May 2012 Update

May 1st sees the first instalment in a new series of Family History programmes entitled "War Hero in my Family" which can be seen on Channel 5 looking at the experiences of relations of well known celebrities during WW2.  If you are near Clevedon on May 15th you could attend a talk covering a much earlier period of Military History given by our member David Milner.

Perhaps you will find time during May to visit some of the places which were well known to your ancestors.  I see that Graham Payne has been out and about photographing the tomb stones in Puxton Church Yard.  If you are a full member, the results can be seen with our Parish Transcripts under the heading "Monumental Inscriptions". 

Photographing documents can be a quick and accurate method of recording information, which can be transcribed at a later date, but you should be aware that since the beginning of April this year if you wish to use a camera in the Bristol Record Office you will need to purchase a daily licence which will cost you £5.00.

The free Help Sessions continue at the Library on the 1st & 3rd Saturday afternoons of each month when, because the North Somerset Library subscribes to Ancestry, you are able to access information about your family through censuses and other sources. April saw the addition of some Yorkshire non-conformist registers, London & Surrey marriage bonds and yet more Titanic records.  It's always a good idea to revisit sites to find out what has been added since you last looked.

The topic for the next Society meeting on the 29th May is "Was your Ancestor a Gypsy" and we will welcome Beverley Walker, the membership secretary of the Romany & Traveller Family History Society who will share some tips on researching these elusive ancestors.