The Family History Federation has just added 3.4 million burial entries from the National Burial Index for England and Wales to Findmypast. Many of these entries you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t forget the society’s account with Findmypast Worldwide is available to all members, via the Members’ only area of the website.Search the NBI records at:https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-records/national-burial-index-for-england-and-wales

A landmark project to digitise all UK First World War pension records has been completed. The records are particularly precious because most First World War service records were destroyed during the Blitz.  They include records of all servicemen who were injured in the war and subsequently received a pension, including the nature of the serviceman’s injury and the percentage of disablement he was deemed to have, as well as the names and addresses of his next of kin. They also include details of pensions paid to the wives and children of those who were killed.They were originally scheduled to be destroyed by the Ministry of Defence in 2012, but were saved by the Western Front Association who partnered with Ancestry to digitise the records on Ancestry’s military-focused website Fold3.The records collection has now been completed with the release of 2,917,148 records of pension cards for ordinary soldiers who were injured. In total, there are 7,522,448 records in the collection covering the Army, Royal…

As a reminder, we have developed data downloads to provide choice and flexibility in how you access data for Berkshire. Each download is in PDF format and your purchase is automatically fulfilled as soon as you have paid. Terms and conditions apply and these downloads are for your personal use only. Prices vary but start from just £2.00. The usual member discounts apply. Marriage entries are presented in date order, and there is also a “by person” finding aid to assist your use of the download. Berkshire’s marriages are also available in CD format. If you're interested in a number of parishes, also check out Berkshire Marriages Edition Four CD, likewise, individual Parish CDs also exist. So check out what best suits your needs. Appleford St Peter & St Paul Marriages 1567-1935 (Download) D1053Avington St Mark & St Luke Marriages 1699-1935 (Download) D1143Binfield All Saints Marriages 1538-1935 (Download) D1480Boxford St Andrew Marriages 1559-1935 (Download) D1483Brimpton St Peter Marriages 1607-1935 (Download) D1490Burghfield St Mary Marriages…

BBC iPlayer have launched the perfect treat for family historians during lockdown – series 12-17 of Who Do You Think You Are? are now available to watch for the next 11 months. The episodes take us around the world and include the journeys of Anne Reid, Anita Rani, Derek Jacobi, Olivia Colman and the classic moment when Danny Dyer discovers his royal connections.  Take a look

You may not be able to visit the archives but we're making our data sets more readily available.We've added another 51 data sets to the shop - in PDF format to provide choice, flexibility and instant access in how you access data for Berkshire.Your purchase is automatically fulfilled as soon as you have paid. Ts & Cs apply and these downloads are for your personal use only.Prices vary but start from just £2.00. The usual member discounts apply.Entries are presented in alphabetical and date order. View all downloads here: https://shop.berksfhs.org/data-downloads/

As England once again goes into lockdown to try and contain the spread of Covid-19, archive repositories have announced that they will be closed for the duration.  The Berkshire Record Office hopes to reopen on 3rd December, if circumstances and legislation permits. The National Archives haven’t published a reopening date but they have announced that the monthly limit on downloading free online archives has increased from 50 to 100. So do take advantage of this great opportunity for your family research. Find out more at: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/news/digital-downloads/

Hard on the heels of the last announcement about the Society of Genealogists, we have another new Journal Exchange arrangement - with the Berkshire Record Office.  Their newsletter, the "Berkshire Echo" is now available to members of Berkshire Family History Society, here You need to be logged in to view the page