For anyone that didn't receive it directly, here's a copy of an email regarding a new project I've been working on.

Thanks
Shane
______________


Hi Everyone,

Apologies for the unsolicited nature of this email however I wanted to tell you all about a new project that I’ve been working on over the last few months that I am putting live just today.

What’s the project?

I am in the process of travelling the length and breadth of Oxfordshire with the aim of creating a comprehensive photographic catalogue of Oxfordshire’s War Memorials.

But why?

Well, as most of you will know I’m also deeply engrossed in tracing my family history and having located several ancestors who are remembered on memorials across the county it’s highlighted that there is no single and definitive pictorial guide to our counties memorials for use by family historians like myself all around the world.

So firstly, there’s the obvious fun of the personal challenge and the sense of creating something new. More so though, I think the memorials are such an important part of our history and heritage and with our last WWI veteran now gone and WW2 veteran numbers declining its now more important than ever that we never forget the sacrifices that our brave service personnel have and continue to make. The memorials are a key part of our continued remembrance and are truly worthy of such a project.

Where is the catalogue?

I‘m making the photographic catalogue freely available via the internet, the website is http://www.oxfordshirewarmemorials.co.uk/ . You’ll see I’ve already captured memorials in almost 100 towns and villages across Oxfordshire. Each can be searched to locate detailed views of the names and inscriptions on each. I’m hoping that for many of you family historians out there it’ll prove a useful resource.

Can you help me?

There are several ways that you could help me.

Firstly, I’ve mentioned that the site is free to use, however, during 2010 I am using the website to support the SSAFA 125^th Anniversary initiative and I’m hoping to raise £500 by asking people who would like to support me in completing the project and/or find the website useful if they would be kind enough to make a donation towards my target. If you find the site useful or would simply like to support me in supporting SSAFA, a donation of any size towards my target would be hugely appreciated. If you’re unfamiliar with SSAFA check out their website, they’ve been doing fantastic work for 125years http://www.ssafa.org.uk/ .

I have setup an online Virgin Money Giving account that can be accessed via the website, so donating is quick, easy and secure and the money gets right to SSAFA quickly. All donations make a difference to real people.

In addition, there are other ways of helping. I hope the website will expand to include pictures of some of the soldiers named on memorials across the county, see the ‘Names to Faces section’. Another area of the site is called ‘Past and Present’ and if you have or have come across any photographs/information of the unveiling of war memorials please contact me.

If you know of a war memorial that isn’t currently included in the catalogue, let me know and I’ll be sure to add it.

There is also a message board on the site, if you’d like to get involved please feel free to contribute.

And Finally ….

Finally, I hope you agree the project is an interesting and valuable one. I’m planning to promote and publicise the website as much a possible over the coming days and weeks, so please feel free to pass the link onto anyone who may be interested.

Thanks for taking the time to read this message and I hope you enjoy the new resource. 

Best Wishes,

Shane