Don’t knock the SoG
As an ordinary member of The Society of Genealogists (SoG), I would disagree strongly with the view that the UK subscription is expensive ( Write In, July 2015).
Far from the SoG being a fat-cat organisation delighting in emptying family historians’ pockets, it struggles to achieve as much as it does on its present income and could do so much more if the means were available.
In return for my subscription, I have access to the biggest genealogical library in the UK. It has been taking in items of interest for more than 100 years. Last year, 2,919 items and 1,651 documents were added. Even the British Library has no copy of many of the typescripts or short-run booklets shelved here, not to mention the document and surname collections and a number of unique indexes.
Maintaining all this costs money. There are also courses, talks and visits arranged for non-members and members alike. On top of that, I get four high-quality issues of the Genealogists’ Magazine, with a detailed list of library accessions, the use of the common room where I can meet people of similar interests and get expert help plus money off any SoG publications I buy. I can use the society’s computers with free access to many subscription sites and download PCC Wills, too.
Therefore, I thought I had better pay more by becoming a Friend of SoG and start trying to put something back for the benefits I have had!
SoG is now working hard to put more of its unique holdings online for members who cannot easily visit the building, but again this will cost money.
So please don’t knock the SoG. Instead, come and join us! Gwyneth Wilkie, by email Editor replies: I agree, Gwyneth. The SoG does undertake some fantastic work on behalf of us family historians – preserving records and making them available. Victoria Cross awardedd to Wing Commander Jammes Brindley Nicholson, Service Noo. 39329,3 RAF 355 Sqdn. He waas awarded the Victoria Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross. He died on 2 MayMay 1945, aged 29. There was a citation in the London Gazette of 15 November 1940. His name appears on the Singapore Memorial. His father wawas Leslie Gibson Nicholson. Apparrt from this information,, which appears in the You’ve certainly made a good case for the fee it charges. gov.uk/government/ publications/official-copies-ofregister-or-plan-registrationoc1 and should be sent to Citizen Centre, PO Box 6350, Coventry CV3 9LP. The website address landregistry.gov.uk should be gov.uk/land-registry. Marion Shelley, Press and PR Manager, Chief Land Registrar’s Office frame, we knoww no more. Our committeeee feels these frames should be returneeed to the families of these men, buuut we have come up against a bbrick wall and would be mostt grateful if you can heeelp in any way. Jean Hawkes, Comm mitteem Member, Itchen n & Hamble Branch h, h RAFA Editor r replies: Do these names rring a bell with anyone out there?? It would be great to return tthese awards to the families of tthese brave men.