Ulster Historical Foundation announces US talks tour for 2020

The Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com) has announced the dates and venues for its 2020 tour of the United States, from March 6th-22nd.

The locations being visited are: 

Friday, 6 March 2020 - Chicago IL (9:00am–5:00pm)
Saturday, 7 March 2020 - Madison WI (9:00am–5:00pm)
Sunday, 8 March 2020 - York PA (1:00pm–5:00pm)
Monday, 9 March 2020 - Staunton, VA (9:00am to 4:30pm)
Wednesday, 11 March 2020 - Bloomington, IN (12 noon–7:00pm)
Friday, 13 March 2020 - Richmond, VA (9:30am - 12:30pm)
Saturday, 14 March 2020 - Frankfort, KY (full day event)
Sunday, 15 March 2020 - Philadelphia, PA (full day event)
Tuesday, 17 March 2020 - Pittsburgh, PA (9:00am–4:30pm)
Wednesday, 18 March 2020 - Charleston, SC
Thursday, 19 March 2020 - Chicago, IL
Friday, 20 March 2020 - St Charles, MO (8:45am–1:00pm)
Saturday 21 March 2020 - Little Rock, AR (9:00am–3:00pm)
Sunday, 22 March 2020 - Coeur d'Alene, ID (11:00am-6:00pm-includes 1hr early luncheon)

For the full itinerary, full details of individual venues and links to book places at each please visit https://www.ancestryireland.com/usa-lecture-tour-2020/.

Note that the schedule is still flexible, and can take additional venues. As it states on their web site:

You may note from our previous itineraries that we travel widely across North America and are happy to visit any location where an invitation to us is extended.

If you know of a society, library or group near to you that would be interested in an Irish and Scots-Irish family history research programme, perhaps you would put us in contact with the local programme organisers by emailing enquiry@uhf.org.uk with the subject heading ‘Lecture Tour’.

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Ulster Historical Foundation half price access to BMD records

From the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com):

50% off all our birth, marriage & death records

Most people wait until the new year to begin new projects or set new goals for themselves, but why wait? TODAY is as good a time as any to start (or continue) that special (or troublesome) family history research project.

As part of our Boxing Day sale all 2 million pay-per-view birth, marriage & death records on AncestryIreland are HALF PRICE!

Visit our website to take advantage of this limited time offer, which must end 03 January 2020!

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Ulster Historical Foundation announces 2020 programme

From the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com)

Are you already thinking of what to do or where to go for your 2020 vacation?

Now that our final conference of 2019 has ended we are delighted to announce that details and booking information for each of our 2020 research programmes and conferences are now available.

Tracing your Irish Ancestors: Family History Conference
10 - 17 June 2020

Our classic 8-day conference programme returns in June 2020!

This programme will include brand new tours to famous historic sites across the island of Ireland and crucially for the research enthusiast, all your time can alternatively be spent researching in the archives of Belfast and Dublin with the Foundation's team of researchers (or a mix of the two).

Assisted personal research, talks, tours and sightseeing are all part of the eclectic, friendly and fun mix of Tracing Your Irish Ancestors. Join us for the journey. We will be delighted to see you.


June 2020 Highlights

To uncover the history of this place, our extensive programme of tours throughout the week will take you through rolling countryside to sites of international renown from the Giant’s Causeway on County Antrim’s wild Atlantic coast to the famous and historic Walls of Derry and Hillsborough Castle, the official Northern Ireland palace of the Royal Family!

Our 2020 June programme will see delegates:

• Journey into the heart of County Down, enjoying visits to Hillsborough Castle, Killyleagh Castle, Inch Abbey and the St Patrick's Centre.
• Take a trip through Belfast and south County Antrim, enjoying visits to one of Belfast's most interesting visitor attractions at Crumlin Road Gaol and Ireland's oldest and best preserved Norman citadel at Carrickfergus.
• Experience brand new tours to some of Dublin's most popular visitor attractions - locations to be announced soon.
• With visits to Hillsborough Castle, Carrickfergus Castle and Inch Abbey and more, our June 2020 programme will see delegates tour the churches, castles and causeways of Ireland.

Irish Family History Experience: Introduction to Irish Genealogy
07-12 September 2020

Folllowing the success of the first programme which ran in June 2019, next year will see the return of the Foundation's Irish Family History Experience: Introduction to Irish Family History in September 2020

This programme will appeal to the budding family history researcher wishing to make the first step towards research success as well as the dedicated family historian wishing to break down those genealogical brick walls.

In just six days our September programme will give you the skills and experience to further explore your family history and help you find your Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors.

Irish Family History Experience will offer you the opportunity to spend three days learning from the experts in the classroom and researching in the Public Record Office Northern Ireland (PRONI) followed by the option of three days of tours to sites such as Kilmainham Gaol and the Giant's Causeway or assisted research in PRONI.

Book your place for June or September with just a £350 deposit
Given the current low value of sterling (GBP) against other currencies now is a particularly good time for overseas visitors to book their 2020 getaway. Sign up to one of the Foundation's family history research programmes today and save up to $160 on your booking (based on today's exchange rate compared to last week).

The present exchange rate values will ensure overseas delegates can make a very tidy saving on the cost.


Researching your Irish Ancestors: Assisted Research Programme
05-09 October 2020

Limited space available!

This enhanced research programme offers you the chance to spend a week researching in the archives each day being guided and supported by our team of researchers, and presents a great opportunity to break down any genealogical brick walls and unlock your family history.

This programme will also have a maximum capacity of 30 people meaning that you will experience more one-on-one time with our research team than you would at any of our other conferences and classes.

As our team know the archives and how to mine the information for your family tree, working closely with our researchers will greatly enhance your experience in the archives as well as improving your chances of success.

For more information, and to book a place on any of the above, visit https://www.ancestryireland.com

(With thanks to the UHF)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts 4 November 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

NIFHS launches Ballycarry DNA Project

The North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org) has launched a new Ballycarry DNA Project.

From the site:

Ballycarry is an historic County Antrim village with strong Scottish connections and has a number of families that have lived in the district for many generations. We wish to explore the connections between people who are the descendants of whose who lived in Ballycarry in the past to identify if the families living side-by-side were indeed related to each other. This will allow individuals living today to identify that they are related to each other (and others who have taken tests) and to build up a picture of relationships in the past that will explain their connections. In many instances these connections go back beyond paper records and effectively ‘recreate’ a family tree where one no longer exists.

In order to carry out this project we intend to DNA test individuals who can establish their connections to people who lived in the Ballycarry (Parish of Templecorran) in the 1800s. Doing this will help us to explore links between the testers and other people who have already taken a DNA test. By testing people from a specific area it is anticipated that many connections will be identified and confirmed as the tests can give meaningful information back to each person’s 5x great grandparents (usually at least to the mid 1700s).

For further details of the project, and the launch event on Tuesday 8th October 2019, please visit https://www.nifhs.org/dna/ballycarry-dna-project/.

COMMENT: Whilst I have no identified connections to Ballycarry as yet, I am tripping over lines from nearby Islandmagee, so I am intending to join the main NIFHS DNA project - full details at https://www.nifhs.org/dna/.

(With thanks to Rosemary Sibbett)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts 4 November 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Bring back the use of townlands in Ulster!

I received a wonderful email earlier today from a 79 year old reader of the UK's Family Tree magazine, who wanted to share with me her frustration over the declining use of townlands in Northern Ireland, thanks to the introduction of post codes in the 1970s. She summarises her frustration with the following example:

The one thing which was common in all (genealogy) searches was “the townland”.

Well, now in the Six Counties that’s gone. One road in particular, from Omagh to Gortin in Tyrone has been named Glenpark Road. But telling me someone lives at 38 Glenpark Road doesn’t mean a thing.

If you said they lived in Gortnagarn, Ergenagh, Carnoney etc I would know exactly where they were on that stretch of road and the parish registers would bring up the information required to connect various families with the same surname.

Now the Registers show only the stupid Royal Mail address.

What do you think the chances are of trying to educate people to include their townland in their “official” address?

On that question - what do you think are the chances of trying to educate folk into using townlands in addresses, it reminded me that a few years ago I read an article that suggested potential powers to bring back their use were on the cards at the Northern Irish Assembly, in a proposed bill to empower the new 'super councils' to adopt them.

The article in question was from the Belfast Telegraph of November 16th 2015, available at https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/names-of-ancient-townlands-could-be-revived-by-councils-under-new-proposal-34202930.html. It noted:

The 11 amalgamated 'super' councils may be given the option to revive townlands in their districts, 40 years after they were replaced with street addresses.

The Assembly will be urged to back new legislation, giving the local authorities powers to restore names like Ballyore, Crossnenagh, Carrickabolie and Derrynoose.

The move in a private member's bill comes after an Assembly debate in 2002 when parties united to demand greater promotion of ancient townlands.

I am unclear about what became of this subsequently - although I suspect the suspension of Stormont from January 2017 probably has a lot to do with the lack of any further developments.

Has there been any further moves on this front? And if not, doesn't it make complete sense to revive their use to some degree, particularly for ancestral tourism purposes?

I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts!

(With thanks to Mrs Brooks!)

Chris

Pre-order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) for just £11.99 at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Ulster Historical Foundation programme 2019

From the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com):

2019 Family History Programmes - Update

For those interested in attending one of our 2019 events please note that our October programme is now at capacity. However there are still spaces available for our June and September programmes. Crucially, for the research enthusiast, you can choose to spend the whole of these events researching in the Belfast and Dublin archives with our team of genealogists or you can spend your time touring famous historic sites


Irish Family History Experience – 10–15 June 2019

This six-day programme offers you the opportunity to spend three days learning from the experts in the classroom and researching in the Public Record Office Northern Ireland (PRONI) followed by the option of three days of tours or further assisted research.

For more information visit https://www.ancestryireland.com/family-history-conference/summer/


Tracing your Irish Ancestors - 04-11 September 2019

Our classic eight-day programme offers you the opportunity to tour famous historic sites and cultural attractions, such as Kilmainham Gaol, Giant’s Causeway and the Knowth passage tomb at Brú na Bóinne as well as visit to the picturesque town of Enniskillen situated in Co. Fermanagh's beautiful lakelands, or a mixture of both tours and research – the choice is yours.

September 2019 "Early Bird" Registration - Ends soon

For those of you who register before 10 March 2019 the cost to participate in our conference is just £899.99. Reserve your place now, with a deposit of only £350 (GBP) per person! After this date the full price for attendance will be £949.99 (GBP).

For more information visit https://www.ancestryireland.com/family-history-conference/autumn/

Chris

My next Scottish Research Online course starts March 11th 2019 - see www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Men and Arms back in stock at the Ulster Historical Foundation

From the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com), news of a useful resource for those with Plantations based ancestry in Ulster:

Men and Arms: The Ulster Settlers, c.1630 is back in print

Men and Arms: The Ulster Settlers, c.1630, the bestselling volume in the critically important R.J. Hunter Collection is now back in print and available to purchase on Booksireland for £19.99.

Men and Arms is essentially the first ‘census’ of English and Scottish settlers in the nine counties of Ulster in the early seventeenth century. The edition includes extensive additional information on the settlers drawn from a variety of contemporary sources.

For more information visit http://www.booksireland.org.uk/store/all-departments/men-arms-ulster-settlers-c-1630

Chris

My next Scottish Research Online course starts March 11th 2019 - see www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Irish parish records added to FindmyPast

Added to FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk):

Fermanagh Parish Registers Baptisms
Discover your ancestors who were born in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, between 1660 and 1978 with over 15,000 parish register entries. The record set comprises records from Aghavea, Bellanaleck, Devenish, Inishmacsaint, and Mullaghdun parishes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Some of the townlands overlap into the nearby counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, and Donegal.

Fermanagh Parish Registers Marriages
Explore thousands of parish marriages covering the parishes of Aghavea, Bellanaleck, Devenish, Inishmacsaint, and Mullaghdun parishes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The records span the years 1662 and 1949 will reveal the date and location of the marriage as well as the names of both the bride and groom.

Fermanagh Parish Registers Burials
Discover your ancestors who were buried in Fermanagh between 1662 and 1912. The collection contains over 7,000 records that may reveal when and where your relative was buried, their age, and possibly even their cause of death.

Donegal Cemetery Records
Discover your ancestors who were buried in Ballyshannon and Inishmacsaint, County Donegal, Ireland, between 1681 and 2015.

Leitrim Cemetery Records
Discover your Irish ancestry with more than. You will be able to view an image of your ancestor's gravestone and learn more about your family tree. The records in this collection are from Rossinver parish from 1709 to 2015.

British & Irish Newspaper Update
This week we have added 166,508 new pages to The Archive. We have updated fifteen of our existing titles, with updates to four of our Irish titles, and titles covering the counties of Surrey, Cheshire, Devon, Dorset, Kent and Middlesex, as well as the cities of Newcastle and Liverpool.

Evening Herald (Dublin): 1993
Newcastle Evening Chronicle: 1885-1892, 1895-1896, 1899-1908
Irish Independent: 2007, 2009
Surrey Gazette: 1877
Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser: 1879, 1881-1882, 1888-1889, 1891
Cheshire Observer: 1901-1913, 1919-1930
Tavistock Gazette: 1858
The Showman: 1901
Sunday Tribune: 1989, 2004
Poole & Dorset Herald: 1875, 1889
Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser: 1868
West Middlesex Herald: 1871
Chester Chronicle: 1889
Dublin Evening Mail: 1875
Liverpool Evening Express: 1911

Essex Newsman Search
Our new Essex Newsman newspaper search is searchable by name and publication year, contains over 1.2 million names and covers a complete run of the publication from 31st October 1881 to 6th November 1943.

Further details and links are available at https://blog.findmypast.com/findmypast-friday-2623970782.html

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Book review: Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors

My review of one of the greatest genealogy books out from Northern Ireland this year...

Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors 
[Published as 'Researching Ulster Ancestors' in the UK]
By William J. Roulston
Ulster Historical Foundation, 606 pages, £19.99

If you have ancestors from the province of Ulster in the north of Ireland, this second edition of William Roulston's best-selling book is an absolute essential for your family history library. Long overdue (the first edition was published in 2005), this new version is packed with considerably new and enhanced information, embracing developments online, in various Irish archival repositories, and beyond.

Over twice the length of the original edition (which was 262 pages long), every section has been substantially reworked and updated, providing guidance on records of the various church denominations and graveyards; unique seventeenth and eighteenth century themed resources; landed estate records, the Registry of Deeds and wills; government records, newspapers, books, and emigration records; charities and business records; and even sections on organisations, clubs and secret societies.

An entire half of the book is filled with appendices packed with references to collections for individual parishes and landed estates, presented alongside a wonderfully useful series of civil parish maps for the nine Ulster counties.

Roulston's new guide is the perfect and essential companion to John Grenham's 'Tracing Your Irish Ancestors', perhaps the finest complement that I can convey. It is quite simply an outstanding piece of work – thoroughly recommended.

To order the book, please visit https://www.booksireland.org.uk/store/genealogical-guides/researching-scots-irish-ancestors-the-essential-genealogical-guide-to-early-modern-ulster-1600-1800-second-edition-duplicate

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Ulster Historical Foundation courses and conference

From the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com):

Irish Genealogy Essentials

This is a reminder that our next Irish Genealogy Essentials course is coming up soon and there are still places available. It is a 5-day course and runs from 5 to 9 November 2018.

Irish Genealogy Essentials embraces the unique nature of Irish genealogical research and is ideal if you:

• Have no experience with genealogy or family history research
• Have some experience with genealogical research, but want to develop your skills and knowledge further
• Consider yourself a more experienced genealogical researcher who wants to learn new techniques and lesser known sources

We have two other 5-day courses scheduled - 4-8 February 2019 and 7-11 October 2019.

There are also two 1-day courses scheduled - Monday, 19 November 2018 and Saturday, 19 January 2019.

Click here for more information on our family history courses.


Irish Family History Experience
Genealogy Class

We are also offering a new programme - Irish Family History Experience: Introduction to Irish Family History - which will appeal to both the budding family history researcher wishing to make the first step towards research success as well as the dedicated family historian wishing to break down those genealogical brick walls.

Running from 10 to 15 June 2019, this 6-day programme will give you the skills and experience to further explore your family history and help you find your Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors! This brand new programme will offer you the opportunity to spend three days learning from the experts in the classroom and researching in the Public Record Office Northern Ireland (PRONI) followed by the option of three days of tours to sites such as Kilmainham Gaol and the Giant's Causeway or continued assisted research in PRONI. (For a full itinerary click here)

Places can fill up fast so reserve your place now for only £729.99 per person (or with a deposit of £350 per person).

Given the current low value of sterling (GBP) against other currencies now is a particularly good time for overseas visitors to purchase. The present exchange rate values will ensure overseas delegates can make a very tidy saving on the cost.

For more information or to book your place click here


Exiles of '98 Conference

To mark the recent publication by the Ulster Historical Foundation of Exiles of ’98: Ulster Presbyterians and the United States by Peter Gilmore, Trevor Parkhill and William Roulston, PRONI will be holding a half-day conference on Thursday, 8 November 2018, from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.

The conference will examine the events of 1798 in the north of Ireland, the experiences of those who left Ireland after the Rebellion and look at the wider context of Presbyterian migration from Ireland. Speakers will include Dr Linde Lunney, Peter W. Murphy, Trevor Parkhill and Keith Beattie.

Additional Information:

Admission is FREE, book via Eventbrite
The Heritage Café at PRONI will be open from 9.30am to 3.00pm

(With thanks to the UHF)

Chris


For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

New databases from the Ulster Historical Foundation

New databases have been added to the members area of thre website for the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com).

These include:

A Directory of the Gentry in Banbridge in 1823
A List of People granted Freedom of the Corporation of Coleraine in 1832
A Subscriber List for the book Heterogenea or Medley for the Benefit of the Poor
A List of People Holding Railway Shares in any of the Irish Railways in 1847
A List of Members of Parliament in Co. Down from 1585-1885
A List of Mills on the Bann in 1837
A Petition to Parliament from Banbridge from 1828
Registers of Baptism from First Antrim Presbyterian Church from 1677-1733
Registers of Marriage from First Antrim Presbyterian Church from 1675-1736
Seapatrick Military Records from World War I

For more information on these databases and a list of all the databases available, visit https://www.ancestryireland.com/search-irish-genealogy-databases/

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors 2nd edition now on sale

New from the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com):

Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors: The Essential Genealogical Guide to Early Modern Ulster, 1600–1800, 2nd Edition
By William Roulston

The Ulster Historical Foundation is pleased to announce that the new edition of Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors is now in stock!

Priced at just £19.99 (plus P&P) this new edition of Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors is a massively expanded version of the first volume.running to more than 600 pages – more than double the length of the original.

A ‘must have’ resource for Irish family history

More detailed information is included on the importance of church and land records and new chapters explore the value of records relating to charitable bodies, fraternal organisations and businesses. There is also a discussion of potential sources of information on emigration. A set of parish maps for each county in Ulster has been included and along with a listing of more than 600 places in the province giving the parish location.

Whether your ancestors are of English, Scottish or Gaelic Irish background, whether their religious affiliation was Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic or other, whether they were farmers, merchants or labourers, this volume will be of enormous value to anyone wishing to find out more about their Ulster roots.

To place an order please visit https://www.booksireland.org.uk/store/all-departments/researching-scots-irish-ancestors-second-edition

This book will be sold locally as Researching Ulster Ancestors (UK & Ireland). For those of you who might wish to purchase the book under this title visit https://www.booksireland.org.uk/store/all-departments/researching-scots-irish-ancestors-the-essential-genealogical-guide-to-early-modern-ulster-1600-1800-second-edition-duplicate.

COMMENT: I've placed an order, and will review the title when it arrives - should be a good read!

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Family Footsteps series on BBC Northern Ireland

Missing a certain TV genealogy show? Try this one!

FamilyFootsteps

Gavin Andrews takes the Laughlins, an Ulster-Scots family, on a personal historical journey back in time to discover what life was like for their ancestors at the turn of the 19th century. Abandoning their comfortable 21st-century lives, mum Kerry, dad Ainsley and daughters Sophie, Anya and Hope find out what it is like to run a small farm with no electricity and a kitchen made up of a table and an open fire. While they struggle with pigs, laundry and fire pots, grandfather Alan begins a genealogical detective trail which eventually leads to a celebrated historical figure.

Episode One was shown last week, and you can catch up with it (and future episodes) on the BBC iPlayer - see https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0bltvn5/family-footsteps-series-1-episode-1.

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

The 1718 migration from Ulster

From the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com):

The 1718 Migration: From Ulster to New England

The 1718 Migration: From Ulster to New England covers perhaps the most important single year in the story of the relationship between Ulster and America. The 1718 migration was not by any means the first migration of people from Ulster to America, but it is probably the first that was organised to bring groups of settlers from one definite catchment area, and importantly, these were people who wanted to continue to live together in the new land.

This publication which only costs one penny (P&P charges do apply) is now available on our bookstore - see https://www.booksireland.org.uk/store/all-departments/the-1718-migration-from-ulster-to-new-england

1718 Migration Bundle

To mark the re-publication of The 1718 Migration we are offering a 1718 Migration bundle. Get Ulster Emigration to Colonial America, 1718–1775, Robert Dinsmoor’s Scotch-Irish Poems as well as The 1718 Migration: From Ulster to New England for just £19.99

Visit https://www.booksireland.org.uk/store/all-departments/1718-migration-bundle to order your bundle.

(With thanks to the Foundation via email)

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

New digitised Northern Irish church records at PRONI from autumn 2018

The following church record sets from Northern Ireland have been digitised by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni) last year and this year (2017/2018), with permission of the Church of Ireland, the Methodist Church and the Congregational Church. This completes PRONI's Church Records digitisation efforts for this year, with most of the collections not previously available at the archive in any format.

For the most part they will be accessible from the autumn in a digitised format via the onsite catalogue at the PRONI archive's premises in Belfast only, and not online. There are some closure periods in play for some of the registers - most notably all the new Methodist baptism records sadly - but most of the rest have an overlap with the commencement of the civil registration period in Ireland (April 1845 onwards for civil marriages, Jan 1864 onwards for baptisms).

Here is the list, with the catalogue accession numbers in brackets after the church name:

Church of Ireland Records (2017/2018 Batch)

Christ Church, Deriaghy, Lisburn, Co. Antrim (CR1/1)
Burials 1873-1913

Knockbreda Parish Church, Belfast. Co. Antrim (CR1/24)
Graveyard Book c.1763-2014

Craigs Parish Church, Cullybackey, Co. Antrim (CR1/55)
Baptisms 1839-1925 (records from 1864-1925 are closed)
Marriages 1841-1925
Burials 1841-1944
Vestry minutes 1874-1904
Register of Vestrymen 1870-1910

St Matthews Parish Church, Shankill, Belfast, Co. Antrim (CR1/65)
Baptisms 1893-1905
Marriages 1897-1916
Burials 1887-1917
Vestry minutes 1858-1900
Confirmation register 1893-1930 (records from 1893-1930 are closed)

Dromore Cathedral , Dromore, Co. Down (CR1/119)
Church Warden Books 1801-1836

Christ Church, Lisburn, Co. Antrim (CR1/123)
Baptisms 1849-1909
Marriages 1874-1907

Magheragall Parish Church, Lisburn, Co. Antrim (CR1/124)
Baptisms 1775-1850
Marriages 1772-1845 **
Burials 1772-1858 **
Vestry Minutes 1771-1870 **
** for marriages 1772-1845, burials 1772-1842 consult combined Baptism, Marriage & Burial Registers in CR1/124/1. For Vestry Minutes 1771-1870 consult Baptism, Marriage, Burial & Vestry Register in CR1/124/1/1

St. Mark's Parish Church, Ballysillan, Belfast, Co. Antrim (CR1/125)
Baptisms 1856-1890
Marriages 1860-1906
Vestry Minutes 1870-1914

St. James Parish Church, Dunaghy, Cullybackey, Co. Antrim (CR1/126)
Baptisms 1824-2001** (records from 1877-2001 are closed)
Burials 1906-2001**
Vestry Minutes 1794-1906
Register of Vestrymen 1870-1995
** Please note for Baptisms 1824-1826 consult Vestry Minutes in CR1/126/4/1/1 (Baptisms 1827-1886 not received). For Burials please consult CR1/127/3/1, records of Killagan Parish Church

Killagan Parish Church, Cullybackey, Co.Antrim (CR1/127)
Baptisms 1880-2001 (records from 1880-2001 are closed)
Marriages 1845-1935 (records from 1845-1935 are closed)
Burials 1894-1939

St. Columba's Parish Church, Kings Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim (CR1/128)
Baptisms 1890-1945 (records from 1890-1945 are closed)
Marriages 1896-1917


Methodist Church Records (2017/2018 batch)

Dungannon Methodist Church, Co. Tyrone (CR6/23)
Baptisms 1830-1943 (records from 1830-1943 are closed)
Marriages 1865-1900

Primitive Wesleyan Methodist, Moy & Dungannon, Co. Tyrone (CR6/25)
Baptisms 1874-1997 (records from 1874-1997 are closed)

Stewartstown Methodist Church, Co. Tyrone (CR6/25)
Baptisms 1868-1911
Marriages 1869-1921

Carrickfergus Methodist Church, Co. Antrim (CR6/26)
Baptisms 1826-2015 (records from 1826-2015)
Marriages 1864-1916


Congregational Church Records (2017/2018 batch)

Albert Bridge Congregational Church, Belfast, Co. Antrim (CR7/14)
Marriages 1878-1900

(With thanks to David Huddleston at PRONI)


Previously digitised collections, made available this time last year, are also accessible on site, and detailed as follows:

Church of Ireland Records

St. Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry (CR1/113)
Baptisms 1642 – 1983 (records from 1905 – 1983 are closed)
Marriages 1826 – 1830, 1843 – 1904
Burials 1829 – 1955 (records from 1874 – 1955 are closed)
Vestry Books 1741 – 1793
Vestry Minutes 1823 – 1935

Derryloran Parish, Co. Tyrone (CR1/114)
Baptisms 1797 – 1995 (records from 1913 – 1995 are closed)
Marriages 1832 – 2000 (records from 1930 – 2000 are closed)
Burials 1855 – 1878

St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, Co. Antrim (CR1/115)
Baptisms 1745 – 1911
Marriages 1745 – 1914
Burials 1745 – 1809

Drumcree Parish Church, Portadown, Co. Armagh (CR1/116)
Baptisms 1784 – 1930 (records from 1906 – 1930 are closed)
Marriages 1784 – 1930 (records from 1926 – 1930 are closed)
Burials 1784 – 2013

St. Andrew’s Parish Church, Hope Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim (CR1/117)
Baptisms 1886 – 1933 (records from 1903 – 1933 are closed)
Marriages 1870 – 1889

St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Donegall Pass, Belfast, Co. Antrim (CR1/118)
Baptisms 1847 – 1872
Marriages 1862 – 1872
Burials Not Received
Register of Vestrymen 1870 – 1932
Select Vestry Minutes 1900 – 1911

Dromore Cathedral, Dromore, Co. Down (CR1/119)
Baptisms 1784 – 1846
Marriages 1784 – 1845
Burials 1784 – 1853

St. Luke’s Parish Church, Mullaglass, Co. Armagh (CR1/120)
Baptisms 1852 – 1865
Marriages 1845 – 1880
Burials 1853 – 1865
Preachers 1860 – 1865
Vestry Minutes 1870 – 1911
Register of Vestrymen 1890 – 1902
Roll of Subscribers 1877 – 1913

St. George’s Parish Church, High Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim (CR1/121)
Baptisms 1817 – 1870
Marriages 1817 – 1875
Burials Not Received
Minutes of Congregational Committee 1837 - 1840
Rector’s Notebook 1837 – 1843

St. Patrick’s Parish Church, Ballymacarret, Belfast, Co. Down (CR1/122)
Baptisms 1827 – 1883
Marriages 1827 – 1874
Burials Not Received
Minutes of general Vestry Meetings 1850 – 1980 (Closed)
Select Vestry Minutes 1891 – 1913


Methodist Church Records

Ballymacarrett Methodist Church (later known as Newtownards Road Methodist Church and now East Belfast Mission) (CR6/18)
Stewards Book 1871 – 1884

Hyde Park Methodist Church, Parish of Grange, Mallusk, Co. Antrim (CR6/19)
Marriages 1840 – 1931

Ligoniel Methodist Church, Belfast, Co. Antrim (CR6/20)
Baptisms 1870 – 1908

Frederick Street Methodist Church, Belfast, Co. Antrim (CR6/21)
Baptisms 1841 – 1877
Marriages 1840 – 1873

Salem Methodist New Connexion Church, York Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim (CR6/22)
Baptisms 1829 – 1904
Marriages 1836 - 1844

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Ulster Historical Foundation conference and course

From the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com):

Plan Your Summer Escape with the Ulster Historical Foundation

Running from 05-12 September 2018 Tracing your Irish Ancestors 2018 will mark the tercentenary of the 1718 migration and 300+ years of Irish migration with visits to sites and places synonymous with the migration of Ulster and Irish families to the New Worlds (North America, Australasia, South Africa etc).

Choose to research in the archives or visit some of Ireland’s most historic sites

During our 7 day conference you will be able to shape your own experiences by choosing to either research in the different archives in Belfast and Dublin or join our staff on daily excursions through Ireland's beautiful landscape to some of its most historic sites.

300+ years of Irish migration

Trips during our 2018 programme will see you embark on a guided through the Bann Valley, the area in Ulster most directly associated with the 1718 migration; walk on the walls and explore the historic port city of Derry~Londonderry, one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe; uncover the stories of some of the earliest people to travel from Ulster to Australia at the Down Museum; visit the Ulster American Folk Park which is dedicated to the story of emigration from Ulster to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries; as well as delving deeper into the past with visits to the Hill of the O’Neill in Dungannon to learn about the 'Flight of the Earls' in 1607, when two of Ulster's leading lords left the island for Continental Europe, never to return and Barons Court, the magnificent seat of the Duke of Abercorn whose ancestors migrated from Scotland over 400 years ago.

These tours are also enlivened with visits to other renowned historical sites of interest across the island of Ireland as you will journey into pre-history to marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage site at Newgrange and look out onto the North Atlantic Ocean from the stones of the Giant’s Causeway.

You will also be able to visit Kilmainham Gaol, one of Dublin city’s most important monuments and visitor attractions and view the beautifully illustrated Book of Kells at Trinity College. All this and much much more!

Book Now

Places are filling up fast so reserve your place now, with a deposit of only £299.99 (GBP) per person! Given the current low value of sterling (GBP) against other currencies now is a particularly good time for overseas visitors to purchase.

For more information please visit https://www.ancestryireland.com/family-history-conference/autumn/


Irish Genealogy Essentials: A Family History Course, 30 April-04 May 2018

Our next Irish family history course is just over 4 weeks away and places are still available.

Running from 30 April to 04 May 2018 Irish Genealogy Essentials: A Family History Course embraces the unique nature of Irish genealogical research and is ideal if you:

• Have no experience with genealogy or family history research
• Have some experience with genealogical research, but want to develop your skills and knowledge further
• Consider yourself a more experienced genealogical researcher who wants to learn new techniques and lesser known sources.

The knowledge you gain from Irish Genealogy Essentials: A Family History Course will help you get to grips with research techniques, archives and genealogical sources in Ireland; provide you with the information and skills to further explore your family history and help you find your illusive Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors.

Our course will cover topics such as Irish land divisions; Nineteenth and early twentieth century census returns; Church records; Civil records; Griffith’s valuation; Tithe applotment books; wills and testamentary papers; and much more!

The knowledge you gain from our family history courses will help you get to grips with research techniques, archives and genealogical sources in Ireland; provide you with the information and skills to further explore your family history and help you find your elusive Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors.

More information on the details of this course can be found at https://www.ancestryireland.com/irish-genealogy-essentials/

Pay in instalments

If you would like to participate in our Spring course and would like to pay in instalments, please contact: conleth.mullan@uhf.org.uk

If you choose to pay in instalments you will be expected to pay two instalments of £239.99 for non members and two instalments of £224.99 for guild members.

The higher price associated with paying in instalments is due to the extra fees the Foundation will incur


For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Ulster Historical Foundation offer - R.J. Hunter Collection

From the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com):

During our recent stock take we have unearthed a handful of copies of The Ulser Port Books 1612-15 by R.J. Hunter.

To mark this discovery we are offering the R.J. Hunter collection, in its entirety, for the special price of £74.99! This is the first time in a year we have been able to offer a complete set of R. J. Hunters’ publications and we do hope that you take advantage of this tremendous find.

We have a very limited number full sets available (only six copies) so be sure to order quickly to avoid disappointment, as the sets will be sold on a first come first served basis.

To purchase this collection or for more information please visit https://www.booksireland.org.uk/store/history-and-research-bundles/rj-hunter-plantation-pack

Please note that at present Men and Arms: The Ulster Settlers, c. 1630 is only available as part of this collection. All other books in this collection can be purchased individually, via https://www.booksireland.org.uk:

• Strabane Barony during the Ulster Plantation 1607-1641
• Ulster Transformed: Essays on Plantation and Print Culture c. 1590-1641
• The Ulster Plantation in the Counties of Armagh and Cavan 1608-41
• The Ulster Port Books 1612-15

Interested in the Plantation of Ulster?

For anyone interested in this seminal event of Irish history the following publications may also be of great interest (available via BooksIreland):

• The Plantation of Ulster Collection - £44.99 (RRP £76.94)
• The Plantation of Ulster by Philip S. Robinson - £14.99 (RRP £19.99)
• Scottish Migration To Ulster In The Reign Of James 1 by M. Perceval-Maxwell - £14.99 (RRP £19.99)
• The Plantation of Ulster: The Story of the Irish
• The Plantation of Ulster: The Story of the English

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Developments at PRONI, Northern Ireland's national archive

I was unable to attend the recent user forum meeting at PRONI (www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni) in Belfast on March 2nd, so am grateful to Gavin McMahon for a copy of the minutes. The following are the key developments at Northern Ireland's national archive just now...

Anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918:

There will be a number of activities on this in 2018, being organised by NI's Department for Communities -

· NI Direct has a web page which pulls together activities of key stake holders,
· An information pack is being developed and an interactive learning packages for schools.
· An Exhibition which will be launched on 2 July


Steps to Partition:

Two PRONI facsimile packs are being updated for next year, one on the Plantation which is being revised and updated by the Ulster Historical Foundation, to be launched in May 2018.

PRONI is working with Dr Timothy Bowman and Jim McBride CCEA in revamping an educational resource (Steps to Partition) that will be aimed at A Level students and which anyone can use. Approximately 30 documents will be added into the pack which will be a PDF document and should be released in May.


Archive Accreditation:

PRONI is continuing its efforts towards Archive Accreditation.


Cataloguing:

Cataloguing of the papers of the Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club (D4614) is now complete, and will be published shortly.

Work continues on cataloguing papers relating to the Women’s Legion in the 1930s/1940s within D3099/14/2/1/2. This includes correspondence (organised by correspondent) and correspondence (organised by theme) and correspondence relating to the Mechanical Transport Section. Work has also started on papers relating to the Air Section. There are approx. 6 boxes still to be catalogued including papers relating to the Land Army, the Mount Stewart canteen, the Red Cross and the War Service Legion.

There are improved catalogue descriptions and updated access decisions for D4403 (Bangor Union masonic Lodge).

Work is ongoing with the Harland and Wolff Drawing Office Papers deposited by Titanic Quarter. Specifically carrying out cataloguing on ships plans at D4413/5/14. There are about 30 boxes of plans dating from 1930’s to 1970’s. Ship numbers and names will be included in catalogue descriptions.


New accessions:

Shaw and Moat Family Papers (D4654) – Papers of Richard Humphreys Shaw (c.1808-1888) of Dunmurry, Belfast and Tobermesson, Co. Tyrone comprising personal correspondence, including letters from his sisters who immigrated to Mississippi; accounts, including bills, receipts and handwritten lists mainly relating to his farm at Tobermesson, and a small amount of printed material and newspaper cuttings (c.1841-1919).

Hugh Alexander Papers (D4655) – Papers relating to Major Hugh Moore Alexander comprising two annotated albums containing photographs by Major Alexander during his service with the Royal Army Medical Corp and depicting scenes of army and civilian life in Mesopotamia and Northern Russia during the First World War. Major Alexander was born in County Cavan in 1892. (c.1917-1944).

Royal Belfast Golf Club (D4650) – Minute books relating to the Royal Belfast Golf Club, the oldest golf club in Ireland. Four additional volumes were received, 2 each for the men’s and lady’s branches of the club. We now have 8 volumes of minutes for the club, 1888-1922.

Islandreagh Beetling Mill (D4656) - Lorraine and Liam visited Islandreagh Dyeing and Finishing Company in Dunadry on Wednesday 21st February to appraise and bring back records. There were five or six sacks of binders with business records dating back to c.1930 as well as several boxes of records in the manager’s office. Three boxes of material were taken including sample thread book; an order book; a day book; a sales ledger; an account book and samples of correspondence demonstrating the international dealings of the company. C.1930-1992. Unfortunately earlier material for the mill was reportedly destroyed by the previous owner. The mill has probably been in operation since the late 18th century.


Church records digitisation:

The PRONI Reprographics Team has now completed digitisation and QA on 46 volumes for this year’s Church Records digitisation scheme. This is out of a total of 73 volumes it hopes to digitise this year, leaving up to 27 volumes to go. The original records will be returned to the participating churches and the digital copies made available in the PRONI search room later this year.


Volunteering:

PRONI is rolling out a pilot volunteering scheme for which 30 people submitted applications. The project will involve bringing in three volunteers for six months. Training will be included as part of the scheme. Projects will be based in Private Records, Reprographics and Public Services. In Private Records, it is hoped that the volunteer will contribute to work around indexing and cleaning documents from the Young and Mackenzie (architects) archive. The terms for volunteers being able to claim for expenses etc. were outlined. The volunteer in Public Service will be name indexing absentee voters.


Beyond 2022:

PRONI is particpating in the Beyond 2022 project, which is aiming to create a virtual repository of the Public Record Office (Four Courts, Dublin). The virtual repository layout has been created but not populated. The proposal is to create links to surrogate archives held elsewhere eg PRONI. Further details can be found on the Beyond 2022 website at https://beyond2022.ie.

(With thanks to Gavin and all at PRONI)

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Ulster Historical Foundation courses in 2018

From the Ulster Historicwww.ancestryireland.com):
al Foundation (

New Family History Course Dates in 2018

The Foundation will be running three more courses in 2018:

* Spring 2018: 30 April-04 May
* June 2018: 13-19 June
* November 2018: 05-09 November

The knowledge you gain from our family history courses will help you get to grips with research techniques, archives and genealogical sources in Ireland; provide you with the information and skills to further explore your family history and help you find your elusive Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors.

Our courses are ideal if you:

• Have no experience with genealogy or family history research
• Have some experience with genealogical research, but want to develop your skills and knowledge further
• Consider yourself a more experienced genealogical researcher who wants to learn new techniques and lesser known sources.

For more information and to register for one of our 2018 courses visit https://www.ancestryireland.com/irish-genealogy-essentials/book-now/

Pay in instalments

If you would like to participate in one of our family history courses and would like to pay in instalments, please contact: conleth.mullan@uhf.org.uk

If you choose to pay in instalments you will be expected to pay three instalments of £159.99 for non members and three instalments of £149.99 for guild members.

The higher price associated with paying in instalments is due to the extra fees the Foundation will incur

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

RootsIreland launches new newsletter

The RootsIreland platform at www.rootsireland.ie has launched a new free to access genealogy newsletter entitled Irish Genealogy Matters.

The four page newsletter notes the following records will be added over the coming months:

• Civil records from Co. Sligo;
• Civil and Church records from Co. Cavan;
• Seventeenth-century muster rolls (census substitute) for the counties of Ulster;
• Graveyard inscriptions from Dublin;
• Burial records from Co. Wicklow;
• Burial records from Co. Westmeath;
• Tithe book and census returns from Co. Limerick;
• Baptismal records from East Galway.

Amongst recent additions to the site is a first name variant search facility.

It would seem that the Ulster Historical Foundation will be supplying a searchable version of its 'Men at Arms' book to the RootsIreland platform, which notes the names of some 13,000 English and Scottish settlers in Ulster as recorded within muster rolls taken circa 1630.

Further details are available at the newsletter which is directly accessible at www.rootsireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Irish-Genealogy-Matters-Newsletter.pdf.

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.