Amateur Family History Podcast (UK)
A series of podcasts about the basics of UK family history. Early episodes are a 'how to' guide covering the basics. Contributions are welcome for later episodes to cover more advanced techniques and more in-depth genealogical topics. Please contact amateurfamilyhistory@gmail.com
Thu, January 06, 2022
Episode 33 – The 1921 Census: a first look
After much hype and anticipation, the 1921 census is finally here. The last census to be published for a few decades (listen to Episode 32 to find out why), this snapshot into the post-WW1 life of our ancestors will be sure to add to your research and help build a picture of your heritage. Available initially on a pay-per-record basis, I take a first look at the records of my ancestors, and share my thoughts of the hotly anticipated world of the census, the website/searching experience, the value for money, and the information you can glean. With there being a cost for these records, it’s important that you know what you’re getting, and I’ll give details of what you can see for free, and what you get from paying out for either the transcription or the record image. (Please remember this is only my experience, and you are – or course – responsible for any purchases you choose to make). This episode is published as soon as practically possible after the release of the census on 6th January 2022, and more details will follow as I explore the records more deeply. If you unearth any golden nuggets of information about your family free from the 1921 census, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – or if you have any hints and tips on getting the most from the website. It’d be great to her from you. In the meantime – happy census-searching! Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Anything caffeinated. I feel a lot of research coming on. Recommended biscuits accompany this episode: Whatever’s left over from Christmas. Listen now
Wed, October 27, 2021
Episode 32 – The 1921 census: a look ahead
Well, this is timely, isn’t it? Just a day after I recorded this episode, the National Archives announce the date of release of the 1921 census. That’s why I’m publishing it today! This genealogical mine of information will be released on 6th January 2022, and will be available on Find My Past. When I recorded this episode, we didn’t know the date of release, other than it being “Early 2022”, but now we have something to look forward to after the excitement of Christmas has died down. In this episode I look at some ways in which we, as genealogists, can prepare for the release of the 1921 census, and the sorts of things that it’ll contain, and how we can use it. I’ll also take a look at your comments and thoughts on the upcoming release, and get a feel for what you are looking forward to finding out. Please remember that this episode was recorded a day before the release date was announced, and – no doubt – other information will be coming out too soon… so, apologies if anything has been superseded. I’ll update anything that may be ‘breaking’ in a future episode. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my meander through the many aspects of the census, and look forward to hearing your comments and receiving your emails. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Champagne! To celebrate a nice new chunk of genealogical records. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Molasses Cookies. Apparently, as a substitute for sugar, molasses was used in lots of 1920s baking. Listen now
Tue, August 31, 2021
Episode 31 – Family History Societies: Part 2 (and other stuff besides)
Welcome back to the latest installment of the Amateur Family History Podcast – and the second part of my chat with Margaret Roberts of the Cheshire Family History Society. Last time, we talked about what Family History Societies do, how to get involved, and how they can help you to break down your genealogical brick walls. In this month’s episode, we pick up where we left off, but bounce around a few more genealogical topics, that – hopefully – will make you think of new and different ways to approach your research. I also share some hints and tips from listeners on how they have managed to make progress – using techniques and resources that I also discuss with Margaret. I’m also looking for your help on a future episode, where I preview the world of the 1921 census, due for publication in a few months’ time. Details are at the end of this episode. So, this episode is something of a mixed bag – but I hope you find it interesting and useful. Thanks again to Margaret for all her insights and knowledge. For more information about the Family History Society of Cheshire please visit https://www.fhsc.org.uk/ and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/FHSofCheshire . You can contact Margaret on Twitter here . Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: A cocktail/mocktail of your choice, to reflect the ‘mixed bag’ nature of this episode. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Chocolate-covered Malted Milk biscuits. For no other reason than I’ve recently discovered them, and am now addicted. Listen Now
Wed, July 28, 2021
Episode 30 – Family History Societies: Part 1
Pretty much every area has one. And they are a mine of information. But, do you know about all the information they hold, the records they maintain, the huge amount of local knowledge that their members have? Not to mention the social aspect of interacting with like-minded, friendly people? Today, I’m joined by the highly knowledgeable Margaret Roberts of the Family History Society of Cheshire, for a natter about the benefits of Family History Societies. We discuss how they may be able to help you break down those brick walls, and solve genealogical challenges that have eluded you for years. We chat about what societies do, the records and advice they hold, how local and family history combine – and a number of other subjects to (hopefully!) enthuse you about getting involved in these fascinating groups. In fact, we had such a pleasant chat, bouncing around lots of family history topics, that I’ve split this episode into two parts. The next, to be published next month. Huge thanks go to Margaret for giving up her time. More information about the Family History Society of Cheshire can be found at https://www.fhsc.org.uk/ and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/FHSofCheshire . Margaret can be contacted on Twitter here . Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: In the finest tradition of all the best community meetings, tea or coffee made from a large, silver, communal drum of boiling water. Just clean the sugar spoon! Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Crackers – with Cheshire cheese, to mark the location of the FHSC. A fabulous part of the country. Listen now
Thu, June 17, 2021
Episode 29 – World War 1 Genealogy: Part 2
Welcome to the second part of my discussion with military historian and genealogist, Chris Baker, where we continue our stroll though some of the records and sources that can help you research your ancestors in the Great War. Part one of this chat is still very much available wherever you found this and, between them, both episodes cover a variety of practical topics. This time, we calk about researching deaths in the Great War, touch on pension records, specialist military resources like Fold3, records from the GRO and what the upcoming 1921 census might bring. Thanks again to Chris for taking the time to join me on these two episodes. If you’d like to take part in a future podcast, to discuss any aspect of genealogy, please do get in touch. Chris’ websites (as mentioned in the episode) are: The Long Long Trail www.longlongtrail.co.uk (for a comprehensive guide to genealogical sources) FourteenEighteen Research: www.fourteeneighteen.co.uk (Please note that Chris has been on sabbatical during 2021, so please check the website for his availability) Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: A simple cup of tea. The Imperial War Museum describes how water, transported in petrol cans, was purified and used to make tea to mask the taste. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: World War I trench cake. Not strictly a biscuit, but worth a Google. Listen Now
Thu, April 29, 2021
Episode 28 – World War 1 Genealogy: Part 1
This month, we don our army gear and dig in to the trenches, as we explore how you can trace your ancestors’ lives (and, sadly all too often, deaths) in World War One. I’m joined by the incomparable Chris Baker, a military historian and professional genealogist, who has helped countless people trace their forebears’ lives in the Great War. In this episode, Chris shares his expertise in this fascinating area of genealogy, by discussing the various records, sources and resources that tell the tales of more than a hundred years ago. We’ll talk about what’s available, where it is, how you can find it – but crucially – what may NOT be available, and how you can get round this tricky situation. Such is the extent of Chris’ encyclopaedic knowledge on the subject, I’ve had to spread this topic over two episodes, the second of which will be coming soon for your listening pleasure. Details of Chris’ websites, mentioned in this episode, are below… The Long Long Trail www.longlongtrail.co.uk (for a comprehensive guide to genealogical sources) FourteenEighteen Research: www.fourteeneighteen.co.uk (Please note as per April 2021, Chris is on sabbatical) Huge thanks to Chris to taking the time to join me for this podcast. If you have any stories on how you researched your ancestors in the war, please do get in touch. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: A small measure of rum. The Imperial War Museum describes the importance of the soldiers’ rum rations, distributed in jars labelled ‘SRD’ which stood for ‘Supply Reserve Depot’. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode : The No. 4 standard biscuit. A 4x4inch square treat, made from wholewheat flour and issued as a ration to soldiers. Listen now
Tue, March 30, 2021
Episode 27 – Workhouses: Part 2
This is the long-awaited (well, a month!) follow-up to my episode about workhouses and the role they play in your family history quest. Join me for the second part of my discussion with Peter Higginbotham – the man behind www.workhouses.org.uk – the definitive guide to workhouses… from their very inception, through the 1800s, and into the 20th century. Hear how they can be researched, what records are available and how you can uncover details about your ancestors’ times in these fascinating institutions. I also look at how researching the workhouse opened up a whole host of opportunities for a listener, and the value in looking into local social research groups. ( www.sheffieldindexers.com is one such site that gets an honourable mention!). I also reveal the topic of my next episode, which is one of the most requested by listeners. I’ll give you a clue… it is something major that happened between the 1911 and 1921 censuses! Please keep your messages coming. It’s great to hear from you. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Broth – the recipe is on http://www.workhouses.org.uk/life/food.shtml Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode : Porridge cookies. They are apparently ‘a thing’, and once again a nod to delicious gruel. Listen now
Tue, February 23, 2021
Episode 26 – Workhouses: Part 1
I didn’t have to look very far in my family history quest to come across the world of the workhouse – and, from speaking to many fellow genealogists, neither – it seems – have many people! The stereotypical image of a foreboding building with Oliver Twist overtones may well be the first thing that comes to mind when you stumble across an ancestor in a workhouse – but, how accurate is that preconception? In this episode (concluding next month), I’m joined by renowned workhouse expert, and the man behind www.workhouses.org.uk , Peter Higginbotham. Peter’s knowledge has led to his website becoming the one-stop shop for research, when genealogists discover that their forebears spent some time in these sometimes grim, sometimes benign, institutions. Join me for a podcast-based wander through the world of the workhouse, to get an idea of how your ancestors’ lives – and deaths – would have been affected by this key part of history. We’ll be looking into the records that are available, the stories you can glean, and the insights you can gain. Recommended drinks to enjoy while listening to this episode: A pint of beer and a pint of tea: the daily ration for women in Brighton workhouse in 1834 according to Peter’s website Recommended drinks to enjoy while listening to this episode: Oat biscuits – a nod to the stereotypical image of gruel, served in the workhouse Listen now
Wed, January 27, 2021
Episode 25 – More on industrial accidents – featuring your stories and tips
Following on from last time, this episode looks at your stories of mining disasters, how you researched them, and how other research can become an interesting spin-off. We look at the sources and techniques that a number of listeners have used to investigate mining accidents, and then move on to other industrial incidents and ways in which jobs contributed to the lives and deaths of our ancestors. There are a number of timely reminders of how techniques from previous episodes can be useful when delving deeper into ‘big’ events in your genealogy – and some recommendations of how to spot the stories behind the facts. Thank you to all the listeners that have sent me stories for inclusion in this episode, and if you have any tales, hints, tips or techniques that are relevant to this – or other episodes – then please do drop me a line. Recommended drinks to enjoy while listening to this episode: “Boilo” – which apparently, according to the internet is a mulled alcoholic drink popular in the Pennsylvania coal regions. A long way from the UK’s industrial North West discussed in this episode, but… why not?! Recommended biscuits to enjoy while listening to this episode: Garibaldi biscuits, as their invention date in the 1860s fits right into the middle of many of the stories in this, and the previous, episode. Listen now
Sun, December 13, 2020
Episode 24 – Industrial accidents involving your ancestors
You don’t have to look far for your ancestors to have been involved in industry. Those who lived in towns and cities in the 1800s and a large part of the 1900s would more than likely have been surrounded by factories, foundries, heavy industry and manufacturing. This way of life would have been the norm for those in urban environments, and the noisy, intense and often dangerous workplaces would have touched most families’ lives. So, it stands to reason that, in days before rigid health and safety procedures, these hazardous places often contributed to injuries, long-lasting medical conditions and – even – deaths of those who make up our family tree. In this episode, I look at one aspect of this – mining accidents. Now, even if you don’t think you have any such occurrences in your tree, I hope this episode gives you some pointers to explore, a little more closely, those who worked in industry, and may have been affected by the places they worked. I tell the story of a huge colliery explosion that claimed the life of my great-great grandfather – along with more than 60 others in 1889… as well as looking at the various record sets and resources that I used to uncover his fascinating story. Links to resources discussed in this episode National Archives Discovery catalogue Hansard (link takes you to a page about this disasters, so you can see the navigation and structure) Transcript of John Lumsdon’s excellent talk on the Mossfield disaster Page 1 Page 2 HealeyHero site, indexed on Find My Past CMHRC site (seems unresponsive at time of writing) but indexed on Ancestry. Northern mining research society If you would like to join me for a chat on this, or any other aspect of family history, please do get in touch. It’ll be splendid to hear from you. Recommended drinks to enjoy while listening to this episode: tea out of a dented flask and metal cup for that real miner’s experience Recommended biscuits to enjoy while listening to this episode: charcoal biscuits (yes, they’re a thing – although seemingly more for dogs than people!) Listen now
Tue, October 27, 2020
Episode 23 – Telling your Ancestors’ stories
Last time, I looked at how you can preserve your family history research in book form – thanks to listener, Amy, who talked us through how she compiled detailed volumes to be shared with friends and family. This episode goes a little further, and looks at two different approaches for documenting someone’s life. I’m joined by two more splendid listeners, Marie and Alan, who I hope will inspire you to put pen to paper and document your ancestors’ lives. Marie Gage, is an author, whose family story began in the UK in the early 1900s before her grandfather emigrated to Canada, creating stories, family folklore and legend that inspired Marie to dig deeper. Coupled with a detailed journal (what we all wouldn’t give for one of those!?), Marie’s account of his life is based on real events, facts, records and evidence – but (and this may initially go against our genealogical instincts) her imagination. The resulting book, ‘A Ring of Promises’ is somewhat fictional account, but also highly plausible, factual and enjoyable. My second guest, Alan Bergman, is a professional biographer, who specialises in that gold standard of family documentation; the first-hand account of a person’s life. As genealogists, we are regularly reminded of the need to interview living relatives to document their day-to-day lives, to fill in the ‘real’ detail of their existence and to delve further into their knowledge of their ancestry. Alan, who runs Life Stories Preserved, gives hints and tips on doing just that, as well as giving insights into stories he has uncovered, as well as what to expect from services such as his. Please support my contributors for this episode who have given their time for free to share their wisdom (I do not endorse any product or accept any paid promotions, so am really grateful for their time) by visiting their websites: About this episode’s guests Marie’s book ‘A ring of Promises’ is available from Amazon by clicking here or more details are available from www.mariegage.ca Alan’s company, Life Stories Preserved, provides the full spectrum of professional biographical services and more detail can be found at https://lifestoriespreserved.net/ or you can contact him here . Thanks to them both for their input, and thanks to YOU for listening, subscribing and for all your nice messages. Remember, you can get in touch here . I’d love to her from you if you have any stories of industrial accidents in your ancestry as described in th
Tue, September 15, 2020
Episode 22 – Preserving your research for future generations
So, you’ve done all the hard work, and now your genealogy project is finished. Yeah, right. Genealogy, is – as we know – never finished. But there is likely to come a time when you want to commit your research (or some of it) to printed form, to share with family and friends. But with most of your research in files, folders, computer systems, websites or even just in your head, how do you go about creating something that will endure many years to come? In this episode, I chat with Amy who has spent years researching – but also years putting together a book to show off her hard work to members of her family and to preserve it for future generations. Of course, you may not want to embark on a project of such a mammoth size, and maybe you just want to produce something small and manageable – but however you choose to commit your backstory to print, Amy has a host of hints, tips and techniques from her experience. My top tip for this episode is to listen to the podcast first, and then head over here where I have included a number of photos from Amy’s project to give you a feel for what it looks like, and to bring everything nicely together. If you have any experience of collating your story into book form – or would like to join me on future episodes for a natter about any aspect of genealogy, then it’d be marvellous to hear from you . Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: In honour of the fabulous city of Manchester, as mentioned in this episode, Vimto (maybe only Brits will understand this), which was first created in the city in 1908. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Eccles cakes – for coming from the same location. Listen now
Thu, July 30, 2020
Episode 21 – Perfect your technique by doing someone else’s tree
In the previous 20 episodes, I’ve tried to cover hints, tips and techniques to help you discover this fabulously addictive hobby of genealogy. In this latest podcast, I look at how you can refine this knowledge – AND work in a much more methodical and logical fashion – to research someone else’s tree. Maybe you want to give someone a special gift, or one of your friends has dropped the odd hint about you ‘doing their tree’, but you didn’t know where to start. This episode looks at ways you can undertake the challenge, based on the skills you’ve picked up along the way, and how you’ll no doubt tackle it in a completely different way to when you first started researching your own ancestry. Now that you are an accomplished genealogist, you have the luxury of planning your project, setting deadlines and realistic expectations. If you’re anything like me, when you did your own, you were blundering through the first (and, ironically, most important) stages of this hobby. This podcast details my personal experiences and advice – but yours may be completely different. Why not share your thoughts, expertise and advice. I’d love to include them in a future podcast. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Tea for two. For you and your chosen recipient. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Anything that comes in pairs. Twix, KitKat, you get the idea. This episode is all about sharing. Listen now document.createElement('audio'); https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/episode-21.mp3
Sun, June 21, 2020
Episode 20 – Genealogical odds and ends
There are hundreds, thousands – maybe even millions of genealogical sources – and the previous 19 episodes have only really skimmed the surface of this fascinating hobby. This time, I look at some of the things that don’t easily fall into any of the previous topics… a mixture of family history odds and ends that, hopefully, you’ll find useful and inspirational. Much of the content has been derived from messages and communication I’ve had from my listeners over the last year or so, and I’ve collated some of the most useful into this handy episode. Contents include; general philosophies on family history, suggested sources that you may not have discovered – in fact, a veritable smorgasbord of subjects that may help you discover your back story. Please do keep sending your hints and tips and I’ll include them in future episodes. If you’d like to join me for chat on an upcoming podcast, or would like to suggest a topic, it’ll be great to hear from you. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: To reflect the mix of topics, a cocktail of your choice Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: For the same reason, an assortment. Preferably with those pink wafers. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/episode-20.mp3
Fri, May 08, 2020
Episode 19 – Irish Genealogy (Part 3)
Well, it’s been a thoroughly enjoyable mini-series on this, most intriguing of topics: Irish family history research. But this is the final part of my chat with Valerie Prince on hints, tips and suggestions on how to trace your ancestors from, in and across Ireland. Huge thanks to Valerie for joining me on these three podcasts, and thank you for your kind messages and tweets. In this 25(ish) minute chunk, we tackle the following topics: As more and more information becomes available – what have we we seen coming online recently? New – and very different records The value of familysearch and some tips on what you can get from the site Recap on searching irishgenealogy.ie What can you find on rootsireland The Geography of Ireland – and how all the records fits together How are civil records structured Trends in migration and peoples’ movements Chain migration The role of DNA Should I go to Ireland? Social media and groups – where to go Should you use a local researcher? – What can you expect? Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: A certain famous Irish liqueur wouldn’t go amiss Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Digestives. With the above drink suggestion, it will give the illusion of a cheesecake. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/episode-19.mp3
Sun, April 05, 2020
Episode 18 – Irish Genealogy (Part 2)
Welcome to the second part of my chat with Valerie Prince from Ancestry ProGenealogists about all things Irish family history related. This episode follows on from the previous podcast, where myself and Valerie – who has given her time completely free – discuss the practicalities of tracing Irish ancestors. We look at hints, tips, tricks, techniques and tools to fill in the gaps in the availability of records – along with what IS available and where you can find it. Covering lots of ground (and bouncing around topics in my signature style!) we look in this episode at: The great famine Migration Workhouses in the great famine and where to find records Assisted emigration Evolution of Ireland in the 1920s Census substitutes Censuses themselves – and what exactly is available – and the effect of the ‘census black hole’ Commonality of names – what to do when you find a common name Dealing with ages that drift between census Why Irish people may have three different names What happens when all you know is ‘Ireland’? Links and notes for this episode workhouses.org.uk and search for workhouses in the relevant poor law union GRONI = General register office of northern Ireland Before 1922 Antrim Armargh, Derry Down Fermanagh and Tyrone – records are available lso on irishgenealogy.ie The Public Record Office for Northern Ireland (PRONI) has valuation books, applotment books and other census substitutes National Archives – the place for censuses (see last time) Some parishes in County Kilkenny are available at the NLI Genealogical office in Dublin. Census coverage Only fragments exist for 1821-1851 1821: parts of counties Armagh, Cavan, Fermanagh, Galway, Meath, and Offaly 1831: Much of County Derry 1841: Killeshandra Civil Parish, County Cavan, originals, and transcriptions for parts of Cork, Fermanagh, Kilkenny, Monaghan, and Waterford. 1851: Parts of Antrim and one townland in Fermanagh, Clonee – plus transcriptions of parts of Monaghan, and heads of households for Dublin City and one ward in Belfast. (Offline transcriptions for some parishes in Kilkenny are available at the NLI’s Genealogical Office) 1861 & 1871 completely destroyed shortly after being taken – except: 1861 – one parish in Wexford for 1861 (Enniscorthy, Roman Catholic families only), and for 1871 – a transcription of Drumcondra & Loughbracken parish, County Meath. 1881 and 1891 pulped during WWI No originals or transcriptions f
Tue, March 17, 2020
Episode 17 – Irish Genealogy (Part 1)
Irish Genealogy is notoriously difficult. Or is it? I have faced my fair share of brickwalls when it comes to tracing my ancestors from Ireland but, if you’re in the same position, this episode may help you to chip away at those barriers – if not smash them down completely! I’m joined by the marvellous Valerie Prince, a highly experienced family historian who works at Ancestry ProGenealogists in Dublin – and, in this first episode, she talks me through some of the vital record sets that can help add detail and colour to the Irish branches of your tree. It’s the first of three episodes on the subject – the first published on St. Patrick’s Day 2020, we talk about the following subjects: what’s available and for what dates BMDs -equivalent of GRO Non catholic records Church records -dependent on religious denomination What to do when you have common names What websites to use Census coverage Property valuation records Tracing cemeteries Maps of surname distribution Religion: Catholic, Church of Ireland and Presbyterian Subjects covered in the next two episodes can be found here . Links and notes for this episode We cover many sources and resources in this episode, and – for convenience – they are listed below www.irishgenealogy.ie is similar to the GRO, free and you can see images (search by Superintendent Registrars District www.census.nationalarchives.ie for censuses www.johngrenham.com for Griffiths Primary Valuation (1845 and 1864) covering all Ireland This page at the National Archives for Tithe Applotment books 1820s-1840s This page (subscriptions apply) at Ancestry (indexed and searchable) and this page (non indexed) at the NLI for Roman Catholic Sacramental registers Church of Ireland website for church of Ireland registers http://www.presbyterianhistoryireland.com for Presbyterian congregation records Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Without wishing to stereotype, there’s an obvious choice. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: According to a recent-ish ‘survey’, Ireland’s favourite biscuit is the chocolate hob-nob. Let’s face it, they go with anything. Listen now <audio class="wp-audio-short
Sat, February 29, 2020
Episode 16 – Your criminal ancestors
You don’t have criminal ancestors, do you? Surely not. That’s what I thought, but two of my ancestors (one direct, one step) turned out to be criminals, and it makes them two of the most interesting people in my tree. Even if you don’t think you have criminality in your heritage, you never know when those errant ancestors may turn up, so this episode is about the practicality of identifying, tracing and following those with a criminal background through your family back story. I’ll look at records that are available on subscription sites, freely available at the National Archives, on free websites (even on the other side of the world), and how they can enhance you genealogy hobby. We’ll meet Jesse and Ralph – two members of my family in the mid 1800s, and look at how they were caught, tried and convicted – with one of them being send half way round the world, before starting his new life ‘down under’. We’ll talk about prisons, courts, assizes and hulk ships – and the very real differences between justice being administered today, and 150-odd years ago. Notes for this episode: Records on Ancestry are called England and Wales Criminal Registers 1791 to 1892 – and – UK, Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849 Records on Find My Past are called England & Wales, Crime, Prisons & Punishment, 1770-1935 Tasmanian records are at https://libraries.tas.gov.au/family-history/Pages/Convict-life.aspx . (Those I found relevant were CON14, CON18 and CON33) Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Pruno – worth a Google. But, clearly, DON’T drink it! Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Tim-Tams – there is transportation to Australia in this episode, after all Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/episode16.mp3
Mon, January 27, 2020
Episode 15 – Your ancestors’ homes in the early 1900s
Following on from Episode 13, this podcast delves into the places your ancestors called home around 1910. If you have searched the 1911 census, there’s a separate record set that really takes this to the next level by adding detail to the PLACES where your family would have lived. The Valuation Office Survey took place between 1910 and 1915, and each property or piece of land was assessed, valued and described in volumes of ‘field books’ which are available for family historians to browse. These small windows on the past can be viewed at the National Archives at Kew – and make for a great reason to visit the archives, and to experience the heart of the country’s official records. In this episode, I talk about how you can find the field books and zoom in on particular houses, farms, buildings etc. by cross referencing them with huge maps, marked up by the valuers as they did their rounds. I also talk about how to get the most out of your visit to the archives, and how you can maximise the value of your day out. Throughout this episode, I refer to the National Archives webpage with links to maps and books – and it can be found here . Small warning: while this record set can be fascinating and absorbing, you’ll need to visit the Archives, of pay for copies to be sent to you. Spend money and time at your own risk Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Sadly none. You are not allowed drinks in the document reading rooms. And with good reason! Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Anything from a supermarket’s ‘value’ range. We are talking about valuations, after all. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/episode-15.mp3
Fri, December 06, 2019
Episode 14 – Wills and probate
There’s nothing more morbid than making a list of who gets all your stuff after you die. But, for those of us who do, we are leaving a valuable genealogical legacy for our descendants who may want to delve into family history. Earlier in 2019, it was announced that there would be a big reduction in the cost of sending off for a will (and/or probate and/or letters of administration), prompting something of a flurry of activity from the family history community. This podcast details my experiences of the hidden gems that you can find from wills and probate, along with an explanation of how to go about researching this valuable resource. Lots of information can be had for free – and if you choose to order documents, you can find out all sorts of, often very personal, details about the members of your family tree. I look at the sort of info you can get from wills, probate and what to expect if a person died intestate – i.e. not having left a will. Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com licensed under Creative Commons. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Something mulled. It’s Christmas at the time of writing. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: KitKat – because, where there’s a will, there’s a wafer Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/episode-14.mp3
Fri, November 08, 2019
Episode 13 – Tracing the places your ancestors called home
So, you’ve trawled the records, located the certificates and built that family tree. How do you immerse yourself in the lives of your ancestors? What better way than walking the streets that they walked… finding their houses… or locating where it WOULD have been, if it’s since been demolished? The places that our ancestors called home will hold a very special place in your family history research, and in this episode, I look at ways you can seek out the exact location of their houses, workplaces and neighbourhoods. I also discuss ways in which you can actually see what their homes, environment and community would have looked like on old photos, aerial shots, maps and other documentation. Also, I have suggestions on how you can visualise the impact of their neighbourhood on their everyday lives. So, join me for a chat about how to put yourself in your ancestors’ shoes, and thanks once again for the kind comments and reaction on email and Twitter. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Whatever you were given when you went to visit your grandparents. You’re with family now. No need for posh china. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Morning coffee finger biscuits. Even today, they put me in mind of being in an old house. Preferably with the tick-tock of a grandfather clock in the background. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/episode-13.mp3
Mon, October 07, 2019
Episode 12 – DNA: Next steps
So you’ve done your DNA test, and listened to the first DNA episode in this podcast series (of course you have!), so… what next? In this latest episode, I’m joined by Donna Rutherford, whose many presentations at genealogical events have gone down a storm for helping people make sense of this new and emerging branch of genealogy. We discuss everything from managing your DNA matches, types of tests, tips for making sense of your results, understanding ethnicity estimates – and some tips for taking your quest to the next level. Plus, why you probably don’t need a chromosome browser. Donna’s Facebook group DNA help for genealogy UK is also a goldmine of friendly help and advice – and well worth joining. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Put some champagne on ice, in the hope that you make a DNA breakthrough Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Hob Nobs – as, in this episode, I’m hob-nobbing with the crème de la crème of genealogical royalty Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/episode-12.mp3
Tue, August 27, 2019
Episode 11 – DNA: Intro (with focus on autosomal)
This – slightly longer than normal – episode, aims to give an introduction to the world of genetic genealogy. It covers the basics of taking a test, the types of test – and what results they can provide. It includes the necessary science you need to understand the concept, along with how it fits in with family history research. This 11th episode in the series explores many aspects of genealogical DNA at a high-level and, because it’s such a wide-ranging concept, I recommend pausing regularly for a nice cup of coffee and a sit down. DNA can make your head hurt. It has been designed for anyone who is deciding to take a test, or has done so and wants to understand more about the results both inside and outside your provider’s website. The aim is to provide a foundation to future episodes where I’ll explore the detail of DNA analysis and the various techniques and websites available to the family history community. Note of caution: Testing your DNA *may* throw up unexpected, unwanted or unpleasant revelations about your family. All advice is given in good faith, with no responsibility taken for your interpretation of the outcome, or use of any of the content in this podcast. That said, it’s fascinating. Have fun! Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Organic coffee. Coffee to keep you awake. Organic, because we’re going on a biology lesson. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Digestives, Nice and Arrowroot. Serious, worthy, and they spell out DNA. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/episode-11.mp3
Tue, July 23, 2019
Episode 10 – Basics: Cemeteries
Genealogists love a cemetery. But how do you find the right graveyard for your ancestors, and – when you’re there – how do you find the precise plot where your your relatives are buried? There may be no headstone – but this shouldn’t stop you from finding those all-important final resting places. If there is a memorial, it can provide valuable additional information about your family. In this episode, I look at ways in which you can use online and offline resources to locate the cemetery in question, and I detail ways in which you can (records permitting) find the exact burial location. Part-recorded in the cemetery where many of my ancestors are buried, this episode also looks explores some of the reasons why you should make visiting graveyards a key part of your family history quest. Proof that I was actually there, can be found here . along with some of the images that I talk about during this episode. I hope you enjoy it. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Anything you like – as long as it’s consumed from a flask while sitting on a cemetery bench. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Angel biscuits. They’re a real thing! https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/episode-10.mp3
Thu, June 20, 2019
Episode 9 – Basics: Searching old newspapers
So, you’ve searched the censuses, found the BMDs and built the family tree. But what do you know about the day-to-day lives of your ancestors? Who did they fraternise with? Who did they NOT get on with? Did they get into trouble? Were they pillars of the community? Historic newspapers are a great way of finding out this type of information, as well as validating data that you’ve found from other sources. Newspaper stories about your ancestors add colour to your tree – and family announcements (births, marriages and deaths) can provide pointers to burial locations and other circumstances surrounding their deaths. This episodes explores the options for scouring newspapers (both online and offline), and to mix things up a little, I’m joined by a guest co-host – regular listener Jeremy – who is a keen advocate of the role of newspapers in genealogy. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Very strong coffee. (As a former journalist, I know this drink POWERS newspapers!) Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Digestives to go with the ‘news digest’. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/episode-9-vfinal.mp3
Tue, May 21, 2019
Episode 8 – Interview: Behind the scenes at FreeBMD
Something a little different for this episode, as I’m joined by Pat Reynolds, who runs FreeBMD – a website you will almost certainly have used (lots!) when researching your family history. Find out about how this iconic free genealogical resource is kept running, its plans for the future and how you can get involved or get more out of FreeBMD – and its sister sites, FreeReg and FreeCen. Thanks to Pat taking time out of her busy schedule for this interesting chat – where you can hear about what goes on behind the scenes at a family of sites that forms the backbone of online genealogy in the UK. If you are involved in any free genealogy resource that you would like to discuss in future episodes, please drop me a line. I – and the genealogical community – would love to hear from you. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Green tea. It goes with FreeUKGenealogy’s logo. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Honeycomb shaped cookies. For the same reason. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/episode-8-v2.mp3
Sun, April 21, 2019
Episode 7 – Basics : Parish Records
Often described as a good way of taking your research back before 1837 (when civil registration started), parish records can provide so much more than this. Records stored in churches, cathedrals and records offices often complement your existing research by adding extra detail, opening up new avenues and verifying assumptions, facts and data from elsewhere. This episode looks at how I used parish records, both Anglican and Catholic, to bulk out my research – using online and physical sources. I talk about the time I sat in the basement of a cathedral looking at details of my parents’ marriage, along with other baptism, marriage and burials going back nearly 200 years. White cotton gloves are essential! Regardless of what you’re hoping to achieve in researching your family’s past, parish records are an essential tool in your kit-bag, and can uncover detail unavailable elsewhere. Other religions are – of course – available, so please get in touch at amateurfamilyhistory@gmail.com with your experience of trawling through these records, and I will share them on future episodes. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Whatever you can find in the vestry. Sherry usually. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Hot cross buns. Not strictly a biscuit, but they have religious connotations and it is Easter. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/episode-7.mp3
Sun, March 24, 2019
Episode 6 – Basics: Searching death records
Morbid, inevitable, often poignant – and a huge part of genealogy. In this episode I look at searching death records, what to look out for, what you may find on certificates – and how an ancestor’s cause of death can tell us so much about their lives. Also in this episode, I share an invaluable experience of seeking out living relatives, as well as covering some of the recent developments in genealogy websites and record sets announced in the last month. The main subject, however, is the natural successor to the previous two podcasts. First we had births, them marriages – and now, it’s the much less celebratory ‘death’ category. Topics include; which deaths to look at in detail, when you may want to order certificates, how to deal with inquests and some of the striking causes of death that I’ve come across over the years. A difficult subject to cover, but I hope I’ve managed to strike the right tone – balancing the genealogical significance of death records with the respect due on such occasions. As ever, all content is offered in good faith. Please remember if you choose to spend money on certificates, this is done at your own risk. I hope you find this episode useful. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: It’s quite a long episode. Maybe consider something that won’t go cold. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Funeral biscuits. They’re a real thing and worth a Google. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/episode-6.mp3
Sun, February 24, 2019
Episode 5 – Basics: Searching Marriage Records
In this episode: marriage records, price changes at the GRO and Stuart’s story. Following on from the previous podcast about births, this episode looks at marriage records, how to find them, how to order them – and what to look for if you go on to buy certificates. Obviously, marriage information is vital to genealogists, but – from personal experience – marriage records seem to take a back seat compared to birth and death records, but they contain SO much detail that they’re worth revisiting again and again. Also in this episode, I’ll go over the recent price increases at the GRO (still the cheapest way of buying certificates), and tie that into ordering printed marriage certificates which are not yet available as PDFs. Finally, we’ll hear from fellow genealogist, Stuart, who has traced his family back to a part of the country, which today, is synonymous with big business, hustle & bustle and mass tourism. Who says genealogy is all about country churches and remote thatched cottages?! Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: It’s a wedding. There’s a free bar. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Fruit shortcake. A reasonable substitute for wedding cake. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/episode-5.mp3
Fri, January 25, 2019
Episode 4 – Basics: Searching Birth records
One of the genealogist’s best friends: birth records. Not only because they give detail about that particular person, but also because they provide a whole host of other information – including that most vital of details, the mother’s maiden name. This episode looks at how you can search civil registration birth records, and use the results to add detail to your family tree. Buying certificates can then add a level of precision to your research, but you can still find out a whole host of data for free just by searching the right sites in the right way. I look at the main UK Government site for ordering (and searching a large chunk of) birth certificates, the GRO ( www.gro.gov.uk ) as well as the widely used free site FreeBMD ( www.freebmd.org.uk ). (Also mentioned in this episode: www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg for registration district details) Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Champagne, to wet the baby’s head Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: rusks Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/episode-4-final.mp3
Fri, January 04, 2019
Episode 3 – Basics: Census records
Every ten years, a snapshot of the population is taken to enable the planning of public services and such like. And every ten years, genealogists get massively excited as it means another slice of their ancestors lives get revealed. Censuses are one of the major sources of information that help family historians to build up a picture of where people lived, who they lived with, who they had married, how many children they had – and to keep track of their movement (albeit in ten yearly chunks) throughout the generations. These fascinating documents show who was living where, and (currently) cover the period from 1841 to 1911… with the latest – the 1911 – having a number of bonus gems of information included within. Find out what these are in this latest episode. In this podcast, I’ll look at how you can search censuses, what you should be looking out for – and talk about some of the things you can do to find those ancestors who are playing hard to get. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Strong coffee. Searching censuses has a strong tendency to keep you busy for a long time. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Morning coffee. No real reason. Just continuing a theme. Save the nice biscuits for the next episode: birth records. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Episode-3-vFINAL.mp3
Sun, December 16, 2018
Episode 2 – Basics: The 1939 Register
It was the start of WW2 and everyone was to be counted. At what must have been a terrifying time for so many, a record of the civilian population was created which, 80-odd years later, was to become a major genealogical resource. The 1939 register is often referred to as a ‘snapshot of the population on the eve of war’ and, today, it provides an invaluable, rich source of information for amateur family historians. In this episode, I look at why and how it was created – but, more importantly, how you can use it as a good starting point for your research. Obviously, it’s not the only place to start your genealogical journey, but it’s comparatively recent (both in terms of when it was released and the period it covers) and may even contain details of people you have met or heard of… so, it’s a pretty good place to look at first. It’s also a handy starting point when you’re putting podcasts into a logical order! Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Just a cup of boiling water. Tea rationing didn’t end until 1952. Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Carrot biscuits – a wartime delicacy. Google for a recipe. Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Episode2-vFINAL.mp3
Sun, November 25, 2018
Episode 1 – Basics: Before you start researching
Welcome to the first podcast in this series. In this episode, I go back to basics to ease us all in gently. To get the ball rolling, I talk about the things that I really wish I knew before I embarked on my family history journey. If, like I did, you are thinking ‘how hard can it be?’, or you’ve seen how easy it looks on genealogy shows on TV, this is the episode for you. Not that I’m trying to put you off, but it’s definitely worth knowing what you’re letting yourself in for before you tie yourself in the knots that I did when I first started out! Handily, and coincidentally, my list of ‘things that I wish I knew before I started’ forms a nice neat list of ten – so here we have a ‘top ten’ nuggets of wisdom from my few years of experience of getting stuck into the rewarding, but frustrating, world of genealogy. Recommended drinks to accompany this episode: Earl Grey tea (relaxing, yet historic) Recommended biscuits to accompany this episode: Jaffa cakes (ten in a box, you get to eat one per item!) Listen now https://amateurfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Episode1-vFINAL.mp3
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