Webwatch

www.unionhistory.info/workerswar is a new website, supported by the Big Lottery Fund, which has been created to mark the contribution of workers on the Home Front during World War II. It illustrates and archives the reminiscences of all kinds of workers, including fire fighters and rescue workers, miners and factory workers, as well as covering the importance of the Trade Union Movement. The site pays particular attention to the War's impact on women and the difficulties of the post-war reconstruction period.

www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk now includes data from the 1851 Census.

www.theoriginalrecord.com is based on 2,500 historical books, containing over 10 million entries between them, which have been 'hand-indexed' to create this huge database of surnames which you can search for free. A part copy of the original page/entry can be seen on screen, but to download a .pdf version you pay a fee of £2-£10.

www.waterfordcountyimages.org has recently been awarded the title of 'Best Small Museum Website 2006' at this year's Museums & The Web International Conference, which was held in New Mexico, USA. The site is easy to use and contains 2,500 historic images, including not only photographs and postcards, but paintings and drawings as well.

www.yorkshiredales.org.uk has had a makeover and is well worth a visit if you are planning a trip to the area.

www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk can now be used to access a catalogue of 42,000 records and 1,500 photographs. It is easy to use and search, as well as being pleasing to the eye. At the bottom of the home page is a link to 'Window on Wiltshire's Heritage' - which brings together 22 organisations to create a visually stunning virtual display of the county's history and attractions.

www.heritagelink.org.uk is the website of Heritage Link, a forum with 82 corporate members, many from the voluntary sector, created to 'influence policy, underpin advocacy and increase capacity' in heritage matters, which welcomes the support of individuals. They publish a fortnightly e-bulletin which costs £25 per annum to individuals. Some of the January and February 2006 issues can be viewed for free, together with a number of other reports, including A survey of voluntary sector experience of Local Authority consultation on Land-Use Planning. This six page report makes fascinating reading and in a section headed 'Loss of Democratic Accountability' says that there is among heritage groups 'a real concern that government policy is reducing the number of planning applications being referred to (elected planning committees)'. The survey 'also reveals a lack of confidence in Regional Assemblies who are perceived as being high handed and remote'. If only more local history representatives were willing to be as combative and tough talking when confronted with an attack on local heritage. Well worth a visit if you are interested in promoting and protecting local heritage.