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Family History, Genealogy and Reference

A new range of computer reference sources is being planned. This will give family historians and researchers a convenient and low-cost way of studying material that would otherwise be unavailable.

The proposed material for the initial range is -

• Reference Books from the 19th and early 20th Century - such as Trades & Professions Directories, Military Lists, Pedigrees, Visitations, etc
• Electoral Rolls from before 1920 for major UK cities and towns
• Photographic Records of present-day churches, cemeteries / headstones, villages, etc

The range may be expanded to cover pre-1930 photographic collections - either general or specific (with topics such as transport or architecture) - or indeed any other material that would benefit from being made available to a much wider audience. Some of the more unusual ideas include - early telephone directories, old shopping catalogues and "The abc of British Railway Locomotives"!

The exact details of the range are still to be determined and largely depend on obtaining access to original works of a high enough quality - since the results need to be to the highest standards. The objective is to provide quality reproductions at an affordable price.

Much of Britain's rich heritage of information is still filed in archives - and despite recent moves to improve access - it remains largely unseen. Reproducing the material in electronic form both preserves the originals and makes their contents widely available - at a very low-cost.

Since we are still at the planning stage now is the time to let us know your needs or views -

• Are there any reference materials that would benefit you - if made available on CD?
• Do you have problems with the quality of existing material on CD?
• Do you have any interesting books / photographs that Northern Heritage could buy or borrow for inclusion in the programme?

Since this web page was first published (in 2000) the number of digital publications of archive material has rocketed and there is now a wide range available. Even though some of it is not of the highest standard it does at least show that there is a market for the material; even though it is getting harder to find un-published items that would be of general interest.

• Are there still reference sources that would be valuable to you if published on CD or the Internet? Or have the prime sources now been covered?
• Would you find it valuable if photo web sites like our pilot covering Doncaster Hyde Park Cemetery were made available?

If so use our Feedback page or e-mail me - townsleyb at the tesco.net website

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