A long, long time ago, an idea was born… Name & Place. Its birth came from the lack of relevant software to manage a range of data for local history projects. It was quickly apparent that this shortfall could only be addressed by creating our own solution.

As we explored this innovation further, it soon became apparent – the WOW moment – our solution should be extended to address a challenge faced by all local history researchers. In fact, with a small shift in our thinking, the solution evolved to encompass One-Name / Surname Studies, DNA Projects and House Histories, not by shoehorning to make them fit but offering a dedicated software solution designed exclusively with the special requirements of these researchers in mind.

Jump forward to the launch of Name & Place at RootsTech 2020 in Utah, February 2020, and now we can share our vision to a wider audience. This has been followed with the release of version 1.1 with the CSV importer, project websites plus unique identifiers and further new features are in the pipeline…

The N&P WOWs include :

• Cloud-based single repository for all research i.e. no more multiple spreadsheets, photos in a box etc                                                                
• A CSV data Importer
• Your own personal project webpage
• An easy to read dashboard giving an overview of your project
• Multiple uses such as names, places, war memorials, boats, graveyards to name a few
• Suitable for both individuals or organisations
• Digital mapping linked to Google Maps
• Multi-type storage and displays: photos, videos, certificates, transcripts…

Differentiators from other software

• Added value to family history research by enabling community and house history to track societal change and produce outcomes such as occupations and mortality
• Designed by local history researchers and genealogists who understand what a research project is and the importance of full academic sourcing
• Management of common surnames where the link is not by family, as is seen in one-name studies
• 3-dimensional layered database

… to be continued; stay excited!

Promoting and sharing your research online is a marvellous way of interacting with others who have a common interest in your area of study. It creates an opportunity to collaborate and share ideas about community and family history. Any interaction has value as each person recounts snippets of precious information and before you know it another mystery has been solved. Family historians continue to emphasise how little things can often become the big things and unlocks the door in your brick wall. Similarly, new contacts can contribute to the history of a property.

Many researchers have discovered me through my website and social media presence and subsequently donated images, deeds, ration books, flags, brick stamps and old postcards. This dialogue stimulates valuable reminiscences and personal testimony which could never be found  in an archive. Without an online presence I would have missed these valuable exchanges.

Banner and Introduction

Each Name & Place project is assigned a promotional website and domain name, together with an optional upgrade to use a dedicated address. It allows up to three text blocks, a gallery of project images and a contact form should you wish to announce yourself to any future interested researchers. It has been designed to act as a taster to reach people who are searching your project online without initially sharing too much information. Choosing to share a potted history of my one-place study of Rillington together with the types of records held along with old postcards and present day images works best for me. This approach also fits well with a one-name study and house history project. You’ll find the structure of how to do it under ‘Publish’ in the tool bar.

Text and Gallery

Contact Form

Check this website out for some ideas and inspiration to tackle your own project. https://rillington-ops.npwebsite.com The best news is that this wonderful shop window for your study is easy peasy to set up and fun to use.

Newspapers are the true ‘fly on the wall’ documentaries which capture the everyday lives of our ancestors and communities. Not just ‘hatches, matches and despatches’ in the genealogical sense but also the drama, fun and sometimes dreadful actions of ordinary people.

Don’t just focus on national newspapers. Those from the mid nineteenth century will inevitably record the military, political and sporting events however it is the local newspapers reflecting traditional community life which can often lead to unexpected finds.

Within the broadsheets you can discover a convicted burglar, which lead to court records and ultimately transportation to Australia. A deserter from the Royal Artillery drunk and disorderly in 1877, who knew? A fatal accident in 1849 on a new the railway line shortly after it had opened – bet he didn’t see that coming, poor thing. A girl aged nine years and eight months who gave birth in 1881, too awful. You can always rely on a good wedding for naming the main participants and colour of the bridesmaid dresses. Maybe a Sunday School outing or tea party is featured, hope they all had a lovely time. Bet the Friendly Society parade was a good day out too and not forgetting the Ancient Foresters and Oddfellows with the inevitable marching bands. If there are photographs, even better as it all helps you sense the excitement and see people enjoying themselves on the annual feast day and no doubt getting into pickles pretty much like today.

Start with the National Archives to discover where the main printed and online collections are kept. Enter the name of your village into a search engine of one of the online providers and wait to be surprised, shocked and horrified with past occurrences.

Focus on the place to gain an understanding of what everyday life was like for the community and include it in your study.