Seaham Family History Group

Welcome. The primary aim of Seaham Family History Group is to further the family history interests of its members. We also extend an invitation to all who are interested to join with us. The present Annual Subscription Fee is £5.00 (Couples £8.00). If you are interested in Family History & would like to know more about your ancestors, who they were, where they lived, & what they did, perhaps you are already trying to discover your roots but are not too sure how to go about it, or maybe you're an old hand, and would like to share your knowledge and experiences with other like minded people, then why not join the Seaham Family History Group. Founded in 2005, Seaham Family History Group is dedicated to helping its members, from beginners to experienced researchers alike, helping them to learn more about their ancestors, with special emphasis on the Seaham area, but also those whose ancestry is elsewhere. The group holds a Heritage Box at Beamish Museum for members to deposit their valuables should they wish. Initial enquiries regarding this should be made through the secretary at the normal email address, shown below. The group meets every Wednesday 9.30am – 12.30pm in Seaham Library and also on the 2nd Tuesday monthly 4pm to 7pm. Monthly speakers and occasional outings are arranged, and a monthly newsletter is issued. We can be contacted at sfhg@hotmail.co.uk NOVEMBER 2008 NEWSLETTER Findmypast.com - New Great War and Waterloo records added! Findmypast.com, in association with the Naval & Military Press, has just added two unique military record sets, covering the Great War and the Battle of Waterloo. Search the findmypast.com Military records collection now. BBC & ANCESTRY MARK WORLD WAR ONE ANNIVERSARY To mark the 90th anniversary of the end of WW1 the BBC will be embarking on a season of radio & TV programmes, as well as a series of public events – the help of ancestry.co.uk From 22ND October individuals are encouraged to share their ancestors’ WW1 Stories on the special online remembrance wall on the BBC remembrance site www.bbc.co.uk/remembrance and find out more including event locations and programme details. DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE ABOUT WW1 On November 8th at County Hall, Durham 10am – 3pm, discover and share your own family stories and memories of WW1. Local & family history events with special activities for children throughout the day. Free entry to DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery. REMEMBRANCE A wreath will be laid at Seaham War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday on behalf of all S.F.H.G. members. CHRISTMAS LUNCH If you would like to join in Christmas Lunch at Martino’s (Railway Street, Seaham) on Wednesday December 17th please speak to Linda about your menu selection and a £5 deposit Speaker :- 22nd October S.F.H.G. John Charlton – The North-east and the Slavery Business At first glance I had the impression that this would be a talk about the usual information about slavery but that was far from the fact. This was a fascinating talk from a different perspective. Liverpool and Bristol are the well known cities which owe their growth to the slave trade. This illustrated talk showed how businesses and families from the North East were involved with slavery. The subject was the result of the 200th Anniversary of the Act of Parliament, in 1807, which banned slave trade in the British Empire. A group of volunteer researchers scoured the North Eastern archives to find links since there were no references in published texts. Coal played a big part since it was exported to London and then to the West Indies, being needed to heat the sugar refining boilers. Everyday iron products were made for the home market but also from the account books it was revealed that items were made for the New World e.g. Carolina hoes, and more gruesomely, manacles and branding irons. The connections to the business were usually through marriage, sons and daughters from this region marrying into plantation owning families. References were also made to ordinary people, sailors, workers and those who were against slavery. John has written a book on the subject “Hidden Chains, the Slavery Business and North East England 1600-1865” which is well worth reading. Report: Margery Bolam S.F.H.G. - Out & About The Group went to the Haven Nursing Home, North Terrace on Tuesday, 21st October 2008 and gave a presentation of slides of old Seaham. S.F.H.G. - Out & About Seaham Family History Group were at The Beachcomber Nursing Home, North Road, Seaham on Thursday, 13th November and presented a slide show of old photographs of Seaham. Seaham Family History Group are holding "First Footsteps in Family History" event at Seaham Library, St John's Square Seaham. The event, which is aimed at beginners who wish to research their family history is free to all. Commencing on Thursday 21st November 2008 it runs for another three consecutive Thursday afternoons until the 11th December starting at 1.15pm until 2.45pm. Contact the library - places are limited. __________________________________________________________________________________________ We can be contacted at sfhg@hotmail.co.uk