Hi all and a Happy New'ish Year and a warm welcome to 2015, especially to all the new members.
We hope 2015 will be a year when we all make great progress and your Society continues to flourish and grow.
Subscriptions
A reminder that Subs for 2015 are became on January 1. There are more ways than ever to pay - online, as well as the usual. Thanks to all those who have paid already. If you haven't, then please make it a priority.
I thought I would let you know what's been happening within the LFHHS recently.
Copyright
The Projects & Publications Team has been busy producing some guidelines together on the complex question of 'Copyright' and that work is nearing completion. The Copyright issue arises because of the range of materials we use and the way we use it. We must be at pains to be sure that what we do conforms with the law and protects both the Society and the contributors to our vast resources, not to mention the commercial software we use for members and non-members benefit, especially in our Resource Centres. WATCH THIS SPACE!
The Future
The President, Vice Presidents, the Executive and your Management Team have been looking at the next few years, in a bid to see where the Society might be and the challenges and opportunities we're likely to face in the next 7 years or so. We hope to have some suggestions within the next couple of months. WATCH THIS SPACE!
Projects
The Projects and Publications Team has been working on two very big projects themselves over the last few months, The issue of 'Copyright' and the use of Society information & Data and, producing some 'Guidelines' to help branches get the most out of making available the Projects they are working on and have completed. To be clear, these aren't strict rules to work to, but help and guidance for those Branches that struggle to get the work they do to reach a wider audience.
We intend to run a workshop this year, to help Branch Project Co-ordinators and Teams to produce and publish Project Work, incorporating the guidelines for Copyright. Work on that workshop is under way. WATCH THIS SPACE!
Publicity
Most members will be aware that one of our most neglected areas is that of 'Publicity', especially since the death of our colleague David Willins. I'm please to tell you that we recently appointed Rowan Bridgwood as LFHHS Publicity Officer and she will be working to spread the good news about the Society and its Branches and what we can offer to members and non-members. WATCH THIS SPACE!
LFHHS Chorley Family History Research Centre
I recently visited the refurbished Society Research Centre at Astley Hall Coach House complex. Congratulations to the team there in getting back into operation as quickly as it did. The facilities there are excellent and the team welcomes visits from other branches and from volunteers to help. You can find details at: www.cfhrc.com
LFHHSOnline
Early last year we launched our 'Social Media' presence to provide a supplementary service to our members and provide information to non-members. LFHHS acts as another channel of communication, providing details of material and events that will be of interest to our members and to attract non-members. Visit the homepage at:www.lfhhsonline.com to access our Blog and to Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. You can get all the help you need to make safe use of this facility on the LFHHSOnline Homepage.
To date it has been very successful especially with overseas viewers and we intend building on its success this year. WATCH THIS SPACE!
Pedigree
Whilst not a new service for members, the 'Pedigree Database' will shortly be available through our website 'Members Area'. It enables Members to make their own family tree available to help those with family connections. When available in about two weeks the searchable database will contain over 2,700 pedigrees and 40,000 individuals that have been submitted over the past 30 years.
Have you submitted yours yet ?
The Pedigree Database, in searchable format, is also available in CD format from the LFHHS Shop and Resource Centres.
Surname Interests
Also on the website, our searchable 'Surname Interest' section provides details of surnames being researched by members, usually specifying a particular period and county, and often a locality within the county.
Once you find a surname you will have the option to submit a request to the researching member for collaboration.
Just a few dates for the Diary:
Mon 9 Feb - Executive Meeting at St Matthews, Preston
April 16 -18 – Who Do You Think You Are at Birmingham
Sat 30 May - LFHHA AGM & Conference, St Cuthberts, Preston
Sun 6 Sept - LFHHS Lunch at Waddow Hall, Clitheroe
Sat 19 Sept - Family History Fair at King Georges Hall, Blackburn
Thurs 1 Oct - Heraldry Conference at Salford
Keep your eye on the Members Forum, the website and LFHHSOnline for more events and details.
Member Services
The Society continues to offer outstanding services and resources to its members and you may be missing out if you don't investigate and make use of them.
Finally
Please feel free to contact me or any member of the Management Team, via me in the first instance, on any issue you think is appropriate. My address is: [email protected]
The Team Leads are:
Projects & Publications - Derrick Walkden
Resources - Tony Foster
Membership - Sue Foster & Steve Benson
Website - Steve Benson
Treasury - Steve Benson
Education & Training - Mike Coyle
Fairs - Stephen Ward
General Issues - Mike Coyle
Publicity - Rowan Bridgwood
Society Secretary - Sharman Walmsley
LFHHS Journal 'Lancashire' Editor - Hazel Johnson
Chairman - Mike Coyle
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