Genealogy enthusiasts beginning their English or Welsh family history quest have a new must-read resource with the release of Bigamists, Bastards and Baffling Brick Walls: A Beginner’s Guide to Discovering Your English Family History. Written by family historian Nick Thorne, this captivating guide offers a deep dive into the world of English and Welsh ancestry, blending expert advice with real-life tales of intrigue and scandal.

The book takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the complexities of genealogical research. From the emotional revelations of bigamous marriages and illegitimate ancestors to practical techniques for navigating elusive parish records, Nick Thorne shares tried-and-tested strategies in a readable style that make this guide indispensable.

“Family history isn’t just about dates and documents; it’s about understanding who you are and where you come from,” says Nick Thorne. “Discovering the secrets hidden in your family tree can be empowering, emotional and immensely rewarding. I wrote this book to help others embrace the journey, no matter how challenging or surprising their discoveries may be.”

Highlights of Bigamists, Bastards and Baffling Brick Walls include:

Written in an engaging and accessible style, the book will appeal to beginners and those who are tracing their family back to England and Wales from elsewhere. By focusing on the unique records and histories of these parts of the British Isles, Nick Thorne provides a specialised resource for readers with ties to this part of the world.

Whether you’re uncovering long-lost relatives or solving centuries-old mysteries, Bigamists, Bastards and Baffling Brick Walls is a unique blend of practical advice and storytelling that makes his work both informative and compelling for a wide audience

Bigamists, Bastards and Baffling Brick Walls: A Beginner’s Guide to Discovering Your English Family History is available now on Amazon as a paperback and a Kindle e-book.

Amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DQKMB47Y

Or from Amazon,com in the USA - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQKMB47Y

Amazon.com.au in Australia - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DQKMB47Y

and Amazon.ca in Canada - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DQKMB47Y

About the Author
Nick Thorne is a seasoned family historian with years of experience of researching and helping individuals uncover their ancestral stories. Between 2013 and 2024 he wrote case studies and articles for one of the major online subscription sites, researching in a wide range of record sets to find fascinating stories to tell. A passionate advocate for exploring family history, Nick Thorne has contributed many pieces to genealogy publications and websites, sharing his expertise and inspiring others to embark on their own research journeys.

For more information, review copies, or interviews, contact:
Nick Thorne, nick@noseygenealogist.com    

More than two decades after human remains were found, they’ve been identified as a mother of four, Nevada cops say. Using DNA testing, detectives identified the remains found on Jan. 11, 2001, as Virgia Mae Jackson, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a Jan. 23 post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

While searching the area in 2001, investigators found additional human remains, according to Othram Inc., the forensic genetic genealogy company that helped identify the remains. Investigators determined the “person had been buried in a shallow grave alongside burnt pieces of wood, bushes, and several large pieces of concrete or rocks,” Othram said. The woman’s death was ruled a homicide, according to police. At the time, the woman could not be identified, and her case was entered in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, according to Othram. For more than two decades, the woman’s case remained cold. Then, in 2021, police partnered with Othram and submitted DNA evidence for testing, Othram said. There, the company said its scientists created a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown woman to be used in forensic genetic genealogy. Genetic genealogy uses DNA testing coupled with “traditional genealogical methods” to create “family history profiles,” according to the Library of Congress. With genealogical DNA testing, researchers can determine if and how people are biologically related.

Using new leads from Othram, police pushed the case forward and found potential relatives of the woman, according to Othram. A possible relative provided a DNA sample, and it was compared with that of the unknown woman’s, Othram said. Through this testing, the woman was identified as Jackson, Othram said. Jackson moved from San Antonio, Texas, to Las Vegas to start a new life with her four children in the mid-1990s, according to police. She was last known to be living at an address in 1999 or 2000 that was about 6 miles from where her body was found, police said. She “was never reported missing,” police said. Anyone with information about Jackson is asked to contact police at 702-828-3521. 

The following is a press release issued by TheGenealogist:

TheGenealogist has added 292,259 newly opened records to its 1939 Register, most of whom were born in 1924. This release includes British comedy legends Benny Hill and Tony Hancock who were recorded living near each other in Bournemouth at the outbreak of WWII.

This significant update enhances TheGenealogist's comprehensive collection of historical records, providing valuable insights into wartime Britain and those who would later shape British entertainment. The 1939 Register, taken on 29th September 1939, serves as a crucial census substitute, capturing detailed information about the civilian population just after the outbreak of World War II.

The newly released records reveal a fascinating snapshot of two future comedy icons in their teenage years. Both Hill and Hancock, then aged 15, were living in Bournemouth. Their distinct comedy styles helped define British entertainment in the post-war era.

"This release not only adds significant genealogical value but also provides unique insights into the early lives of some of Britain's most beloved entertainers," says Mark Bayley, Head of Online Development at TheGenealogist. "Finding Hill and Hancock recorded just a stone's throw from each other during this pivotal moment in history adds a compelling narrative to our understanding of British entertainment history."

The update is available immediately to Diamond subscribers of TheGenealogist, offering researchers and family historians access to these valuable historical records.

In these records is Benny Hill - read his story here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/benny-hill-7957/

For a limited time, you can get our Diamond Subscription for just £109.95. You’ll also receive an online periodical and a ticket to The Family History Show Online plus the downloadable books Discover Your Ancestors' Occupations by Laura Berry, Regional Research Guidebook by Andrew Chapman and Researching and Locating Your Ancestors by Celia Heritage, worth over £60.

Explore these new records and start your genealogical journey today with TheGenealogist by claiming this offer here: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/MGB39R125 

Offer expires 31st March 2025.

About TheGenealogist

TheGenealogist is an award-winning online family history website, who put a wealth of information at the fingertips of family historians. Their approach is to bring hard to use physical records to life online with easy to use interfaces such as their Tithe and newly released Lloyd George Domesday collections. 

TheGenealogist’s innovative SmartSearch technology links records together to help you find your ancestors more easily. TheGenealogist is one of the leading providers of online family history records. Along with the standard Birth, Marriage, Death and Census records, they also have significant collections of Parish and Nonconformist records, PCC Will Records, Irish Records, Military records, Occupations, Newspaper record collections amongst many others.

TheGenealogist uses the latest technology to help you bring your family history to life. Use TheGenealogist to find your ancestors today!

Texas A&M University-Texarkana Associate Professor of English was recently awarded the Civilian Archivists Award from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Washington DC. The award was given to Dr. Cantrel because of her inclusion of the Citizen Archivist program as a service-learning project in her Advanced English Literature course. 

“We are grateful to you for continuing to promote the importance and relevance of archives, increasing levels of engagement with the records of the National Archives, and encouraging students use of records and resources at the National Archives throughout their studies,” John Hokenson, National Archives Executive Secretariat Specialist told Dr. Cantrell.

The Citizen Archivist program uses volunteers to transcribe and tag historic documents, letters, memos, and reports, many written in cursive, dating back to the Revolutionary War. The process of transcribing and tagging the content of these documents makes them searchable online and increases accessibility to them.

The documents that the Advanced Literature students have worked on include collections from the NARA, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the Smithsonian. One of their projects includes transcribing the Smithsonian’s large collection of documents from turn of the century (20th) female astronomers.

Senior Jayce Braswell recently took on an archiving project involving revolutionary-war era Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application files from Connecticut. In this instance the person was securing a land bounty document, which was typically given to members of the military in exchange for their service. Jayce, who plans to pursue a career as an educator and writer, explained that the project has had an impact on him that will carry forward into his classroom later. “I’ve thought a lot about my upcoming teaching career and how it is my responsibility to ensure students know the power that the written word holds,” he said. “These documents are foundational to understanding where our nation stands today and the history behind it.”

About Texas A&M University-Texarkana:

As a member of The Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M University-Texarkana is a comprehensive regional university that provides students with academically challenging, engaging and rewarding educational experiences through quality teaching, scholarship, student support services, co-curricular programming, research, and service.

After nearly four decades, a cold case task force has identified human remains discovered in 1985 during the investigation of the Wilseyville serial killings, according to the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office. The remains were confirmed to be those of Reginald “Reggie” Frisby, who was born in 1956 in New York state.

Frisby’s remains were uncovered in June 1985 at a crime scene tied to notorious serial killers Leonard Lake and Charles Ng. In 2021, the Calaveras Cold Case Task Force launched an effort to reexamine unidentified remains in the county, leveraging advancements in DNA technology and forensic investigative genetic genealogy. “The purpose of the reexamination project was, is, and will continue to be to identify remains while providing closure to victims’ families,” reads a Sheriff’s Office news release. Frisby’s remains had been linked to the killings committed by Ng and Lake in Wilseyville, elsewhere in Calaveras County and in other parts of California in 1984 and 1985. The news release states that the circumstances of Frisby’s death remain under investigation but authorities believe he was a homicide victim. Lake died by suicide while in custody in 1985, while Ng was convicted in 1999 of 11 murders, including those of men, women, a young boy and an infant. The pair were known to have tortured and raped their female victims before killing them. Ng, now 64, was sentenced to death and remains on death row at the California Medical Facility.

The process of identifying Frisby’s remains Investigators reviewed over 1,000 human remains exhumed from a San Andreas crypt, as well as additional remains in the custody of the Calaveras County coroner. A portion of Frisby’s remains, which had been autopsied in 1985, were sent to the California Department of Justice for DNA analysis in 2022.

Although initial testing through the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System did not yield a match, further analysis in 2024 by Intermountain Forensics, a private laboratory in Utah, produced a viable DNA profile for use in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). This advanced genealogical method, involving comparison with public genealogy databases, led Identifinders International, a genealogy research group, to develop a lead in December 2024. Genealogists and investigators uncovered a possible family connection to Frisby and interviewed relatives, ultimately discovering that he had last been in contact with his family in 1984. Further investigation with the San Francisco Police Department Homicide Unit revealed that Frisby had been living in San Francisco as of January of that year. The California Department of Justice coordinated with the Delaware State Patrol Missing Persons Unit to obtain a DNA sample from Frisby’s mother. The sample was compared with the remains, and the match, along with the investigative facts, confirmed Frisby’s identity. Frisby had never been reported missing and was not initially considered a potential victim of the Wilseyville Serial Killings. The Task Force is now reviewing original reports, evidence and other facts related to the case in pursuit of further answers.

The Task Force credits the identification of Frisby’s remains as the result of extensive collaboration among numerous agencies, including the California Department of Justice, Delaware State Patrol Missing Persons Unit, SFPD Homicide Unit, Identifinders International and Intermountain Forensics. “The Calaveras Cold Case Task Force is funded entirely by donations. Without these donations, the private laboratory and genealogy work would not have been possible, and Reginald would remain unidentified,” the press release states. To date, the task force has spent over $200,000 in donations on reexamining remains from cold cases.

VPN services have many uses and benefits, like making sure you aren’t being overcharged based on your location, protecting your privacy while using the internet, and streaming media that’s located outside your own region (e.g., another country’s Netflix library). And for the most part, VPNs have long been considered safe to use.

But one recent investigation by Top10VPN has raised questions about whether VPNs are truly as secure as they’re touted to be. In collaboration with security researcher Mathy Vanhoef, Top10VPN shared this discovery ahead of its presentation at the USENIX 2025 conference in Seattle.

In short, they discovered serious vulnerabilities that affect over 4 million systems. These systems include VPN servers, home network routers, mobile servers, and CDN nodes, including those belonging to large global companies like Meta and Tencent.

Specifically, it concerns the IP6IP6, GRE6, 4in6, and 6in4 tunneling protocols, which are supposed to secure data transmission. However, this is where attackers can apparently exploit vulnerabilities (relatively easily) to gain access to networks.

According to the researchers, many VPN protocols can’t reliably verify that the identity of a sender matches the authorized user profile of the VPN. Attackers can therefore use so-called one-way proxies to gain access over and over, all without being traced.

According to the report, hackers just need to send data packets that implement one of the affected protocols to gain unauthorized access. Then, they can do things like launch denial-of-service (DoS) attacks or infiltrate private networks to steal data.

The only way to prevent this is to use additional security mechanisms, such as IPsec or WireGuard, which provide end-to-end encryption of VPN traffic data. Only the server is then able to read the encrypted data.

Which VPNs are affected?

Of the numerous VPN hosts that were analyzed, those classified as insecure mainly included servers and services from the US, Brazil, China, France, and Japan. In general, however, caution should always be exercised when using VPN services.

When choosing a VPN, always make sure it offers one of the encryption features mentioned above. The best way to stay safe is to carry out independent tests, which we’ve done for you in our comparison of the best overall VPN services.

Sound recordings over 100 years old, a Luther Bible from the 16th century or a call for a climate strike: the German Historical Museum (DHM) in Berlin has revised and expanded its object database. Many exhibits can be viewed online.

The DHM's collection comprises around one million objects. Around 780,000 of these are digitally recorded in the object database and can be viewed online, the DHM announced. This “enables comprehensive external research into the provenance of objects and creates an essential basis for international provenance research.”

The collection can be accessed in various ways: There is a full-text search. It can also be filtered, for example by techniques, materials, or people.

The following is a press release written by the Virginia Department of Military Affairs Collection on Fold3. 

We are pleased to announce a new collection of Virginia military records. The Virginia Department of Military Affairs Records Collection contains information on Virginia military personnel who served between 1876 and 1947. This collection includes veterans from the Spanish-American War, WWI, and WWII.

Across the time span of this collection, the records contain a variety of details such as:

The records provide a powerful addition for researching the service of your Virginia military ancestors. We’ve selected one random record to illustrate how this new collection can be a tool in your military research.

This record for Orion Vaughan Chaffin reveals his birthdate, service number, residence, details about his military service, and more. We also learn that he served in the American Expeditionary Forces during WWI, spending nine months in Europe.  

We searched Pvt. Chaffins name and located his WWI Draft Registration Card. This record revealed that 21-year-old Chaffin was claiming an exemption from service because his younger orphaned sister was financially dependent on him. His request was apparently denied because we located a ship record showing him leaving for Europe on August 6, 1918. Chaffin gave his younger sister’s name and address as his emergency contact information. All of this information provides valuable clues about the Chaffin family tree.

Chaffin served in the 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division in Europe for nine months. But an interesting 1919 record caught our eye. Another ship transport record dated May 6, 1919, shows that Pvt. Chaffin was aboard the S.S. Powhatan. He was listed as sick or wounded, and the transport record includes the name and address of his brother as an emergency contact. An unusual thing about this record is that several names (including Chaffin) appeared to be crossed off the passenger list. Does that mean Chaffin was removed from the ship or did not board?

The answer came in another record three weeks later. On May 20, 1919, Pvt. Chaffin once again boarded a ship at St. Nazaire. He was with other sick and wounded soldiers heading for home. However, this second transport record reveals the reason for his departure. Pvt. Chaffin was dealing with chronic sciatica that necessitated his return to the States. The Virginia Department of Military Affairs record shows that Chaffin was honorably discharged shortly after his return.   

Pvt. Chaffin appeared again in military records when he registered for the old man’s draft during WWII. Now 46, Chaffin was employed at Camp Lee, the very same US Army base that he and other members of the 80th Division trained at before heading off to Europe in 1918.

A final record, a Veterans Affairs Death Record, shows that Orion Chaffin passed away in 1992 at the age of 96.

African Ancestry, Inc. (AfricanAncestry.com) today announces the availability of two new birthright journeys to Brazil and Colombia as part of its immersive African Ancestry Family Reunion (AAFR) tours. Having taken hundreds of its customers to West Africa since 2019, the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people, is also committed to taking Africa to the people -- wherever they are in the Diaspora. Exclusively curated for African Ancestry testers and their guests, the new itineraries are slated for May 17-25 to Colombia and August 10-16 to Brazil. A virtual information session is scheduled for February 10 at 7 p.m. Registration is required to join at https://bit.ly/AADiasporaTravel.

“We are passionate about revealing Africa’s significance through our work,” said Dr. Gina Paige, president and co-founder of AfricanAncestry.com. “Adding African-rich places such as Salvador da Bahia, Cartagena and Medellin to the African Ancestry Family Reunions is a natural fit and further underscores our commitment to honor the strength and resilience of our ancestors everywhere.” 

In partnership with cultural tourism experts Jelani Travel, the new South American journeys are customized to fully optimize the abundance of African influences in Brazil, which has the largest population of Black people outside of Africa; and Colombia, which is home to San Basilio de Palenque -- the first free town in the Americas. Both trips include cultural reclamation and ancestral healing; galleries, museums and landmarks; food, festivals and markets; and African Ancestry’s iconic ancestral Reveal ceremonies of artists and community members. Additional Highlights:

“Test by test, we are at the forefront of heritage tourism for Africa’s descendants,” said Paige. “And it’s so gratifying to support Diasporan tourism and empower our customers do the same,” added Paige.

Top accommodations, in-country travel, meals and attractions are included. For more information on African Ancestry Family Reunions, payment plans and registration, visit http://www.AfricanAncestry.com/travel or www.AfricanAncestry.com. Contact Greer Johnson for all media inquiries at taylor@taylorcommunicationsgroup.com.

ABOUT AFRICANANCESTRY.COM

Founded in 2003 by Dr. Rick Kittles and Dr. Gina Paige, African Ancestry is the world leader in tracing maternal and paternal lineages of African descent having helped thousands of Black families re-connect with their African roots. With the industry’s largest and most comprehensive database of indigenous African DNA samples, African Ancestry determines specific countries and ethnic groups of origin with an unrivaled level of specificity through its MatriClan® DNA Kit and PatriClan® Test Kit. Headquartered in Washington, DC and Black-owned and operated, African Ancestry is committed to providing a unique service to the Black community by working daily to improve the cultural, emotional, physical, spiritual and economic wellbeing of people across the African Diaspora.

ABOUT JELANI TRAVEL, INC.

Founded more than a decade ago by Ashley N. Company, Jelani Travel provides high-quality, transformative travel experiences for Black people. With a commitment to purposeful tourism and cultural understanding, Jelani Travel is guided by four key principles when curating each journey: Self-care, service, culture and adventure. A woman-, veteran- and Black-owned enterprise, Jelani Travel works in tandem with Jelani Gives, a nonprofit organization created to empower the next generation and provide educational, cultural opportunities to Black children. For more information, visit www.gojelanitravel.com.

We are writing to announce that the Call for Proposals for the 2025  IAJGS conference is now open. For full details please visit the Abstract Submissions using this link. Be sure to note that the deadline for submission is Thursday, February 6,  2025 at 11:59 pm (Central Standard Time) Some details (subject to change) are provided below. For the most current information, please visit the conference website at www.iagjs2025.org                                            Themes Every genealogy conference seeks to educate and inspire all who attend to expand their knowledge and their skills. “And We Settled Here…The Jewish Journey” is the unique goal of the 2025 Conference seeking to investigate the Jewish journey through different lands, time, and heritage. Based on this concept, we suggest our speakers consider the following themes: Journeys to the Midwest and Beyond Theme: How did we get here? How did our ancestors get there? What made people migrate? Did they settle in the Midwest? Were they pioneer Jews? Did they escape Europe or Arab lands? And how did they end up at their destination of all places? Whether our ancestors settled in Indiana, migrated from India, or signed Israel’s Declaration of Independence, these moving sessions will cover indispensable aspects of genealogy. Wide World of Experience Theme: Jews are a diverse people. Sephardim, Mizrahi, Iraqi, Persian, Yemeni, and Asian are just some of the many identities and ethnicities that we carry. Sessions in this category seek to explore that diversity and genealogy. Citizenship Theme: Wherever they lived, what did citizenship mean in terms of rights, privileges, and obligations and how did our ancestors obtain citizenship? In today’s nations, whether it is for nostalgia, jobs, or personal safety, what is the documentation we might need to obtain citizenship? These sessions will help unpack the facts and fiction of becoming a citizen in various nations then and now. Cultural Heritage Theme: Everyone has a story and genealogy provides a framework for understanding our family stories. Sharing the broad human and cultural dimensions of our family history engages us and those around us. For many, this might link us to the Shoah as 2G or 3G descendants, or for others, to triumphs or other tragedies.  Methodology and Archives Theme: Methodology consists of using best practices for developing, conducting, implementing, and evaluating effective and successful research. Often the nuts and bolts require in-person and remote mining of the vast data archives available at small and large public and private archives around the world. These presentations will cover the development of a methodology, as well as accessing latest resources available to the genealogical research community and often lesser-known databases to address genealogical questions. Tools and Technology Theme: Employing tools such as innovative photography analysis, genetics, AI, or other innovative tools enhances the next steps of genealogical research by using advanced computer technology. Tools and technology that were unavailable years ago but are now entering regular usage are the core of these sessions. Fundamentals Theme: For those who consider themselves new to Jewish genealogy, have never attended an IAJGS conference, or just feel a need to step up their skills in basic areas, these lectures offer guidance and a path to begin research. The 2025 Program also offers an innovative way to share family and personal stories: Family Journeys Showcase*: This concept invites speakers to share a specific family story or journey. In these concise sessions, a dedicated space will be filled with multiple tables or stations presenting 15-minute family stories with 5 minutes for Q&A. Attendees will be invited to circulate among the Journeys Showcase throughout the day. Speakers will be assigned specific time blocks to share their story.   *No speaker compensations or subsidies will be provided for these showcase sessions Types of Sessions Presentations will be scheduled for 45 minutes of lecture, followed by 15 minutes of questions and answers, for a total presentation time of 60 minutes. Panels that group speakers with varying views on a shared topic are encouraged by the Program Committee. They are typically scheduled for the same time slots as sessions but may be longer. A panel proposal should be submitted by the main presenter or moderator. When you are prompted to “Review the Submission”, there will be an icon to “Add an Additional Presenter”, which allows the additional presenters to be attached to the proposal. Computer Labs/Workshop (hands-on) will be 1½ hours in length and limited to approximately 20 paying participants. Family Journeys will be limited to 15-minute family stories with 5 minutes for Q&A. Speaker Compensation Speakers may submit up to 4 proposals. It is not a reflection on the quality of your proposal if we do not accept all or any of your proposals. We greatly appreciate your willingness to share your expertise and knowledge. We generally receive about four times as many proposals as we can accept. Speaker financial compensation is based on the number of approved presentations. All Speaker Compensation is provided for only the primary speaker in any presentation, panel, or computer lab. Please go to the Abstract Submissions to see the details of compensation.