Although the majority of people employed by the railways were men, a number of women were also to be found amongst their ranks.

Helena Wojtczak, in her book “Railwaywomen” (Hastings Press, 2005), tells the untold story of the British railwaywoman, charting her progress from exploited drudge in the 1830s to steam engine driver by the 21st century.

A copy of the book is held in the Society of Genealogists’s library in Clerkenwell and Society volunteer Frank Hardy has recently produced an index to all 2644 people mentioned in the text. This index has now been made available on the Members’ Area of the Society’s website where a free basic search can be made.

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The Society of Genealogists is delighted to publish My Ancestor was an Apprentice by Stuart Raymond. This new book is full of help and  advice for researchers wanting to access and use apprenticeship records in England, beginning with their origins in Medieval London. My Ancestor was an Apprentice is available at £8.99 from the Society of Genealogists bookshop, and online at www.sog.org.uk

If so there may be a reference to him/her in a new family history resource on the Members’ Area of the Society of Genealogists website.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) was formed in 1824 and since then over 2,400 gold, silver and (since 1917) bronze medals have been awarded for gallantry in saving lives from shipwrecks. The book “Lifeboat Gallantry” edited by Barry COX and published by Spink in 1998 provides the first complete list of all such medals to be published, together with details of the acts of heroism involved – incredible feats of endurance and seamanship in the face of adversity.

A copy of the book is held in the Society’s library (shelfmark MED/68) and volunteer Frank Hardy has recently produced an index to all 2644 people mentioned in the text. This index has now been made available on the Members’ Area of the Society’s website and a free basic search can be made here.

If a visit to the library is not possible a photocopy can be ordered through the Society’s Search and Copy Service

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The Society of Genealogists is delighted to publish the fully revised second edition of My Ancestor was a Coalminer by David Tonks. This book is of tremendous use to anyone with coalminers in their family tree. The author was brought up in an East Durham colliery village and consequently the lives, work and communities of coalminers are vividly brought to life.  There is comprehensive chapter devoted to sources to encourage further research and a very helpful glossary of mining terms . This and many other books are available from the Society of Genealogists bookshop, and online at www.sog.org.uk 

The Society of Genealogists was named Best Book Publisher of 2009 by Your Family Tree Magazine in their annual awards, beating strong competition from the likes of Pen & Sword and The National Archives. The My Ancestors series is described as ‘expertly written, packed with facts and giving pointers to the best sources’. Referring to the society’s 2009 releases, the magazine went on to say ‘Our glowing reviews of the 1911 Census book, plus the Railway Worker and In Service  titles – complete with YFT Seals of Approval – give you some idea of the high standard of these publications’. The society is delighted to receive such recognition and you can buy our award winning books in our online shop at www.sog.org.uk

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