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 00:00:00 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 - 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
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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
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 avaliable 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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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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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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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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