The new release of the eighth edition of &uot;The Local and Family History Handbook,&uot; one of the top 10 best selling genealogy books in the British Isles, is now available in the United States.

Already acknowledged as the most comprehensive coverage of family and local history in the British Isles, this new addition compliments the previous editions with more than 100 new articles, advice, and information from leading experts on Family, Local and Military history, Record Offices, Archives, Libraries, Registrars of Births, Marriages and Deaths, Heritage sites, museums and cemeteries with more than five thousand useful, Internet ready addresses with some 5,700 plus website and e-mail addresses.

This book has been well known as the family historian’s &uot;Bible&uot; in the UK and has rapidly become a must for all those researching family history in England, Scotland or Wales.

Research in another country &045;&045;even when we supposedly speak the same language &045;&045; is never easy and once you begin your research you quickly realize just how challenging even the slightest differences in terms can become.

Among the featured articles in this volume you will find such titles as: A Beginners Guide to Family History; Making Sense of Certificates (reading between the lines); Census Return Date; Family Records Centre; General Register Office- Certificate Services; The National Archives; Remote Access to the Society of Genealogists Collection; Twentieth Century Research; Film and Sound Archives; and advice from the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland and the General Register Office of Scotland; the National Burial Index for Scotland and the Scottish Poor Law Records.

But also tucked into this section are such delightful topics as Victorian Childhood (a period of endurance or enjoyment?); Was Your Ancestor a Grave Robber?; Life in a Workhouse; 100 Naughty Ladies Transported to a Land beyond the Sea; Setting Up After Death; and Wildcards in Genealogical Research. Under the Local History Section such articles as Genuinely Authentic Imitation Replicas; Country Churches; The Amateur Historian and The Local Historian; The National Fairground Archives and History Societies and Organizations are just a few of the titles.

The third section of the book is devoted to military history. Here such topics as The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Civilian Roll of Honour, Women in the British Army; Tracing Army Ancestry in the Imperial War Museum; The Royal Navy’s Seagoing Reserves and Military Museums are covered.

While these sections may be very educational, perhaps the most helpful from our postition across the pond is the fourth division &045;&045; the Genealogical Services Directory. Here you can find valuable contacts with Family History and Genealogical Societies; Family History Centres (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints libraries); Libraries; Cemeteries and Crematoria; Record Offices and Archives; Registrars of Births, Marriages and Deaths in England, Wales and Scotland; Registration Records in The Republic of Ireland and Museums.

This 448-page volume is published by Robert Blatchford Publishing Ltd., 33 Nursery Road, Nether Poppleton, York YO26 6NN. The North American Distributor is My Ancestors at www.myancestorsfound.com. The U.S. price is $33 &045;&045; a bargain for those of us searching of English roots.

DOES ANYONE KNOW …

… Renee Ballard (

ReneeBallard@aol.com

) is seeking the whereabouts of the last daughter of LARK ARMSTRONG KNIGHT KIRKES. This baby was born approximately 1923-1925 and probably placed for adoption. The father, J.E. KIRKES, is believed to have married HATTIE LAMBERT in 1928. Ms. Ballard’s mother was one of Lark’s first four children by her first husband, JOHN HAMILTON KNIGHT, who died in 1923. This last child would have been born in Wanilla, Monticello, Old or New Hebron or Hazelhurst. A brother-in-law, Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KNIGHT, practiced medicine in Hazlehurst. She may also be related to the ARMSTRONGS who practiced law in Hazlehurst for several generations. The family is eager to find this lost baby sister and aunt. Can any reader help with information about this child?

Please send your announcements and queries to FAMILY TREES, 900 Main St., Natchez, MS 39120 or e-mail to

Famtree316@aol.com

.