Online WWI memorial to the men of Swanscombe, Kent . Canterbury Cathedral Books and manuscripts digitally available to researchers. Canterbury Archives Sharing Histories exhibition.

Online WWI memorial to the men of Swanscombe, Kent 

The site is dedicated to the men of Swanscombe who gave their lives in the service of this country during the first world war. There are currently 108 names and Chris Hester is slowly going through the list, adding what biographical details he can from sources such as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission,  census data, military records etc.  he would like to add personal information if possible such as photos or stories from the front in letters home. If you have any information relating to any men from Swanscombe who served during the First World War please clink on the link for contact form

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The site can be found at Swanscombe Memorial   

 

Canterbury Cathedral: Books and manuscripts have been made digitally available to researchers. A collaborative project involving Canterbury Archives, University of Kent and researchers in Rouen.

"Known as DocExplore, the project aims to develop an interactive system which allows digitised versions of valuable historical documents to be explored via a touchscreen, simulating, as far as possible, the experience of accessing the physical object itself. But users can see much more than the document – they can access translations and transcriptions, read more about the period in which it was written, its contents and who would have used it at the time by using the additional text, image, sound and video resources that are a feature of the system. DocExplore will also capture the knowledge and expertise of the Archive’s staff by allowing them easily to present any available digitised document".

Canterbury Archives is holding a Sharing Histories exhibition in the reading room on 13th-14th September 2013 10.00-16.00 details are at  Canterbury Cathedral  more details can also be found at BBC News and  docExplore  and docexplore press release (pdf file).

The Royal Free hospital is transferring its archive collections to London Metropolitan Archives. Manchester City Library reopens in Spring 2014. Certificate of Honour that was awarded to Frederick Joseph Mason 1914-15.

From the FFHS comes the following announcement The Royal Free Hospital is transferring its archive collections to London Metropolitan Archives. The reading room at the Royal Free Archive Centre will close on 13 September. The collections are due to become available at the LMA in early 2014. During the move, we will continue to answer as many remote enquiries as possible, subject to staff and document availability.

Further afield the Manchester City Library, following major refurbishment and extension, Manchester City Library reopens in Spring 2014. Current temporary arrangements will change on 15 September, when the Manchester Room at City Library, at Elliot House, Deansgate and the Greater Manchester County Record Office will both close. From then until Manchester Central Library re-opens there will be restricted access to their holdings. You can find more details at this link. Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society will remain open during this period.

NWKFHS will be recognising  the Anniversary of the start of WWI in various ways throughout 2014.  During the build up to August 2014 the Society will also publish on this blog items that may be of interest to those researching ancestors during the 1914-18 war. This time it is a Certificate of Honour that was awarded to Fred Mason (Frederick Joseph Mason) by the Norfolk Education Committee for regularity of attendance during the year 1914-15 at his school at Trowse, Norfolk.

 

Fred Mason was the youngest son of Charles and Alice, nee Farrow, Mason of Trowse, Norfolk, Charles was a Carter at the Coleman Mustard Works at Trowse.

The 1911 census gives the following information:

Trowse, Norwich:

Charles Mason, Head, born abt 1858 53 Male Married,   Carter At Mustard Works. Born Stoke Upon Trent, Staffordshire.

Alice Mason, Wife, born abt 1868 43 Female, Married   15 years Born Howe, Norfolk.
Herbert Farrow, Stepson, born abt 1892 19 Male, Single   Mustard Worker. Born: Alpington, Norfolk.
Sidney Mason, Son, born abt 1896 15 Male, Single,   Painter Lawrence & Teotts Born Trowse, Norfolk.
Alfred Mason, Son, born abt 1898 13 Male, School, Born Trowse, Norfolk.
Edith Mason, Daughter, born abt 1901 10 Female, School, Born Trowse, Norfolk.
Frederick Mason, Son, born abt 1902 8 Male, School. Born  Trowse, Norfolk.
Florence Mason, Daughter, born abt 1907 4 Female, School. Born Trowse, Norfolk.

 

The 1901 census shows that there were other children born to Charles Mason from a previous marriage.

 

James Mason Son 20 born abt 1881 Male Honingham Norfolk.

William Mason Son 16 born abt 1885 Male Easton Norfolk.

Millicent Mason Daughter 13 born abt 1888 Female Trowse Norfolk.

Sarah Mason Daughter 11 born abt 1890 Female Trowse Norfolk.

 

The Head Teacher who signed the Certificate was Arthur Tuck who in 1911 lived at West Wymer, Norwich with his wife Mary and two children, Hilda and Arthur C Tuck who was also a Clerk at the Coleman Mustard Works, Trowse.

 

NWKFHS Research Service. Handwriting (Palaeography) 1500 - 1800. Free National Archives online tutorial. NCOs of the 3/18 London Regiment (London Irish Rifles)

Looking for ancestors or family in North West Kent? The Society offers to members and non-members a genealogical Research Service. Society volunteers are available to carry out research for members and non-members at a cost of £5.00 per hour. This service uses parish registers and other sources at the Society Library covering the north west Kent area. We cannot guarantee a result but we will do our best to answer your enquiry.

 

Full details can be found at NWKFHS Research You can now pay by Credit and Debit cards online at Genfair or Parish Chest. Just fill in the Research Request form downloadable from   NWKFHS Research return it by e-mail or post and only  pay an order for this service when requested to do so by an official of North West Kent FHS.

 

If you live outside the UK you can also join the Society or renew your membership by Credit Card at both Genfair or Parish Chest.

 

Handwriting (Palaeography) 1500 - 1800. Free National Archives online tutorial.

 

One of the problems many of us encounter when researching our family history is with old documents, wills, parish registers etc. The handwriting can be very difficult if not almost impossible to make out.

 

The National Archives has a practical online tutorial to help you read the handwriting in documents written in English between 1500 - 1800. It provides an  introduction to the basics of palaeography and offers a variety of documents, each with a transcript, on which you can practise your palaeographical skills. NA Tutorial

 

 

NWKFHS will be recognising  the Anniversary in various ways throughout 2014.  During the build up to August 2014 the Society will also publish on this blog items that may be of interest to those researching ancestors during the 1914-18 war.

 

NCOs of the 3/18 London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) from the Illustrated War News 6 October 1915. 

 

 

Back Row, left to right:

L-Cpl Reynolds, L-Cpl Smith, L-Cpl Spencer, L-Cpl Callendar, Sgt Purtell, Sgt Tynan, Sgt McKinley, Cpl Davies, Cpl Primmer, Cpl Coxon, Cpl Rust, Cpl Aygton, Cpl Hobbs, Cpl Stone, Cpl Page, L-Cpl Marsh, L-Cpl Penn, L-Cpl Chalmers, L-Cpl Holness, L-Cpl Burge, L-Cpl Barrett, L-Cpl White.

 3^rd Row, left to right:

L-Cpl Fox, L-Cpl Percy, L-Cpl Sheen, L-Cpl Gardiner, Sgt Smith, Sgt Shubrook, Sqt Hammond, Sgt Evans, Sgt Johnson, Sgt Finglestone, Sgt Collins, Sgt Jenner, Sgt Morgan, Sgt-Instr Brocks, Sgt Farnfield, CQMS Coppinger, Sgt-Bugler Camps, L-Cpl Patrick, L_Cpl Taune, L-Cpl Menness.

2^nd Row, left to right:

CQMS Massey, CSM Wood, Bandmaster J. Appleford, Major R.R. Kimmitt (Comdg Officer), Regt SM A.E. Holmes, Major R Curtis, Lieut and Adju. C.S. Hardy, CSM Pike, CQMS Riordan.

Front Row, left to right:

L-Cpl Patrick, L-Cpl Allsop, L-Cpl Hall, L-Cpl Lacey, L-Cpl Gatling, L-Cpl Dennis, L-Cpl O’Hillary, L-Cpl Qickenden, L-Cpl Clarke, L-Cpl Nethercoat, L-Cpl Stanger, L-Cpl Swales, L-Cpl Johnson, L-Cpl Gathergood, L-Cpl Phillips.

NWKFHS Dartford Branch Talk 7 September 2013 - change of speaker. The 1921 Canadian census is now online. Queensland, Australia BMDs are now online. Officers of the 3/18 London Regiment (London Irish Rifles)

 

NWKFHS Dartford Branch Talk 7 September 2013 - change of speaker.

 

The speaker from the London Fire Brigade Museum  who was going to speak on the history of the London Fire Brigade cannot now make the meeting.  John Neal has agreed to speak at short notice on St Pancras & King's Cross - A history of the stations and the surrounding area.

 

The 1921 Canadian census is now online, though you will need an account with Ancestry.com to access it. You can search free if you set up a free account (though you will have to cancel it before any fees start to be payable. Details can be found at Canada's 1921 Census

 

Queensland Australia BMDs are now online and are free to search, fee payable if you order a certificate. They cover the period Births 1829-1914, Deaths 1829-1983 and Marriages 1829-1938. The index can be searched free, and will give you more information than those for England and Wales. For Instance Births will give you the full name of the father and the full name, including the Maiden name of the mother. The marriage index gives you the full names of  the Bride and Groom. Queensland historical index  

 

WWI Centenary. The Centenary of the start of WWI is now less than a year away.

 

NWKFHS will be recognising  the Anniversary in various ways throughout 2014.  During the build up to August 2014 the Society will also publish on this blog items that may be of interest to those researching ancestors during the 1914-18 war.

 

Officers of the 3/18 London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) from the Illustrated War News 6 October 1915. 

 

 The Officers Back row from left to right:

2nd Lt. H.A. Staples, 2nd Lt. H.B. Rowe, Lt. W.R. Staham, Lt. W.S. Carruthers, Lt. S.B. Mitchell, 2nd Lt. R.E.A. Mallet,   Lt. W.V. Thomas,  Lt. A.T. Tweddle, Lt. S.B. Skevington, LT. P.A.C. Maginn, Lt. F.H. Crawford, 2nd Lt. C.E. Norris, 2nd Lt. A Totton, 2nd Lt. S.E. Charlton.

Middle row:

Lt. and Qr-Mr. C.H.P. Higgins, Lt. J.K. Brownlees (RAMC), Capt. M. Barry O'Brien, Major R.W. Curtis, Major R.W. Curtis, Major R.R. Kimmitt, Lt. and Adjut.E. Hardy,    Capt. J.C. Harrison, Capt. E.N. Wanklyn, Capt. the Rev. R.M. Currwen (Chaplain).

Front Row:

2nd Lt. R.F.V. Mayle, 2nd Lt. R.V. Tivy, 2nd Lt. P.F. Keane, 2nd Lt. G.F. Lewis, 2nd Lt. G. O'Shiner, 2nd Lt. R.W. Moneypenny, 2nd Lt. S. Macbeth, 2nd Lt. J.P.H. Butcher, 2nd Lt. F. Clement.



 

 

 

 

 

 

Talbot House Offer Reward for their Lost “Robin”. NWKFHS is holding a drop in session at Bexley Local Studies,14 September 10am - 12 noon & 1.00pm - 4.00pm.

Talbot House Offer Reward for their Lost “Robin” In December 1915 two British army chaplains – the Reverends Phillip “Tubby” Clayton and Neville Talbot – opened a soldiers' rest and recreation centre, named Talbot House, in Poperinge, Belgium. On 15 December 1921, at the now-demolished Grosvenor House in Park Lane, London, a “Round Robin”, was signed by all those present, who wished the text on the document to be read aloud once again on the centenary of the opening of Talbot House (also known as Toc H). The original document , was last seen at the Toc H archives in London but now appears lost.

Have you seen it? If you can help Please contact Talbot House For more details about Talbot House website

NWKFHS is holding a drop in session at Bexley Local Studies, Townley Road Library, Bexleyheath, DA6 7HJ Saturday 14 September 10am - 12 noon & 1.00pm - 4.00pm.

If you are in the area why not come along to see what the Society has on offer, if you are stuck with your research why not see if we can help.

Medway Archives and Local Studies are planning a Annual Open Day for Wednesday 4th December, 2013. More details will be available in the near future.
 

North West Kent Family History Photographic Collection. Branch Meetings. Gazetteer. The latest, August 2013, NWKFHS Newsletter. Northfleet Harbour Restoration Trust.

North West Kent Family History Photographic Collection.

The Society’s small but growing collection consists of donated private family history collections, private picture collections or from the Ivan Green ‘Kent Parish Church Collection’.

The original photographs and slides have been scanned and printed into a standard format for reference and display in the Library on the open shelves. The original photographs have been put into the Library store and can be produced if requested. There is a catalogue of the pictures which can be searched on the Society website  NWKFHS Catalogue   

The Map collection. The catalogue of this collection is included as part of the main library catalogue which you can view or download as part of the Library Catalogue Listing (April 2013 update).

Also on the website is the West Kent Parish Gazetteer an on-line resource based on the much more comprehensive version to be found in the Society's publication West Kent Sources This on-line version includes a photograph of each ancient parish church, as well as of many Victorian churches. There are currently 250 church photos. NWKFHS Gazetteer

NWKFHS Branch Meetings for August 2013. Visitors are welcome.

Bromley Branch. In the main hall, Bromley Methodist Church, College Road, Bromley BR1 3NS (on the corner of North St). 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 starts at 10.30am, ending by 12.15pm.

17th August, 2013. Rob Cottrell, Watermen & Lightermen.

Dartford Branch. New Auditorium, Dartford Technology College, Heath Lane, Dartford DA1 2LY. Open from 9.45am with the meeting proper starting at 10.30am, ending by 12.30pm.

3 August 2013. Stephen Humphrey, The burial grounds of Southwark.

Please check with website before travelling to ensure that there are no changes. Visitors are welcome, a donation is appreciated.

The latest, August 2013, NWKFHS Newsletter is available free to download and read at NWKFHS Newsletter you will also find Branch Newsletters that can be downloaded and read  for free.

Other news: Northfleet Harbour Restoration Trust. Northfleet Harbour Restoration Trust has been set up to reverse the decline and decades of neglect of Northfleet Harbour and to bring it back into use.

The River Fleet was by the 18th Century no longer navigable as a watermill and weir had been created for flour production, parts of this may still survive a full archaeological study is needed, this flour mill was then superseded by a watermill for cement production parts of which still also survive. This would have been one of the earliest sites for cement exporting.

This site has photographs and history of Northfleet Harbour and is worth looking at, especially if you had ancestors or family who lived in the area.

 

WWI Anniversday and the NWKFHS: Commonwealth War Graves Photographic Project. The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich – information to become available. Publications and Projects.

Like many other Societies The NWKFHS is starting preparations to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of WWI.

Throughout 2014 the Society Journal will be running articles and stories under the banner of World War 1 Commemoration. If you have any stories of any of your family during WWI in the NWKFHS, a soldier, Civilian, or how it affected your family you consider sending them into the Editor of our Journal for consideration. We would love to see as many stories as possible published. The Editor can be contacted through the NWKFHS website

As a Society we are taking part in Commonwealth War Graves Photographic Project. Volunteers from Dartford, Bromley and Sevenoaks Branches are photographing, in some cases, re-photographing all Memorial Stones for service men and women and civilian war deaths including private burial stones within our area.

The photographs will be provided to the CWGPP and used by them on their web site, just as importantly it will give the CWGPP the current condition of the stones.

The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich – information to become available

a Member who worked for the Woolwich Arsenal for many years discovered that when the Arsenal closed many tons of paperwork was being destroyed. He was able to save some that he thought were worthwhile keeping. The information relating to part of this material is as follows.

A list of 1st World War (1914-18) disabled who were employed at the Arsenal during the period 1936 to 1945. This database includes name, date of birth, clock & centre number, date of birth, date employed and nature of disability. There are over 800 names.

2. A list of air raid casualties during the 2nd World War (1941-1945). This database gives name, address, hospital they were taken to and injury. There are over 500 names.

3. The Arsenal had its own doctor’s surgery and medical staff were able to do operations on site. The data base is for 1906 and has over 500 names. The information includes name, age, case number, department they worked in and ‘concern’. Typical were ruptures, hernias, splinters, appendicitis etc. The doctor would also come out to the home if the employee lived within 3 miles of the arsenal.

4. Some 40 photographs of children’s parties held in the arsenal during the 1950s. No one is identified.

The information is in the process of ‘tidying’ and he would like to make the above information readily available to all but before he does so would welcome enquiries to give him an idea of its precision. He would like enquiries to go in the first instance by e-mail to Publications and Projects who will pass them on.

Some Society Publications that have become recently available:

Bexley Metropolitan Asylum District Board Minutes 1890-1930. and Bexley Asylum Minute Book, 1901-39.

Asylum District Board Minutes 1890-1930: An index to 38 volumes regarding asylums, hospitals, schools, organisations, some personnel and many other topics across what was Greater London at that time. Bexley Asylum Minute Books 1901-1939: this is an index of some 12,000 names of patients, staff and contractors.

Details of these and other publications can be found at  Publications  The progress of other NWKFHS projects can be found at Society Projects