The lunch hour genealogist

Being busy doesn’t mean you have to neglect your favourite hobby, you can still learn in your lunch break! It’s time to tuck into Rachel Bellerby’s genealogy treats

Know-how in under 100 words Genogram

A genogram is a graphic representation of a family tree that goes beyond the names, dates and life events of a traditional family tree and as such, can be used in fields such as medicine and psychology to help identify family traits. Data such as education, occupation, chronic illness and social relationships when plotted on a family tree can help trained professionals identify patterns that might influence a person’s state of mind.

Project idea Historical directories

Add some flesh to the bones of your family history this month by using historical directories to find new details about the lives of your ancestors. Although these directories are often kept in local history libraries and archives that might be difficult to access at the moment, there are also thousands of collections online. You might find an ancestor listed as a tradesperson or business owner, or you can discover details about the town or city at the time he or she lived there, such as the types of businesses that flourished, how well-connected the place was in terms of transport, and what goods and services were available for people to buy, as shown in the directory adverts. See our online guide for web links: http://familytr.ee/directoryft

Anniversary of the month 3 March 1847

Alexander Graham Bell was born in Edinburgh. Although best known for inventing and patenting the first practical telephone, he had a total of 18 patents granted for his various inventions, which included the photophone, phonograph, aerial vehicles and hydroairplanes.

Video of the month The Ecclesiastical Census of 1851

This ten-minute video from The UK National Archives at Kew is presented by Audrey Collins and describes the transcription of records from digital microfilm in record series HO 129, undertaken by off-site volunteers. The census, taken in the same year as the 1851 Census, was commissioned to find out what provision there was for religious worship throughout England and Wales and how many people attended services on 30 March, the date the Ecclesiastical Census was taken: http://familytr.ee/eccles