many records relating to our ancestors are to be found in the UK and not in Ireland. In this talk, Audrey Collins explores some of the hidden treasures at The National Archives.
Author: Audrey Collins Duration: 42:40
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What at first was plunder: tracing records of excisemen
Published date: Thu, 31 May 2007 08:00:00 GMT
James Cronan examines sources for tracing excisemen, including staff lists and joining papers, and will use case studies such as Thomas Paine. He will also consider the role of an excise officer and how the excise service developed.
Author: James Cronan Duration: 37:07
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'In deadly hate?' Richard III and the War of the Roses
Published date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT
The conflict for the crown in the 15th century has created many of English history's most vivid characters and thanks to Shakespeare, we have one of our greatest villains in the shape of Richard III. This talk looks at the key sources for this period of civil war, and investigates whether Richard III really did resemble Shakespeare's destructive monster.
Author: James Ross and Sean Cunningham Duration: 59:16
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Workhouse records for family historians
Published date: Fri, 09 Mar 2007 09:00:00 GMT
Prepare to be revolted as Simon Fowler considers conditions in 19th century workhouses and suggests ways you can research the poor unfortunates who lived there.
Author: Simon Fowler Duration: 29:15
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Marriages at sea - fact or fiction?
Published date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 09:00:00 GMT
There is a rumour in the family that an ancestor was married at sea! How often have we heard this? Is it fact or fiction? Were marriages at sea permitted and, if so, where are records of them to be found? In this talk Dr Christopher Watts examines the range of records, both at The National Archives and elsewhere, that help us trace such events.
Author: Dr. Christopher Watts Duration: 33:27
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Tracing births and deaths at sea
Published date: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT
Ships carrying our ancestors to faraway places often arrived with more, or less, passengers than they they set out with. In this talk Dr Christopher Watts examines the vast range of records, both at The National Archives and elsewhere, that help us to trace such events.
Author: Dr. Christopher Watts Duration: 51:35
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Star Chamber stories: using records of the early modern equity courts
Published date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT
The National Archives holds a vast collection of Chancery Court and other equity legal records from the early modern courts of Star Chamber and Requests. In this talk Sean Cunningham introduces the records created by the courts, and offers advice on how to make the most of these sources.
Author: Sean Cunningham Duration: 33:27
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Colin Jackson: my journey into the past
Published date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT
As part of The National Archives Caribbean Family History Day, Colin Jackson CBE, world record hurdler, discusses the experience of tracing his family history.
Author: Colin Jackson, CBE Duration: 13:01
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Creating a legacy from your family history
Published date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT
A panel discussion that took place at The National Archives Caribbean Family History Day. The contributors were Colin Jackson CBE, Jackie Osei-Tutu (producer of Colin Jackson's Who Do You Think You Are?), Patrick Vernon (Director of Every Generation Media and Foundation) and family history specialists, Kathy Chater and Paul Crooks. The panel addressed the process of embracing and understanding personal heritage, and creating a legacy for future generations.
Author: Colin Jackson CBE, Jackie Osei-Tutu, Patrick Vernon, Kathy Chater and Paul Crooks Duration: 22:03
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