Rain on St Swithin’s Day forebodes a dreadful summer of 40 days of rain. So what are  family historians to do if you can’t be distracted from your genealogy by trips beach or forays into the garden? Well you could  just get on with your genealogical research and how better to do that than join the Society of Genealogists in its Centenary Year?

The Society of Genealogists’  Summer Membership Special Offer waives the joining administration fee of  £10 until 30 September 2011. This means your first year’s membership is only £45 (or £27 for overseas members). Join the Society  of Genealogists today and your discounted membership will be valid until October 2012. IN ADDITION the Society’s Summer membership Offer includes free  Family Tree Builder genealogy software (while stocks last).

Benefits of membership including FREE access to the SoG Library,  FREE data online, FREE Genealogists Magazine, FREE access to genealogy websites in the SoG Library and discounted books and courses are outlined on the Society of Genealogists website .

Download the application form today and quote SSP11 to take advantage of the Summer Special Membership Offer.

Technorati Tags: family history, genealogy, Society of Genealogists

Are you stuck for an idea for a Fathers Day Gift for July 19th? Then buy him something that will captivate his interest in genealogy and provide an entertaning hobby for years to come.  Membership of the Society of Genealogists allows free access to the Society’s remarkable library; on line data on our wesite and discounts on our books, events and courses.

The Society of Genealogists Gift Certfificate for one year’s membership can be ordered direct from the Society’s online shop

This is a great  gift for a family historian. You will receive a gift certificate, application form and membership pack to pass onto the lucky recipient. To activate the membership, the recipient will need to complete the application form and return it to the Society of Genealogists by post or upon their first visit to the society.

Membership of the Society of Genealogists costs just £45 a year  for the UK (£43 by diret debit) and £27 a year for overseas members.  There is a one-off joining admin fee of £10 in the first year.

More details of SoG membership benefits and information about the Society’s remarkable library can be found on the Society’s website

Technorati Tags: family history, genealogy, Society of Genealogists, Start Your Family Tree

The Society of Genealogists Family History Show will again take place as part of the Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE National History Show – 25-27 February 2011.

The Society will be waiving its £10 joining/administration fee for anyone who joins the Society at Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE 2011. Come and find us at stand 1025.

BUY 2 FOR 1 TICKETS!

Tickets for Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE! 2011 are now on sale, starting the countdown to another packed weekend of inspiration for family historians around the country.

As well as the chance to get advice from experts, history societies and representatives from all the major online resources, famous faces from Who Do You Think You Are? will again be on hand to share their experiences of filming the TV show. As well as offering a great line-up of speakers and experts, this year’s event will be expanding into a new hall. We look forward to seeing you all there!

We’re giving you the chance to buy two adult tickets for £25 – that’s a saving of £22*! To claim this special offer and get your tickets to the country’s biggest and most comprehensive family history event, simply call 0844 873 7330 or visit the Who Do You Think You Are? Live website and quote SOG2425 today! Show tickets will also be available from the SoG bookshop as usual.

* £2 transaction fee applies. Usual ticket price £22. Two for £25 offer ends 19th February 2011.

(note this is not a BBC event)

The Society of Genealogists’ Family History Show began in 1993 at the Royal Horticultural Halls. Now in its 18th year and supported by TheGenealogist.co.uk, the Family History Show is a highlight of Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE and we are delighted to be back for our fifth year working together.

As the UK’s largest collection of family history societies and specialist exhibitors, the Society of Genealogists’ Family History Show is the perfect place to learn about local research resources and have your questions answered by local and regional experts. Also featuring will be specialist researchers and businesses that can provide expertise on a range of topics and products, helping to make the Family History Show a rich resource unlike any other.

The Society of Genealogists Workshop Programme will also once more be a major feature of the event. With over 100 workshops and seminars on a range of subjects, this is a feature that no family historian can afford to miss. Tickets are free at on the day but can be pre-booked to ensure you get your place at the workshop most relevant to your search: www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.co.uk

findmypast.co.uk, sponsor of the Society’s Centenary Year and now host of the SoG’s online data is one of the top family history websites, offering an extensive collection of census transcripts and images, parish and nonconformist records and a selection of unique search tools to maximise your experience using this site. Visit the team on stand 825 to find out more.

Ask the Experts – get a 20 minute one-to-one session with an expert. Ever felt like you wanted to speak to someone face to face who could help you with a problem? A visit to this area of the show is a must for anyone who is stuck and needs help or is a beginner looking to start their family history research.

The Military Pavilion will be making a welcome return to Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE. Countless family historians will have discovered military ancestors and, if you’re one of them, you can’t afford to miss it.

As well as a host of specialist exhibitors, be sure to visit the DNA Workshop, supported by Family Tree DNA, which will feature renowned international expert speakers to help you to use the latest advances in genetics to further your research.?

If you are further along with your research you could really benefit from the Who Do You Think You Are? Live Conference Ticket available on Sunday 27 February. It includes entry to three exclusive lecures and a networking longe where you will be welcomed as a Conference Ticket Holder. The exclusive lectures are:
            12.00 How to make Google Work Harder for Your Family HIstory With LIsa Cooke
            13.00 Surnames, DNA and Family History with Dr Turi King
            14.00 Are YOur Ancestors Frozen in Time with Claire V Brisson Banks

One Day Conference Ticket holders can also benefit from a complimentary “My Ancestors” Publication if you join the Society of Genealogists at the show.

Technorati Tags: Family History News, Society of Genealogists, Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2011

If the winter weather has prevented you from getting out to do your Christmas shopping then order your favourite family historian a year’s membership of the Society of Genealogists via our online shop

Full details of all the Benefits of membership of the Society of Genealogists – the UK’s largest family history society can be found on the Society’s website but here are the highlights

Benefits of Membership:
Free access to the Society’s remarkable Family History Library

Free access to the Society’s online data  via the  Member’s Area of the Society’s website

Free access in the Library to several pay-per-view or subscription web sites
The Society has made arrangements with a number of pay-to-view or subscription web sites to provide free access from the Library.

Free, expert help and advice on genealogical problems
The Society provides a specialist family history telephone advice service, regular one-to-one advice half hour advice sessions with experts at the Society’s library, and an online mailing list.

Free Genealogists’ Magazine per year in March, June, September and December.
The Magazine is full of information including articles, a full list of the Staff Members, Library Updates, Notes and News of the Society and advice on people who can help with research.

Member’s Discounts
Member’s discount of 10% on courses and lectures,

Member’s 10% discount on Society Publications,

Member’s 20% discount on short specific searches when using the LIbrary Search & Copy Service

Members can obtain 20% extra pay-per-view units or 10% discount on subscriptions to findmypast.com by using the special members’ codes available by email from the Membership Office.

Borrow material from the Library
Members resident in the UK can (with some restrictions) , borrow books and microfrms from the Library

Join the Society of Genealogists here

Announcing “Start Your Family Tree Week”-  26 Dec 2010 – 1 Jan 2011

 The holiday season between Christmas and New Year is a great time to statr your family history. Families will have come together and the stories have come out.  Serious family historians will have time to use that new genealogical software and update their family trees.

Family history websites findmypast.co.uk and Genes Reunited are getting together to launch the first “Start you family tree week” in the UK.  From Boxing Day 2010 right through to New Year’s Day there’ll be special offers and activities available every day on both websites, including free getting started guides, printable charts, discounts, competitions, and lots more. This new initiative has the support of the Society of Genealogists and the Federation of Family History Societies. It is anticipated that further partners and websites will become involved, with the aim of getting more people of all ages to discover more about their family history over the Christmas period.

Look out for the “Start your Family History” week promotions on the SoG website   and newsblog  where the Society of Genealogists will make available  downloadable pdfs of our 10 tips for starting your family history, a 4 generation pedigree chart and updated Start your Family History Information leaflet

Debra Chatfield, Marketing Manager of findmypast.co.uk commented: “We know from our customer surveys that Boxing Day is one of the most popular days of the year for people to research their family history. With the family gathered around for the festivities, it’s the perfect time to quiz the older generations on what they remember about the family, and get the youngsters inspired too about this rewarding and fascinating hobby.  And with many people not working between Christmas and New Year, you’re more likely to have time on your hands to get down to some serious record searching.”

Details of what’s on offer each day will be posted every day from Boxing Day onwards on the findmypast blog http://blog.findmypast.co.uk/ and Genes Reunited blog http://blog.genesreunited.co.uk/

Technorati Tags: family history, Family History News, genealogy, Society of Genealogists, start your family history