Wednesday 15 August 2012

Scottish Genealogy Society news

Thanks to Ken Nisbet for the latest newsletter from the Scottish Genealogy Society (www.scotsgenealogy.com):

Our Town Stories
We have been in touch with Edinburgh City Libraries about a new project they are working on. They sent us the following information:

Our Town Stories (www.ourtownstories.co.uk) is a new website from Edinburgh City Libraries that explores the history of the city through stories, images and historical maps, from 1700 to the present day. The current website is a pilot version and we plan to launch the new version later in the year.

We're continuing to create stories from our rich heritage collections and are also working with partners who have stories to tell. If you have a story about Edinburgh which you'd like to share online, get in touch with informationdigital @ edinburgh.gov.uk to discuss.


Doors Open Day 2012
The Society has been accepted to take part in this event which will happen on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd September.


Northern Ireland MIs
An index has been created of the Northern Ireland MIs which are held in the library. This list can now be found in the 'Black Book' and cover Co Antrim, Co Down and Belfast.


New Publication
We have recently published a booklet on the Candlemakers of Edinburgh which was compiled by one of our members, Mr Richard Torrance. The 60-page document's introduction gives a lot of background information on the trade in Edinburgh. It also contains a list of past members, giving varying amounts of information such as apprentices' and employers' names and addresses, going as far back as the early sixteenth century (one Andrew Galloway in 1517). Also included is an index of past Deacons and other Office Bearers of the Incorporation of Candlemakers, Edinburgh. The cost is £4.00+p&p and is available from 15 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL. Tel: 0131 220 3677 or our website: www.scotsgenealogy.com.

By coincidence, we were visited at Victoria Terrace by the current Boxmaster of the Edinburgh Trades Organisation (which the Candlemakers are incorporated under) who informed us that they were holding an exhibition of their rare pictures, archives and artefacts at their premises - "Ashfield", Trades Maiden Hospital, 61 Melville Street Edinburgh - as part of the Fringe Festival. This is a free event and will run every day from the 1st - 31st August from 10am to 6pm. Special exhibits include the Blue Blanket, the Edinburgh Trades Banner, said to have been carried at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, an original National Covenant dated 1638 and a King James Bible dated 1617. The trades incorporated are: Surgeons, Goldsmiths, Skinners, Furriers, Hammermen, Wrights, Masons, Tailors, Baxters (bakers), Fleshers (butchers), Cordiners (shoemakers), Weavers, Walkers (fullers, hatmakers & shearers), Bonnetmakers and Dyers, and of course, Candlemakers.

(With thanks to Ken)

Chris

Check out my Scotland's Greatest Story research service www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
New book: It's Perthshire 1866 - there's been a murder... www.thehistorypress.co.uk/products/The-Mount-Stewart-Murder.aspx (from June 12th 2012)

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