Family History Month

October 2019

Do you know much about where you come from? Or who your ancestors were? Family History Month encourages us to find out about our past and with Hampshire Libraries you can start that journey, and for free!

Digital Resources – Find My Past

Using a Hampshire Library computer, which is completely free, you can access the family history online resource ‘Find My Past’. All you need to log onto a library computer is your library card number and PIN.

Hampshire Libraries Booklist

Who do you think you are? : encyclopedia of genealogy : the definitive guide to tracing your family history
by Nick Barratt

From the makers of the award-winning BBC series & Nick Barratt, the UK’s leading authority on family history, comes the definitive guide to researching your family’s roots & bringing your family history to life. Containing all you need to know whether you’re a beginner or more experienced researcher.

Tracing your ancestors in the National Archives
by Amanda Bevan

This guide continues to offer one of the best ways to explore people in the past through the holdings of The National Archives at Kew and the Family Records Centre in Islington. Aimed at researchers on all levels, this book fully explains the institution, the records and how to use them most effectively.

Common people: the history of an English family
by Alison Light

Beginning with her grandparents, Alison Light moves between the present and the past, in an extraordinary series of journeys over two centuries, across Britain and beyond. Epic in scope and deep in feeling, ‘Common People’ is a family history but also a new kind of public history, following the lives of the migrants who travelled the country looking for work. Original and eloquent, it is a timely rethinking of who the English were – but ultimately it reflects on history itself, and on our constant need to know who went before us and what we owe them.

Famous family trees
Written by Kari Hauge and illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger
Children’s information book: 7 – 9 years

This title features a compendium of family trees featuring some of history’s most loved – and loathed – famous faces from history for the whole family to explore.

A dictionary of family history: the genealogists’ ABC
by Jonathan Scott

Part encyclopedia, part dictionary, part almanac. There are definitions, timelines and terminologies, details of archives and websites as well as advice on research methods and explanations of genealogical peculiarities and puzzles that would test the knowledge of even veteran researchers. Longer entries explaining the mechanics of the first census and other major sources and records rub shoulders with simple one-line definitions of obscure terms, useful addresses and signposts to little-known but rewarding corners of family, local and social history. This concise, clear and wide-ranging compendium of helpful, sometimes surprising information is a valuable reference tool for everyone in the field.

Tracing your family history on the Internet: a guide for family historians
by Chris Paton

The Internet is revolutionizing family history research. Never before has it been so easy to research family history and to gain a better understanding of who we are and where we came from. But, as Chris Paton demonstrates in this practical guide, while the Internet is an enormous asset, it is also something to be wary of.

Family history: digging deeper
by Simon Fowler

This addition to any family historian’s library will take their research to the next level with clear advice and explanation of the processes involved from a crack team of Britain’s top genealogists. It also provides much information about the way in which our ancestors used to live and how this knowledge can help the researcher.

Tracing your ancestors’ lives: a guide to social history for family historians
by Barbara J. Starmans

Tracing Your Ancestors’ Lives’ is not a comprehensive study of social history but instead an exploration of the various aspects of social history of particular interest to the family historian. It has been written to help researchers to go beyond the names, dates and places in their pedigree back to the time when their ancestors lived.

Libraries Week – Let’s get Digital!

7 – 12 October 2019

This year’s theme is about celebrating libraries in a digital world by getting creative, getting connected and learning new skills.

We want to show how libraries are engaging communities through technology, building digital skills, confidence, encouraging digital participation, inclusion, support, health, wellbeing & education.

What digital offers are available to library members?

  • Learning in Libraries courses: these are fantastic sessions run by tutors to teach you new skills. Some examples of digital courses that are run are: Get to know your iPad, Basic computer skills and Get to know Windows 10. If you, or someone you know may benefit from these courses, or courses on many other subjects, have a look at what your library offers through the Online Shop.
  • Your Hampshire library membership also gives you access to our computers. In some branches there are also scanning facilities and there is also printing and photocopying available.
  • BorrowBox is an amazing online service and an App that you can download on to your device. This gives you access to lots of free eBooks and eAudiobooks which you can download and read. All you need is your library card number and PIN. Find out more about BorrowBox.
  • Micro:bits are pocket-sized computers that are great to encourage kids to learn basic coding and programming that will help them in a society that is filled with technology. These can be borrowed from most Hampshire Libraries and are free! Check to see which libraries hold Micro:bits here.
  • With your library card and PIN you can renew, reserve and pay fees all from home! This makes for a more convenient way to use your library when you cannot always visit a branch. We also send out email reminders for items that are due back on your account, which ensures an easy way for you to keep track of your loans. If you need to get your account PIN number, just pop into your local branch with your library card.

Digital Readers

Digital Readers is an online reading group, completely free and open to all adults with a Hampshire Library card and a Facebook account.

Each month a new eBook will become available through the BorrowBox app. After reading the book, or while reading it, you will be able to discuss the book with other members of the group.

September’s book is still available to download through the BorrowBox app – as both an eBook and an eAudiobook! Have a look on our blog to find out which book the group has been reading: https://atomic-temporary-164578511.wpcomstaging.com/2019/08/26/digital-readers/. A new title will be announced each month on this digital group (Digital Readers Group) and through a library blog.

Even if you don’t use Facebook, you can still access the book each month through the BorrowBox app!

No Queues titles on BorrowBox

A recent edition to the BorrowBox app is a section with eBooks and eAudiobooks where there are no queues and you won’t have to reserve the books. You can download the book immediately to your device!

We also have other groups that you can join through the Hampshire Libraries Facebook page…

All About Books

This group is for anyone who wants to give and receive book recommendations, suggestions and reviews – as well as talk about books with other book lovers!

It’s also the perfect group to hear about author talks and book related events taking place in Hampshire Libraries.

This group is a friendly place to discuss books, share recommendations and get ideas for what to read next. We kindly ask that you respect the other members, and keep all discussions civil. Find the group here.

Library Families

Don’t miss out on activities and events for children and their families! With regular updates about craft sessions, construction clubs, rhymetime, storytime and other, one off, events and activities – this group will ensure you don’t miss out on fun activities aimed at families! Find the group here.

Events, Activities and Learning in Libraries

Find out about the latest events, activities and learning opportunities in Hampshire Libraries! Find the group here.

When a Book Might Help

When a Book Might Help is a collection of titles aimed at young children to help explain and help them with difficult topics such as death, bullying, adoption, going to the doctor and a range of other difficult themes. Find the group here.

Building a library for the future competition

The competition, by CILIP, runs from 23 September – 7 October, which is the start of Libraries Week.

Get creative and build your Library out of Lego™ bricks at one of our Construction Clubs. To find out more take a look at the Libraries Week website.

Makery Sessions

Keep an eye out in your local libraries for Makery sessions. These are sessions that involve robotics & animation, amongst other things!

Events in Libraries

Have a look at other events and activities taking place in libraries, during this week, by following the link here.

National Inclusion Week

23 – 29 September 2019

National Inclusion Week highlights the huge importance of inclusion in not only the workplace, but in society as well. Many employers use it as a time to get connected and engage with their colleagues and talk more about inclusion. You can use the week to organise events and activities in your own workplace or community.

How are libraries inclusive?

Libraries are a place for the community. For all people, from all walks of life to come together to learn, socialise and have access to resources. Libraries are a safe space where someone can spend a whole day without question and borrow books and so much more!

Libraries also hold stock that is inclusive to all. We have audiobooks in CD and playaway format, large print books, braille books and books designed for those with Dyslexia. There is so much to choose from!

Facts and figures

  • We are part of Hampshire County Council’s Culture, Communities and Business Services department.
  • Hampshire Libraries hold over 2 million items of stock and receive over 6 million visits a year. In addition over 15% of issues and renewals are carried out online.
  • Every library has both public computers and WiFi, providing free access to the internet.

Standards and values

  • We will engage with customers, putting them at the centre of relevant and high quality services.
  • Contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities by providing a safe environment and inspiring people to read, learn and access information.
  • Provide equal access for everyone and embrace digital technologies to enhance our diverse range of services.

Hampshire Libraries booklist

Why are people different colours? : big issues for little people around identity and diversity / written by Dr Emma Waddington + Dr Christopher McCurry For children aged 4 – 8

This revolutionary series, written by two child psychologists, provides the perfect platform to explore a broad range of family issues and questions that children have as they grow up and try to make sense of the world around them. Each illustrated spread poses important, commonly-asked questions around diversity and cultural identity, which help children to discuss their feelings and understand others as they become aware of people of different ages, cultures and appearance. Includes explanations and advice for parents and carers throughout.

Pride : the story of the LGBTQ equality movement / Matthew Todd

In June 1969, police raided New York gay bar the Stonewall Inn. Pride charts the events of that night, the days and nights of rioting that followed, the ensuing organization of local members of the community – and the 50 years since in which activists and ordinary people have dedicated their lives to reversing the global position. Pride documents the milestones in the fight for equality, from the victories of early activists, to the gradual acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in politics, sport and the media and the passing of legislation barring discrimination. Covering the key figures and notable moments, events and breakthroughs of the movement through the reproduction of rare images and documents, and featuring personal testimony essays from notable figures, Pride is a unique and comprehensive account of the ongoing challenges facing the LGBTQ community, and a celebration of the equal rights that have been won for many as a result of the sacrifices and passion of this mass movement. 

Let her fly : a father’s journey and the fight for equality / Ziauddin Yousafzai with Louise Carpenter.

In this intimate and extraordinary memoir, Ziauddin Yousafzai, the father of Malala, gives a moving account of fatherhood and his lifelong fight for equality – proving there are many faces of feminism. “Whenever anybody has asked me how Malala became who she is, I have often used the phrase. Ask me not what I did but what I did not do. I did not clip her wings'” For over twenty years, Ziauddin Yousafzai has been fighting for equality – first for Malala, his daughter – and then for all girls throughout the world living in patriarchal societies. Taught as a young boy in Pakistan to believe that he was inherently better than his sisters, Ziauddin rebelled against inequality at a young age. And when he had a daughter himself he vowed that Malala would have an education, something usually only given to boys, and he founded a school that Malala could attend. Then in 2012, Malala was shot for standing up to the Taliban by continuing to go to her father’s school, and Ziauddin almost lost the very person for whom his fight for equality began. Let Her Fly is Ziauddin’s journey from a stammering boy growing up in a tiny village high in the mountains of Pakistan, through to being an activist for equality and the father of the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, and now one of the most influential and inspiring young women on the planet.

Sam and Ruby’s Olympic adventure / Tony Bradman

Ruby and Sam are given an ultimatum by their teacher: either they present a project on the Olympic Games or they will not be allowed to go on their school trip. Creating a time machine, using Sam’s spare wheelchair, they travel from the beginning of the Olympics in Athens to the Beijing Olympics of 2008.

Presented in a Dyslexia friendly format.