The Order of British Columbia was established in 1989 to recognize and honour ordinary citizens who have made a difference in the lives of others. Goody Niosi offers the stories of 17 of these recipients, from well-known people like Rick Hansen and Robert Bateman to lesser-known heroes, including Dr. Michael O'Shaughnessy, who has dedicated his life to AIDS research; Joan Acosta, who created the revolutionary newspaper "The Westcoast Reader" and helped adults acquire literacy and language skills; and Ric Careless, who has worked hard to ensure that precious wilderness areas are protected for future generations. Also showcased are Geraldine Braak, Dr. Leonel Perra, Dr. A. Hayward Rogers, Dr. Roger Tonkin, Grace Nielson, Hilda Gregory, Mel Cooper, Richard Hunt, Ross Purse, Takao Tanabe, Tim Frick and Merve Wilkinson. The foreword is written by former Supreme Court Justice Allan McEachern.

Granddaughter of William the Conqueror and of King Malcolm of the Scots, and daughter of Henry I, Matilda fought for the throne of England, arguably hers by right, for nine years, and was denied it largely because she was a woman. Contemporary chroniclers said of her that she was "always superior to feminine softness and with a mind steeled and unbroken in adversity." Most of the serious work on her extraordinary, action-packed life and historical importance lies in untranslated German studies of the last century. In this book Marjorie Chibnall examines her career as a whole, as King Henry's daughter, as the wife and consort of Emperor Henry V, as Countess of Anjou after the emperor's death, and as regent for her son, Henry II. An outstanding biography, pieced together from archival sources all over Europe, it is of value and interest both to scholars and the general reader.

Since its first publication, twenty years ago, Track Down Your Ancestors has helped thousands of readers to take the first steps on their journey into their family's past. Now totally revised and updated in 2010, to include the latest on-line resources on the Internet, the 1911 Census and changes at the National Archives. Delving into the past and discovering who your ancestors were, where they lived and what their occupations were is a fascinating hobby that more and more people are choosing to take up. Over the years Track Down Your Ancestors has built up a fine reputation as the perfect place to get started - now this new, fully rewritten edition includes updated advice on using birth, death and marriage certificates, probate records, census returns, parish registers, old newspapers, The National Archives and many other sources to build up a picture of your family's past. The Internet has revolutionised family history research. Estelle now also includes comprehensive new advice on getting the most from online resources and the best way to keep all your information organised. Praise for the previous edition: 'A handy book at a very friendly price that will start new family historians off on the right track.' Practical Family History 'A comprehensive beginner's guide to family history research - cheap too!' Your Family Tree magazine