News from IHGS

Death of Sir Peter Gwynn-Jones 2 September 2010
Peter Llewellyn Gwynn-Jones (12th March 1940- 21st August 2010) has died having demitted office as Garter Principal King of Arms earlier this year when he was advanced to KCVO after a long career at The College of Arms. It began as a research assistant to our late founder Trustee, Sir Colin Cole. He had intended his term in office following Sir Conrad Swan to be short, but it lasted almost 15 years. He supported the Cambridge University Heraldic and Genealogical Society and he held the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies in high regard, often sending us obscure research enquiries, as well as relying upon us for information on foreign heraldry. He was always ready to assist us. He enjoyed his explorations in India and South America where he studied natural history from which many of his heraldic designs evolved.

Andrews Index launched on Ancestry.com 1 September 2010
Continuing our endeavours to make our collections more accessible the Andrews Newspaper Index Cards, 1790-1976 have been digitalized and made available through ancestry.com

This unique card index was compiled in England from the 1790s until about 1970 and features a collection of notices from newspapers and various official sources, such as the London Gazette. Approximately 250,000 cards include announcements of births, marriages, obituaries, and deaths abroad; notices of wills, unclaimed estates, and filings under the Colonial Probates Act of 1892 (which recognized probates from courts in British possessions); and advertisements for missing persons and people seeking next of kin. The original newspaper clippings on the cards sometimes include annotations referring to additional information from other sources.

2009-2010 Examination Results 26 July 2010
The successful examinees were: Higher Certificate A. Ballard E. Green E. Kerry P. Smith Level B Certificate D. Davies (Distinction) G. Higgs (Distinction) J. Jones D. Miller (Distinction) R. Skrzypczak J. Howard J. Tussler Level A Certificate A.L. Baldwin A. Clayton E. C. G. Higgs J. M. Jones J. Mark J. Martin D. Moller M. Morgan M. Winstanley M. Evans J. Howard J. Tussler

New Reprint. Anglo-Norman Armory II 12 July 2010
Due to demand we have reprinted this essential guide to 13th Century Heraldry. Published in 1985 Anglo-Norman Armory II by Cecil Humphery-Smith is a complete index and illustrated ordinary of 24 rolls of arms from the reign of Edward I.

The book retails at £27.50 plus post and packing. We are also offering the complete set of Anglo-Norman Armory I and Anglo Norman Armory II for the reduced price of £30.00 plus post and packing.

The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies and Achievements Ltd Merge 27 May 2010
The Trustees of the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies are very pleased to announce that from the 1st June 2010, the charity has merged with its sister company of 49 years, Achievements Limited. Achievements and the Institute hope that their combined expertise will bring benefits to both Achievements clients and the students of the Institute. Achievements Ltd will continue trading under its new title Achievements, The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies.

Grow You Family Tree - 9th -11th July 29 April 2010
Immerse yourself in family history during a weekend course dedicated to genealogy. Suitable for the beginner or for those who have some experience of family history research. Click here to see more information.

Open Day 18th April 2 April 2010
The Institute is hosting a open day on Sunday 18th April. The library will be open and staff will be on hand to answer questions about the work of Institute and our courses and to offer genealogical advice. The doors will be open from 10.00-3.00.

Heraldry for Beginners - 20th March 25 February 2010
We are pleased to announce that Dr Paul Fox, council member of the Heraldry Society and trustee of The Institute, will be giving us the benefit of his expertise as one of the speakers on the course.

Cecil Humphery-Smith retires as Principal 23 January 2010
The Founder of the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, Cecil Humphery-Smith, OBE, FSA, in his fiftieth year as Principal, has announced his retirement..

He is succeeded as Principal by Dr Richard Baker, FHG, who was appointed Vice-Principal five years ago.

There will be a special presentation at the annual Awards and Open Day, which will be held at the Institute on 17th July. Cecil's friends and acquaintances are cordially invited.

Professional Approach 20th February 6 January 2010
We are pleased to confirm that amongst the team hosting the seminar will be Richard Baker, Sarah Bulson, Madeleine Dickins, Arthur Fagg, Caroline Gibb (AGRA) and Celia Heritage.

If you wish to develop your hobby into a part or full time occupation then this seminar day will provide invaluable advice and assistance. All genealogists, whether practising or not, are invited to join in discussion of research and business practice.

Bookshop Closure 17 December 2009
The Bookshop is closed from the 21st December - 4th January. Any orders after the 19th will be dealt with in the New Year

The Lang Collection of Gretna Green Marriages 2 December 2009
The Institute as part of our commitment to making our collections more widely accessible have joined in partnership with Ancestry.co.uk to publish The Lang Collection of Gretna Green marriages online. Held at The Institute the Lang Collection covers the period 1795 and 1895, with a few earlier references. In all over 4500 entries are recorded for those lost border marriages. An index and digital images of the collection are now available www.ancestry.co.uk

Christmas Closure 6 November 2009
The Institute, bookshop and Library will be closed from Monday 21st December until Monday 4th January

Awards Day Photographs 11 August 2009
Photographs are now available of our Awards and Open Day - click here.

Examination Results 2009 30 July 2009
We are pleased to confirm that the following candidates were successful in this year's examinations. Certificate in Genealogy: Elizabeth Kerry and Emma Morgan. Higher Certificate in Genealogy: Brian Barham, Terence Blowfield, Nan Keightley, Kenneth Wheeler, Roger Whitworth. Diploma in Genealogy: Terence Brick, Tanya Kimber, Leslie Mitchinson.

We would like to congratulate all the candidates and wish them luck in their continued endeavours.

Awards and Open Day 25 July 2009
We are pleased to announce that we will be presenting the Julian Bickersteth Memorial Medal at this years event to Dr George Redmonds, who was awarded the medal in 2007 and also to Dr Nick Barratt, awarded 2008, for their contributions to the study of family history. We will also be presenting the successful candidates with their Higher Certificates and Diplomas in Genealogy.

The library and bookshop will be open and it is a chance for old friends and new to meet the staff and discover more about the work of Achievements and The Institute. The doors are open from 11am-3pm and we would be grateful if you could inform us if you are to attend.

Catalogue to Documents in the Institute's Archives 18 May 2009
We are pleased to announce that a catalogue is now available to our collection of original documents held in our archives. The documents which have been collected and donated over many years include not only many deeds but also original letters, marriage settlements and other sources. The catalogue is available through the Institute's library pages.

We would like to thank John Pateman for all his hard work in cataloguing the collection.

The Family History Event 14 April 2009
The Institue will be attending the event held at the Barbican on the 3rd May. The Family History Event is a brand new family history expo, which will see more family history societies from counties across Britain gathered under one roof than ever before, offering visitors access to genealogy experts from all over the UK who will be sharing their knowledge, hints and tips for both novice family detectives and experienced genealogists. www.thefhevent.com

Sample Examination Papers 2 April 2009
In order to assist would be entrants for our examinations we have made sample papers of all our examinations up to the level of Diploma available as a PDF downloads. It is not too late to submit yourself for the Higher Certificate in Genealogy exam in June.

sample papers

Family History Diary. 5 March 2009
We are sorry to announce that we will no longer be producing the Family History Diary. We would like to thank everyone for their support over the years.

Who Do You think You Are? Live 3 March 2009
The Institute and its book stall attended the event at Olympia last weekend. Although we were all quite tired by the end of the three days we were pleased to see so many old friends and to meet up with some of the students from the correspondence course. All those we talked to seemed to be enjoying the event and to have found the talks and work shops very informative. We will be there next year which will again take place on the last weekend in February.

Open Evening 16 February 2009
The Institute is hosting an open evening on Monday, 16th February from 6.30-9.00 pm. Drop in and browse our library and bookshop, find out about our courses and chat to family history experts. ADMISSION FREE

Christmas Closure 20 November 2008
The library will be closed from the 24th December until the 5th January.

Congratulations to Cecil Humphery- Smith who celebrates his 80th birthday today. 29 October 2008
Cecil Humphery-Smith found the Institute in 1961 and remains its Principal. In 2004 he was awarded the OBE for his services to education in heraldry and genealogy.

Diary 2009 8 September 2008
The Institute's 2009 Diary is now available. Full of useful information for family historians it also includes a voucher for a free session in the library or a discount on one of our day courses for 2009. If you have already ordered you diary these will be sent to you as soon as possible but please be patient as we have many orders to work through.

Examination Results 2008 27 July 2008
We were pleased to award Diplomas in Genealogy to Madeleine Dickens and John Wintrip. Higher Certificates in Genealogy were awarded to Joan Gate, Leslie Mitchinson, Marie Foden and Celia Heritage who gained a distinction.

Photographs of some of the candidates receiving their certificates at this years Open Day can be seen here.

Roll up for the Magical Ancestry Tour 30 June 2008
IHGS were delighted to welcome Matt Rudd, a Sunday Times journalist, and his father this month. Matt had asked for his family tree to be investigated. IHGS invited Matt to look round the impressive library, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Honorary Fellowship of Christ Church Canterbury University 9 May 2008
On Friday 9th May 2008, Peter Hermitage QPM Deputy Pro-Chancellor, on behalf of Steven, Bishop of Dover, awarded our Principal Cecil Humphery-Smith OBE an Honorary Fellowship of Christ Church Canterbury University at an impressive and colourful graduation ceremony in Canterbury Cathedral. The Award made in recognition of outstanding service in the fields of education or public life have been made to only four previous recipients.

Lord Lyon 20 March 2008
On 7th March 2008 it was announced "The Queen has been pleased, on the recommendation of the First Minister, to appoint Mr William David Hamilton Sellar, Solicitor, to be Lord Lyon King of Arms".

David Sellar, who was appointed Bute Pursuivant of Arms in 2001, replaces Robin Orr Blair who retired as Lord Lyon in December 2007.

Who do You think You Are Live 18 March 2008
Who do You think You Are Live will take place at the Grand Hall at Olympia from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th May 2008 (open 10-6 except Sunday 10-4). Special guests at the show this year include Alistair McGowan, Nicky Campbell, father and son duo, Peter and Dan Snow as well as Time Team presenter Tony Robinson. Two new show areas Military History LIVE and Discover Archaeology LIVE are included at the event. The Institute will be attending all three days and we look forward to seeing you there.

Winter Open Day Success 9 February 2008
Our Winter Open Day was a great success. Richard Baker and Celia Heritage were kept busy all day giving one to one family history troubleshooting sessions, while Sarah Bulson ran a series of popular library tours and answered many queries concerning the library and other genealogical sources.

Winter Open Day - 2nd February 14 January 2008
The IHGS is holding its Winter Open Day on Saturday 2nd February. We will be open from 11am - 3pm and all are welcome to attend. Come and chat to the experts about your family history problems, explore the library and bookshop and find out about our family history courses. Admission is free.

Book the IHGS Conference Room 19 December 2007
The IHGS conference room is to be made available for hire from January 2008. Seating capacity is between 24 to 30, depending on whether or not tables are required. The basic rate of hire starts £25 an hour and light refreshments can be supplied. For further details please telephone the Institute.

IHGS to Offer Accommodation for Day School Students 2 October 2007
In order to make it easier for those of you who have to travel long distances to attend our day schools, we are planning to introduce the facility for you to book accommodation through us when you book your day school. The accommodation will be in good quality, en suite B & Bs which are within walking distance of the IHGS. We hope to make this facility an option when you go through our normal booking process as soon as possible.

In the meantime if anyone is interested, please use our contact form to send us a message stating which course you are considering attending and how many nights around it you would like to stay.