Society of Genealogists | Feb 3, 2026, 12:00 AM
The Genealogy Gazette: Feb 26
Discover the latest SoG news and family history tips here. Along with community news on the latest record releases, conferences, and more.
Dig for Gold. Find a Diamond
Every family historian knows the feeling. You have mined the census, worked the parish registers hard, and squeezed everything you can out of the usual records. And still, that one stubborn line refuses to budge.
Sometimes the problem is not your research skills. It is the tools.
That is why we are delighted to share a special offer from our friends at TheGenealogist. All Society of Genealogists members can enjoy an exclusive 30 day free trial of TheGenealogist Diamond subscription, giving you time to explore records and tools that are not available elsewhere.
If you are already a member, the link will be available in the Membership Area and emailed directly to you. If you are not yet a member, joining SoG (from just £15p/m) unlocks access to this trial alongside all the usual Society benefits.
SoG and TheGenealogist Together
The Society of Genealogists supports you with education, guidance and community. Plus has it's own unique record collections.
TheGenealogist is home to collections you simply will not find elsewhere, including the complete National Tithe Collection and the Lloyd George Domesday Survey. These are invaluable for tracing property, land ownership and local history. Their military records include fully searchable RAF Operations Record Books, alongside one of the most complete Non-Conformist collections online.
If your research has stalled after the census years, these records can be the difference between another dead end and a breakthrough.
Maps that make it click
Their Map Explorer tool allows you to layer historic tithe, land survey and Ordnance Survey maps directly over modern streets. You can pinpoint exactly where an ancestor lived, see how an area changed, and explore maps with pins for records such as census entries, headstones, historic images and more.
Smarter searching for tricky ancestors
When a name refuses to surface, TheGenealogist’s flexible search tools let you approach the problem from a different angle. Search by address, occupation, witnesses or family forenames and uncover records that traditional name searches miss.
This same technique can be used over on SoG Explore too (our online record search) by searching for keywords.
Time to learn new tricks
We know proper research takes time. While TheGenealogist’s standard trial lasts 14 days, SoG members receive a full 30 day Diamond trial, giving you space to test the collections properly and see whether they help you finally crack a long-standing puzzle.
Existing members, check your membership dashboard (we'll also email the link to you).
Not yet a member? Join SoG monthly for £15 p/m today (cancel anytime). You will gain access to TheGenealogist offer, PLUS new educational talks every week, access to the video library, and all our other benefits!
💎 JOIN HERE
Offer Ends 9 Feb 2026
OUR NEWS
Help Test our Hearing Loops
Do you use a hearing aid? Please visit us at Wharf Road to help test our hearing loops! Email hello@sog.org.uk to book your visit. The testing shouldn’t take very long.
RootsTech 2026: Plan Ahead and Join Our Watch Parties
RootsTech 2026 — the world’s largest family discovery event — takes place 5–7 March 2026, live in Salt Lake City and online for free, with over 500 sessions covering topics from DNA mapping and cutting-edge genealogy tools to beginner and advanced research techniques. This year’s keynote speakers include Marlee Matlin, Tara Roberts, Steve Young, The Gardiner Brothers, José Hernández, Jessica Soho, and Zico.
You can explore the RootsTech programme and register now:
- View sessions & build your schedule: https://www.rootstech.org
- Free virtual registration: https://www.rootstech.org/register
- Event schedule: https://www.rootstech.org/schedule
Not attending in person? Join SoG’s online Watch Parties to enjoy RootsTech online alongside your fellow members. Look out for further updates from us soon.
NextGEN Call for Presentations
Aged 16 to 35? Submit your proposals to present at NextGen, the Society of Genealogists and Family History Federation’s online conference.
Taking place online on Sat 14 November 2026. This years’ theme is "New Connections". Topics of interest to younger genealogists are preferred. To help prepare your proposals, join our free Zoom session ‘From Passion to Presentation: How to Share Your Genealogy Story Like a Pro’ 8pm BST Tuesday 7 July 2026: Book here.
FEBRUARY EVENTS
New SoG learning area coming soon
Our website will be getting a big update! Including a brand new Learning Hub page.. You’ll be able to search all our incredible educational content in one easy place. This includes guides, our talk recordings (both free and paid) alongside blog posts, guides and practical tips.
Instead of emailing recordings after events, you'll instead be able to access ALL the videos of paid talks in the Learning Hub by purchasing Gold membership (£15 per month, cancel anytime), giving you access to hundreds of talks to explore at your own pace.
👉 JOIN NOW
Not a Gold Member yet? Existing members, you can either upgrade to Gold Annual membership within your member’s area OR purchase a one-off month of Gold membership for £15. Just email membership@sog.org.uk. Gold membership will give you access to hundreds of talks to explore at your own pace.
Unlocking England’s early court records
Else Churchill teams up with Dan Gosling to guide you through England’s pre-1800 court systems - often complex, but rich with genealogical detail.
Book English Courts of Law before 1800 for Genealogists and discover how these records can reveal hidden stories about your ancestors.
🗨️ Browns Hotel: A Family Affair - “A fascinating insight of the history of the Browns Hotel, and analysis of the errors that are made in history research. An entertaining speaker, I very much liked his presentation. Always look for the original records!”
🗨️ Jane Austen Chawton and my Family Legacy - “I found it all fascinating. I already knew a reasonable amount about Jane Austen, but this really built on my knowledge. It was also very interesting to learn how the inheritance of an estate can work in practice.”
February: Celebrating our Victorian ancestors
We’re diving deep into the 19th century with a rich and varied programme of talks and courses that bring the Victorian world to life. From the hospitals founded during the Victorian era and the social reform behind the Drinking Water Fountain movement, to the engineers who reshaped Britain’s landscape and the ‘utopian’ communities that imagined a better future, there’s something for every family historian.
You can also uncover what tithe maps reveal about land, lives and livelihoods, and step into the shadowy world of Victorian detectives and crime.
Browse the programme (www.sog.org.uk/events) and book your place to immerse yourself in the world your Victorian ancestors knew.
Join us in person at SoG
Come to our Thursday Social on 5 February, for a complimentary drinks reception and late opening until 7pm. Enjoy a tour with a focus on Cheshire. Hear Nick Baldwin, Archivist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, speaking live at SoG.
We look forward to welcoming you—book now and join us at the Society of Genealogists.
Visit https://portal.sog.org.uk/event/list for the full listing.
🗨️ So you want to become a professional genealogist - “Documenting your experience. Excellent idea. Could have stood me well for all of my career path! This would have been a great idea to teach at school level.”
SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: JANET FEW
This month, we’re delighted to feature Janet Few, experienced family, social and community historian, who joins us in February for Resources for filling in Agricultural Labourers’ Lives.
Favourite genealogy source or database? 1910 Valuation Office survey.
What first got you into genealogy? The family photo album when I was 7.
Do you speak any other languages? School girl French and about 200 words of Cornish – not so good at putting them into sentences.
Favourite food or drink? Roast dinner.
Favourite school subject? History.
Who is the most distant ancestor you’ve researched so far? Several back to the early 1500s.
Which decade would you most like to live in? 1960s (I’ve tried it once!).
Who is your most frustrating “brick wall” ancestor? William Seear as he is my 4x great grandfather 3 x over (best not to enquire!).
What makes researching agricultural labourers particularly challenging—or rewarding? Rewarding is the great variety of their experience across the country.
What’s one overlooked source that can be especially useful for tracing agricultural ancestors? The General View of Agriculture county by county series of books.
Tea or coffee? Coffee.
Early bird or night owl? Early bird I’d go for 5am over 11pm any day.
Favourite historical period (to research or just to read about)? C17th.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about researching agricultural labourers? That they are boring.
Paper records or digital research? Paper for preference but digital for practicality.
Are you more of a methodical planner or a “follow the clues” researcher? A bit of both.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve discovered in your own family history? That I lived for three years in the same road in which my 2x great grandmother was born. At the time I had no idea I had any connections in that county.
If you could go back in time and ask one ancestor a question, who would it be—and what would you ask? 2 x great grandmother Mary Cardell and ask her to confirm that her mother actually was Maria Withenbury as I suspect.
LIBRARY NEWS
For the latest on what has been happening in our library and archives, see our February Collections Update, including:
- Our new Featured Collection in the library until April (Ancient Schools A-H)
- County microfiche now available without pre-ordering
- Information about resources added to SoG Explore for member access at home
VOLUNTEERING WITH US
Have you ever thought about volunteering with us?
We have projects designed for the meticulous, the curious, and the creative! From facilitating events, to transcribing Pedigree Rolls - there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about the world of genealogy while also sharing your expertise.
We have over 200 volunteers working from all over the world, and in-person opportunities working from our London-based Research Hub. Training is available for all our projects, and we have a dedicated volunteers’ forum where you can ask questions or have a chat.
So, whether you would like to learn more or would just like to make new friends, why not check out our volunteers page and get in touch?
FEBRUARY BOOK OF THE MONTH
My Ancestor was a Bastard by Ruth Paley (2011)
Ruth Paley introduces family historians to the world of the unmarried mother and her child. Tracing information about illegitimate ancestors in England and Wales is rarely straightforward. This book helps you to understand the economic, cultural and legal boundaries that shaped illegitimacy so that you can make educated guesses about the searches that are most likely to get results.
Included are available sources - where to find them, how to use them and what information they contain. There is a useful glossary for the weird and wonderful synonyms for bastardy that you are likely to encounter in your research. Plus, a step-by-step guide to help you draw up a research plan tailored to your own needs.
My Ancestor was a Bastard is usually £8.99 but is currently available to SoG members at the discounted price of £7.19 (£7.99 to non-members).
A £3.50 postal charge applies in the UK. This book plus the full range of titles published by the Society are available from our bookshop through our website and onsite. Offer valid until 28 February 2026.
All second-hand books will be half price for the month of February only. Explore here.
Competition
Win a copy of February 2026’s discounted book, My Ancestors was a Bastard. To enter, please answer the following question:
What was the name of the official parish documents through which a man agreed to pay child support (either a lump sum or weekly maintenance) for a baby born outside marriage, to stop the parish having to cover the costs?
Please email your answer to competition@sog.org.uk by midnight GMT on 10 February 2026 with the heading ‘Genealogy Gazette Competition’. Please provide your full name, postal address, and telephone number. Only one entry per person. The winner will be notified by email.
The winner of December 2025’s discounted book, My Ancestors were Jewish by Anthony Joseph (4th ed., 2008), is Manuella Armstrong.
The answer to ‘What is the name of the multi-branched candelabrum that is an ancient symbol of Judaism?’ was Menorah.
COMMUNITY NEWS
2031 Census Consultation
Having heeded family historians' concerns from the last 2023 Census consultation about the future of the National Census, the Government and the Office for National Statistics have announced that a mandatory census WILL be taken in 2031.
We are grateful to the Family History Federation for bringing to our attention the latest ONS consultation about what information the 2031 Census will gather.
The SoG will make its formal response about the collection of familial and individual information. You can view the papers and respond to their online questionnaire if you wish to comment as an individual or as a Society. Note that the deadline for responses is 4 February 2026.
All the information about this can be found at https://consultations.ons.gov.uk/census/census-2031-topic-consultation/.
The National Archives Service Fees
From 2 February 2026, The National Archives in the UK is updating fees for a range of services, including document copies, research/search assistance, and authentication. These changes also introduce new access options for historic Ministry of Defence service personnel records. Visiting the reading rooms in Kew to view records remains free, but some enhanced services will carry higher charges going forward. For example, time-based search fees and certified copy services have been revised under the latest Fees Regulations.
Probate Copy Fee Increase
Researchers and family historians should also note a significant rise in probate document copy fees. As of 17 November 2025, the cost of obtaining official copies of grants of probate, wills or letters of administration in England and Wales increased from £1.50 to £16 per copy under changes introduced by the Ministry of Justice. This applies whether copies are requested at the time of applying for probate or subsequently and reflects a move toward cost recovery for these services.
Discover the FHF’s Really Useful Podcast Series
Don’t miss the latest Really Useful Podcast from the Family History Federation, now streaming on the Explore Your Genealogy platform. Hosted by regular SoG speaker Joe Saunders, this engaging series brings together experts and enthusiasts from across the genealogy community to discuss a wide range of topics — all designed to help you grow your skills and knowledge in family history. Learn more and tune in at the Explore Your Genealogy website.
Call for Participants: Help Support Genealogy Research
Lauren Young, an undergraduate student at North Devon College (a partner of the University of Plymouth), is seeking help from amateur family historians for her dissertation research. Her study, “Decision-Making Amongst Family Historians Assisting Others in South West England,” explores how family historians handle potentially sensitive or unexpected discoveries when helping others with their research. She is inviting participants aged 18+ who primarily research in South West England and who have supported others with genealogy over multiple sessions without formal qualifications or regular payment. Participation involves completing an anonymous online questionnaire (around 20 minutes). This research has received ethical approval, and all responses will remain confidential. If you would like to contribute, you can take part via the survey link.
The Postal Museum has launched a new Digital Collections Portal. This platform will provide public access to born-digital archive and museum materials held by The Postal Museum. The material on the Portal will be over 20 years old or already published. Highlights of the collection include oral histories, advertising materials (I especially like the Pricing in Proportion television advert from 2006), staff instructions and training materials, and posters.
More information on the Portal and how to use it is available here.
23andMe has added new Historical Matches that may connect customers to the lost Jewish community of medieval Norwich, following groundbreaking ancient DNA research on victims discovered in a 12th-century well. Genetic analysis revealed the individuals were Ashkenazi Jews, likely members of the same family who died during the documented antisemitic massacre of 1190 CE. The study helps restore personal connections to this tragic history and provides important insights into the early genetic history of Ashkenazi populations.
The Society of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (SoFIGG) has officially launched as the first membership organisation dedicated to practitioners and supporters of forensic investigative genetic genealogy. Founded in August 2025 and announced in December, SoFIGG aims to promote ethical, responsible, and science-led practice at the intersection of genetics, genealogy, and forensic investigation. Supported by an advisory board of leading European experts across fields including forensic genetics, bioinformatics, genealogy, AI, and law, the society offers a collaborative professional community with tiered membership options, access to webinars, special interest forums, and a members’ portal. With applications now open, upcoming events include an expert webinar on 29 January 2026 and an in-person symposium planned for September 2026 in Scotland. More information is available at sofigg.org.
📺 What’s On the Box?
The second half of Long Lost Family series 15 began on ITV1 on Thursday 15 January 2026, at 9 pm, featuring new emotional stories of reunions. If you missed the recent episodes, catch up on the series online at ITVX.
As we recently commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day, it’s a timely reminder that if you would like to deepen your understanding of the Holocaust, Claude Lanzmann’s powerful and profoundly moving 1985 documentary series Shoah is currently available on BBC iPlayer. Widely regarded as one of the most important films ever made about the Holocaust, it offers an unflinching, survivor-centred exploration of events that shaped millions of lives and remain vital to remember.
Kevin Costner’s The West is an absorbing new eight-part documentary series now showing on Sky HISTORY and HISTORY Play. Executive produced by Costner alongside acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, the series explores the complex and often mythologised history of the American West, from westward expansion and land conflicts to the lived experiences of Native American communities and well-known figures such as the explorers Lewis and Clark. Rather than romanticising the “Wild West”, the series aims to challenge stereotypes and present a more nuanced, human account of the period. You can watch episodes and view clips here.
Join the conversation!
Have you been watching something that’s sparked your interest in your own family history? Share your recommendations and reflections with our community on our Facebook page — we always enjoy hearing from you.
THE LATEST DIGITAL COLLECTION NEWS
Scotland’s People
Scotland’s People has announced its largest records release of the year, with over 239,000 new entries now available online. Researchers can now search births from 1925, marriages from 1950, and deaths from 1975, opening valuable new opportunities for tracing 20th-century Scottish families. The update also includes more than 1,800 newly added cards to the Scottish Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps collection, featuring ‘Land Girls’ born in 1925, as well as newly browsable Scottish Cabinet records from 2010 and colourful Coats of Arms registered in 1925.
Findmypast has added:
- British Royal Navy, Submarine Movement Cards 1896-1968
- British and Allied Warships Lost in the Second World War
- British Royal Navy Casualty Logs 1939-1945
- British Women's Royal Naval Service Enrolment, 1917-1919
- Royal Naval Division Service Records, 1914-1920
- Navy Lists 1921-1937
- London Metropolitan Police Leavers 1889-1947
- London Metropolitan Police Attestation 1829-1972
- London Metropolitan Police Certificate of Service 1889-1909
- Merchant Seamen's Campaign Medal Records
- Nottinghamshire Monumental Inscriptions
- Middlesex Baptisms, Harleian Society
Please contact us for more information
Events, News & Joining the SoG
Explore our Upcoming Events
Discover new courses, talks, walks and visits. Delivered by experts in genealogy or history our educational opportunities cover a vast array of topics. From techy tools to history to genealogical research tips.
News and Updates
Discover the latest SoG news and family history tips here. Along with community news on the latest record releases, conferences, and more.
Society of Genealogists Membership
Our mission is to help you investigate your ancestors, preserve, organise and analyse your genealogy, and delve into social history. Join now to connect with your past and discover your unique family history.
Join us
As a member, you can make the most of our resources, access our experts, and find a welcoming community of people interested in family history and genealogy.
We all have roots. Let’s find them together.
