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Friday 28 September 2012

Durham Home Guard records 1939-1945- Some 50% of the records will not be able to be released into the Public Domain. The Archives Hub: New Regional Search Available. Ancestry is offering free access to 1911 census until 2 November 2012.The British Library and Qatar Foundation unveil project to digitise half a million pages of archive material.

Durham Home Guard records 1939-1945.

There are over 80,000 records of people who served in the Home Guard in the County of Durham only, between 1939 and 1945. You can search the entire Durham Home Guard collection.

However, they have run across a problem in that many who served in the Home Guard were younger than expected, thus  if the date of birth is less than 100 years ago the records may not be available to download. If this is the case you may be able to gain access to the records by making a Freedom of Information request. The National Archives pilot project has revealed that 50 per cent of the records selected for the project, were of men under the age of 27, with 28 per cent of the men aged 18 or younger. This means  half of the records from the pilot cannot be released into the public domain, because for data protection reasons they are subject to a closure period of 100 years from date of birth.

The question has to be asked how will this affect the original plans to digitise the rest of the Home Guard records with Partner organisations. Will commercial companies wish to take part in an expensive digitisation if such restriction apply to many of the records?

The record search page and more details can be found at Durham Home Guard

The Archives Hub: New Regional  Search Available.

The Archives Hub is a gateway to thousands of archives in the UK. Representing over 180 institutions across the country, the Archives Hub is an effective way to discover unique and often little-known sources to support your research.

To make it easier to search for archives held in particular parts of the country, you can now search by pre-defined regions. There is also a search area box that can be moved by manipulating the corners, so researchers can customise the area.

In addition to the regional search, the results list, which now includes the title and dates, and also a display, which includes a new utility bar, designed to enable us to add functionality over time, such as various links, output option, social networking widgets and information about digital content.

Ancestry is offering free access to 1911 census until 2 November 2012.

All you need to provide is a name and e-mail address for access.

The British Library and Qatar Foundation unveil project to digitise half a million pages of archive material.

Though first announced in July it is worth repeating due to the importance and scope of the project. British Library and Qatar Foundation will digitise more than 500,000 pages from the archives of the East India Company and India Office, in addition to 25,000 pages of medieval Arabic manuscripts - all of which will be made freely available on line for the first time.

This material could only be consulted by visiting the British Library’s Reading Rooms in London. Once digitised and uploaded onto a dedicated on line platform, it will be freely available to researchers across the UK, throughout the Gulf and around the world.

More details can be found at The British Library and Qatar Foundation Project

Other Events in and around Kent.

The Workhouse a exhibition held at London Metropolitan Archives from 24 September 2012 - 10 January 2013 is FREE. Inspired by Dickens and his desire to reveal the horrors of nineteenth century poverty, the LMA have searched the records for the stories of real Londoners in the workhouse, from Master to the inmate, to uncover what the archives tell us about their lives.

Workhouse: Dickens and Philanthropy. A morning of talks, document discovery and an introduction to the new exhibition on life in the workhouse to be held at London Metropolitan Archives on Friday 26 October from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm is £10

 In the afternoon there is a guided walk around Clerkenwell will focus on Dickens and philanthropy. 
 (bring a picnic) Booking essential – call 020 7332 3851. See Visitors information

Friday 21 September 2012

October and November 2012: North West Kent Family History Society Volunteers will be at Bromley Local Studies, Bexley Village Library and New Ash Green. Bromley Museum, The Priory, Church Hill, Orpington, BR6 0HH has an Exhibition from 8 October 2012 - 16 November 2012: Smog and Birdsong: A Travellers Tale Exhibition. Suffolk Family History Open Day: NWKFHS Stand. 20th October 2012. Surrey Heritage Celebration - Open Day at Surrey History Centre 6 October 2012. Hastings & Rother FHS Family History Fair Horntye Park Sports Complex, Bohemia Road, Hastings. Sunday 14th October 2012

October and November 2012: North West Kent Family History Society Volunteers will be at Bromley Local Studies, Bexley Village Library and New Ash Green.

NWKFHS volunteers will be at Bromley Local Studies on the 27th October 2012 to offer Free advice and help to visitors about family history. Details of opening hours and location can be found at Bromley LS

Bexley Village Library. NWKFHS volunteers from Dartford Branch will also be on hand on the 27th October 2012 to offer free advice and help with family history. For details about location and opening hours see Bexley Village Library

New Ash Green Library, Lance Croft, New Ash Green DA3 8QT. NWKFHS free Drop-in session 24th November 2012. Volunteers will be on hand to help and advise about family history. Details of opening hours and location can be found at New Ash Green

Suffolk Family History Open Day: NWKFHS Stand. 20th October 2012.

Society volunteers will be at the NWKFHS stand at the Suffolk Family History Open Day at Needham Market Community Centre on 20th October 2012.

Besides offering Society publications for sale the volunteers are more than happy to talk about family history and offer advice. More details can be found at Sufolk FHS

Bromley Museum, The Priory, Church Hill, Orpington, BR6 0HH has an Exhibition from 8 October 2012 - 16 November 2012: Smog and Birdsong: A Travellers Tale Exhibition produced in partnership with Sevenoaks Museum.

The Exhibition is free. Details can be found at Smog and Bird Song or by e-mailing Bromley Museum

Details of Meetings, Talks and Events at which NWKFHS is holding or attending can be found at NWKFHS Events  Please check the various events websites and the NWKFHS website before travelling to an event, meeting or talk to ensure there have been no changes.

Around the Country:

2012.

Open Day at Surrey History Centre, 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 6ND. Saturday 6 October 2012. A day of free events at Surrey History Centre. Including children’s craft activities, a family history helpdesk, behind the scenes tours of the award winning archive. The ‘behind the scenes’ tours will be at 10.30am and 12.30pm.  Places are limited, details on how to book can be found at Surey Open Day

The day will also include our Surrey Heritage Annual Lecture: 'Valuing the Past: Why Heritage Matters in the Modern World' by Dr Joe Flatman Head of Central Casework and Programmes, English Heritage. 2pm - 3.30pm.

Hastings & Rother FHS Family History Fair Horntye Park Sports Complex, Bohemia Road, Hastings. Sunday 14th October 2012, 10:00am-4:30pm.

Entrance fee: £2.00 - Talks: £2.00 each or 2 talks plus entrance to the fair £5.00 or 3 talks plus entrance to the fair £6.00. Details can be found at Hastings and Rother FHS Fair 



Wednesday 19 September 2012

Swanley Library-North West Kent Family History Society display on show until 27 Septemeber 2012. Other Talks/Events in Kent: Gravesend Historical Society. 8th October 2012 The History of Sissinghurst Castle and its Garden. Plaxtol Local History Group: 9th October 2012, 8pm - THE RENAISSANCE GARDEN IN KENT, a talk by Sally Berkeley. Tunbridge Wells Family History Society: 23rd October The Acid Bath Murders- David Briffett.

Swanley Library-North West Kent Family History Society display on show until 27 Septemeber 2012.


NWKFHS Display at Swanley Library. 
NWKFHS has a display at the Kent County Council Library at Swanley, London Road, Swanley, BR8 7AE. The display will remain at the Library until 27 September 2012.

For opening hours and how to get there see Swanley Library

This is one of many KCC Libraries in the NW Kent area that the Society has displays or has had displays available for the public to see. They have a lot of information about family history in the area and what can be found. 



NWKFHS Display at Dartford Library.
A Free NWKFHS exhibition was also available throughout the week of 10 September - 17th September 2012 at Dartford Central Library, Market Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1EU.

NWKFHS volunteers also assisted at the Federation of Family History Societies stand at Bluewater, Kent 6th -9th September, 2012.

NWKFHS were on hand to answer questions, distribute free leaflets and guides, not just about NWKFHS but other family history societies as well.
NWKFHS Volunteers and Display at FFHS Stand Bluewater, Kent 6-9th September 2012.
Further Events that NWKFHS will be at can be found at NWKFHS Fairs and Events

Other Talks/Events in Kent:

Gravesend Historical Society. 8th October 2012 The History of Sissinghurst Castle and its Garden-Susan Pope. Details can be found at GHS Events

Plaxtol Local History Group: 9th October 2012, 8pm - THE RENAISSANCE GARDEN IN KENT, a talk by Sally Berkeley.

Visitors are welcome, there is a £2 visitors charge. Further details can be found at PLHG Meetings.

Tunbridge Wells Family History Society: 23rd October       The Acid Bath Murders- David Briffett. Groombridge Village Hall 7.30pm. Further details can be found at TWFHS 

Please make sure that you check the relevant site for full details and any information before travelling to a meeting or talk.

Saturday 15 September 2012

North West Kent Family History Society Meetings and Talks for October 2012. Around the Country: Oxfordshire Family History Society Open Day on 6th October. Doncaster and District Family History Society Family History Fair Saturday, 22 September 2012. North Meols Family History Society Open Day, Churchtown, Saturday 29 September 2012

North West Kent Family History Society Meetings and Talks for October 2012.

The Society holds meetings at its 3 branch where members and visitors are welcome to attend.

Bromley Branch,  held on the third Saturday morning of the month, in the main hall, Bromley Methodist Church, College Road, Bromley BR1 3NS. There is free parking at the church, access is from College Rd. and from North St. The hall opens at 9.45am, the meeting proper is due to start at 10.30am. Visitors are welcome, a donation is welcome.

Saturday 20 Oct 2012. Dr David Wright Probate records.

Dartford Branch. Meetings are held on the first Saturday of the month, at Dartford Technology College, Heath Lane, Dartford. There is plenty of parking. The meetings room is the New Auditorium open from 9.45am with the meeting proper starting at 10.30am. Visitors are welcome, a donation is appreciated.

Saturday 6 Oct 2012. Peter Christian Genealogy & the Internet.

Sevenoaks Branch. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month at Sevenoaks Community Centre, Otford Road at 7.15pm. In addition to the talks, there is a bookstall, continuing projects and all the helpful advice that you might need. Visitors are welcome a donation is appreciated.
Thursday 11 Oct 2012. Dr Colin Chapman Your Ancestors - Population & Birth Control.

Around the Country: 

Oxfordshire Family History Society is holding an Open Day on 6th October at The Marlborough School, Shipton Road, Woodstock OX20 1LP. Details can be found at Oxfordshire FHS Open Day.

Doncaster and District Family History Society Family History Fair Saturday, 22 September 2012 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. The College for the Deaf Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6AY. Further details at Doncaster And District Family History Fair.

North Meols Family History Society Open Day, St Cuthberts Parochial Church Hall, Churchtown, Saturday 29 September 2012. Details can be found at North Meols FHS

Wednesday 12 September 2012

New Publications (CDs) from North West Kent Family History Society: Gravesend & Milton Gas Light Co Minute Book. Bromley St Peter & St Paul, Marriages 1735-1848. Bexley Asylum Minute Book 1901-39. Metropolitan Asylum District Board Minute Books 1890-1930. Stone Municipal Cemetery, Dartford - Monumental Inscriptions & Indexes. Federation of Family History Societies: Appeals on the WWI page for help.

New Publications (CDs) from North West Kent Family History Society:

The Society has available the following CDs.

CD47 Gravesend & Milton Gas Light Co Minute Book 1845
CD48 Bromley St Peter & St Paul, Marriages 1735-1848 transcriptions & alphabetical indexes
CD49 Bexley Asylum Minute Book 1901-39
CD50 Metropolitan Asylum District Board Minute Books 1890-1930

CD MI 5 Stone Municipal Cemetery, Dartford - Monumental Inscriptions & Indexes

For further information contact NWKFHS Publications or go to NWKFHS Publications Page

Federation of Family History Societies: Appeals on the WWI page for help.

THE FFHS has listed two appeals for help and information about WW1 Mem and Women.  The Manx National Heritage is planning a major exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War in 2014, and curators would like to hear from anyone who has material which they feel they can contribute.

The History curators at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa have started their own project. Uploaded to the website is a collection of First World War soldier portraits. The images are part of a collection of glass plate negatives found in the attic of Berry & Co's old photographic studio in Wellington in 1998. In the lead up to centenary commemorations, the museum would like to identify the soldiers, their fellow sitters and to contact any descendants.

For further information see  FFHS WWI Centenary can you help

Friday 7 September 2012

North West Kent Family History Society Volunteers at Prima Homemade: The Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts Show at Bluewater, Kent. Stand ZDD 05 on the lower level. 6th-9th September 2012. Family History Drop-in Session-Townley Road Library, Bexleyheath. Saturday 8th September. Dartford Heritage Week - Explore History Monday 10 September - 17th September 2012. Crossness Free Open Day-Sunday 23 September 2012. Sevenoaks Drop-in Session, 29th September 2012 at Sevenoaks Library.

North West Kent Family History Society Volunteers at Prima Homemade: The Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts Show at Bluewater, Kent. Stand ZDD 05 on the lower level. 6th-9th September 2012. 

NWKFHS volunteers are present at the Federation of Family History Societies Stand at Bluewater, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9SH. The first day, Thursday the 6th September, went very well with hundreds of visitors stopping at the stand to see what Family History Societies can offer, many just having a chat or asking for advice.

The Federation of Family History Societies have been attending such events all over the country to enable visitors to see how Family History Societies can help them. In each area local societies have supported the FFHS at the events.

At Bluewater you can find information about all the Kent Family History Societies and the nearby London FHS. There are free leaflets, guides and information and advice available. So if you are attending the the Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts Show at Bluewater or thinking about a day out why not come along and see how we can help with your family history. We are located on the  Lower level and the stand number is ZDD 05.

Family History Drop-in Session-Townley Road Library, Bexleyheath. Saturday 8th September 2012.  10am - 12 noon & 1.00pm - 4.00pm

NWKFHS will be at the Townley Road Library, Bexleyheath, DA6 7HJ tomorrow Saturday 8th September. If you are in the area why not call in and have a chat with society volunteers. It is entirely free. 

Dartford Heritage Week - Explore History Monday 10 September - 17th September 2012.

There will be a Free NWKFHS exhibition throughout the week at Dartford Central Library, Market Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1EU  plus many other events. Tuesday 11 September, Dartford, My Town a personal view a guided walk led by Chris Baker, Archaeologist and Local Historian. On the same day there is a Family History Research Day you can book a Free one hour one-to-one session for Beginners.

13th September there is an illustrated talk, Digging up our Past. Forty years of Dartford District Archaeology led by Chris Baker, Director of the Dartford District Archaeological Group.

15th September Janet Rose, NWKFHS Librarian, will give a talk, Beginning Family History Research. Janet will show you how to use family papers, pictures and certificates to explore your family history. Please bring along any document with you.

You will need to book for any of the above events e-mail Dartford Library or phone  at 08458 247 200 or visit the Library in person.

Crossness Free Open Day-Sunday 23 September 2012. The Crossness Engines Trust,    The Old Works, Thames Water S.T.W.  Belvedere Road, Abbey Wood, London SE2 9AQ.

A reminder that the NWKFHS will at the Crossness open day on the 23 September. Details of the day can be found at Crossness Pumping Station.

Sevenoaks Drop-in Session,  Saturday 29th September 2012 at Sevenoaks Library, Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks, TN13 1LQ.

NWKFHS will also be holding a Free drop-in session at Sevenoaks Library.  If you are in the area why not call in and have a chat with society volunteers and see how we can help with your family history..