Family Tree Folk

Archival Acid Free Storage Boxes

2011-10-18T12:27:00.001+01:00

Archival acid free storage is extremely important for the safe preservation and longevity of all your precious keepsakes, books, photos, documents and other memorabilia such as materials etc.

Our one piece boxes with a clamshell design and hinged lid provide a strong and easily accessible means of safely archiving your precious keepsakes for future generations.

Made with a strong blue/grey board 1.5mm thick and lined with a white lignin free paper. Also buffered with 3% calcium carbonate for an alkaline reserve which helps to protect the contents against migrating acidity and atmospheric sulphur contamination.

http://familytreefolk.co.uk/familytreefolk/page_11198.html

Available in 4 sizes allowing all the best possible options for the storage of different sizes of memorabilia.

Small 8.63 x 6.25 x 3 inches (219 x 159 x 76mm)

Medium 12.25 x 9 x 3 inches (311 x 229 x 76mm)

Large 15 x 10 x 3 inches (387 260 x 76mm)

Extra Large 17.25 x 11.5 x 3.125 inches (438 x 292 x 83mm)

We also stock Acid Free White Tissue Paper for wrapping and separating items in the boxes.

http://familytreefolk.co.uk/familytreefolk/page_11199.html

Finally we also have an Unbleached Cotton Tying Tape for safely binding documents, books etc

http://familytreefolk.co.uk/familytreefolk/page_11200.html

So if you want your research and memorabilia to stand and last the generations to come ensure you are using acid free materials and correct preservation products

Mike

Family Tree Folk

Genealogy Slogan Mugs

2011-06-22T20:37:00.000+01:00

Just added to our gift range these Genealogy Mugs which are an ideal gift for your genealogy friends or even to treat yourself. Certainly lets your family, friends or work colleagues know you take your hobby "seriously"!

These mugs are sent out in a polystyrene packing box to ensure safe transit to the destination address.

We hope to bring further designs and slogan mugs in the near future.

Created by the Family Tree Folk to raise a smile for the friends and family of any serious Family Historian!

The Step Backwards Mug

The Annoying Genealogist Mug

Visit Family Tree Folk at

http://familytreefolk.co.uk/familytreefolk/page_11193.html

Mike

Family Tree Folk

Archival Safe Photo Pen

2011-05-06T07:30:00.000+01:00

Our archival safe photo Signature pen is acid free and a pen that can be safely used not only on the backs of photographs but also on the front. Acid free ink should be used not only for protecting your photographs but also for the longevity of what you have written.

Using normal non acid free ink can not only harm your photographs and documents but the ink will almost certainly fade and not preserve your information for long term.

We have just secured a large order of these pens from the Manx Museum on the Isle of Man http://www.gov.im/mnh/heritage/museums/manxmuseum.xml

Certainly archivists and museums etc know how to safely archive documents, photographs and artifacts. If you have any questions on preserving your Family History please contact us or visit our Archiving section at

http://www.familytreefolk.co.uk/page_11161.html

New Products for May

2011-05-04T19:19:00.001+01:00

We have taken delivery of some new exciting products to add to our comprehensive range of magnifiers and LED lights.

First up (and one we sold even before they arrived - see below).

The Hands Free Lighted Magnifier with a x1.5 magnification and a x4 bifocal insert. Also illuminated and the batteries are included.

http://www.familytreefolk.co.uk/page_11187.html

We also have in stock this useful magnifier with powerful LED and retractable tweezers! So handy for a multitude of tasks as well as genealogy, scrapbooking, crafts and for removing splinters!

Added to our powerful LED booklight range we have two new additions. First the ultra slim clip on booklight in silver or black.

For more versatility and travel we have a goose neck total flexible lightweight booklight again with strong LED and clip on for your books etc. Available in Silver or Black.

Finally what a lovely show of appreciation from one of our customers in Texas, USA. Yes we do ship worldwide. Thanks to our customer in Texas Fran Ellsworth. Also worthy of a follow on genealogy.

See the blog posting at:

http://branchingoutthroughtheyears.blogspot.com/2011/05/thanks-to-friend-on-twitter.html

If you need any advice on these or any of our products including archiving your research safely please email me at mike@familytreefolk.co.uk or phone us on 01977 791657

Mike
Family Tree Folk

Family Tree Printing

2011-02-11T13:33:00.000Z

Have you printed out your long family tree on pages of A4 paper then had to trim the edges and margins, line up and stick together? Or have you used a roll of wallpaper to write it out by hand?

Many Family Historians/Genealogists have all experienced the above but Family Tree Folk have the solution!

We have 90 gsm A4 bright white acid free continuous fine perforated paper in 20 sheet packs (nearly 6 metres) allowing you to print your tree with no breaks. Print or write between 1 and 20 to suit the length of your tree.

See: http://www.familytreefolk.co.uk/page_11178.html

Mike
Family Tree Folk

Latest News

2011-02-05T17:02:00.001Z

Sorry we have been absent from posting for awhile but with Christmas and the VAT increases we have been very busy here at Family Tree Folk. We thought we would just let you know about a few bits of news.

First we have had to review our prices following not only the VAT increase to 20% but also some increases from our suppliers. However although we have applied increases many prices have been held and some have even been reduced!

Our Genealogy CD Desk 2011 Calendar RRP £4.95 has now been reduced to £2.95 and will also be sent FREE with any orders over £50 (not inc P&P). Whilst stocks last.

http://familytreefolk.co.uk/familytreefolk/page_11162.html

We have introduced following many requests from our customers a Gift Voucher button on our website. Many genealogists, family historians and general customers can now pass this link on to family and friends who may be unsure what to buy a genealogist.

We have a regular updated list of Family History Fairs in the UK (why not bookmark it on your PC?)

http://familytreefolk.co.uk/familytreefolk/page_10898.html

We are also busy posting genealogy posts on our sister blog the Genealogy Gazette which has many useful links to often free database research sites.

http://genealogygazette.blogspot.com/

Finally we have added many new links with dedicated pages on our website for other genealogical interests

http://familytreefolk.co.uk/familytreefolk/page_10786.html

Happy Researching from all at Family Tree Folk

Mike
Family Tree Folk

New Addition to Magnifier Range

2010-12-16T10:33:00.001Z

We have just added a new cerise coloured wallet size magnifier to our range. This has been our most popular selling magnifier in silver for a number of years. It has an overall x2 magnification with a bifocal inset of x6.

Would imagine this new colour will prove extremely popular as a gift item.
For more information visit the page on our website.

http://www.familytreefolk.co.uk/page_11037.html

Mike
Family Tree Folk

2011 Genealogist's Calendar

2010-10-13T10:56:00.000+01:00

The Genealogist's Year 2011 CD desk calendar is a unique genealogy gift for any family historian. An ideal Christmas present to buy now.

The handy CD case desk format takes up only a small amount of desk space and means that the genealogy calendar is always close at hand when researching the family tree. Perfect for planning dates for trips to the record office!

Created by Family Tree Folk to raise a smile with 12 of our unique popular, full colour designs, a different one for each of the 12 months ahead. The cover also features our popular "Remember undocumented Genealogy ... is just Mythology!" design to give a warm start to the year.

Limited copies http://www.familytreefolk.co.uk/page_11168.html

Lest we forget them

2010-10-09T09:38:00.002+01:00

With November looming, Remembrance Sunday is a day we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. However do we also remember the 1,000’s of POW’s (prisoner of war) who were incarcerated in sometimes brutal and appaling conditions?

Researching your ancestry should include finding as much about our ancestors including war records. Today more and more resources are becoming available on the internet. Three great sites (and there are many) are featured below.

Stalag VIIIB/344 Lamsdorf

Lamsdorf was a very large German prisoner of war camp located in SW Poland. More than 100,000 prisoners from Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, France, Greece, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and the United States passed through this camp.

A famous prisoner from here was Group Captain Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader.

http://lamsdorf.webs.com/

Stalag XVIIIA/Wolfsberg

Wolfsberg was located in Austria and this website is adding names to the roll call of prisoners who passed through. Currently this site has nearly 11,000 names and is being added to as information comes forward.

http://www.stalag18a.org.uk/

Far East Prisoners of War

Approximately 55,500 names of British POWs are on the database, taken from army, navy and air force records.

http://www.cofepowdb.org.uk/cdb2/Index.jsp

Writing out your family history research

2010-09-30T12:32:00.001+01:00

In this age of technology we all store our information and records on various media. Long gone the days of the “floppy disk” and even current media storage will and is becoming outdated. We all have stored our family history research of many years hard work on CD’s, DVD’s, Memory Sticks, Hard Drive back up’s etc. Even places on the internet such as Dropbox where we can “safely” store our hard sought research.

However bringing family history to life is not just about having everything backed up. It is about presenting it in written hard copy format with information, photographs, BMD certificates, census copies etc. This done on archival acid free safe materials and presented in a binder to future generations (remember how many family bibles were passed down through the family).

I was approached by a lady today who wanted to handwrite her research on acid free paper but wanted to use acid free ink with a fountain pen! Admiration for this wonderful initiative from a family historian who wants to present her findings in this way. Family Tree folk sell a range of acid free papers and pens but have never been asked for a bottle of acid free ink.
What are other views out in the genealogy world? How do you write up your research? More importantly are you using archival safe products to ensure long term preservation?

www.familytreefolk.co.uk/page_11161.html

Be interested in any comments on this posting.

Genealogy Christmas

2010-09-28T11:03:00.000+01:00

Well it will soon be October and Christmas is looming especially for our overseas customers who want to buy genealogy themed Christmas cards and gifts for their fellow family historians (or even themselves. Always a good idea to pass on our website http://www.familytreefolk.co.uk/ to your family who can never find something suitable for a family historian.

We have a range of Christmas cards and inexpensive gifts as well as our standard ranges. We also carry a comprehensive range of magnifiers and lights as well as a major selection of archival acid free products.

So if your looking for an inexpensive themed gift or something a little more serious visit our website at www.familytreefolk.co.uk

What do you buy a genealogist for Christmas or a birthday?

2010-09-21T11:23:00.000+01:00

It is so hard to find something related to family historians (other than relations!) to give as a present or send a greetings card. Family Tree Folk established an online shop in 2007 just for that reason. I was unable to find a suitable card or some inexpensive little items (stocking fillers) to raise a smile with my genealogy friends.

Using humour that is in the main only understood by fellow genealogists we designed and produced a range of gifts such as keyrings, magnets, mouse mats, pens etc. To accompany these we produced a range of themed greeting cards including Christmas, Mothers Day and Fathers Day.

We also have a serious side (genealogy is a serious pastime as well as fun though) and we sell a comprehensive range of magnifiers for genealogists along with archival and acid free products. The range has grown over the years and continues to do so. Take a look at our website at the products we offer as well as informative sections and details of the full research facility we offer.

Christmas is approaching treat your friends (or even yourself) to something they can “relate” to. May be worth passing on our website to other members of your family as a prompt to buy you something. One can live in hope of that, almost like finding that elusive ancestor! Happy Researching.

Viking DNA

2010-09-19T09:15:00.000+01:00

Viking burials yield uncontaminated Viking DNA for important analysis

Vikings are well known in mythology and stories for wearing their famous helmets and being buried with their treasures. Archeaology has discovered some of these helmets, which has provided much detail about the lives of Vikings. Now scientists have now used the human teeth and tissue from the Viking skeletons that have lain undisturbed, buried with their artefacts for over 1000 years, to extract pure Viking DNA to tell us more...

The researchers overcame problems that have plagued previous studies - that of contamination. All living things have DNA and examining archeaological finds always leads to investigators DNA being left on the finds. Danish researchers planned this excavation carefully. They took samples from teeth and bones for DNA testing moments after the ancient skeletons were first unearthed, before any DNA could contaminated the area.

For more information and links visit http://www.familytreefolk.co.uk/page_11065.html

Some useful genealogy websites

2010-09-18T09:58:00.000+01:00

I will be attempting to introduce possible helpful new areas of research from websites I have uncovered. These are all free to use with no subscriptions or payments required. Occasional registration maybe required to access the information.

I have given some of the websites using shortened URL’s to make it easier and quicker to type in the website name search. You can then save them into your favourites.

Rudy's List of Archaic Medical Terms

Have you ever pondered over the cause of death on a death certificate? Stuck trying to work out a cause of death because of strange wording? Try this excellent site for old medical terms. In alphabetical order and some with original document examples.

http://bit.ly/b6maX0

Manchester & Lancashire FHS Toolbar

Manchester & Lancashire FHS launched a brilliant new browser toolbar for genealogy resources - free download. Once loaded it gives you an instant drop down menu with access to numerous worldwide genealogy sites so easily. From the link below once you access the page select the M&LFHS Toolbar.

http://www.mlfhs.org.uk/

Welsh Family History

Do you have Welsh ancestors? A good site for checking out "Common Words & Phrases on Welsh head stones & Memorial Inscriptions" – (Good one for MI coordinators)

http://ning.it/dAtVT3

Australian War Memorial

Searchable First World War Diaries database by name with some original documents. Whilst on active service Army headquarters, formations and units are required to keep a unit war diary recording their daily activities.

http://bit.ly/dju33M

Archival Glue and Adhesive Tapes

2010-09-09T11:40:00.001+01:00

Archiving, repair and bonding of all of your research material, old documents, newspaper articles and photographs even if just copies of the originals should always be done using acid free materials. Using traditional Sellotape which is a cellulose tape with a rubber resin adhesive should not be used. The rubber resin adhesive degrades and dries out causing irreparable damage to documents.

An archival preservation acid free adhesive glue or tape should be used to safely repair a torn document or mount items onto acid free paper or card backings.

The tape has an acid free clear polyester film with a non yellowing adhesive and incorporates an "exclusive" Peel 'n Place Centering Strip®. This consists of three peel off backing strips (see photograph). After removal of the thin centre strip you can then visual see where to apply the tape over the tear line. This provides far easier and more accurate application to your damaged documents. Once pressure is applied the tape is transparent.

We stock a range of acid free tapes and adhesives for genealogists or indeed anyone who wants to safely preserve their work and documents for generations.

Please feel free to visit our website for more information or contact us if you have a particular question about preservation.

www.familytreefolk.co.uk
email: sales@familytreefolk.co.uk

Family Tree Folk: Animals in the 1911 census

2010-09-08T17:54:00.000+01:00

Family Tree Folk: Animals in the 1911 census

Archival Acid Free Paper and Card

2010-09-06T11:53:00.001+01:00

As well as recording your written or printed research using acid free inks you need to ensure you use acid free paper and card. This archival paper and card is not easily found in general stationers.

The acid content in paper determines it's life expectancy. The acid content is measured on a pH scale:

• pH 3-6 very acidic with a short life expectancy

• pH 7 neutral and classed as acid free - lasts 200 years

• pH 14 alkaline with a very long life expectancy - 500 years or more

Acid free paper (pH 7.0 and above) has a high degree of durability and permanence and will last for up to 200 years under normal use and storage conditions. It will not discolour or become brittle with normal handling.

Our acid and alkaline free paper (neutral pH) is suitable for use in both laser and inkjet printers. Also use it for copying, writing and drawing up your family trees or recording any of your important ancestral information.

Using acid free card has additional benefits:

Acid free card provides good support inside the acid free sleeves to protect delicate and fragile documents. The acid free card inserts also form an acid free mount for the certificates, making an attractive display in your binder. Use acid free adhesive or acid free tape to attach descriptive labels around the certificate with details of the ancestral line to which the certificate relates to.

Visit http://www.familytreefolk.co.uk/page_11161.html for more information or to buy

Have you placed your valuable research in clear PVC sleeves? Oh No!

2010-09-05T08:39:00.003+01:00

Widely found and used to store documents with other memorabilia, PVC clear plastic sleeves are a definite NO to any family historian. The number of people who approach me at Family History Fairs with old and fragile original family documents (certificates, wills etc) in PVC sleeves is astonishing. What is more surprising is they are not aware of the long term damage PVC can cause to their precious documents.

PVC has plasticisers added that make the PVC soft and pliable. These plasticisers over time migrate into the document and destroy the print and also eat into the paper. You will have seen examples of this when you try to remove a long term stored document and the PVC sleeve is sticky and has some of the print transferred from the paper onto the plastic.

The archival way of storing your documents is to use acid free inert PP (Polypropylene) or PET (Polyester) sleeves. These two are widely used by professional archivists to ensure safe storage of valuable documents and memorabilia. PP is by far the most common type used mainly because of availability and the lower price. The benefit of using PET (used by more professional bodies) is the ultra clarity and generally more lightweight gauge of sleeve.

At Family Tree Folk we stock a wide range of PP sleeves in A4 portrait, landscape and photo sections as well as the longer foolscap certificate size PP and PET sleeves. If you want more information visit our website at http://www.familytreefolk.co.uk/ or contact us for advice.

Archiving Correctly - Why?

2010-09-04T17:06:00.000+01:00

Archiving and storage of all of your valuable research material, old documents, wills, maps, newspaper articles, memorabilia and photographs even if just copies of the originals should always be done using archival acid free materials and archival products.

If you use acidic paper and normal ink your work will fade and deteriorate over a short time span. If you want to preserve your research for generations to come whether it is handwritten or printed it needs to be done on acid free paper or card. It also needs to be written with an acid free ink pen or check your printer ink is acid free (most inkjet printer cartridges now have acid free ink – but check with the manufacturer and avoid cheap compatible cartridges).

Using archival acid free paper and ink your research will last generations (our white paper carries a 200 year guarantee from the suppliers).

You can buy all your genealogy supplies - acid free pens, acid free paper and card, acid free tissue paper, acid free glue and tape as well as certificate and photograph/memorabilia storage binders from Family Tree Folk. http://www.familytreefolk.co.uk/

For preserving your certificates, documents and photographs in the binders we supply archival products - acid free pockets, acid free insert card and tabbed dividers. A smaller memorabilia clear pocket is available to store those precious little keepsakes.

We also stock archival acid free document repair tape and kits, pH testing pens and archival white cotton gloves. Used by professional archivists.

Please contact us if you have any queries regarding using any genealogy supplies for preserving and archiving your valuable research items.

Clan McGregor: an example of a DNA surname project

2010-08-27T17:31:00.000+01:00

The Clan McGregor DNA surname project is a large one based, not surprisingly, in Scotland. Currently there are about 300 members involved in the project, and the overall aim is to try to establish who belongs in the McGregor clan by looking at similarities in the DNA of people who take the test and join the project.

Here are some of the issues and problems that the project hopes to be able to solve:

All men with the MacGregor surname are thought to have descended from one common ancestor, called Gregor. However, as with many surnames, MacGregor may have developed from different origins - some people called Greirson or Grier were thought to be part of the clan but it now turns out that they originated in Ireland, and are descended from the Irish royal line from Niall of the nine hostages.

During troubles during Scotland's turbulent history, various members of the clan MacGregor used aliases and these 'false' surnames have been passed down the generations. Using DNA evidence, the project has managed to identify the aliases of Bain and Stirling and have shown that members of these families were originally MacGregors who changed their name. Similarly, true MacGregors, as identified by DNA testing, are today called Campbell, Pressly and McNab.

DNA analysis has revealed some goings on during the history of the MacGregors/McGregors. There is evidence that non-MacGregor DNA has got into the male line, perhaps in cases where the paternity of a child was hidden from those at the time. Individuals can't be identified now, but the DNA never lies...

The DNA tests have also revealed information about the origins of surnames, which ties in with our current theories of how this happened during the medieval period. The MacGregor clan DNA is also found in people with the surnames Magruder, Grieg, some Stirlings, some Gregorys, and possibly some McGehees The ancestors of these families, now with completely different surnames were probably closely related at a time when surnames were not passed down so uniformly.

http://www.clangregor.org/macgregor/dna.html

Yorkshire Film Archive

2010-08-26T17:14:00.000+01:00

Born and living in Yorkshire the memories of the past always bring nostalgia to me of my days growing up in this wonderful county and what a wonderful resource we have with Yorkshire Film Archive based in York.

Yorkshire Film Archive's mission is to find, preserve and make available to show film and television material made in Yorkshire. This is for the information, education and entertainment of the people of Yorkshire and further afield.

In York and based in purpose built premises which includes specialist film vaults where the collections are housed. Also film repair, conservation facilities and a public access viewing room where people can come to research from films in the collections.

The main collection consists of over 5,000 items and covers a wide range of topics including both amateur and professional films, newsreels, promotional and advertising films, documentaries and even home movies. All these capture life in the county over the last 100 years.

It is a wonderful website to visit and you can watch online free of charge wonderful footage searching by theme, decade or area.

Hours and hours of fun! Enjoy

http://www.yfaonline.com/index.cfm

Animals in the 1911 census

2010-08-26T16:49:00.000+01:00

The 1911 census is the first census published that is in colour and also individual household pages completed by the householder in their writing rather than the enumerator. This allows you to actually see handwriting of your ancestors.

What is fascinating in any census are some unusual details that come to life. In the 1911 census a Mr & Mrs Arthur John Delve of Smethwick thought it apt to record their pet dog Biddy on the bottom of their return.

Biddy was was described as the couple’s “faithful Irish Terrier Bitch, Magnificent Watch, a demon on Cats and Vermin, age 11 years”.

There must be others - have you found any? If so please feel free to leave a comment. Visit the 1911 census website to search for your ancestors. Who knows what you will uncover?

Thanks to the 1911 census for releasing the above image.
Please visit their blog at
http://blog.1911census.co.uk/2010/06/animals-in-the-1911-census/

Glossary of Archaic Medical Terms, Diseases and Causes of Death

2010-08-25T09:59:00.001+01:00

Found this really useful website with a searchable database of great use to genealogists and family historians. It helps to understand the terminology used on death certificates and other documents for causes of death. It also features some images of original documents (example below). Hope you find it a useful addition to your family history research, it has certainly helped me uncover some mysteries.

The site was developed by Rudy Schmidt and is being updated and added to. It also features terms in many languages and concentrates on English, German and French. Below is text extracted from Rudy's site explaining his objective:

Antiquus Morbus is a collection of archaic medical terms and their old and modern definitions. The primary focus of this web site is to help decipher the Causes of Death found on Mortality Lists, Certificates of Death and Church Death Records from the 19th century and earlier. This web site will be updated often and as new information is received. My intention is to collect and record old medical terms in all European languages. The English and German lists are the most extensive to date.

Many thanks to Rudy for his hard work in making this information available to all genealogists out there. Hope you find it interesting (not too morbid).

http://www.antiquusmorbus.com/English/EnglishA.htm

Why use certificate folders and acid free wallets for certificate storage?

2010-08-24T15:30:00.001+01:00

Many people starting family history are given some original certificates - a grandparents marriage certificate, their own birth certificate, a parent's birth certificate. These are longer than A4, and can be extremely fragile, particularly if decades old. Many have unfortunately been folded and need to be opened and stored flat

To stop them deteriorating and store them in the best condition possible you need to archive acid free. Acid free archival materials are widely used by record offices and the legal profession and are now popular with family historians. At Family Tree Folk, we have a range of acid free products to help - and we are sourcing more for 2010.

Instead of keeping your certificates folded in an envelope - or worse still, in a cheap PVC polypocket (this accelerates the ageing process acting on the paper, and strips the ink from the document), put them in acid free polypockets that allow them to be straight and unfolded. The acid free sleeves will prevent further yellowing and disintegration of the paper, and will stop accidental damage by handling.

Storing your original certificates in acid free pockets in a certificate binder keeps them flat and safe and away from light. They are clearly visible through the clear polypropylene or polyester and can still be used for reference as required. As well as our long certificate binder, folders for A4 landscape certificates are also available. These are useful if you only have the newer style certificates, which are all now supplied by the General Registry Office as A4 sheets. As with our deluxe long certificate binder our deluxe A4 landscape binders are available with a full range of acid free wallets, acid free card inserts and tabbed dividers.

Using acid free card inserts allows two certificates to be stored in each acid free sleeve and prevents the certificates touching. It also stiffens the acid free pocket and provides an attractive background to the certificate.

The deluxe certificate binders and acid free pockets can also take landscape A4 certificates (all newly purchased certificates are A4 landscape) as these also need careful acid free storage. With a cost from April 6th 2010 of £9.25 for each certificate this represents quite an investment, after all and they need to be stored for generations to come.

North Yorkshire Council Free Historical Maps online

2010-08-06T09:51:00.000+01:00

North Yorkshire County Council have an excellent free online historical map programme which allows you to search and view places in North Yorkshire at different time periods. You can see maps from 1846 to 1954 of where your ancestors may have lived.

Try it out and let's hope others follow with this really useful tool for all family historians.

Millennium Acid Free Pens

2010-08-05T12:31:00.000+01:00

Zig Memory System Millennium acid free pens come in a choice of four colours black, blue, green and red.

With acid free ink and a fine 0.5 mm tip the Millennium acid free pen allows you to record and highlight your research details by colour. You can identify male and female ancestors or lines by colour or to use red for birth and baptism data, green for marriage data and reserve black for death and burial data.

Ideal for scrapbooking, card making, craft work or indeed just for letter writing.

V Mount Strips

2010-08-05T12:21:00.000+01:00

A safe, secure and extremely easy way to photo mount your old photographs. These "V" mounting strips are made from inert ultra clear polyester with a clear acrylic adhesive making them acid free and almost invisible. They are of an archival conservation quality and used by professionals archivists.

Easier to use than glue or a tape. You can apply short 25mm lengths (about 1 inch) of this strip to the edges of your photograph. After removing the orange filmic liner from the strip at the back of the photograph the adhesive face is exposed. You can then position your photograph and apply by using pressure along the strip front edge.

The photo or document can easily be removed time and time again by sliding it out of the strips.

Photo mounts made easy.

The Seven Daughters of Eve

2010-08-05T09:07:00.002+01:00

The Seven Daughters of Eve was the title of the book written by Bryan Sykes, also famous for founding the company Oxford Ancestors, who offer DNA testing to genealogists.

Sykes was the first scientist to collect DNA from an ancient sample of bone and he has published studies about using DNA testing to find out more about ancient peoples. In 2001, he wrote about how DNA testing could be used to assign everyone to groups, who were descended from seven ancient women – whom he called the seven daughters of Eve.

Bryan Sykes tried to explain an extremely complex subject – human genetics and evololution – in a simple way but it still gets difficult to grasp. For example, the seven daughters of Eve did not all live at the same time, but they were all descended through the female line from one single women, called the mitochondrial Eve. Some of the women are descended from each other – but through the male line.

Very convoluted! However, the main take home message is that testing anyone’s mitochondrial DNA can tell them which of the clan mothers they are descended from. This gives some valuable clues about regional and ethnic origins.

Ursula

Ursula is the mother to a clan founded 45000 year ago in Europe. Up to 11% of European people are descended from Ursula, many of them now living in the west of the UK and in the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Xenia
Xenia lived more recently than Ursula, about 25000 years ago, just before the deepest, darkest cold period of the last Ice Age. Only 7% of people in Europe are descended from Xenia – these live either in Eastern Europe, or in central Europe. A further 1% of native Americans are descended from Xenia’s clan.

Helena
Helena lived more recently still – about 20 000 years ago – and is clan mother to 41% of people who now live in Europe. Not surprisingly, this enormous clan has many sub-branches but it is notably frequent in the Basque regions of France and Spain. Helena lived in southern France, around the Dordogne and Vezere regions.

Velda
Velda’s clan represents the other end of the spectrum from Helena’s – only 4% of Europeans belong to this clan, making it the smallest. Velda’s descendants live now in the west and north of Europe and make up a large proportion of the Saami people from Norway and Finland.

Tara
Tara lived 17000 years ago in northern Italy, in Tuscany. Her descendants, who represent 10% of Europeans alive today are mainly found in the south and west of Europe and there are a lot of the Tara clan in Ireland and the west of the UK.

Katrine
Like Tara, Katrine also lived in the north of Italy, but nearer to the Alps. Katrine lived 2000 years after Tara and the 10% of Europeans in this clan are found all over central and northern Europe.

Jasmine
Jasmine is the most recent of all the clan mothers, living 8500 years ago. She lived in the Middle East originally, but her immediate descendants travelled into Europe during the agricultural revolution, bringing farming into mainland Europe. About 12% of modern Europeans are descended from her.

Ulrike
Ulrike lived 18000 years ago, in the Ukraine and her descendants, only 2% of today’s Europeans live in the east and north of Europe, with many of them still living in the countries near to the Ukraine.

Order from Magmatic who appeared on Dragon's Den

2010-08-04T16:50:00.002+01:00

We have just had an order of our Signature Photo Pens http://familytreefolk.co.uk/familytreefolk/page_11103.html from Magmatic http://www.magmatic.co.uk/about.html based in Bristol and famous for the "Trunki". They appeared on Dragon's Den but did not get investment for their ideas. However they went on to great success and have now sold over 500,000 Trunki's.

Read their story on the link and see both Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones admit they wish they had invested!!

Family History Fairs

2010-07-26T17:07:00.001+01:00

Family History Fairs 2010/2011

September

Sat 11th The National Family History Fair NEW VENUE (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Sat 18th Bristol & Avon FHS Open Day (Thornbury)

Sat 18th Somerset & Dorset FHS Open Day (Marston Bigot)

October

Sat 2nd Oxfordshire Family History Open Day (Woodstock)

Sat 9th Suffolk Family History Fair (Debenham)

Sat 16th Hull Family History Fair (Hull)

November

Sat 6th North West Group FHS Family History Fair (Chester)

Sat 13th Batley Local & Family History Fair (Batley)

Sun 21st Berkshire Family & Local History Day (Padworth)

Sun 28th Somerset Family & Local History Day (Taunton)

2011

Jan

Sun 30th Bracknell Family History Fair (Bracknell)

Feb

Sun 13th The Sussex and South London Fair (Crawley)

March

Sun 6th The Merseyside & Cheshire Fair (Port Sunlight)

Sun 13th The East Anglia Fair (Norwich)

April

Sat 2nd Pudsey Family & Local History Fair (Pudsey)

Sun 17th The Oxfordshire & Bucks Fair (Kidlington)

Sat 2nd Pudsey Family & Local History Fair (Pudsey)

June

Sat 25th Yorkshire Family History Fair (York Racecourse)

Aug

Sat 6th West Midlands Group Fair (Worcester)

If you are just starting out with your family history research and just "planting" your family tree, or have many years of cultivated experience then Family History Fairs are definitely the place to visit.

Family History Fairs have many exhibitors attending with stands including many local (and sometimes distant) Family History Societies. There is a multitude of things for you to buy for your genealogy research including publications and CD's of parish baptisms, marriages and burials. Also Monumental Inscriptions and census transcripts from many of the local family history societies where your ancestors may have lived. Books, charts, maps - the list goes on!

Plenty of other items are available at Family History Fairs to also help you record, store and display the masses of family history information you will gather. Expert advice is on hand as well and there is always a genuine willingness to help if you are new or have just hit a brick wall with your ancestry research!!

We will list the Family History Fairs on this page and highlight the ones we will be attending. Please come along and see us and all the products featured on our website (and much more). We are sure from the reactions and the positive feedback we have received from many customers so far you will only then appreciate the real quality and unique gift range we are offering to genealogists (especially those with a good genealogical sense of humour!!).

Regular updates will be undertaken with any new dates and venues for Family History Fairs and also to let you know where you can meet the "Folk" from Family Tree Folk, so keep checking our web site with a regular visit.

**** Note - Family Tree Folk take no responsibility for any cancellations or change of date or venue for any of these Family History Fairs.

We strongly advise all interested individuals to check with the relevant fair organisers and/or their website link.

Who are Family Tree Folk

2010-07-26T16:43:00.003+01:00

Family Tree Folk is a unique source of gifts and essential materials and equipment for people fascinated by family history. Whether you are just beginning to trace your family tree, or you are a family historian with many years carefully collected knowledge of your ancestry, Family Tree Folk will have something to please and delight you.

Founded in 2007, Family Tree Folk now has the largest collections of family history gifts in the UK. As well as the fun side of genealogy, with our range of humorous gifts and cards, we also offer magnifiers for genealogy and acid free archival supplies for storing valuable documents and certificates collected in the course of your family history research..

Take a look at our fabulous range of genealogy gifts, including mouse mats, keyrings, drinks coasters and fridge magnets with colourful designs that will bring a smile to the face of everyone interested in family history. Slightly smaller than Ancestry.com but infinitely more entertaining!

Animals in the 1911 census

2010-06-02T14:12:00.003+01:00

It seems many of our ancestors were animal lovers, even going so far as to record their pets on their 1911 census returns.

http://tinyurl.com/35lsofo

Family History Fairs this weekend

2010-06-02T14:10:00.001+01:00

There are 3 Fairs being held this weekend see below:

Sat 5th Shropshire FHS Open Day and Family History Fair (Shrewsbury)

Sat 5th Sunderland History Fair (Sunderland)
Sun 6th Kent Fair (Maidstone)

Gravestone Symbols

2010-05-02T15:16:00.002+01:00

Really useful site that adds to any research on monumental inscriptions for any family members.

Hope you all find it useful.

New extended range of Acid Free Photo/Memorabilia Pockets

2010-04-23T13:47:00.000+01:00

Just in! Extended range of A4 Acid Free Archival Pockets. Portrait A4 format with choice of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 9 pockets. The ideal and safe way to store those precious photographs or memorabilia for generation to come.

We also now stock A4 tabbed dividers in extra wide format to enable these to be used with our pockets.

Sheffield Family History Fair

2010-04-20T07:52:00.001+01:00

On Saturday 24th April Sheffield FHS are holding a family history fair 10am - 4:00pm in Sheffield.
at

“The Centre in the Park”, Norfolk Heritage Park, Guildford Road, Sheffield S2 2PL
Local groups and other Family History Societies will be represented and there will be a Help Desk for your
enquiries.
Admission free. Refreshments will be available all day.

Family Tree Folk products also available through GENFAIR

2010-04-20T07:47:00.000+01:00

As well as being able to purchase our range of genealogy gifts, cards, magnifiers and archival products direct from our website www.familytreefolk.co.uk you can also buy from GENFAIR along with other genealogy items.

The biggest and by far the best online genealogy store. You will find everything you need here on UK family history, easily searchable and with an excellent cart system. Allied to the Federation of Family History Societies. Family Tree Folk also has its own store on Genfair selling a comprehensive selection of our unique products.

Family History Fairs this weekend

2010-04-07T07:37:00.000+01:00

Family History Fairs this weekend:

Pudsey Family History Fair on Saturday 10th April and Stockport Family History Fair on Sunday 11th April.

Acid Free Paper

2010-04-07T07:34:00.000+01:00

Acid Free Paper is essential for preserving information for generations to come. Whatever you type or write that you want to last and not fade should be undertaken using acid free paper and ink. Most inkjet printer ink is acid free but are you using acid free paper?

We stock a range of papers, card, pens, glues and tapes all acid free.

Custom Made Badges

2010-03-31T09:53:00.000+01:00

Custom made badges made to your design. We offer a choice of clip or the magnetic fastener which has no pins or clips and is a very powerful magnet.

We have no minimum order and can design your layout using your logo etc. Contact us for details.

Chelsea Pensioners

2010-03-30T10:46:00.000+01:00

You can now search and download Chelsea Pensioners' service records from 1883 to 1900 at findmypast.co.uk

Rotherham FHS Family History Fair

2010-03-28T09:15:00.000+01:00

The Family History Fair held by Rotherham Family History Society was well attended yesterday in Rotherham. Sheffield FHS are holding theirs on April 24th and again should prove to be a popular day out for Family Historians.

For a list of Fairs across the UK visit our dedicated page.

Rimless LED Magnifier

2010-03-25T15:59:00.002Z

This magnifier has excellent viewing properties having no rim and a bright LED light which illuminates the area with no hot spots.

Can I use a DNA test to research my family history?

2010-03-25T15:33:00.001Z

Link to this page on Family Tree Folk to find out!

Family History Fairs this weekend

2010-03-25T07:33:00.004Z

For all genealogists out there! There will be 3 Family History Fair events this coming weekend.
Saturday 27th March
York & District FHS Family History Fair - New Earswick, York 10am - 4pm
Rotherham FHS Family History Fair - Herringthorpe United Reformed Church, Rotherham 10am - 4pm
Sunday 28th March
East Anglia Family History Fair - St Andrews Hall, Norwich 10am - 4pm

Discovering the secrets of a Dewsbury lady's diary

2010-03-24T23:02:00.001Z

This site is worth a read for all genealogists/family historians

Memorabilia Pockets

2010-03-24T12:24:00.006Z

If you want to preserve those small items and archive away safely you need to store in acid free pockets. Our memorabilia pockets are acid free polypropylene with an acid free adhesive. You can safely store your items small documents, cards, locks of hair etc in the pocket which has a resealable adhesive tab. Extremely useful for genealogy archiving or indeed any item you wish to preserve.

The packs come with an assortment of sizes (8 pockets).

Compact LED Booklight

2010-03-24T07:06:00.004Z

Compact LED reading booklights in 4 stunning colours. Portable and slim design easily clips onto book pages. The LED never needs replacing and very energy efficient.

Use in the home, office or car when travelling.

Fresnel Lightweight Sheet Magnifiers

2010-03-23T18:09:00.003Z

If you need a lightweight magnifier we have a choice of 5 sizes from a credit card up to a page size. All reasonable priced. Handy to keep the CC size in a purse or wallet and a bigger one on your desk or in your glove compartment for reading those maps!

Irish Roots Cafe

2010-03-23T11:31:00.002Z

This is a useful site if you are researching your Irish ancestry. You can search a surname from 10,000 and it will give you a list of members who are researching the same surname. You need to register and become a member to contact the others but could help overcome that brick wall!

Tyrrell Family History Society

2010-03-23T08:20:00.002Z

We have produced many custom made items for the Tyrrell Family History Society and are currently making them so more pens. The Tyrell FHS has been established over 30 years and has worldwide members researching this surname.

They are linked back to Sir Walter Tyrrell and hold regular "gatherings" in the New Forest and visit the Sir Walter Tyrrell memorial stone.

For more information visit their website.

For information on our custom service visit: www.familytreefolk.co.uk

We have just been added to Scotland's Gengenie website

2010-03-22T17:57:00.002Z

We have just exchanged a reciprocal link with Scotland's Gengenie website. Take a look at their links section. Useful Scottish researcher if your looking for Scottish ancestors.

Custom Genealogy Gifts - Family Reunions etc

2010-03-22T16:26:00.003Z

Are you planning a Family Reunion and want some custom merchandise producing? We can make a variety of items for your event with no mimimum order. We can produce 1 or 1,000 in keyrings, magnets, mouse mats, coasters etc.

Take a look at the website examples

Australian Electoral Roll

2010-03-21T08:09:00.002Z

The Australian Electoral is complicated. Find out more with this link.

Family History Fairs

2010-03-20T20:22:00.001Z

Want to know about a Family History Fair near you. Check out our page of Fairs for 2010 on the Family Tree Folk website. Updated regularly.

Family History Research

2010-03-20T17:37:00.002Z

Researching family history for a client from the NE now living in Canada. Have got back to 1805 on the maternal side already. Enjoying saturday afternoon - work but relaxing.

Archival Binders

2010-03-20T13:36:00.005Z

Looking for an archival certificate binder? We stock a range of sizes, colours and also an economy one ideal for census pages. Top of the scale is a burgundy leather one.

Catch up with your archiving of your research

2010-03-20T07:58:00.003Z

Well a rainy weekend in prospect. Time to look at archiving all those certificates and documents and preserving them in the correct storage products. Visit Family Tree Folk for all your genealogy archival supplies including acid free pens, glues and tapes.

Library Day

2010-03-20T07:45:00.003Z

Well a day helping others with their Family History Research - free of charge. Pontefract & District Family History Society are having a help day at South Elmsall Library in Yorkshire from 09:30 today. If your local come along.

Acid Free Clear Photo Corners

2010-03-19T22:54:00.002Z

Since we launched four new archival products this week we have been selling our acid free clear photo corners very fast. Everyone must be sorting their photos out this week.

Safe way to mount them whatever the occasion - not just Family History!

pH Testing Pen for checking acidity of paper, card and documents

2010-03-18T07:41:00.001Z

We have recently supplied The British Museum in London with our pH Testing Pens.

New Archival products

2010-03-17T17:33:00.002Z

Continually adding new products for the family historian or anyone wishing to preserve and archive precious material and documents.

Visit Family Tree Folk to see the complete range of acid free products and archival materials.

New this month - 4 new products:

Acid Free Memorabilia Pockets/ Acid Free Clear Photo Corners/ Acid Free Glue Stick/ Acid Free Tape Runner

Doncaster Family History Fair

2009-04-17T14:35:00.005+01:00

Doncaster Family History Society is holding a Family History Fair on Saturday 25th April where there will be a number of other local family history societies having a stand. There will also be commercial stands for purchasing products relating to family history.

Family Tree folk will be exhibiting for sale the range of genealogy gifts, cards, magnifiers and archival products.

Venue is:
The Doncaster School for the Deaf
Racecourse Roundabout
Ledger Way
Doncaster
DN2 6AY
Open 10am - 4pm
Only £1.00 admission includes free raffle ticket
(accompanied children under 16 FREE)
Free Car Parking

Custom Magnifiers

2009-03-30T22:33:00.002+01:00

These very popular lightweight and unbreakable magnifiers which are so useful and easily carried in a wallet or purse puts your printed name and contact details in front of the user almost daily. So much more impact than a business card or flyer which usually gets thrown away.
We can layout your idea "free of charge" with logo and text supplied and send you a proof prior to order. NB. We cannot provide printing on the lens only on the PVC wallet.
These can be produced with a minimum print quantity of only 500 units and at prices that can offer an economical yet practical give away promotional item.

Compact LED Booklight

2009-03-28T18:39:00.004Z

Do you need a portable light for reading your books and magazines?
This compact folding LED with a specially designed paperclip easily attaches to your pages to provide a useful concentrated light source. This portable slim, lightweight design allows you use this LED book light everywhere. Clips easily onto any book pages. For additional concentrated light used as a desk lamp

Available in choice of 4 colours.

Use in the home, office, car or when travelling.
Reading, Writing, Studying, Map light. Ideal desk lamp.

Easy stored in a pocket, briefcase or handbag.
Folds up and when you're ready to use it, just
open, extend the multi-position lamp head and
rotate the body and lamp head to the angle required.

Book Buddy

2009-03-28T18:10:00.005Z

(designed as a book weight as well as a bookmark)

This is a really useful and attractive gift to give to a friend or just a special treat for yourself!
Made from beautiful selected cloths from Thailand with a gold printed oriental pattern and a luxurious feel. Each of the four corners is decorated with a metal ornament of a flower, leaf or butterfly.
Sewn into the cloth at each end and not visible there is a heavy metal ring which holds the pages open across the book or magazine. Useful for holding down documents as well.
The Book Buddy is available in mixed designs (choice of design to order is not possible due to regular changes in new fabrics).

Document Repair Tape

2009-03-15T17:02:00.001Z

Often many old family documents, papers, letters, certificates, books, photos and maps can already be torn from poor storage and handling.
To avoid further damage and to safely repair and reinforce these documents for preserving, acid free repair tape should be used. Our tape is of archival and conservation quality and used by archives, libraries, schools and museums for document repair.
The tape has an acid free clear polyester film with non yellowing adhesive and incorporates an "exclusive" Peel 'n Place Centering Strip®.
This provides far easier and more accurate application to your damaged documents.
We offer a complete document repair kit comprising of a roll of self adhesive acid free, non yellowing transparent low glare matt polyester tape 32mm wide x 3 metres with a bone folder/creaser. This ensures a smooth uniform application and comes with full instructions for applying.
We also stock just the rolls of document repair tape in 32mm x 5 metres with full instructions for repeat orders or if you already have a bone folder/creaser.

Magnifiers

2009-03-12T09:33:00.004Z

More and more people now use magnifiers for a growing number of daily applications and especially for use as a low vision aid.

Magnifiers have moved on since the traditional round "Sherlock Holmes" type magnifying glass. There are Auto Focus, LED lighted options, lightweight thin Fresnel Sheets in a range of sizes and colours.

We stock a comprehensive and competative selection of magnifiers for all sorts of applications both at home, office, outdoors, craft etc. Visit our website for more information both technical and about product information.

Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate Storage

2009-03-11T10:16:00.003Z

If you have certificates you wish to store safely first you need a good quality certificate binder. The storage method is critical for preservation of the certificates or documents. They need to be in acid free pockets which can be polypropylene or polyester. Avoid the cheap PVC pockets as these cause plasticiser migration into the document and print destroying the certificate.
Visit our website for safe storage solutions and a range of acid free products.

V Mount Strips

2009-03-10T21:25:00.002Z

A safe and easy way to mount your old photographs. These "V" mounting strips are made from inert ultra clear polyester with a clear acrylic adhesive making them acid free. These are of an archival conservation quality and used by professionals archivists.
Easier to use than glue or a tape. You can apply short 25mm lengths (about 1 inch) of this strip (which is almost invisible) to the edges of your photograph.
After removing the orange filmic liner from the strip at the back of the photograph the adhesive face is exposed. You can then position your photograph and apply by using pressure along the strip front edge.
The photo or document can easily be removed time and time again by sliding it out of the strips.

Photo Signature Pen

2009-03-10T21:15:00.001Z

The photo signature pen contains acid free ink and is specifically designed for use on both the front and back of photographs and transparencies.

Both professional and amateur photographers can sign their photographs safely. Use to record names, dates and occasions on photographs ensuring this information is never lost or forgotten.

It is photo safe, permanent, non-scratch, fade resistant, water resistant, dries quickly and will not smear once dry.

Acid Free Tissue Paper

2009-03-10T21:11:00.002Z

Acid free tissue paper is useful for storing so many different precious items. Use it to wrap up a wedding dress, a graduation outfit, a christening gown. Use it to store antique lace, costumes for a museum or uniforms.

Also ideal for wrapping old, delicate books, diaries, world war medals, memorobilia.

Keeps your item out of the light, away from dust and provides an acid free environment that will keep the paper and material in perfect condition.