PRONI: Changes to hours and services in December

The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) will see a number of changes to its regular hours and services in December.

Preservation Week, 11–15 December
Document ordering and production will be suspended throughout this week to facilitate essential preservation work. Researchers will still have access to church records and search services via the Search Room.

No late night Thursday from 14 December 2017 to 4 January 2018
Exactly as described. This year's last late-night Thursday will be on 7 December, when doors will close at 8:45pm. On December 14, 21, 28 and January 4, the doors will close at 4:45, the same as all other days. The late-night opening resumes on 11 January 2018.

Christmas/New Year closures
PRONI will be closed on 25-27 December inclusive, open normal hours on 28-29 December, and closed on 1-2 January. Open 3-5 January from 9am to 4:45pm, and returning to normal hours from Monday 8 January.

National Archives: Reading Room closures in December

The Reading Room of the National Archives of Ireland (NAI) will be closed to the public during the annual Media Preview of government department archives which are to be opened in the New Year.

Only journalist and broadcasters will be admitted.

The NAI's free Genealogy Advisory Service will not operate during the closure. It will resume on Monday 11 December.

Later in the month, the NAI will break with recent tradition by not opening between Christmas and New Year. Instead, the offices will be closed right across the festive season, from 12:30pm on Friday 22 December 2017 until it re-opens at 9:15am on Tuesday 2nd January 2018.

Book launch: The Wreck of the Annie Jane

The Wreck of the Annie Jane, by Allan F Murray, has been published by Acair. The 232-page paperback tells the story of the ship Annie Jane, which set sail from Liverpool in late 1853 heading for Quebec with 450 people on board, most of them Irish emigrants fleeing poverty. They didn't make it. The ship was wrecked in a storm and driven onto the rocks of Vatersay, a small island in the Outer Hebrides. Some 350 passengers and crew lost their lives.

Regular readers of Irish Genealogy News may remember a 2015 blogpost in which Allan asked for family history research assistance to explore the lives and extended families of those who died and survived.

This new book is the product of his research, which included the discovery of two surviving eye-witness accounts of the tragedy, and records for posterity the names of those who perished and survived one of the worst shipwrecks off these islands.

It is on sale for £12.95 via Acair and Amazon.

ISBN: 9780861524129

From the Medieval to the Modern: new exhibition and workshop at PRONI

The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland will launch a new exhibition today. Developed in conjunction with Libraries NI, From the Medieval to the Modern: Reformation, Transformation and Continuity marks the 500th anniversary of Reformation.

This exhibition comprises archives and fine books, dating from the medieval period through to the late 19th century. It centres on the documents themselves, each offering their own distinct perspectives, enabling exploration of the reformation period and its legacy.

The exhibition will be on display at PRONI (2 Titanic Boulevard, Belfast) until 15 December and will then tour libraries across Northern Ireland. Follow PRONI's facebook page to be kept up to date on the location of the exhibition in the months ahead.

Today's launch will be held at 1pm to 2pm and everyone is welcome to attend.

You may also be interested in a workshop - Using early modern records - to be held at PRONI on Wednesday 6 December (10:30am to 1:00pm). It will introduce the essential skills needed to use early modern records and participants will have the opportunity to handle original documents and receive advice on interpreting the handwriting used and uncovering who authorised their creation. There will also be a demonstration on using a digital archive relating to State Papers (1509-1714), which is available at PRONI. Advance registration is necessary.

FindMyPast UK introduces new subscription packages

FindMyPast UK (not its other 'territories') has announced new subscription packages for renewals and new subs.

For the last few years researchers have had to make a choice firstly between the World package or the Local package, and secondly on the length of the subscription: either one-month or annual.

The monthly or annual options remain, but the big change is the offer of three packages, as you can see below (click the image for a better view).

Click to view full details and to compare each package

The new subscription options are:

Starter package
For beginners, the Starter package offers the simplicity of starting with essential census and BMD (birth, marriages and death) records, and includes Findmypast’s family tree hinting system. All new subscribers will receive a free Getting Started guide.
Monthly/annual prices: £8.95/£72.

Plus package
Designed for those wanting to take their research to the next level, the Plus package sees the 1939 Register available in a monthly subscription for the first time. Beyond the 1939 Register, all parish, military, education, institutions and social history records as well as all electoral registers, directories, and travel and migration records are included. ALL Irish records except Irish newspapers will also be accessible.
Monthly/annual prices: £12.95/£120.

Pro package
The Pro package contains everything the serious or professional genealogist needs, with access to the largest online collection of British & Irish newspapers and all of Findmypast’s global record sets and advanced resources such as PERSI. Pro subscribers will also receive priority customer support, exclusive Webinars and advanced education aimed at experienced genealogists.
Monthly/annual prices: £15.95/£156.

This latest move means that two of FindMyPast's 'territories' – UK and USA – now have their own subscription models. Whether FindMyPast Ireland and Australia/NewZealand will design bespoke models remains to be seen. Note: the new subs are available only to to UK-based researchers.

UPDATE: Findmypast say that existing subscribers will not automatically be moved to any of these new packages.  As subs come up for renewal, researchers will have the opportunity to take up one of the new options, but if they would prefer to keep the type of access they already have, they will be able to do so.

Irish genealogy and history events, 27 Nov - 10 Dec

Monday 27 November: NLI Reading Room & Manuscript Room closed. Venue: National Library of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2. On-going Monday closures to facilitate redevelopment of the premises. All other services/exhibitons/cafe, incl. Genealogy Advisory Service operating as normal. Details.

Tuesday 28 November: Belfast in the Twentieth Century, decade by decade, an illustrated talk with Norman Weatherall. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society, Belfast Branch. Venue: C. S. Lewis Room, Holywood Arches Library, 4-12 Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1NT. Free. All welcome. 7:30pm.

Tuesday 28 November: Using newspaper libraries for genealogical purposes. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society, Causeway Branch. Venue: Guide Hall, Terrace Row, Coleraine, Co Derry. Free. All welcome. 8pm.

Wednesday 29 November: Land records - Walk in your ancestor's footsteps, with Tony Hennessy MAGI. Host and venue: Medieval Museum in Waterford's Viking Triangle, The Mall, Waterford City. All welcome. 1:15pm to 2pm. €5 admission on the door. No booking required.

Wednesday 29 November: Pierhead to Pierhead: Killaloe to Liverpool in the Age of Steam, with Brian J. Goggin. Host: Killaloe Ballina Local History Society. Venue: Killaloe Public Library, The Lock House, Killaloe, Co. Clare. 7 pm. Free. All welcome.

Thursday 30 November: Researching Court Records, with Wesley Geddis. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society, Ballymena Branch. Venue: Michelin Arts Workshop, Braid Arts Centre 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, Co Antrim. BT43 5EJ. 7:15pm. Free. All welcome.

Thursday 30 November: The origins of Presbyterianism in the Walled City and Foyle Valley, with Dr William Roulston. Host: Friends of the Derry Walls. Venue: First Derry Presbyterian Church, 6 Upper Magazine St, Londonderry BT48 6HY. All welcome. 7-10pm. Need to register.

Saturday 2 December: Irish Study Group meeting. Host and venue: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 101 Newbury St, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, USA. 9:30am–12pm. Non-members are welcome, and attendees are invited to stay and use the library resources afterwards. No registration necessary.

Monday 4 December to Friday 8 December: National Archives of Ireland's Reading Room closed to the public during the annual Media Preview week which allows journalists and broadcasters to preview government archives due for release in early 2018. Details. Reading Room will reopen on Monday 11 December.

Monday 4 December: NLI Reading Room and Manuscript Room closed. Venue: National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. On-going Monday closures are to facilitate extensive redevelopment of the premises. All other services/exhibitons/cafe, including Genealogy Advisory Service operating as normal. Details.

Monday 4 December: The Meltin' Pot Dive – a personal story of the discovery of the B17 Flying Fortress in the Foyle, with Danny Keenan. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society, Foyle branch. Venue: Lecture Room of Derry City’s Central Library, 35 Foyle Street, Londonderry, BT48 6AL. All welcome. Free. 7pm.

Monday 4 December: Christmas Night – Historical superstitions, with Hugh Burns. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society, Larne Branch. Venue: Larne Bowling & Lawn Tennis Club, 112-120 Glenarm Road, Larne, Co Antrim BT40 1DZ. All welcome. 7:30pm. Free.

Wednesday 6 December: How to draw a family tree without using up four rolls of wallpaper, with Tony Hennessy MAGI. Host and venue: Medieval Museum in Waterford's Viking Triangle, The Mall, Waterford City. All welcome. 1:15pm to 2pm. €5 admission on the door. No booking required.

Wednesday 6 December:  Using Early-Modern records - a workshop. Host and venue: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Titanic Boulevard, Belfast. 10:30am to 1pm.  Free. Need to register.

Thursday 7 December: Flights of Fancy, Offaly follies and their demesnes, with Rachel McKenna. Lecture and book launch. Host and venue: Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co Offaly. Details. 8pm–10pm. All welcome. Members €2 non members €5.

Saturday 9 December: The Life and times of the Archdales, with Peter Archdale. Host: NIFHS Tyrone Branch. Venue: Seminar Room, First Floor, Omagh Library, Dublin Road, Omagh, BT78 1HL. 10am to noon. All welcome.

Sunday 10 December: How to get ready to search Irish records, with Kevin Cassidy. Host: Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society. Venue: Walt Branch Library, 6701 S 14th St, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, 2pm–4pm. All welcome.

Half price book offers from Family Tree Magazine - including my own Irish Genealogy Guide

It's that time of year when genealogists should be keeping their beady eyes open for the best special offers, discounts and deals on subscriptions, dna tests, books and all manner of products that we need and covet to facilitate and enjoy our hobby or profession.

So I feel duty bound to tell you that my book The Family Tree Irish Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Ancestors in Ireland, which was published at the end of May, is on special offer (half price, no less) along with a number of other best sellers from the publishers of the USA's Family Tree Magazine.

To see the full selection of books and products on special offer, click the image above.

Alternatively, if you just want to buy the Irish Genealogy Guide (the 50% reduction brings the price down to just $13.50 plus shipping ($4.95 for USA), you can find out more on its dedicated sales page, or in the blogpost I published just after the book's launch.

For reviews, see Amazon.com.

50% discounts on Ancestry.com subscriptions, plus AncestryDNA test kits at cheapest price this year: $59

Ancestry.com has set out its Black Friday / Cyber Monday stall with some BIG discounts on both its membership subscriptions and Ancestry DNA test kits.

The membership discounts are available via the 'gift purchase' route, and there is absolutely nothing to stop you buying them for yourself. Everyone should buy themselves a gift every now and again, after all.

So, here's the breakdown of the offers this long weekend:

US Discovery – Access to all US records (50% off) – Gift
12-month subscription reduced from $189 to $94 (save $95)
6-month subscription reduced from $99 to $49 (save $50)

World Explorer – Access all US and international records – Gift
12-month subscription reduced from $299 to $149 (save $150)
6-month subscription reduced from $149 to $74 (save 75)

These membership offers are available for new subscribers only and are not for renewal of current subscriptions.

Ancestry DNA test kit
Now at its cheapest price of the year – just $59 – the price tag includes taxes. Shipping is extra and is only to US addresses.

All these offers end on Monday 27 November at 11:59pm ET.

Save 40% on new Fold3 annual Premium subscription

Fold3, Ancestry's specialist military database, has a Black Friday / Cyber Monday special offer for new Fold3 subscribers taking out an annual Premium membership package.

The 40% discount reduces the price from US$79.95 to US$47.95.

Fold 3's collections are not exclusively US-based. Not by any means. Here's a list of just some of the record sets in the database.

• Revolutionary War Service & Pension Records
  
• Civil War Widows Pensions
  
• orld War II Draft Cards
  
• Australia WWI & WII Service Records
  
• British Army WWI Service Records
  
• UK Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Soldier Service Records
  
• UK Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admission and Discharge Records

It isn't only military, either. It also holds Naturalisation records, City Directories, 1860 and 1930 US Censuses, Newspapers and much more.

Ancestry.ca offers DNA tests at lowest price of the year

Offering a saving of CAD$50, Ancestry.ca is promoting its lowest price of the year to Canadian residents buying an Ancestry DNA test kit.

Reduced from the standard price of CAD$129 to CAD$79, the price you pay includes taxes. Shipping costs are extra.

The discount will end at 11:59pm on Monday 27 November.