September Birthday Celebrations

In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are acutely aware of our own responses to a virulent epidemic disease. What epidemics impacted on the lives of our ancestors? How did they attempt to prevent or cure these diseases and how effective were these measures? How did governments and local authorities respond to these threats? This presentation examines the symptoms, prognoses and treatments for a number of well-known and less well-known epidemic diseases from the Black Death to the influenza of 1918. It mentions some of the relevant records and considers how our ancestors might have reacted.

Join Simon Fowler who is about to hang up his digital mortarboard as a Pharos Tutor. Discover the highs and lows of being a tutor, how to be a better student, the importance of rabbit holes, and why all of his chats began with a discussion about the weather.
Simon Fowler taught his first Pharos course on researching military ancestors in January 2009. He later took over the poor law course, also at the intermediate level. At the advance level he has taught Archive Research. In addition, he has led stand-alone courses in Advanced Military Genealogy and Using Printed Records in your research.

Yorkshire is the largest county in the UK, historically divided into three counties, known as Ridings, and since 1974 Yorkshire is divided into four counties. Given the size of Yorkshire, it is unsurprising that many people have ancestors with Yorkshire connections. The diversity of the landscape and the impact of the Industrial Revolution brings a fascinating history to communities and families. With thirteen local record offices, and many more archival organisations, a good understanding of boundaries and administrative units is essential to make the most of researching in Yorkshire. This talk is an introduction to understanding the challenges and opportunities to progress your research.

Quite a few documents uncovered during our research indicate an occupation of your ancestors and perhaps their place of employment. Not all will be Ag Labs, many will have followed in their family trade or occupation whereas some will have perhaps migrated from country to town to learn new skills and enter a different occupation. Changing technology has always influenced our occupations as it still does today. At the opening of the 19th Century, three quarters of our ancestors  worked on the land, or were associated with agricultural trades and around a quarter in municipal industry and yet just 100 years later the percentages had switched around. Records of your ancestors employment will vary from the few to the many depending upon both the era you are searching and the actual occupation. We will look at some examples and case studies in this talk.

Apprenticeship was an important part of working life for many of our ancestors, leaving behind a wealth of records that can provide valuable clues for family historians. In this talk, discover how apprenticeship worked, explore the different types of apprenticeship that existed, and learn about the history and legislation that shaped the records they created. You'll be introduced to the key apprenticeship records that can help advance your research, with examples demonstrating the rich information they contain. A fascinating case study then brings the subject to life, showing how apprenticeship records proved essential in unravelling a family mystery, revealing that the truth was very different from first appearances.

Local history is an enjoyable and useful way to study the past in its own right and as context for our family and house histories. This talk discusses what local history is and shares recommendations for reading, online resources and primary sources to get started (with British research). In this process we see how we all can, and should, become local historians.

Genealogical research reports are not just for professional genealogists! From summarising your research in an effective way to justify your conclusions, to compiling a detailed research report for collaborating with others, there are many times when "writing it up" can be important. This one-hour talk covers the essential elements of genealogical research reports, whether for your own use or for working for clients as a professional genealogist. 

Social media has made the world a smaller place, allowing us to share experiences with people from all over the planet.  Discover how you can harness it to enrich your family history research.  This presentation takes a look at the most popular social media platforms utilised by genealogists, and explores the benefits of interacting with other users.  You will learn how to be confident and efficient when sharing your research, with practical tips on how best to engage with the online genealogy communities; and how to attract, and connect with, other researchers to collaborate on a project.  Social Media is a valuable tool for family history, providing new opportunities to uncover, record, and share your family's story.

The years between the late seventeenth century and the introduction of civil registration and the modern census present some of the greatest challenges for family historians. Without the familiar census returns, how can we identify where our ancestors lived, reconstruct families, and place them within their communities? This talk explores the rich variety of name-filled sources that illuminate the long eighteenth century, from around 1690 to 1837. Looking far beyond parish registers, we will examine newspapers, tax lists, militia records, poll books, apprenticeships, electoral records, poor law documents, early census returns, directories and many other local sources that can help bridge gaps in our research. Along the way, you will discover practical strategies for finding these records, learn how to assess their strengths and limitations, and develop new approaches to tracing elusive ancestors. Whether your research is urban or rural, this session will provide fresh ideas and invaluable tools for exploring one of genealogy's most rewarding periods.

This presentation explores what a One-Name Study (Surname Project) is and why genealogists may choose to focus on a single surname. It looks at types of surnames and how surnames evolved in a variety of countries. The impact of languages and dialects on surnames is considered, as is the development of variants and deviants of those surnames, and the impact of migration on surnames is discussed. The session concludes with practical guidance on taking the next steps, including an introduction to the Guild of One-Name Studies and Pharos Tutors' One-Name Studies courses.