Family & Community Historical Research Society

Society Mini Project 2011

Summary
Name of project : Holidays and Feast Days
Project sponsor : France Brooks

Quick Link: How to join Important! Instructions for downloading the project file

What is involved? The mini project takes a look at the historical foundation of school holidays by examining when schools closed down for specific periods involved with social and community demands. A template has been developed that permits entry of dates of when a school 'term' or teaching period started and when it finished. The minimum period is to look at two years, 1881 and 1921. Optionally the interval census years of 1891, 1901 and 1911 data can be included within the project. The relevant data, start and finish dates, reason for closure etc., are extracted from the sources and entered into a spreadsheet, when completed the spreadsheet is emailed to the project coordinator who will undertake the analysis and arrange for the results to be published for the benefit of members.

Primary Sources: School Log Books or School Admissions Registers that can usually be found in County Record Offices.

About the file: The file for download is compressed (see About the download below) The project file contains a Microsoft Excel file, compatible with all versions from Excel 95 onward. You will also be able to open the file in Microsoft Works version 7 onward, Open Office Org version 3. Ability Office etc. In the Zip file there are also two Adobe Reader pdf files providing more information on how to use the file and how to submit your findings to the project coordinator and a background reading document prepared by Professor Michael Drake

If you are a FACHRS member and do not have a copy of Microsoft Office, why not take advantage of the Society's ultra-low price Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010. For more information visit the Members' Community

How to join this Project: If you are uncertain about downloading the file please first read the Download instructions
As part of the registration process you will need your Member User Name and Password.

Forgotten Password: If you cannot remember your user name and password click the forgotten password link Forgotten your password? and return to this page when you have received it from the Membership Secretary.

When you have successfully registered you will be able to download the project file. Remember that to download the project file you will also need your user name and password for the Members' Community.

Complete this form (opens in a new window) to register and join the project.

About the download: File size 1.4Mb The file that you will download is 'zipped' so you will need to unzip the file after you have completed the download. The Zip file contains one Spreadsheet and two documents in PDF format. The later versions of Microsoft Windows (Vista and Windows 7) can automatically unzip files. If you have an earlier OS, such as Windows XP, you will need an unzip utility such as WinZip. You can download an evaluation copy of WinZip from www.winzip.com

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Download instructions: Once you have registered you can download the file.

You will be requested to enter your user name and password Use this link if you have forgotten your password Forgotten your password?
When requested to Open (Run) or Save the file, choose Save
When asked for location, we suggest that you save the file to your desktop, though your are at liberty to save the file to any location you wish, just remember where you saved the file to!
The file will download. Depending upon your internet speed this will take just a few seconds or may take many seconds.
If you downloaded the file to your desktop you will see this icon ore one similar depending which decompression utility you use. This is the icon you will see if using WinZip. Now use your Antivirus application and scan the file! You can never be too careful! When you are satisfied that the file is 'safe' if you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7 just double click the file and follow the Microsoft instructions to open the zip file and extract it to a new location of your choice on your computer. If you are using WinZip proceed to the next step
Using WinZip Security. Double click the icon and the WInZip window will open, In the bottom right corner you may see a red shield. double click that to verify the contents of the Zip file. This check verifies that there are no other hidden files in the zip. The Zip file contains one XLS spreadsheet and two PDF documents
Using WinZip Security. The WinZip utility should report the presence of a single file. You can proceed to extract the file to a new location of your choice on your computer.

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