EXTENDED ACCESS TO GRO INDEXES
Registration Officers may wish to be aware that following the closure of the Family Records Centre in March 2008, GRO has entered into an agreement with a number of libraries and record offices in England and Wales to host the full range of GRO Indexes.
The indexes are available in microfiche format and cover the following events: births, deaths and marriages from 1837 - 2006, overseas from 1761 - 2005, adoptions from
1927 - 2007, civil partnerships from 2005 - 2007 and provisional indexes for births and deaths for 2007.
The libraries and record offices who host the full range of indexes are Greater Manchester County Record Office, City of Westminster Archives Centre, Plymouth Central Library, Bridgend Reference and Information Library, Birmingham Central Library and The National Archives at Kew.
Each of these libraries/record offices will be updated with the more recent indexes for each event type as and when they become available and these arrangements will continue until such time as GRO are able to provide free access to its indexes via the internet.
For a full list of public bodies holding some or all of the GRO indexes, please visit http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/research/groindexes/where_can_i_access_gro_indexes.asp
- Message from the Superintendant Registrar at Northwood House
[8 May 2008]
NEW WEBMASTER
You will see from Dina's message below that I have now taken over the
day to day maintenance of the website. I'd like to thank Dina and her husband
David for the tremendous achievements they have made in getting the website
up and running. I hadn't realised they had been doing it for so long.
I trust that Dina and David will continue to enjoy their retirement for many years to come.
Dina will continue to make corrections to the BMD Index for the time being, while Jon
Matthews will maintain the membership details. I don't expect to make any
dramatic changes to the site but I will be ensuring that it presents a consistent
and relevant "shop window" for the Society. I'd be happy to consider any suggestions
you might have on improving the website - please contact me by e-mail using the address
you can find from this link : -
Geoff Allan
21 April 2008
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It is now ten years since, with expert help of my husband, I
designed and set up the Isle of Wight Family History Society
website. The website has grown considerably since those days and
I have very much enjoyed being its Webmaster. However the
time has now come for me to resign from this position and to pass it
over to someone who is younger than I am. We are fortunate in
being able to recruit the services of Geoff Allan to take over
the position. Geoff has been a member of the Society for many
years and has a very sound background knowledge of the Island and
of family history. His special interest is of the War Memorials
on the Island. He has a website on which he has information
and pictures of all the memorials on the Island. Geoff will be
taking over as Webmaster on Monday 21st April 2008. I am sure
that he will do an excellent job of running the Society's website
and I look forward to watching its progress.
Dina Broughton
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General Register Office
Official Information on Births, Marriages and Deaths
Open Days
We are delighted to inform you that the General Register Office
will soon be holding its annual Open Days, giving you a chance to
find out more about how birth, marriage and death certificates
are produced.
Also on your visit you will have the opportunity to:
1. View exhibitions from various General Register Office departments
and from invited external Family History organisations
2. See a demonstration of the certificate production process
3. Attend one of the talks relating to various subjects connected
with the office and other organisations
The Open Days will take place on Saturday 2 June and Saturday 9
June 2007 from 10am until 4.30pm.
Please note that all places must be booked in advance.
If you are interested in attending one of the Open Days, please
contact the Public Relations Unit on 0151 471 4530 or 0151 471
4508 (8am to 4pm Monday to Friday).
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John Mitchel HALL - a request for help from Australia
I am trying on behalf of my mother to trace her father whose last
known whereabouts were on the Isle of Wight in the 1970s and
possibly 80s. His name was John Mitchell Hall and he would have
been aged in his 60's at that time, if anyone has any information
I would be very grateful. Thank You
Veronica Glasgow Email: ladysunshineau@yahoo.com.au
Bembridge photographs for sale
Simon Amyes has recently bought a lot at a local auction that included
some photographic plates (negatives) taken in the Bembridge area
1912 and 1913. He plans to sell these individually on ebay and wondered if any
would be of interest to our members. If so he would be happy to
alert them when they become available.
They include:
Stephen and Amelia LUFF and their children Violet, Lillian and
Edwin.
Mr STICKLAND and his hens (I believe he is Amelia Luff's father)
The Nook (could this be the Luff's house?)
Mrs POPE's cottage
There are also photos of Bembridge windmill and harbour;
Whitecliff; Bonchurch; Culver Cliffs; beach hut and tent; Canoe
lake Ryde; Yarborough Monument and flagpole; Lover's Lane (Place
not identified); Stony Field, (place not identified); Hermit's
Cave (place not identified);
Simon Amyes Email: s.amyes@tiscali.co.uk
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New Wootton book
Hilary Gosden has published the final part in her 'A History of
Wootton Bridge' series. Part Six is entitled 'High Days &
Holidays' and follows the same A5 format as the previous parts,
illustrated in black and white. Chapters include the Carnival and
Regatta; Woodside and the Holiday Camps; Wootton Farm and the
1969 Pop Festival, etc. The new Booklet is priced at £4.50 each
[the other available Parts remaining at £3.50 each] plus UK First
Class Post & Packing £1.00; Europe Air mail plus £1.35; Rest of
World Airmail plus £1.95. [Please make contact for postage on
multiple copies]. Payment, in GB Pounds only, to H. Gosden at
Rose Cottage, Burnt House Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2PW.
Tel. 01983 520493.
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Born to be a Farmer
One of the earliest members of the Isle of Wight Family History
Society, Christine Broom, has just written "Born to be a Farmer".
This is an account of her life as a farmer on the Island. It
contains much local knowledge and is an example of how many smaller farms
derived a way of living and cared for the countryside plus some
lighthearted parts.
The Price is £9.95 and post and packing £1.55. It
will also be available at IWFHS meetings or by phoning Christine
on 01983 840665 evenings or answerphone.
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