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!

The release of v. 1.1 on 3 June 2020 has been a twinkle of joy during the enduring challenges for us all in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. When we launched Name & Place at RootsTech in February, who could have predicted how massively our way of life would be altered. We have all now become part of recorded history by living through and experiencing such major societal upheaval and change.

So, with v. 1.1, we have created three major new features:

• A promotional website for each of your projects
• A spreadsheet (CSV) importer with structured templates for importing census and other data
• Unique identifiers for each name and place

We have introduced and refined many aspects of Name & Place, some will be obvious and some more subtle behind the scene elements. Detailed blogs will follow on each feature, however in the meantime, if you have any technical queries or constructive feedback, please contact us direct by email at support@nameandplace.com we’d love to hear from you.