MANX SURNAMES FEATURE ON NEW SET OF STAMPS The most popular Manx surnames from the census of 1891 are featured in a new collection of stamps. In addition, Isle of Man Stamps & Coins, the Isle of Man Family History Society and Manx National Heritage have joined forces to give one lucky winner the opportunity to win a special day dedicated to researching their Manx family tree. This special day will take place at the brand new iMuseum, the Isle of Man?s first ever digital museum, which is due to open in March 2011 and provides unprecedented access to Manx National Heritage Collections. These include Manx newspapers, from the 1790s to 1960, searchable at the click of a button, fantastic photographs from the 1850s onwards, including hundreds of individual and family portraits and places around the Island, baptism entries from the 19th century, names from the Isle of Man Census 1841 to 1901 and remarkable sound recordings of native Manx Gaelic speakers from the 1950s. The iMuseum will bring together these sources of family history research to tell stories from generations of Manx families and this is where the lucky winner will discover some of the secrets and wonders of their family?s past. As well as this, the winner will have exclusive access to a genealogist from the Isle of Man Family History Society to help them with their journey and be entitled to free copies of birth, marriage, death records or any other material uncovered. In addition, Isle of Man Stamps and Coins will be giving them a complete set of its new stamp issue „Isle of Man Genealogy.? The idea for the new set of eight stamps, released on February 18, was born way back in 2008 following a visit to the „Who Do You Think You Are? exhibition at London?s Olympia. With the knowledge that Manx National Heritage was planning a new family history resource centre, (iMuseum) it was decided that a stamp issue would be a fabulous way to mark this and the issue could also showcase Isle of Man Genealogy at the „Who Do You Think You Are? 2011 expo. The stamps celebrate the resources available for the many people interested in discovering more about their Manx ancestry. Stamp content was inspired loosely by the seven stages of life and it features a range of topics which are relevant to most people?s personal archive. These range from birth through to death with illustrations depicting baptisms, school days, working life, weddings, family album, emigration, memorials and family tree. Isle of Man Stamps & Coins worked very closely with Manx National Heritage and the Isle of Man Family History Society to produce the issue and the launch of the stamps promotes the many services that will be on offer at the iMuseum. The iMuseum will be the gateway to a whole range of digitised materials from the Manx National Heritage collections including museum collections, searchable war memorial records and a very unique newspaper database. Manx newspapers from 1793 to 1960, amounting to almost 400,000 pages of newsprint, will be available to browse and search at the click of a button. Dot Tilbury, General Manager Philatelic Bureau, said: “The competition runs from February 18 through to March 31 and to enter all you have to do is fill in your name and contact details on an entry form and post it, it?s as simple as that. Entry forms will be available at post offices island-wide, the Manx Museum and House of Manannan from February 18. The winner will be in for a real treat as they discover what their Manx family connections are, perhaps they will find out they?re a celebrity, royalty or a great Manx worthy.” Pat Nicholson, Secretary, Isle of Man Family History Society said: “The Society is delighted to be involved and will be providing the services of an expert genealogist who will spend the day with the winner, offering advice and guidance at any sites necessary. All being well we would hope to give the foundation of a three generation family tree.” Lynsey Radcliffe, Heritage Communications Manager, Manx National Heritage said: “Whether you are taking your first steps into researching your Manx family history or need some guidance along the way, the competition offers a great opportunity to get started on uncovering or rediscovering your Manx family connections at the new iMuseum”. -Ends-