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The monthly newsletter to customers of BMDindex, TheGenealogist, Genealogy Supplies and British Data Archive

In this issue:

* UK Events

* Special Email News Offers
  – Save on top software
  – Free Who do you think you are Live - Olympia Tickets

* Family History Articles - Back to my Roots by Diane Fackerell

Why don’t you email us your personal story about researching your family history and the interesting tales you’ve discovered about your ancestors' lives? All stories submitted will be eligible to compete for the prize of £100 for the top story of the month.

Email your stories to [email protected] or submit them in the Community Area of The Genealogist.

* What’s New Online?

  - Latest 2005 BMDs

  - 1901 Transcripts

  - More Parish Records

* What’s New on CD

* Top-selling Products

UK EVENTS – May/June 2007

The major event of the year has to be:

Who Do You Think You Are? Live

5th, 6th and 7th of May (Sat-Mon) Olympia, London. Come and see us!

We will be there in force with family and staff from various sections, both online and S&N mail order.

Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE is the biggest ever national history show in the UK featuring top TV historians, expert family historians, academics and celebrity enthusiasts.

See the likes of David Starkey, Dan Snow, Bettany Hughes, Jonathan Foyle, Neil Oliver and Nick Barratt to name a few as well as speakers from our expert organisations.

If you’re just starting out there will be lots of experts on hand at the show.
S&N will be on Stalls 1a,1,2,3,4,5,6,7; first right from the entrance. We are in the SoG Family History Section.

Come and meet the family and collect your free online subscription card plus our free full-colour 40-page catalogue.

When you buy any item collect your free family history research guide (while stocks last) and benefit from our special show pricing.

Save £5 on A4 binders and £7 on A3 binders with our special show prices. Keep your documents, certificates and photographs safe with our archival padded leather effect high quality binders.

RootsMagic Platinum has recently won the best genealogy software in the group test by the Guardian. The guide to family history in April 2007 gives RootsMagic Platinum the highest score. Save money and pick up your copy at our show special pricing.

Kent Family History Fair Maidstone

Sunday 13th May

Market Hall, Lockmeadow (next to market), Hart Street off of Barker Road, Maidstone, ME16 8RG

Wiltshire FHS Open Day

Saturday 16th June

Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury 

For further details of fairs visit www.genealogysupplies.com/events.htm

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SPECIAL EMAIL NEWS OFFER

For a limited time we have a Special Offer on RootsMagic Platinum. This program won the group test of genealogy software in the Guardian this month.

See http://www.genealogyreviews.co.uk/GuardianReviewApr07RM.htm

The package is normally £49.95 but you can save £11 by ordering over the next few days.

To place your order phone S&N on 01722 716121 (9-5 Monday-Friday) or browse to
http://www.genealogysupplies.com/product_display.php?cat_no=8&prodid=3692

Hurry as the special price won’t last.

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**************FREE TICKETS*****************

We have 10 Free tickets for Who Do You Think You Are? Live Show. Read on and find out how you could get one...

Free Trial

we are currently giving out a free online trial to an all-inclusive subscription. This comes with a special offer for all those who take a Premium subscription out after the trial. www.TheGenealogist.co.uk/freesub

Back to my Roots by Diane Fackerell

When I started to trace my family tree in 1992 I had no idea that, over 12 years previously, I had moved back to my roots. I was fortunate that my ancestors mainly originate from Essex and finding them in the B.M.D indexes and Census was relatively straightforward.

I found out quite early on that my Gt. Grandfather was born at Clap Bridge Farm, Bocking, Braintree, Essex in 1874, (even though I’d been told he was born in London).

My Gt. Gt. Grandfather was Head of Clap Bridge Farm from 1865 when John Foyster, my Gt. Gt. Gt. Grandfather died. John Foyster ran the farm from 1851. I lived only 25 minutes away from Braintree. I couldn’t believe my luck.

In those days finding people on Census Records, for me, meant a trip to the Chelmsford Record Office, Colchester Library, or the Mormon’s History Centre in Ipswich. All within ¾ hour drive.

I had an overwhelming feeling to find out more about the farm. I telephoned Braintree council to find out if they knew where I could get some information and if they had any maps or photographs. I couldn’t believe my luck.
The gentleman I spoke to told me that Clap Bridge Farmhouse was still standing but they were building on the land. I was so excited about this news and thought there was no time to lose before I went to see it. The gentleman was really helpful and promised to send me a couple of recent maps of the area. He had marked the spot where he thought the location of Clap Bridge Farm was.

Armed with the maps, I went searching for the farmhouse. Unfortunately there had been a By-pass in 1984 on part of the land to the front of the Farmhouse. Then in 1986 Byant Homes built houses on the land surrounding the Farmhouse. This had altered the landscape beyond recognition.

I spent hours searching, around and around, walking past the same houses thinking, “I’m sure I’ve been here before?” Determined not to give up, I decided to cross to the other side of the Bypass .

At the top of the road was a Bryant Homes building site reception office. Bryant Homes had bought the land and in 1986 was still building houses surrounding the house in 1993.

I went in and asked the receptionist if she had heard of Clap Bridge Farm. “You mean the Hammer House of Horror!" she said. Then directed me to where it was. I felt hurt by what she said, but when I saw the state of the Farm House, I realised what she meant...

However, the feeling I had when I saw the house for the first time was overwhelming and I couldn’t help crying. The house looked derelict and was in a bad state of repair, having been empty and neglected for 4 years. It looked beyond repair. I thought they would surely demolish it and I felt sad at the thought of this.

Even though the house looked beyond repair and derelict, I knocked on the broken down door at the back of the house.

There was no one home, except for the spirits of my ancestors. Although the house looked cold and miserable, I felt comfortable and at ease.

Inside the house was in an even a worse state. The roof had been letting in water for some years, due to lead being stolen from the roof, which made some of the rooms inaccessible and probably dangerous. Fortunately, I had my camera and video camera with me and took lots of photographs and video footage.

Just as I was leaving the back door house, intending to leave it the way I’d found it, (HANGING OFF!) the new owner appeared. Before he had a chance to phone the Police, for my trespassing, I quickly introduced myself, showed him the Birth and Marriage Certificates, and the reference to Clap Bridge Farm. He seemed interested and showed me around house again, explaining details about the house and pointing out where there had been alterations in the past.

He told me that the house had a preservation order on it, and was a Grade 2 listed building. Bryant Homes had been prevented from pulling it down. Now I understood another reason why the receptionist had called it the Hammer House of Horror.

The new owner told me that he had purchased the house earlier in the year and that I was lucky to catch him there. He is a businessman with Central Heating business and only work on the house when he had the time. I think it was fate that I caught him in, no coincidence. I believe my ancestor’s led me there I went back a few years later and was delighted with what I saw.

I was interested to find when my ancestor’s had actually lived there. I worked back from the dates I knew they were definitely there in all the Census Records.

In 1881 census Henry Sharpe Foyster born Halstead, is head of Clap Bridge Farm and is married to Ann Elizabeth. Henry sold Clap Bridge Farm to a James Perry, born in Bocking, in 1883. During the time it was owned by my family there has been a lot of land development in the area, which would have cut through a number of local farmlands, due to the new Bishop Stortford, Dunmow & Braintree Railway line.

Held at Chelmsford file D/DU/1618/12 1 Jan 1881 Conveance of freehold land for £2,740 13s. 2a 11p of land, part of Broomfields, remainder of land sold to Maldon, Witham and Braintree Railway. 4a called Gravel Pit field.

In 1875, 10 years after Henry Sharpe Foyster had taken over the sole running of the farm, there began a long depression, due to the import of cheap American wheat. The rent of the farms fell. Two farms at Steeple fell from £760 in 1873 to £1 in 1886. Much land was unlet and some farms were taken by hard-working Scot tenants who obtained a bare living. By the end of the century, the position was improving.

James Perry, who was born in Bocking, was listed in 1890 Kelly’s directory as farmer at Clap Bridge. Agricultural Shows were held annually in Chelmsford. Earl of Essex owned 3,090 acres in Rayne, Braintree.

In 1871 census, Clapbridge Farm. Rayne Road, Braintree, Henry is listed as Henry Foyster age 35, married to Ann Elizabeth. They had one child of 9 months. A daughter named Edith Marion Foyster. The farm consisted of 132 acres at that time. He had 5 boys and 2 men working for him. They also had a 15 year old servant called Eliza Brock.

I have also found Henry Foyster listed at Clap Bridge Farm in Kelly’s directories 1874, 1878 & 1882.

In 1869 Henry married Ann Elizabeth Letch. On the Marriage Certificate it names John Foyster (deceased) as his Henry Sharpe Foyster’s father.

In 1861 census John Foyster was head of Clap Bridge Farm Also listed was Henry Sharpe, 24, born Halstead, listed as being a Carter/servant.
What a surprise this was! I had unleashed another mystery. Was John Foyster Henry’s father or not?

In 1851 John Foyster, born in Kenninghall, and Sarah (nee Fisher) born Long Stratton, was running Clap Bridge Farm when farming was at its height. He is also listed in the 1851 Kelly’s Post Office directory as running Stubley’s farm in Halstead. Also listed in 1851 census at Clap Bridge Farm was Henry Sharpe, age 14, born in Halstead This time he was listed as Nephew. Bells were ringing!

1891 census James Perry aged 28 and single, was head of Clap Bridge Farm.

1901 census Arthur Wilks, aged 43, was listed as Farm Baliff at Clap Bridge Farm.

1920/30’s Clap Bridge Farm was a Dairy farm and now owned by Mr. Edward Nunn. Mr. Nunn was gored by a Bull.

Winner Best Article: £100 in S&N vouchers.

This is just one of the exciting stories subscribers are writing on TheGenealogist.co.uk new family history article system which allows you to read and publish stories about your family history. The top articles will of course feature here as well as on the site which is open to all subscribers to The Genealogist.

Email your stories to [email protected] or submit them in the Community Area of TheGenealogist

www.TheGenealogist.co.uk

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WHAT’S NEW ONLINE

www.TheGenealogist.co.uk

[ 24 Apr 2007]
London 1901 Census Transcript now has images attached of the original census pages

[16 Apr 2007]
Kent Parish Records
We have now completed our transcript for the parish of Ashford, with years ranging from:
Baptisms: 1693 - 1925
Marriages: 1693 - 1925
Burials: 1693 - 1919
 
[11 Apr 2007]
Yorkshire 1901 Partial Transcript
We have added over 670,000 records to our Yorkshire 1901 transcript. Bringing the current number of records to nearly 3.2 million.
 
[5 Apr 2007]
Kent 1901 Partial Transcript & Index
The Current state of our Kent 1901 transcript is now available online and contains over 750,000 records. This Census is also available as an index.

We have also added over 640,000 records to our Yorkshire 1901 transcript bringing the current number of searchable records to over 2.5 million.

[3 Apr 2007]
Birth, Marriage & Death record index for 2005 now online
We have added the 2005 Births, Marriages and Deaths index to current BMD subscriptions and all-inclusive subscriptions for no extra charge. This is the latest data to be released by the GRO.
 
[28 Mar 2007]
Lancashire 1901 Complete Census Transcript
We have now completed our Census Transcript for Lancashire 1901, complete with images. The census contains nearly 4.5 million searchable records.

This Census is also available as an index.

 
[23 Mar 2007]
World War 1 Deaths
Look under the BMD Indexes section for World War 1 Deaths - this new full transcription covers the deaths of British Service Personnel during the First World War containing nearly 750,000 records and includes images.
 
[21 Mar 2007]
Army Lists
Look under the Specialist Records section for our Army Lists which includes the following:

1806 Volume, 1842 Volume
1863 Volume, 1881 Volume
1904 Volume, 1915 Volume
and the 1920 Volume.
 
[9 Mar 2007]
Kent Parish Records
The Current state of our Kent Parish Records transcript is now available online and contains over 140,000 records.

Current Parishes included are: Ashford & Thanet

All of the new data has been added into the All-Inclusive subscriptions which cost as little as £4.66 a month.

www.TheGenealogist.co.uk

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WHAT’S NEW ON CD

New Software

Reunion 9 for the Mac  £68.95

The latest version of Reunion now includes:
* Pod cards for your iPod - a new way to carry data with you.
* Treetops - shows a quick list of the earliest ancestors for any person.
* Last Names list - show all unique last names (surnames) in your family file.
* and lots more new features

Reunion 9 is a Universal Binary application with full, native support for Intel and PPC Macintosh computers.

Full details and ordering online at http://www.genealogysupplies.com/product_display.php?prodid=4222

 
New Data CDs

We hope to regularly include an in-detail look at our most interesting releases and further product in brief. Unfortunately the number of releases doesn’t allow us to do this for each CD but more detailed descriptions can be found online.

Who’s Who in the Theatre - CDs In Detail

Who's Who in the Theatre 1922 - £17.45

The ideal CD for those tracing a family history with theatrical connections. This comprehensive work includes the family trees of many theatrical families

It features the biographies of actors still living in 1922 which include such greats as Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Cecil Humphreys and Lillie Langtry.

The hereditary of 76 different theatrical families including their family trees.

It also includes obituaries of actors and playwrights going back to the early 1600’s.

A roll of honour is included for those actors, musicians, writers and workers for the stage who gave their lives during the First World War (1914-1918).

A theatrical calendar giving major events that happened each month over the last 300 years.

A synopsis of play bills July to December 1921.

Command performances 1881-1921 and the theatre trips by King George V since 1911. These list the play, theatre company, where and when performed.

Reviews of the original publication:

A selection from many excellent press opinions of previous issues.

THE TIMES says - In "Who’s Who in the Theatre," Mr. John Parker is carrying out the good work which David Erskine Baker began with his " Companion to the Playhouse " in 1764. Mr. Parker gives the more important facts in regard to several hundred players, dramatists, critics, Continental as well as English and American.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says — The volume, a perfect storehouse of information regarding members of the theatrical profession, is quite remarkable for the fullness and the accuracy of the details furnished. From the standpoint of the critic it is a book of incalculable value. The value of "Who’s Who in the Theatre" to all interested in stage work of any description increases with every fresh edition. Mr. John Parker’s compilation, in short, is no longer a luxury; it has become a positive necessity. The new edition bears ample testimony to his untiring industry. Taken altogether, it would be difficult to exaggerate the value of the volume. All who are interested in affairs theatrical will welcome its appearance.

THE DAILY MAIL says — An invaluable work of reference. Contains not only condensed biographies of well-known actors, managers, critics, composers, and dramatists, but also an obituary which contains the names of nearly all the leading actors of the past.

"Who’s Who in the Theatre" is not only a most complete biographical record of the stage, but is also a wonderful store of facts of incalculable value to everyone interested in theatres and in those who write for them, act in them, and manage them. " Who’s Who in the Theatre" is undoubtedly the best and most useful directory of the stage ever compiled.

THE MORNING POST says—" The Green Room Book"—flowered last in 1909. The new book, compiled as was the old by Mr. John Parker, has all the merits of the old and more. The biographies are fuller and are not confined to British artists. The book is an excellent piece of work and invaluable to those who have to do with the theatre. One can only congratulate Mr. John Parker, and trust that " Who’s Who in the Theatre " will prove what it deserves to be—a hardv annual.
Sir Herbert Tree, who writes a Fore-word, says that as a monument of industry the book is " absolutely pyramidal," and the efforts of the compiler deserve the gratitude of everyone connected with the theatre. We have no hesitation in endorsing that opinion.

Since the appearance of its first edition, " Who’s Who in the Theatre " has been recognised as a standard work in a region where trustworthy authorities are few. It is really indispensable to all who have to do with the stage, and concerns not the stage of our own land alone, but those foreign stages between which and our own there is such a constant commerce.

With over 1300 pages of detailed information on actors going back to the 1600’s it is invaluable for researching ancestors that have tread the boards.

See www.genealogysupplies.com/whatsnew.php for details of our new releases.

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CDs In Brief

The Bond of Sacrifice - Volume 2 £14.95

If you had relatives that were heroic officers that fell during The Great War, then this CD is a great place to look for them. It contains an alphabetical biographical record of all the British Officers who fell in the Great War and includes detailed biographies with portraits and information on birth date, birth place, fathers name, education, career, and circumstances of death.

* Digitally enhanced images of the original text
* Fully Searchable
* Bookmarked by major headings
* Fully printable
* Includes photographs

This is the final volume of Bond of Sacrifice, Volume 1 is also available. Both volumes are available at £14.95

The History of Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland £17.95

A genealogical and heraldic history of the commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, enjoying territorial possessions or high official rank; but uninvested with heritable honours.

Commoners are people who do not fall under the categories of either being a monarch or a peer (someone who has inherited a title such as duke, marquis, earl, viscount, or baron).

This CD may help you find information on prosperous relatives and their heritage.
Published in 1835, this four volume set catalogues the lineage of hundreds of families and includes illustrations of coats of arms.

* Digitally enhanced images of the original text
* Searchable text
* Bookmarked by major headings
* Fully printable
* Includes illustrations

Army List for October 1917 £19.95

Being one of The Great War years, this list can be particularly useful when trying to find any family members that fought in the conflict.

It contains an immense number entries for officers on the active list of the regular army.

Details include names, regiments and ranks, and covers the Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Territorial Army, plus lots more.

Navy List of Retired Officers 1944  £19.95

This CD contains the names and dates of retired officers together with the Emergency List. Includes Victoria Cross and George Cross holders.

* Digitally enhanced images of the original text

* Searchable text

* Bookmarked by major headings

* Fully printable

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The complete list of new releases

Army List 1877  £ 19.95

Army List 1938  £ 19.95

Berkshire, Bradfield College Register 1850-1908  £ 17.45

Birth, Marriage & Death Records - Online access for three months  £ 14.95

Cumberland, Carlisle Grammar School Register 1264-1924  £ 17.45

Derbyshire White’s 1857 Directory  £ 14.95

Dorset 1901 Census  £ 16.95

Dorset Census Bundle - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1891 and 1901  £ 67.80
 
Durham, Winston Parish Registers 1572-1812  £ 17.45
 
Essex, Colchester School Register 1637-1740  £ 17.45
 
Essex, Hertfordshire & Middlesex 1894 Kelly’s Post Office Directory  £ 17.45
 
Gloucestershire, Kelly’s Cheltenham 1928 Directory   £ 17.95
 
Hampshire Marriage Licences 1689-1837   £ 17.45
 
Herefordshire, Littlebury’s 1876-7 Directory & Gazetteer  £ 14.95

History of Commoners £ 19.95

Lancashire, Whellan & Co’s 1853 Directory of Manchester and Salford  £ 14.95
 
Lincolnshire, Grantham Parish Registers 1562-1632  £ 17.45

London 1926 Post Office Directory  £ 17.45

London 1940 Post Office Directory  £ 17.45
 
London, Philips' A.B.C. Pocket Atlas-Guide to London (c.1915)  £ 14.95
 
London, University College School Register 1860-1931  £ 17.45
 
Navy List 1822  £ 19.95
 
Navy List 1904   £ 19.95
 
Navy List of Retired Officers 1944  £ 19.95
 
Northamptonshire, Rushton Parish Registers 1538-1837  £ 17.45
 
Northumberland 1901 Census  £ 24.95
 
Northumberland Census Bundle - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1891 and 1901  £ 99.80
 
Personal Plus Annual Subscription with £75 of extras, CD in DVD Pack £ 55.95
 
Personal Plus Quarterly Subscription with extras, CD in DVD Pack £ 24.95

RootsMagic UK Version 3 Deluxe Edition  £ 44.95
 
Surrey Wills, Spage Register 1484-1490  £ 14.95
 
Surrey, Epsom College Register 1855-1924  £ 17.45
 
Sussex, Windlesham House School Register 1837-1887  £ 17.45
 
Warwickshire 1874 White & Co.'s Directory  £ 14.95
 
Warwickshire 1901 Census  £ 24.95
 
Warwickshire Census Bundle - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1891 and 1901  £ 99.80

Who's Who in the Theatre - 1922  £ 17.45
 
Wiltshire, Salisbury Cathedral Epitaphs 1825  £ 17.45
 
Yorkshire - Leeds & Bradford Directory circa 1861   £ 14.95
 
Yorkshire, Leeds Grammar School Register 1820-1896  £ 17.45

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TOP-SELLING PRODUCTS  Feb-April 2007

1.  RootsMagic UK Version 3 Platinum Ed. £49.95, Standard £34.95, Basic £18.40
2.  Family Historian v3.1 Full £35.45, Upgrade £20.95   
3.  Family Tree Maker Version 16 (2006) £22.95, Upgrade £17.95
4.  RootsMagic UK V3 Standard  £34.95
5.  Family Tree Maker Version 16
6.  Long Certificate Binder with Archival Sleeves £14.95
7.  National Burials Index Second Edition £45
8.  Getting the Most out of RootsMagic 3rd Ed. by Bruce Buzbee £14.90
9.  Overseas Births, Marriages and Deaths 1761-1924 £29.95
10. Reunion 9 for the Mac £72.95
   

Order any of the above at www.GenealogySupplies.com

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FREE TICKETS

We have 10 Free tickets for Who Do You Think You Are? Live to go to the first email news customers ordering by phone 01722 716121 that request the free Who do you think you are Live ticket as per Email News. Only one ticket per customer. The ticket will be in the name of the person placing the order. The tickets are worth £18 each.

Tickets still available as at 12.35 27/06/2007

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Registered affiliates are entitled to a commission of 20% of the value of any subscriptions purchased as a result of using the special link we will create for you.

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Parish Records

If you have microfilm/microfiche of Parish Records or own the copyright to transcripts we are always interested in obtaining further resources.

Just ring 01722 717004

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Happy researching

Sue and Nigel

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