Anglo-Celtic Connections

Before online databases took over, the Genealogical Research Directory was essential for connecting family historians. If you’ve got old volumes gathering dust, they may still be valuable research tools. Now, Ancestry has some of them online.

Published in Australia, Ancestry calls the database Australia Genealogical Research Directory, 1981-1993. They compiled submissions from researchers in 30 countries, containing over 100,000 surname entries. Contributors listed the families they were researching, along with locations and time periods, making it easier to find others working on the same lines.

British and Commonwealth entries heavily dominated the directories: England had 408,110, Australia 177,481, Ireland 81,313, Scotland 79,058, Canada 38,500, New Zealand 19,126, and Wales 11,052.

Ancestry’s digitized volumes are searchable through their standard search interface. Since surnames are arranged alphabetically in each issue, you can browse to spot variant spellings and alternative forms of names you’re researching.

A surname search gives a date range, year of publication and reference number. Then go to the browse volume for that year and find the start page for the contributors’ addresses. Move forward from that page to find the reference number. It yields the enquirer’s name and postal address, as of at least 30 years ago!

 

After researching my great-grandfather, Henry Barnett, at Birmingham Archives, I became curious about his early life. My starting point was the 1861 census—the first in which he appears.

A Village in the Staffordshire Hills

Henry was born in 1856 in Ellastone, a small Staffordshire community near the Derbyshire border, where the River Dove winds through rolling hills, fertile farmland, and scattered woodlands. This pastoral landscape supposedly inspired George Eliot’s fictional village of ‘Hayslope’ in her 1859 novel Adam Bede.

The Barnett Family

In 1861, five-year-old Henry lived with his parents and siblings—a family of eight headed by William Barnett, who worked as both tailor and grocer, and his wife Mary. The children ranged from 22 years old to 3 years old. Older offspring had already left. Age gaps suggest some infant deaths—a common tragedy of the era.

As a tradesman, William would have valued education. Their son, also named Frederick, was 18 and nearing the end of his five-year term as a pupil-teacher at the village school, located across from the church near the family’s home on Church Lane.

A Stable, Rooted Community

Ellastone was remarkably stable in 1861, with a population of just 269. Nearly three-quarters of residents were born in the village itself, and many surnames in the census appear in earlier generations of the Barnett family tree, evidence of deep, multi-generational roots.

Only 50 people were born outside Staffordshire and Derbyshire. Of these, 39 came from other English counties, seven from Ireland (including the Vicar of Ellastone), three from Scotland (including a farm bailiff and his wife), and one from Wales.

Occupations and Village Life

The Genealogist is currently the only genealogy service that has extracted occupations from the 1861 census, which reveals the economic fabric of the village.

Unsurprisingly, agricultural labourers were the most common, with 15 listed. This was followed by farmers (13), farmers’ wives (9), farmers’ sons (7), and agricultural labourers’ wives (5).

The village also supported an array of tradespeople: joiners, carters, grocers, tailors, butchers, bricklayers, nurses, and others—though no baker or candlestick maker! Three teachers served the community (not counting the pupil-teacher), and one man held the combined role of Railway Station Master and Registrar of Births and Deaths. The railway station itself was a mile away, across the River Dove in Derbyshire.

A Fading Way of Life

Village life in 1861 reflected rural rhythms and close-knit community ties, set against the backdrop of agricultural labour and the enduring presence of the residents of the “big house” and village church. But this way of life was already beginning to fade. By 1901, Ellastone had lost about a quarter of its population as people, including Henry Barnett, moved away to seek opportunities in growing urban centers.

I asked ChatGPT to give me some ideas for an AI gamification of family history research for BIFHSGO.

Here are some of its ideas (or are they only notions?) that combine education, fun, and community collaboration. For what it’s worth, 

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🎯 OVERARCHING CONCEPT: “The BIFHSGO Genealogy Quest”

A web-based (or event-based) AI-powered challenge designed to:

• Teach effective genealogical reasoning.

• Encourage use of British and Irish sources.

• Build community interaction among BIFHSGO members.

• Offer recognition (badges, leaderboards, or certificates).

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🧩 1. Genealogy Detective Challenge

Core Idea

Each month, members receive a “mystery ancestor case” — a realistic problem built from real but anonymized historical data (e.g., census records, parish entries, newspaper clippings).

Players must deduce the person’s identity, migration path, or family connections using clues.

How AI Helps

• Case generation: AI assembles historically plausible but slightly incomplete cases from real data (e.g., “Jane, born c.1823 Devon, last seen in 1861 census in Ontario”).

• Hints & analysis: AI offers tiered hints (“check marriage records,” “think about occupational clues”).

• Feedback: AI evaluates answers for logic and evidence — rewarding process, not just correctness.

• Educational tie-in: At the end, AI explains how professional genealogists solved it with citations and reasoning.

Integration with BIFHSGO

• A new case could launch monthly on the BIFHSGO website.

• Members could play individually or in teams (Branches vs. Branches!).

• Short presentations at monthly meetings could reveal the “solution” and highlight sources used.

• AI could summarize how many members found the right ancestor and show a leaderboard.

Benefits

• Encourages ongoing engagement between meetings.

• Builds research skills in a light, non-competitive way.

• Encourages the use of British and Irish records, migration reasoning, and source evaluation.

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🕰 2. Time Traveler: Recreate an Ancestor’s Life

Core Idea

Members input a few known facts about an ancestor (e.g., birthplace, occupation, emigration date), and the AI builds an interactive life simulation.

You “travel” decade by decade through your ancestor’s world:

• Social changes (e.g., industrialization, famine, migration).

• Local maps and historical weather (BIFHSGO’s weather-history link!).

• AI-generated short narratives (“In 1846, John Reid’s village saw record rainfall — how might that have affected his livelihood?”).

How AI Helps

• Pulls from historical datasets to enrich the story.

• Suggests research paths (“People leaving this parish often went to…,” “Try the 1851 census in Staffordshire”).

• Adds narrative coherence without inventing untrue facts.

Integration with BIFHSGO

• Could be part of a “Family History Showcase” at conferences or meetings.

• Members could submit the most interesting “Time Traveler” journeys for publication in Anglo-Celtic Roots.

• Workshops could focus on “how AI reconstructed this story” — teaching evidence-based narrative writing.

Benefits

• Makes dry records come alive.

• Bridges research and storytelling — a BIFHSGO strength.

• Accessible for both beginners and experienced members.

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🧬 3. DNA Detective Challenge

Core Idea

A friendly learning game for those exploring genetic genealogy.
AI generates realistic DNA match data (using public patterns), and members must deduce possible relationships or build a tree.

How AI Helps

• Simulates shared DNA segments and relationship probabilities.

• Provides feedback (“These matches likely share a great-grandparent — what records confirm that?”).

• Offers short lessons in each round (e.g., “Why 3C1R matches can overlap with 4C predictions”).

Integration with BIFHSGO

• Could be offered as a workshop or an online course module.

• Members earn digital “badges” for solving levels (e.g., “Match Whisperer,” “Endogamy Aware”).

• Ties directly to BIFHSGO’s DNA SIG (Special Interest Group).

Benefits

• Makes complex concepts intuitive.

• Reinforces ethical DNA use and analytical thinking.

• Encourages cross-pollination between research and DNA communities.

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🗺 4. Archive Explorer (Live or Virtual Event)

Core Idea

A scavenger hunt where participants “explore” virtual British or Irish archives, guided by AI.
Each clue teaches a record type or historical context.

Example Round

“Your ancestor was married in 1842 in Dublin — where would you search for the record?
a) Parish registers
b) Civil registration
c) Griffith’s Valuation”

AI gives hints or explanations depending on the player’s answer.

Integration with BIFHSGO

• Could run live during the annual conference — attendees compete on tablets.

• Prizes for highest score or most sources found.

• Later turned into an online self-learning module for members.

Benefits

• Educational but fun — great outreach for new genealogists.

• Highlights BIFHSGO’s expertise in British Isles resources.

• Strengthens partnerships with archives and libraries.

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🏅 Implementation Options

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🌱 Why It Fits BIFHSGO

• Reinforces education and skill-building (core society goals).

• Encourages intergenerational participation — making genealogy appealing to digital natives.

• Provides new content streams for meetings, the journal, and social media.

• Aligns with BIFHSGO’s ethos of combining rigorous research with storytelling and innovation.

There it is. Ideas are a dime a dozen. To go further, it takes a couple of volunteers, along with vision and open minds from the Directors willing to experiment, not the “can’t do that, it sets a precedent!” mentality.

The following is a press release of a significant development from MyHeritage.

MyHeritage Upgrades Its Consumer DNA Tests to Whole Genome Sequencing

MyHeritage becomes the first major DNA testing company to fully adopt Whole Genome Sequencing; the upgrade leverages technology by Ultima Genomics and processing at the Gene by Gene lab

TEL AVIV, Israel & LEHI, Utah & HOUSTON & FREMONT, California October 14 , 2025 — MyHeritage, the leading global platform for family history and DNA testing, announced today a landmark move to Whole Genome Sequencing for its at-home DNA test, MyHeritage DNA. Leveraging cutting-edge sequencing technology from Ultima Genomics and processing at the Gene by Gene lab, MyHeritage is the first major consumer DNA testing company to adopt Whole Genome Sequencing at a scale of more than one million tests per year. The enriched data will empower MyHeritage to deliver more accurate ethnicity analysis and DNA matching, and unlock opportunities for future innovation in consumer genomics and genetic genealogy.

Whole Genome Sequencing reads almost the entire human genetic code, covering around 3 billion base pairs (nucleotides). This is superior to the standard genotyping arrays used by most consumer DNA tests, including MyHeritage until recently, which read only about 700,000 base pairs. More data enables deeper insights across all types of genetic analysis. Whole Genome Sequencing is now being applied to most new MyHeritage DNA kits currently being processed at the lab, and to every new MyHeritage DNA kit sold moving forward. MyHeritage DNA kits already processed with the older genotyping array technology will not be reprocessed with Whole Genome Sequencing. Customers whose MyHeritage DNA kits are processed with Whole Genome Sequencing will be able to download their entire genome from MyHeritage at no cost, in CRAM format. They may also unlock additional insights by uploading their data to other trusted genetic service providers that support such uploads.

Due to its high technological potential, MyHeritage has been eying Whole Genome Sequencing for years. A pioneering study by the MyHeritage Science Team published in 2020 validated Whole Genome Sequencing for reliable relative matching at scale. Following that study, MyHeritage has been collaborating closely with Ultima Genomics since its emergence from stealth mode in mid-2022, and later jointly with Gene by Gene, to prepare the scientific and logistical foundation for upgrading the MyHeritage DNA processing pipeline to Whole Genome Sequencing using Ultima’s technology. The upgrade was completed successfully and creates new opportunities for MyHeritage to deliver deeper insights into ethnic origins, family connections, and genetic genealogy, without any price increase to consumers. Even before this upgrade, MyHeritage was consistently the most affordable DNA test on the market among the major DNA testing companies. The upgrade to Whole Genome Sequencing makes the MyHeritage offering even more compelling.

“This is a pivotal moment for genetic genealogy,” said Gilad Japhet, Founder and CEO of MyHeritage. “We are proud to take this pioneering step into Whole Genome Sequencing together with Ultima Genomics and with our longstanding partners at Gene by Gene. MyHeritage customers will enjoy the fruits of this technological upgrade for years to come, through increased accuracy, deeper insights, and exciting new products.”

“MyHeritage’s move to Whole Genome Sequencing marks a major milestone for consumer DNA testing,” said Dr. Gilad Almogy, Founder and CEO of Ultima Genomics. “It demonstrates the scalability and maturity of Ultima’s innovative technology and accelerates the immense value that Whole Genome Sequencing can bring to consumers. It has been a pleasure collaborating with MyHeritage over the past few years, and we are proud to work together with them and Gene by Gene to bring genetic genealogy to new heights for millions of consumers worldwide.”

“The transition to Whole Genome Sequencing represents the most ambitious project in our years-long partnership with MyHeritage,” said Dr. Lior Rauchberger, CEO of Gene by Gene. “We are proud to help set a new standard in consumer genomics and support the growth of what will soon become the world’s largest database of whole genomes. The rollout is centered at Gene by Gene’s state-of-the-art laboratory in Houston, Texas, which will house a large fleet of Ultima UG100™ sequencing instruments.”

Privacy Commitment

MyHeritage is committed to the privacy and security of its customers’ data. All genetic data is encrypted and stored securely, and MyHeritage does not sell or license data to third parties. MyHeritage strictly prohibits the use of its platform by law enforcement. All genetic samples are automatically destroyed by the lab after processing, except those stored securely for customers who have enrolled in the MyHeritage DNA BioBank service. This provides customers with peace of mind not offered by most other major DNA testing companies.

About MyHeritage

MyHeritage is the leading global platform for family history. It enriches the lives of people worldwide by enabling them to uncover more about themselves and where they belong. With a suite of intuitive products, billions of historical records, AI-powered photo tools, and an affordable at-home DNA test, MyHeritage creates a meaningful discovery experience that is deeply rewarding. The MyHeritage platform is enjoyed by more than 62 million people around the world who treasure and celebrate their heritage. MyHeritage is committed to the privacy and security of its customer data and is available globally in 42 languages. www.myheritage.com

About Ultima Genomics

Ultima Genomics is unleashing the power of genomics at scale. The company’s mission is to continuously drive the scale of genomic information to enable unprecedented advances in biology and improvements in human health. With humanity on the cusp of a biological revolution, there is a virtually endless need for more genomic information to address biology’s complexity and dynamic change—and a further need to challenge conventional next-generation sequencing technologies. Ultima’s revolutionary new sequencing architecture drives down the costs of sequencing to help overcome the tradeoffs that scientists and clinicians are forced to make between the breadth, depth and frequency with which they use genomic information. The new sequencing architecture was designed to scale far beyond conventional sequencing technologies, lower the cost of genomic information and catalyze the next phase of genomics in the 21st century. www.ultimagenomics.com

About Gene by Gene
Gene by Gene is a world leader in genetic testing services with over 20 years of experience. Its laboratory holds accreditation from multiple agencies, including CAP, CLIA, New York State Department of Health, California Department of Public Health, and AABB. With a cutting-edge laboratory and highly trained team of experts, Gene by Gene is committed to excellence in the field of genetic analysis. www.genebygene.com

Contacts
MyHeritage
Margaux Stelman
+972 52-953-4295
pr@myheritage.com

Ultima
Vikki Herrera
408-206-7009
vikki@oakstreetcommunications.com

Gene by Gene
Josie Zohny
jzohny@acmarketingpr.com

Choose from these selected free online events. All times are Eastern Time, unless otherwise noted. Registration may be required in advance—please check the links to avoid disappointment. For many more events, mainly in the U.S., visit conferencekeeper.org.

Tuesday, 14 October

2 pm: Ottawa Virtual Genealogy Drop-In, by OGS Ottawa Branch
https://ottawa.ogs.on.ca/events/virtual-genealogy-drop-in-2-2025-10-14/

Ancestry calls it their biggest update ever. There are 68 new and updated European regions. My results continue to be in remarkable alignment with my paper trail genealogy. 

It’s doing a nice job of separating my two sides, no overlap. The West Midlands ancestry (22%)  is from the paternal, and the East Midlands from the maternal side (14%).

My Celtic & Gaelic component is all on the paternal side, with Munster, Connacht, Donegal and the Isle of Man named. Only Munster has an uncertainty range which excludes zero percent.

The DNA shows my Jewish ancestry includes a substantial Ashkenazi component and a much smaller, non-zero contribution from Sephardic Jews in North Africa.

I continue to wonder if Ancestry uses the family tree I’ve posted to calibrate their DNA results?

Are there any surprises in your updated results?

Miscellaneous items I found of interest during the week.

Things British Kids Did to SURVIVE Winters Before Central Heating

YouTube: Has seen a surge in adoption, making it a close second to Facebook for overall reach, and remains a top platform for news consumption.
Instagram: Has experienced one of the biggest increases in adoption and monthly engagement since 2022.
TikTok: Continues to grow, but its daily use has slowed, suggesting a move from explosive growth to a more consolidated user base.
X (Twitter): Is the only major platform showing a sustained decline in account ownership.
LinkedIn: Has seen a significant resurgence in adoption and active use after the pandemic.
Reddit: The community on Reddit has doubled since 2020, with the sharpest gains seen among the 45-54 age group, according to Librarianship.ca. 

A pro-democracy Venezuelan politician wins this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Is it a rebuke to Trump?

Cataloguing Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service records from the Second World War

¿Ascendencia española?
Starting October 14, MyHeritage is offerring a new series of live genealogy webinars entirely in Spanish, alongside 30 Spanish-language sessions available on demand.

How much do we love our pets?
According to a Globe and Mail article by Mariya Postelnyak, Consumer Affairs reporter, “costs of owning a dog in 2025 ranged from $1,418 to $4,480 a year, depending on the size and breed of the dog, adding up to as much as $17,343 to $53,935 over the course of a pet’s lifetime. During a cat’s lifetime, the range … is between $13,095 and $73,585.”

Thanks to the following individuals for their comments and tips: Anonymous, Daniel Horowitz, Dawn Kelly, Gail, Ken McKinlay, Nick Mcdonald, Teresa, and Unknown.

This week’s additions include monumental inscriptions for Czechia related to the Second World War, for Germany spanning 150 years, and an aid to help dive deeper into the 1921 Census.

For Czechia, 459 records for the Prague War Cemetery were taken from the Commonwealth War Graves and Monumental Inscriptions. Each includes a transcript and the option to view the original image. Expect to find: name, date of death, age at death, military rank, military regiment, and service number.

For Germany, there are 163 monumental inscriptions for burials in Berlin, dating back to as early as 1826. Some may be military, many are not.

The 1921 Census of England & Wales Maps of Registration Divisions Browse comprises 635 items from The National Archives RG 18 series. They trace the landscapes, the parishes, fields, and roads that shaped daily life. The divisions did not necessarily respect county boundaries.

There are no newspaper additions this week as The British Newspaper Archives works on digitizing Jackie, “the go-to magazine for teenage girls for four decades,” which is due for release on Tuesday. Isn’t that exciting!

These newly transcribed records, sourced from Catholic Parish Registers at the NLI,  offer researchers an opportunity to explore their Irish roots and uncover family connections in one of Ireland’s most historically significant counties.

Some prominent people associated with Canada with Waterford roots are John Palliser (The Pallisrer Triangle), the Kent dynasty (Newfoundland), Thomas Meagher, and Justin Trudeau (through his mother).

These records are now available to Diamond subscribers of TheGenealogist. For a limited time, you can subscribe to TheGenealogist for £119.95 – a discount of over £85 and qualify for a £50 lifetime discount. Claim the offer at: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/MGBPRS1025

The next BIFHSGO meeting takes place on Saturday, 11 October 2025, with both in-person and online options. Attend at Knox Presbyterian Church (120 Lisgar St. at Elgin) or register online through the society website’s Events section.

9:00-10:00 am EDT: A Cautionary Tale Part II Barbara Tose continues her DNA discovery story. After learning her grandfather wasn’t who she believed, Barbara spent years mastering DNA genealogy basics and connecting with experienced researchers. Her breakthrough came when she searched the right database, leading to an unexpected solution and another surprising revelation.

10:00-11:30 am EDT: Navigating the New Library and Archives Canada Website Ken McKinlay guides us through LAC’s redesigned website. (The site has changed significantly in recent years, creating challenges for longtime users.) Ken will demonstrate the updated census search system and highlight other available resources to help you make the most of this essential research tool.

Think Outside the Box
Chloe O’Shea make seven stratagies to try. It’s easy to get blinkered in searching for missing relatives. Widen your search to name variants, the FAN club, and places rather than names.

The Inheritance of Trauma
Intergenerational trauma is the theory that the effects of a traumatic event can be passed down the generations. The interplay between biological predispositions, environmental factors, individual resilience  through genetics, or epigenetics, are all factors.

Asylum Records
Michael Higgins explores finding an ancestor in Victorian or Edwardian mental hospital records.

Best Websites
In the latest in a continuing series Jonathan Scott switches attention to records of cime and punishment.

Nelson’s navy
In Hero’s of Trafalger Felicity Day looks at the conditions endured by the forgotten sailors of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Also
Paul Blake looks at Protestation Records.
Jonathan Scott extends his Around Britain series to Cumbria and the digital developments with the country archive service’s new website.
More…

The remarkable story of William Henry Tapp told on YouTube. He arrived on the Empress of Britain on 19 July 1912, giving Ottawa as his intended destination.

UPDATE: That’s Diaries, not Dairies, whatever they are!