Society of Genealogists | Aug 29, 2025, 8:00 AM
The Genealogy Gazette: Sep 25
Discover the latest SoG news and family history tips here. Along with community news on the latest record releases, conferences, and more.
OUR NEWS
Wharf Road Social – A Great Start!
Our CEO, Philip Spedding, invites you to join our next Wharf Road Social on September 4th.
"People have frequently mentioned to me how much they enjoyed sitting around with other genealogists at Charterhouse and just talking so we have been looking at how we can reinstate that at Wharf Road. As you may know, we have instigated a regular series of late openings on the first Thursday of each month and these are planned to coincide with in-person talks being held in the building. What we have just started is an open invitation for anyone at Wharf Road to then come together over some complimentary drinks and a few snacks to talk about whatever is of interest. We held the first of these last week, to coincide with talks about India, and 11 people stayed for drinks. Conversations ranged from burial customs to reprobates and a very enjoyable time was had by all! The next will be on 4th September – do come along."
All About That Place
This year’s All About That Place (#AATP) will not take place in its usual format. We are delighted to share that we will instead be celebrating with a special mini-AATP from 24 September to 3 October 2025. During this period, we will highlight some of our most popular and recent #AATP content, supported by our valued partners: the Society for One-Place Studies, the British Association for Local History (BALH), and Projectkin. Highlights will include a poll to select the Top 10 talks and fresh content on our YouTube channel. We look forward to returning in 2026 with a full-scale event that promises to be even bigger and better. In the meantime, join us and follow the excitement on our Facebook page: facebook.com/societyofgenealogists
Society of Genealogists YouTube
Catch up with our latest recording, Researching in Powys, which is now available to view on our YouTube channel.
If you're tracing family roots in Powys, don’t miss this collaboration between the Society of Genealogists, Powys Archives, and Powys Family History Society. This video covers essential family history resources for the region and explores how tools like A Vision of Britain Through Time and the Historic Town Trust can assist with your research. Tune in to uncover valuable insights for your Powys-based genealogy journey.
Tips from inside the SoG
Sally joined our Writing Your Life Story Club and tells us from that she learnt of “the need to add detail which I might think commonplace but which might seem quite strange to someone much younger.”
Our Bakers occupation of the month talk (Adele Emm) reminded us that, “Paying attention to dates regarding national and world events can help understand our ancestors' lives - the dates shown on this one about Corn Laws and other changes helps make things make sense”. Alison told us that “It was so helpful to know that the Great Fire explained why my ancestor (who died in 1656) does not have anything in the records regarding his apprenticeship.”
Last month we visited Powys, and in September we go to Gloucestershire, but wherever you are researching attendees tell us that “Maps are very important when chasing one's ancestors.” And that it is well worth “Attending events such as these to increase knowledge and awareness of regions.”
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
Step into Victorian London – In Person or Online!
8 -12 September
Join us for a unique 5-day deep dive into Victorian London, packed with expert talks, heritage walks, hands-on research, and social events. You'll explore the lives of your London ancestors through archives, records, and expert-led sessions—all designed to help you walk in their footsteps. The week’s walks and visits can also be booked separately on our events page.
- Walk: Up and Down the City Road https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1120866
- Visit: Highgate Cemetery https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1120459
- Visit: London Archives https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1120399
- Walk: London of Charles Dickens https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1120916
- Visit: Hackney Archives – Victorian https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1120876
- Visit: Brompton Cemetery https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1120989
- Walk: Historic Soho https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1121039
Late Opening and Live Talks at the Society
We’re now open until 7pm on the first Thursday of each month, giving you more time to browse, research and join our in-person evening talks. From about 5pm there will also be a reception with complimentary drinks where you can meet up with other members and discuss anything that is on your mind! On Thursday 4 September, historian Jennifer Aston explores Desertion, Separation, Emigration, Bigamy: Unhappily Married Couples in Victorian England and Wales—a fascinating look at the tangled realities behind the records. On Thursday 2 October, genetic genealogist Debbie Kennett takes us on a journey Exploring the Motherline: Mitochondrial DNA Testing for Genealogy. Both talks will also be streamed online, so you can tune in from anywhere.
September Events: From Cradle to Grave Records
This month’s programme travels the full arc of life in the records. We start with a Lunchtime Chat on Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate Curiosities, then explore Informal and Formal Adoption: Bridging the 1926 Act (1890s–1940s). We step Beyond Parish Registers: Tracing Your Anglican Ancestors before Nicholas Dixon reveals the lives of the clergy who created baptism, marriage, and burial records in Clerical Roots.
Spotlight on Occupations and Counties
Our “occupation of the month” is curriers—specialists in dressing leather—alongside everyone in the leather trade. Gloucestershire takes the county spotlight, with a recorded talk and library tour of the Society’s Gloucestershire collections. We’ve arranged a special online session with Gloucestershire Family History Society and Gloucester Heritage Hub. If you’re nearby, join fellow members for a guided tour of the Heritage Hub itself.
Sharpen Your Genealogy Skills
It’s back-to-school season—the twelve-week Stage 3 Family History Skills course begins Saturday 27 September. Designed for those who have completed Stage 2 or are ready to move beyond civil registration and parish records, this course dives into earlier sources to bring your family history to life.
LIBRARY NEWS
For the latest news from the library, including preparations for upload to SoG Explore, the new Featured Collection in September, and a forthcoming student internship from the USA, see our September Library Update.
VOLUNTEERING WITH US
Have you ever thought about volunteering with us?
We have projects 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 sharing your expertise.
We have over 200 volunteers working all over the world and in-person opportunities at our London Research Hub. Training is available for all our projects.
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?
BOOK OF THE MONTH
September's Book of the Month is:
Greater London Cemeteries and Crematoria, originally compiled by Patricia S. Wolfson and revised by Cliff Webb (7th ed., 2005), is a valuable handbook for family historians and genealogists.
Finding an ancestor’s burial place, maybe a surviving headstone or plaque, can be a very moving experience. If your 19th century ancestors lived and died in Greater London, actually finding them can be a difficult task.
During the 1950s burials in inner London were discontinued and the local parishes involved stopped maintaining parish burial registers. The burials moved from inner London out to Greater London. Non-denominational cemeteries were used, owned by commercial companies or local government bodies.
This book aims to help you find where your ancestors were buried in London. It includes lists to give you a pathway through the complicated maze of cemeteries, crematoria, and records.
You can look up the pre-1965 local authorities in Greater London to see the name of the current authority and the burial places in that area. For extra help, you can see the date that registers started for each burial place. It allows you to begin to identify where your search could start. A second list shows current non-denominational cemeteries and crematoria. In this list you can find where records are held, the date registers began and whether you can search the records. There are separate lists for the army, the navy and for Roman Catholic burials. If you have Jewish ancestors, this book includes lists for orthodox, reform and liberal burial places.
Special Offer: Greater London Cemeteries and Crematoria is usually £5.99 and is currently available to SoG members at the discounted price of £4.79 (£5.39 to non-members).
A £3.50 postal charge applies within the UK. This book plus the full range of titles published by the Society available from our bookshop through our website. Offer valid until 30 Sep 2025.
And don’t forget — if you visit us at the Research Hub, Wharf Road, you’ll enjoy 25% off all SoG titles and 50% off second-hand books.
Competition
Win a copy of September 2025’s discounted book, Greater London Cemeteries and Crematoria. To enter, please answer the following question:
In which cemetery in London is the suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst buried?
Please email your answer to competition@sog.org.uk by midnight GMT on 10 September 2025 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 August 2025’s discounted book, My Ancestor was in Service by Pamela Horn (2016), is Mrs Penny Smith. The answer to ‘What nickname was given to between maids, a type of junior female servant?’ was Tweenies.
Emmeline Pankhurst, 1913
COMMUNITY NEWS
Victorian Diary Available Online
Blogger Lynn Heiden has shared part one of an 1879 diary written by Julia Harriett Grubbe. This diary came into Lynn’s hands through Jeremy Carson of The Antiquarian Book Company, who discovered Lynn’s previous blogs about the Grubbe family and offered her the chance to read and share the diary. Lynn first found the Grubbe family through an old photo at a 2016 car boot sale and has since written three blogs about them. Read the first part of the diary here: Julia Harriet Grubbe’s 1879 Diary
New Tutor Joining Pharos: Jude Rhodes
Jude Rhodes has joined Pharos as a new tutor. A graduate of the Advanced Certificate programme, Jude is well-known for her talks and work with the Society of Genealogists (SoG) and the British Association for Local History (BALH). She is also an AGRA Associate, a member of the British Association for Local History Outreach Committee and serves as Secretary for the Society of One Place Studies. Jude will be teaching Researching Your Yorkshire Ancestors, marking the first regional course Pharos has offered in many years.
YourDNAportal.com has launched two new DNA tests to help users explore their direct ancestral lines. The Y-DNA Haplogroup test is available for males, allowing them to trace their paternal ancestry with a detailed phylogenetic tree, ancient samples, dates, and locations. The mtDNA Haplogroup test, available to both males and females, helps trace maternal lineage with a phylogenetic tree that reaches back to the earliest direct maternal ancestors. For those who previously tested but did not receive full Y-DNA or mtDNA results, or only received basic haplogroup designations, yourDNAportal.com can now analyse your DNA file and unlock these additional tests if the relevant SNPs are included.
Chance Heritage Trust Celebrates 10 Years with New Website
Visit the site to learn more about their vision, meet their Directors and Ambassadors, stay up to date with their latest news and restoration plans, and explore upcoming events and historical archives.
The Family History Show returns to Kempton Park Racecourse on Saturday 4th October 2025, offering an inspiring day of discovery and expert advice for everyone, from beginners to seasoned genealogists. With free talks, expert sessions, exhibitors, and societies from around the world, attendees can explore new resources, break down brick walls, and get hands-on support for their family tree research. Plus, enjoy free parking, on-site refreshments, and easy access via a direct train from London Waterloo. SoG members can get half-price tickets using this link: www.TheFamilyHistoryShow.com/SOGL25. Don’t miss out on this event, organised by Discover Your Ancestors Magazine and sponsored by TheGenealogist.co.uk.
SECRETS & LIES – A Thought-Provoking Genealogy Experience
Discover Hidden Voices at the Halsted Trust’s International Family History Conference
There are just eight places remaining on the Halsted Trust’s unforgettable weekend of discovery, discussion, and camaraderie at their fourth International Family History Conference taking place from September 19th to 21st, 2025, at the Holiday Inn, Peterborough West. This immersive residential event promises a fascinating exploration of the untold stories that shaped our past.
Special discount for SoG members: £30 off the full price. Use code “30OFF” at checkout on the conference website Secrets and Lies. Don't miss your chance to join this unique event at a discounted rate—reserve your spot today before these final places are snapped up!
What to Expect:
Over the course of three days, attendees will enjoy:
- A choice of 18 engaging talks from esteemed genealogists, historians, and experts.
- After-dinner sessions uncovering remarkable family history mysteries.
- A warm and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for meeting fellow genealogy enthusiasts.
- Great food, great company, and great conversation!
Genealogy Takes Centre Stage in Glasgow, June 2026
Join Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies (SIGS) for a 2-day academic conference on the 25 and 26 June 2026; Beyond the Family Tree: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on AI, DNA, Education and Community in Genealogy.
Explore a variety of topics, including genetic genealogy, history, and genealogy, with parallel streams featuring keynote presentations and guest lectures—giving you the freedom to choose the sessions that inspire you most.
The conference will be preceded by a one-day Professional Genealogy Symposium in on the 24 June 2026, hosted by the Association of Professional Genealogists in partnership with SIGS.
Symposium sessions will be led by industry experts and will cover topics such expanding your genealogy business, client deliverables, financial considerations, productivity tools, cross-border marketing, ethical and legal issues, and much more.
Both events will be held at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow UK.
Most sessions will be available online, allowing you to join from anywhere in the world.
Three days. Two events. A unique and immersive experience bringing together genealogists, educators, and enthusiasts from connected disciplines.
Hold the date (24–26 June 2026 - both events) and get the latest updates by registering your interest on our website www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/centreforlifelonglearning/genealogy/beyondfamilytreeconference2026/
📺 What’s On the Box?
Queen Victoria’s Secret Romance?
Was Queen Victoria secretly married to her Highland servant, John Brown? And did they have a child together? Rob Rinder and Dr. Fern Riddell explore new evidence in this fascinating Channel 4 documentary. Catch up on the mystery of the royal relationship now.
Genealogy on Screen: What Our Histories Reveal
The acclaimed PBS series Finding Your Roots returns January 6, 2026. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., the show continues to blend DNA science and genealogical research to help public figures explore their hidden family histories. Confirmed participants this season include Brittney Griner, Spike Lee, Kristin Chenoweth (who some of you may remember from RootsTech 2024), and Lizzo — with one mystery guest still under wraps.
🎥 Catch up on previous seasons here:
🔗 Watch on YouTube
ITV’s DNA Journey has won Best Branded Entertainment at this year’s Edinburgh TV Awards — a well-earned recognition for a series that uses DNA testing and archival digging to connect well-known individuals to surprising histories.
📺 Explore DNA Journey here:
🔗 Watch on ITV
Join the conversation!
Share your thoughts on whether you believe Queen Victoria had a secret love child, or on Finding Your Roots, DNA Journey, or any other family history TV you've enjoyed. Join fellow enthusiasts on our Facebook page and keep the discoveries going.
THE LATEST DIGITAL COLLECTION NEWS
Newspapers.com has expanded its collection with 482 newly added titles from across the U.S., Canada, England, and Scotland — including papers from 32 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. This latest update offers a broader range of local, regional, and national coverage, providing even more valuable material for family and social history research. Among the newly added UK titles are the following titles from both England and Scotland:
England
Scotland
Perthshire Courier, etc.
The National Library of Scotland (NLS) has just added 356 early maps of England and Wales to its online collection. This includes: 167 new county maps showing rural landscapes in excellent detail largely before the Ordnance Survey's work in the 19th century; 106 new town plans, with 64 town plans of London, revealing changes in streets, buildings and other urban development over time; 62 maps of the whole of England and Wales, highlighting the development of railways, canals and roads; and 21 nautical charts covering coastal areas, such as the Irish Sea, English Channel and North Sea. You can explore these new additions and view a detailed spreadsheet, organised by map group, area, and date.
Families in British India Society (FIBIS) has transcribed indexes to the Accountant’s General records for 1704-1779 with permission from the British Library. These records, which cover Bengal, Bombay, and Madras, provide key details about the deceased, including their profession, residence, and nearest relatives. To explore these records, visit the FIBIS database here. Full records are available at the British Library.
Ancestry has added:
- Suffolk, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1924
- Suffolk, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1949
- Suffolk, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-1999
- Suffolk, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812
- Birmingham, England, Electoral Registers, 1833-1972
Findmypast has added:
Ireland, Memorials of the Dead 1888-1939
British Isles Gazetteers, Scottish Gazetteers
Ireland, Irish Memorials Association Published Baptisms
Ireland, Irish Memorials Association Published Marriages
Military Service Memorial Collection
British Army, Royal York Rangers
Norfolk, Churchyard Graves and Memorials
Newspapers:
- Barnstaple Times, 1889
- Birmingham Daily Times, 1888
- Blandford Express, 1869–1895
- Brett’s St. Leonards and Hastings Gazette and Visitors’ Vade Mecum, 1857–1859, 1861–1864, 1866–1871, 1873, 1878–1882, 1884–1892, 1894–1896
- Brighton Examiner, 1874, 1876–1880
- Brighton Standard and Fashionable Visitors’ List, 1870, 1882, 1885, 1892–1893
- British Volunteer and Manchester Weekly Express, 1822
- Burton Evening Gazette, 1889, 1896, 1911
- Bury Guardian, 1888
- Camberwell News and South London Advertiser, 1876
- Castleford Gazette, 1878, 1889
- Church in the West, 1885–1886
- Codnor Park and Ironville Telegraph, 1860–1867
- Colchester Mercury and North Essex Express, 1889
- Colne & Nelson Times, 1897
- Coventry Independent, 1875–1876, 1878, 1880–1882
- Cricketers’ Herald, Athletic & Football Times, 1889
- Deptford Chronicle, 1895–1898
- Doncaster Chronicle, 1889
- East Cumberland News, 1901
- Eastern European Review, 1902
- Enfield Gazette, 1889, 1913, 1915–1918
- Folkestone News & East Kent Chronicle, 1889–1890
- Folkestone Observer, 1889
- Forest Gate Gazette and Upton Chronicle, 1888
- Forester’s Free Press, 1889
- Fort-William News, 1898
- Fur and Feather, 1890-1894, 1896-1897, 1899-1903, 1916-1918
- General Strike, 1903
- Glasgow Examiner, 1846, 1848, 1851–1853, 1855–1856, 1858, 1860, 1862
- Glasgow Times, 1857
- Heanor Observer, 1950
- Heckmondwike Herald, 1889
- Heckmondwike Reporter, 1880, 1889
- Ilfracombe Gazette, 1877
- Illustrated Bridport News, 1855
- Irish Jurist, 1850–1856, 1858–1865
- Irish Liberator, 1863–1864
- Irish Tribune, 1884
- Isle of Man Courier, 1889, 1891–1896, 1899–1909, 1912–1918
- Kent Herald, 1824–1852, 1889, 1940–1944
- Knaresborough Advertiser, 1889
- Knutsford Guardian, 1911
- Leicester Catholic News, 1915–1934
- Leicester Sporting News, 1898
- Lincolnshire Star, 1889
- Liverpool Catholic Herald, 1908
- Mansfield and North Notts Advertiser, 1889
- Matrimonial Post and Fashionable Marriage Advertiser, 1885
- Mid-Surrey Times, 1876–1898, 1900–1904
- Mona’s Herald, 1884
- Norfolk Echo and Temperance Advocate, 1880
- North Antrim Standard, 1921
- Northampton Nonconformist, 1891–1892
- Northamptonshire Guardian, 1878
- Northern Star (Belfast), 1897–1908
- Northern Star 1792, 1795–1796
- Oldham Daily Standard and Northern Times, 1889
- Oldham Standard, 1889
- Oxford Review, 1885-1888, 1890-1898, 1900-1910, 1912-1914
- Paddington Times, 1870-1878, 1885-1892, 1894-1918
- Paignton Observer and Echo, 1909, 1918
- Passing Show, 1931
- Peeblesshire Monthly Advertiser and Tweedside Journal, 1932–1952
- Pick-me-up, 1899
- Plymouth Herald and Devonshire Freeholder, 1839, 1869
- Prescott’s Manchester Journal, 1771
- Pressland’s Gazette, 1882
- Preston Guardian, 1887, 1889–1891, 1893, 1899, 1901, 1914
- Prisons’ Service Review, 1897
- Public Opinion, 1865–1884, 1886–1911
- Ramsey Weekly News, 1889
- Ripley Advertiser, 1873, 1876–1878, 1882
- Rochdale Standard, 1856
- Scots Times, 1832–1833
- Southern Daily Mail, 1889
- St. Austell Gazette and Cornwall County News, 1926–1946, 1948–1951
- St. Mary Cray & Swanley Express, 1904–1909, 1913–1917
- St. Marylebone and Paddington Record, 1940
- Stockton News and Advertiser, 1864–1865
- Swinton and Pendlebury Times, 1889
- The Forester (Coleford), 1875, 1881
- Ulster Weekly News, 1882
- Wakefield Evening Herald, 1889
- Wallasey and Wirral Chronicle, 1889, 1893
- Williamson’s Liverpool Advertiser and Mercantile Chronicle, 1766
- Wimbledon and District Gazette and South-Western Times, 1892-1917
- Workington Free Press and Solway Pilot, 1870–1871, 1874–1876, 1878, 1880–1893
- Workington News and West Cumberland Advertiser, 1889, 1902
- World’s Fair, 1906–1917
- Yorkshire Sports, 1911
- Bradford Socialist Vanguard, 1908-1910, 1912-1920
- Coventry Reporter and General Advertiser, 1886, 1888-1893, 1895, 1898-1911
- Fireside Companion, 1879-1888
- Walsall Football News, 1920-1939
- Wiltshire News, 1913, 1916, 1918-1929, 1938-1945, 1949, 1960, 1962
TheGenealogist has added a new collection of historic records featuring doctors, surgeons, and nurses from the mid-19th to mid-20th century. With nearly 200,000 names, these records provide valuable insights into medical careers, qualifications, and personal details, perfect for family historians looking to explore their ancestors' lives.
Among the highlights is Sophia Jex-Blake, the first female doctor to practice in Scotland and a key figure in the fight for women’s medical education. Her story, along with those of thousands of other medical professionals, is now available for research.
The records are now available to all Diamond subscribers and include:
- The Medical Register 1897, 1906, 1939
- Medical Directory for Ireland 1856
- Register of Nurses for Scotland 1947, 1948
Special Offer: Save Over £75
Subscribe now for just £118.95 and get a 12-month subscription to Discover Your Ancestors Online Magazine. Claim this offer here before November 30, 2025.
MyHeritage
MyHeritage is looking to expand its Wiki contributor community. The MyHeritage Wiki is inviting passionate family history enthusiasts to contribute articles, share knowledge, and help make genealogy more accessible worldwide. Contributors receive a range of perks, including MyHeritage subscriptions, personalized gifts, and a dedicated page to showcase their articles, biography, and social media links. Go to this short form.
In honour of Labor Day in the U.S., MyHeritage is opening access to a massive collection of historical records — over 892 million U.S. and Canadian census records — completely free between August 27–September 2, 2025.
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.
