Discover Your Ancestors
Issue 005
Welcome to Discover Your Ancestors Periodical, with its usual medley of social history and family history research advice for anyone with British roots –which of course includes our many overseas readers. (If you’re in North America, Australia or New Zealand, don’t forget our annual printed edition is available in bookstores as well as online direct from us.)
There’s a lot of attention lately for the 125th anniversary of the murders attributed to ‘Jack the Ripper’ – a topic which remains as mysterious and intriguing today as it did in 1888. We’ve got our own article on the subject – but widening it into a piece of social history on attitudes to London’s Jewish community; plus, we have interesting information on records of criminals now available online. Also in this issue, you’ll find leading photo and picture historian Jayne Shrimpton’s guide to the lives and work of photographers, including guidance on tracing ancestors who took up the burgeoning profession in the 19th century; plus popular writer Chris Paton on how to follow Scots ancestors who were uprooted during the unforgivable Clearances.
Another quick reminder to UK readers that the National Family History Fair is on Saturday 7th September, in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Keep in touch, and happy reading! Andrew Chapman, Editor.