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1921 ENGLAND AND WALES CENSUS RELEASE DATE CONFIRMED

Rachel Bellerby reports on the latest genealogy news. Got a story to share? Email editorial@family-tree.co.uk

EVERY CHURCH OF ENGLAND GRAVEYARD TO BE DIGITALLY MAPPED

Each grave in every one of England’s 19,000 Church of England graveyards is to be digitally mapped in an ambitious new project that promises to be of great benefit to family historians

Launch of Dr John Burt bursary

The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) has announced the launch of an annual bursary in memory of a much-loved member of the genealogy community

Information on 11.5 billion individuals freely available on FamilySearch as 83-year project is completed

FamilySearch International has announced the completion of a massive project to digitise its collection of millions of rolls of microfilm containing billions of family history records from around the world

1939 Sutton Hoo excavation photos available online for the first time

The full personal collection of photographs taken by school mistresses Mercie Lack and Barbara Wagstaff at the 1939 excavation at Sutton Hoo have been digitised and made available online for the first time

FindMyPast add 32 million names to Electoral Register collection

A collection of 32 million names and 14 million addresses added to FindMyPast will help researchers bridge the gap between the 1911 census and the 1939 Register

463 million family history records for France added to MyHeritage

MyHeritage has announced the release of a significant collection of birth, marriage, death and census records for France, many of which are exclusive to the genealogy website

FIND YOUR NORFOLK ANCESTORS WITH 1.5M RECORD RELEASE

TheGenealogist has announced the release of a large collection of parish records, in association with Norfolk Record Office

HISTORIC LETTER DISCOVERED AT CITY CENTRE CONSTRUCTION SITE

Employees from Sheffield-based construction firm, Henry Boot Construction, have discovered a letter from 1938 whilst at a site in Sheffield city centre

Privacy policy update at MyHeritage

MyHeritage have released details of an update to their privacy policy, with what they claim is a ‘highly unique’ promise to users

Irish record release from TheGenealogist covering almost 1M individuals

TheGenealogist has just released records of baptisms, marriages and burials from Wexford Catholic Parish Records and new Dublin Will and Grant Books, a release comprising almost one million records

New features announced for version 8 of Roots Magic

The new version of Roots Magic has just been released and UK-based users can look forward to tailored new features to help make the platform easier to use when researching British ancestors

REGISTERING THE FACTS: the secret life of the BMD Registrar

You’ve eagerly torn open the anticipated envelope (or, nowadays, very often downloaded the pdf) to read great granny’s parents’ names or why Great Uncle Fred passed away but what, or rather who, have you ignored? The Registrar. Without the person registering births, marriages and deaths we wouldn’t have this information at all. Who was the faceless figure who signed each certificate? Adèle Emm investigates

TELLING TALES - THE PRACTICALITIES OF WRITING ANCESTOR STORIES

Susie Douglas has been investigating what we deem important and how we go about it, when it comes to the practicalities of writing our ancestors’ stories. It’s both interesting and heartening to read of other people’s views and experiences. It seems that it is not an easy task, but is a hugely valuable one. So, to follow, are useful prompts to help you begin…

WHY NOT GIVE IT A GO

We relate to each other via stories - it's how we understand each other, connect with each other, learn from each other. A past devoid of stories fosters no connections or no deeper understanding. Stories are what we share with our friends and family face to face, not a list of dates and places. The stories make us react - laugh, smile, groan, cry, that is how we engage with the speaker and content

Then All Hell Broke Loose…

Geologist and genealogist Wayne Shepheard looks back on the impact of the 1783-84 Laki, Iceland eruptions on families and communities across Europe

Tales from the City of the Dead

Dr Fiona Snailham and Dr Anna Maria Barry share fascinating tales from the history of Highgate Cemetery, a place where social status could continue even from beyond the grave…

End of year quiz

In this year’s Family Tree Academy we’ve covered topics as diverse as wills, military service and maps and we’ve looked at a wide range of skills to help you make the most of your research. Now’s your chance to put it all into practice. See how you get on with Family Tree Academy Tutor, David Annal’s ‘End of year quiz’. Good luck!

‘Interviewing’ an ancestor

Despite occupying the top spot of many family historians’ wish lists, there is still no hotline to the ‘other side’. So how do you interview an ancestor whom you have never met or who died long ago? Following on from her article (see page 18), Susie Douglas provides practical steps to help you do just this

SCHOOL RECORDS

School records may surprise you with some of the details they contain, and may even help you knock down a brickwall as Simon Wills explains in this summary of selected education sources

DEAR PAUL

Paul Chiddicks rounds off a memorable year for his column with a selection of festive stories with a family history twist, served up alongside genealogy gems spotted online and at the archives

Books & gifts

Family history books, software & gift ideas to enjoy with Helen Tovey & Rachel Bellerby

DIARY DATES

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Spotlight on... Borders Family History Society

The Borders FHS has been helping people to trace their Borders ancestors for more than 35 years and runs a varied programme of events and projects

Your questions answered

With our experts Jayne Shrimpton, Graham Caldwell, Jeanette Rosenberg & David Frost

Your letters

Bygone sayings, stories told & advice shared

Looking into an ancestor’s eyes

This month, Diane Lindsay takes some time to put herself into the shoes of an ancestor – a process by which a forebear becomes a real person in her mind…