Genes Reunited Blog

In May of this year we launched the 1911 census Enumerator Summary Books. This was the first time that our members were able to access any records from the 1911 census and the first time that a census included intimate questions to the population that put their lives in context.

Recently we carried out some extensive Market Research. One of the main points that cropped up quite often was that our newer members would start their tree and then did not know what to do next. We also had feedback from our older members who felt under-valued. We wanted to have an area where we could point members in the right direction for help with their research. We also wanted to express our gratitude to our members who kindly volunteer to do look-ups for people. Over the years they have broken down a lot of brick walls!

Black Friday is an important day in the history of the Suffragette movement. On the 18^th November 1910 just over 300 Suffragettes marched to the House of Commons to try and make parliament accept a bill allowing them the right to vote.

Hi there, my name is Katie and I am Product Executive for Genes Reunited. Last Thursday, along with Rhoda, head of Genes Reunited, I caught an ealry Aer Lingus flight and headed over to Dublin to attend the 'Back To Our Past' exhibition. Rhoda and I were both pretty nervous having never taken part in an exhibition before, we didn't know what to expect or what the reaction to Genes Reunited was going to be like.

Hi I'm Nikki, Marketing Executive at Genes Reunited.

I'm Estelle and I am the product assistant for Genes Reunited. I am a mother of two and work full-time here at Genes. I was very interested to read in the news this week that the chancellor George Osborne will be axing child benefit in 2013 for any families where one of the parents pays the higher tax rate of 40%. In other words, anyone earning over roughly £43,875 will no longer receive it. Rather controversially, if both parents work but neither is a higher rate tax payer they will still be entitled to the money. So, you could have two parents with a joint income of £80,000 who'll still be receiving their child benefit.

Alexander Armstrong kicked off this week's Who Do You Think You Are by claiming he has always been called posh and that he would be disappointed if his research didn't reveal a 'posh' background. As it turned out, he didn't need to worry...

Last night's episode of Who Do You Think You Are saw actor Rupert Penry-Jones eager to learn more about his Indian heritage.

Last night, Monty Don became the latest celebrity to appear on Who Do You Think You Are? The episode focused on two branches of his family tree, his maternal Hodge and paternal Keiller lines.

The new series of Who Do You Think You Are launched this week with an exciting line up of celebrities, the first being Bruce Forsyth.