The Society of Genealogists again celebrated a successful weekend at Olympia as Who Do You Think You Are? Live reached its fifth year. 

The Society’s centenary celebrations were launched in style at a reception hosted by the Society’s centenary sponsors findmypast.co.uk and we were delighted that our new book The Society of Genealogists: A Hundred Years of Family History arrived just in time to take to the show. An interview with Debra Chatfield from FMP talking  to Chris Paton about the Society of Genealogists Data online is available on Youtube

As usual the membership team and volunteers manned the SoG’s stand (newly designed for this year) to sign up new members and tell everyone about the Society. I don’t think we broke last year’s record for sign ups but we came pretty close which, considering the economy, was a considerable achievement. So a big thank-you to all at the stand and of course to those who were kept busy selling on the bookstall. The new titles (the SoG History and Jayne Shrimpton’s Getting the Most from Family Pictures) seemed to be well appreciated and sold well. I hear SoG Librarian Tim Lawrence was quietly pleased with the quality of books available on his second hand books stall and he and his team raised a nice sum for the Library.

Away from the SoG stand the new space for the Society’s Ask the Experts Area in the upper gallery was well appreciated. We managed the queues well and helped as many people as ever before. Every time I rushed by I saw a huge numbers at the tables with all our expert volunteers so thanks to everyone who helped Lori and her team in that area. However, I do hope we can arrange for that big new space to be a little warmer next year.

The SoG workshops were well attended with many selling out and lots of people standing outside listening in. Some of the handouts and slides from the speakers at WDYTYA?Live 2011 are available on the Family History Show Pages of the Society of Genealogists’ website

Spreading the workshops out in the Upper Gallery was good for the audience and speakers but did mean I had to sprint from one to the other during the handover breaks between talks to thank all my speakers and make sure everyone was happy. I think they were and as usual all the talks were of an excellent quality. I am particularly grateful to the overseas speakers from New Zealand, Israel and America who travelled to take part and it was great to meet so many eminently knowledgeable speakers. However if you missed me in the blur as I strode purposefully past you know where I was heading.

The Society of Genealogists’ Family History show remains an integral part of WDYTYA?Live and the stall holders seemed as busy as ever. It struck me that a few voices disappeared as the stall holders talked to thousands of visitors. We were delighted to see the return of some societies who haven’t been able to attend in past years.

So what news did we hear at the show? Brand Events,who organised the event for the last 5 years, has sold its major share of the show to BBC Magazines Bristol who will be managing the event from now on and who have lots of new plans to take the event further. I didn’t have time to enquire on what’s new on all the stands so I am grateful to fellow bloggers and inveterate news hounds Dick Eastman and Chris Paton for posting show news round ups so early. The British Library announced its digitisation of the India Collections. The Genealogists is adding war memorials and Deceased Online has added Scottish MIs. Findmypast will be adding transcriptions of Scottish census records only. The trends for the future look to be technology and its potential for enhancing the family history experience so look out for new workshop content and more social network elements for next year’s WDYTYA?Live 2012. See you there.

 We will be posting some of our own pictures  from the show in due course but here are a few pictures taken by our friend Chris Paton and Pictures from Dick Eastman posted on their blogs

Technorati Tags: family history, Society of Genealogists, Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2010

Members of the Society of Genealogists can now login to MySoG.

The Society of Genealogists has launched an enhancement to the website called MySoG. You will find a link on the top right hand banner on all pages on the Society of Genealogists website www.sog.org.uk

 What is MySoG?

MySoG currently allows Members, who want to, to update some of their personal details, to renew their membership using secure online payment options and to access to the Society of Genealogists Family History Data Online (previously known as the Members’ Area). It will also improve the Society’s communications as members will be able to provide current email addresses. So please do take the opportunity to update your information.

 How do I start?

To use MySog for the first time you must follow the instructions in the letter sent to all Members in early February 2011 (and by Airmail to overseas Members). This explains how first to validate your membership to access MySog and obtain a password which is sent by email. To validate you will need to input the two different numbers on the front and back of your membership card.You can then login once the validation has been completed. Please note any Usernames and Password used in the past to access the old “Members’ Area” or SoG Data on Origins are not valid to access MySoG. Your MySoG access details are not valid on either of those facilities so you must follow the instructions that have been sent to you. If you have not received the letter or have any problems please email support@sog.org.uk. Please avoid using other sog.org.uk email addresses or telephoning the SoG. The support facility is managed off-site and outside opening hours.

Once you have completed the validation process and received your password you may log into MySoG.

Once logged-in access is available to existing SoG online datasets which during the next few months will provide unlimited access to those datasets previously only available for a 72 hour period each quarter. Until then Members can still access the data using British Origins using your Orgins login and password but once all the data has migrated onto MySoG the Society’s contract with Origins will come finally to an end and our data will no longer be available on that site.

What will I find on MySoG?

Firstly MySoG will enable Members to ensure we have the correct information and contact details including email addresses. MySoG can also be used renew membership subscriptions and check payments and direct debit information. There is a “contact us” page to send specific questions on a range of topics.

During the next few months MySoG will be enhanced to give access to a new online bookshop (also available to non-members) where Members can obtain discounts on Society of Genealogists’ family history publications and other benefits. Members will also be able reserve places and receive tickets for the wide range of family history courses, lectures, tutorials and other events with membership discounts automatically applied. Additional facilities are expected to be added during 2011. In the meantime Members can order books and tickets for events using the existing online shop

What SoG data is online on MySoG?

As well as the existing datasets previously available in the members’ area of the website, the Society has been uploading those datasets that were formerly available on British Origins. So far the following have been added -

Boyd’s London burials (found under Middlesex parish registers)

PCC wills 1750-1800 (found under wills)

Vicar General marriage licences (found under Marriage Licences)

Faculty Office marriage licences (found under Marriage Licences)

St Leonard’s Shoreditch burials 1805-58 (found under Middlesex parish registers)

St Andrew Holborn marriages 1754-1812 (found under Middlesex parish registers)

By May it is hoped that those remaining indexes such as Boyd’s Marriage Index will also be available along with data sets that have accompanying images. These include Apprentices of Great Britain index volumes, Teachers Registration Council registers, Boyd’s Inhabitants of London, Trinity House Petitions Calendars and the Bank of England Wills abstracts.

All SoG data available on findmypast.co.uk will be available to members on MySoG and this will include the indexes and ultimately the images of the Civil Service Evidences of Age and the GWR shareholders index.

Keep an eye on MySoG as data and enhancements are added in the next few months. Don’t forget you can use the free surname search of the SoG Data Online so you can quickly check if any new sources include the surnames you are researching before logging into MySoG

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

The deadline for the earlybird discounts for the Society of Genealogists Centenary Conference is February 28th 2011

Breaking the Barriers – Innovative Genealogy in the 20^th and 21^st Century  -  Saturday 7^th May 2011
The Royal Overseas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, 5 St James’s Terrace, London SW1A 1LP

The Society’s Centenary Conference  Breaking the Barriers – Innovative Genealogy in the 20^th and 21^st Century is a celebration of the past century of genealogy and the role played by Society of Genealogists.  The topics will, of course, look forward to the future of the subject. The conference will include a full day of lectures and networking luncheon and dinner, featuring nationally and internationally known genealogical speakers.

The conference lectures streams examine how the SoG has influenced genealogy over the century. It will look at the period that saw the foundation of the Society. It will focus on issues facing family historians today and the technical advances that may help. We will discuss where we see the subject going in the future. It will show how family historians can take their genealogy further and break the barriers of their research.

The full programme and list of speakers can be found on the Society of Genealogists Centenary Blog

Places are limited. Click here to book a place via the Society of Genealogists online shop

Registration from 9.30am

Conference 10.15-6.30pm, Conference Reception & Banquet 7-ca 9.45pm

Conference prices

Conference including lunch (early bird rate up to 28 February 2011)        £99
(full rate from 1 March 2011  – £120)

Conference Banquet (early bird rate up to 28 February 2011)                      £30
(full rate from 1 March  2011  – £35)

Conference & Banquet (discount early bird rate up to 28 February 2011)     £116
(full rate from 1 March  2011   £140)

Technorati Tags: conference, family history, genealogy, Society of Genealogists

If you’ve been researching your family history for years you probably know exactly what you want to get from your day at Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE but have a look at the show highlights and make sure you’re making the most of your day.

We’ve created a special ticket to supply you with targeted information on advanced subjects from esteemed speakers – why not buy one of the Conference Ticket for Sunday 27th February to take advantage of a networking lounge and three exclusive seminars as well as all the other show features and workshops.

The usual price is £30* but the Society of Genealogists is delighted to be able to offer a special price of £28* for anyone booking this conference. Book tickets directly on the Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE Website using the offer code CONFSOG

* £2 transaction fee applies.  Offer ends 25th February 2011. 

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

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