Forthcoming PRONI talks and events - and volunteers needed!

Forthcoming events at PRONI (www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni):

Death in the North Channel: The Princess Victoria Disaster
31 January, 1-2pm
Stephen Cameron speaks on the mv Princess Victoria ferry which operated between Larne and Stranraer. She left Stranraer on 31 January and sailed into what has been called ‘The Great Storm of 1953’. The ship was lost and only 44 men survived the sinking. No women or children were saved.

Historic Environment Record of Northern Ireland (HERoNI) Lectures
- HERoNI lecture: Belfast Architecture of the 1930s
24 January, 1pm
Dr Tanja Poppelreuter, lecturer in the History and Theory of Architecture at the University of Salford, Manchester brings to attention the multi-faceted architecture of the 1930s.

- HERoNI lecture: Salt of the Earth
7 February, 1pm
Timandra Nichols, Second Warden, Salters’ Company will outline the 600-year old history of the Salters’ Company, a livery company in the City of London and 9th in order of precedence of the 110 livery companies.

Dreadful monsters and poor relations: the debate over Irish public finances​​​
6 February, 7pm
The Ulster Society for Irish Historical Studies invites you to a talk at PRONI by Prof Julian Hoppit, FBA, from University College London.

History of Milltown Cemetery​​
13 February, 1pm
Author, Tom Hartley will talk about the history of Milltown Cemetery, those who are buried there and the importance of symbolism.
Tom has written three comprehensive books on Belfast cemeteries.

Sir Samuel C Davidson and his amazing Sirocco Works​​​
20 February, 1pm
PRONI is pleased to welcome Eric Woods who will discuss the life and achievements of Sir Samuel Davidson, founder of the Sirocco Works.

Could you help us enhance access to our collections at PRONI?
We are currently looking for additional volunteers in conservation, our digital image library and enhancing our digital collections.
If you would like to get involved and help to safeguard our community heritage, find out more and how to apply below!
FIND OUT MORE at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/volunteering-proni

PRONI Workshops
Various dates

Getting Started
Various Dates, January - March, 11am-1pm
Introductory workshops for those interested in local and family history.

Online Resources
Various Dates, January - March,
11am-1pm & 7-9pm
Introduction to using online records for family and local history research.


To book a free ticket at any of PRONI's events, follow the links at www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/public-record-office-northern-ireland-proni/whats-proni

(With thanks to the PRONI Express)

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.

Paisley Poor Law indexes updated

Paisley Heritage Centre (www.renfrewshireleisure.com/heritage) has announced a significant update to its online Poor Law records indexes:

This important source of information for people researching their family history and Paisley and Renfrewshire’s social history is now much easier to search. The Heritage Centre has created an online version of the Paisley Poor Law Indexes to open up the collection to those with ancestors from this area.

We have recently completed indexing Series 14 of the Poor Law statements, which consists of an additional 100 volumes dating from 1930 to 1948. This adds approximately 15000 entries to our existing index.

To consult the index, visit https://libcat.renfrewshire.gov.uk/iguana/uploads/file/Website%20version%202019.pdf

(With thanks to the heritage centre)

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.

Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre Manager position advertised

A new post that may be of interest to the right candidate!

JOB DESCRIPTION: SCOTTISH JEWISH HERITAGE CENTRE MANAGER

Salary range £23,000 to £25,000, for 28 hours per week, depending on experience and qualifications. This is a permanent post.

Job purpose: The Heritage Centre Manager will take forward the launch of the Scottish
Jewish Heritage Centre (SJHC) including the Scottish Holocaust-era Study Centre and successfully establish the day-to-day running of the Centre and contribute to its ongoing development.

The SJHC is a partnership project by the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre (SJAC) and Garnethill Synagogue Preservation Trust (GSPT) designed to broaden and increase public access to the historic synagogue, to SJAC displays and to SJAC’s important Holocaust-era collections.

Location: The Heritage Centre Manager will be based in Garnethill Synagogue where an office is being created.

Employer: The Heritage Centre Manager will be employed by the SJHC, which will be managed by a SCIO set up by the project partners for this purpose. The SJHC line manager will be the chair of the SJHC SCIO. The SCIO will take on operational management following the launch of the SJHC.

In advance of the SCIO being in place, during the Delivery Phase, the Heritage Centre Manager will be recruited and employed by the project Working Group. In the initial stages the SJHC Manager will be line managed by the Delivery Phase Project Coordinator. In the initial stages the funding for the SJHC manager will be handled by SJAC Hon Treasurer who is managing the project funds.

Working hours: Working hours to be agreed are for 28 hours per week. Post holder working hours will exclude the Jewish Sabbath and Festivals, which will replace some statutory holidays. Post holder hours will include some Sundays and evenings which will be essential for the access of attendees at Weekend Events and Activities and other events and/or meetings.

For further details visit this link.

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.

PRONI - where everybody knows your name!

Having missed the PRONI user forum meeting last week due to the hectic general election the day before, I visited Belfast yesterday to do a bit of research at PRONI (www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni), which is rapidly competing with the bar from Cheers as the place to bump into folk!

I first bumped into Tunji Lees, who regular readers may remember flagged up the existence of the Scottish WW1 Pension Appeals Tribunal records at the National Records of Scotland a few years back, as catalogued under PT6, and which are now being indexed thanks to funding from the Wellcome Trust (see http://britishgenes.blogspot.com/2018/01/scottish-ww1-pensions-appeal-records.html). Tunji is carrying out a surname study of the Lees surname in the north, and was having a lot of fun with the records yesterday!

I also caught up with Martin McDowell from the North of Ireland Family History Society, who is currently working on a Ballycarry DNA project in County Antrim (see https://www.nifhs.org/dna/ballycarry-dna-project/), and putting together the talks strand for the next Back To Our Past event in Belfast next February.

The big find for me was discovering a map from 1859 of the northern part of Islandmagee in County Antrim, detailing the townlands there where my lot were based, and making me as happy as the proverbial whatsit...!

A final visit to the Christmas market was enough to recharge my batteries for a few more months.

Happy Christmas to all at PRONI!

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.

Irvine Burgh Archive Collection now available to consult

From North Ayrshire Council:

An additional 2000 records of historical importance have now been made available to the public for the first time at Irvine’s Townhouse after Ayrshire Archives launched the Irvine Burgh Archive Collection on Tuesday, October 24.

North Ayrshire Provost Ian Clarkson and Elected Members were among guests at the celebration event, where they heard more about one of the oldest and most complete Burgh archive collections in Scotland.

They also enjoyed an exhibition of archives dating from 1322 to 1975 from the collection, which included a rare opportunity to view the Irvine Charter of King Robert the Bruce, dated 1322, the Irvine Charter of King Robert II, dated 1372, and a Charter granted by Mary, Queen of Scots, from 1545.

Ayrshire Archives was established in 1996 to provide the archive service for North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire councils. Collections are located across Ayrshire, including at the Burns Monument Centre in Kilmarnock and Ayrshire Archives HQ at Auchincruive.

The archive service looks after and provides access to irreplaceable records of historical importance belonging to all three authorities and their predecessors, as well as private records that relate to the historical development of Ayrshire and Arran.

The collection can be used for research, learning and legal purposes, offering an insight into the history and development of families and individuals, communities, buildings and the physical environment, social and economic landscape and politics of the past.

Provost Ian Clarkson said: “What a truly fascinating collection of records we have at Irvine Townhouse. It was a treat to see these important Irvine Charter documents dating back to the 14th century.

“The Irvine Burgh Archive is a real treasure trove for anyone researching specific aspects of the town’s history, with trained staff able to help you along the way.

“Along with our Family History Service, which is also based at the venue, this is an extremely valuable resource for the people of North Ayrshire.”

For more information on how to trace your ancestors using North Ayrshire Council’s Family History service, click here.

Appointments to view the Irvine Burgh Archives are available at Irvine Townhouse on Thursdays between 9.30am and 1pm, then from 2pm to 4pm. To book, or for more information on Ayrshire Archives and collections relating to North Ayrshire, click here. You can also follow Ayrshire Archives on Facebook and Twitter

(Source: https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/Irvine-Burgh-Archive-Collection-is-launched-at-Townhouse.aspx)

COMMENT: for more on Ayrshire Archives's burgh records holdings visit https://ayrshirearchives.wordpress.com/the-catalogues/burgh-records/.

And very soon, I just might be able to do some look-ups for you -  all being well, I am moving to Irvine in a fortnight's time!

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.

Orkney witchcraft trial source books

Orkney Archive has uploaded a fascinating post on the records it holds concerning witchcraft trials in Orkney, including Sheriff Court records and other collections collated over the years.  The post is available to read at http://orkneyarchive.blogspot.com/2019/10/orkney-witchcraft-trial-source-books.html.

If interested in Scotland's dark history concerning witchcraft, don't forget to also visit The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft, "an electronic resource for the history of witchcraft and witch-hunting in Scotland" from the University of Edinburgh, available at http://www.shca.ed.ac.uk/Research/witches/.

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.

Forthcoming events at PRONI in Belfast

Forthcoming talks and events at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni):

History Teacher’s Association of NI: AGM
22 October, 6-8pm
The History Teacher’s Association welcomes all to sit in on their event. The guest speaker will be Dr Rosie Hickey from the Prison Memory Archive.

Cold War Heritage in Northern Ireland
24 October, 1pm
Dr James O’Neill will use archaeological examples to explore how the Cold War impacted on Northern Ireland during the 20th century.

Archives of Internment
24 October, 10am-1pm
PRONI would like to invite you to an event exploring the Prisons Memory Archive and PRONI’s other archives on internment.

Bank Buildings: The Story Behind the Façade
29 October, 1-2pm
Richard Graham navigates the history of one of Belfast’s most iconic sites, from the first building in 1797 until the last, which was engulfed by fire in August 2018.

A Haunting Halloween at PRONI
31 October, 6-7.30pm
Dr Andrew Sneddon, Lecturer at the University of Ulster, historian, and expert on the history of the supernatural in Ireland, will join PRONI to explore some of the spooky ghost stories from the archives.

Reflections on the Nineteenth-Century from the Beyond 2022 Project​
7 November, 7-8.30pm
A presentation will be given by Dr Peter Crooks on the virtual reality project which is recreating the Public Record Office of Ireland and its collections that were destroyed in 1922 during the Civil War.

Launch of Linenopolis Exhibition at PRONI​
8 November, 1-2pm
An exciting new exhibition launching at PRONI, celebrating Belfast's linen heritage. It explores the social history, lives of the workers. The Artists Wilma Kirkpatrick and Helen O'Hare will showcase a selection of embroidered linen samplers.

The Civil Rights Movement and the Role of the IRA​
13 November, 1-2pm
Journalist, author and broadcaster, Malachi O’Doherty will be giving a presentation looking at the change of the Civil Rights Movement in Northern Ireland over the past 50 years and will expand upon research from his book which will be available on the day.

Beyond the Centenaries: The First World War and its impact on Ireland​
14 November, 2-4.30pm
A conference and workshop chaired by Dr Timothy Bowman will be held at PRONI which will look at Ireland between 1912 and 1921 mainly focusing on the aftermath of the First World War.

Linenopolis: The Health & Welfare of Mill Workers​
21 November, 1-2pm
PRONI’s David Huddleston will examine the workhouse, asylum, school and mill records in PRONI to reveal the health and welfare of mill workers during the late 19th century.

Using WikiTree
27 November, 1pm
Anne Johnston will deliver an introduction to WikiTree, a free genealogy website that maintains over 17 million ancestral profiles which can be used to research your own family tree.

A Beginner’s Guide to Using DNA for Family History​
28 November, 1-2pm
DNA can now be used to track your family’s history even beyond paper records. Come down to PRONI and hear Martin McDowell give a talk about the usefulness of DNA for family history.

New Online Records at PRONI
29 November, 11am-3pm
This event will feature a series of presentations and demonstrations showcasing digitized records that will be made available online.
(See http://britishgenes.blogspot.com/2019/09/proni-to-release-new-digitised-records.html)


PRONI Workshops:
1) Getting Started
13 & 25 Nov, 16 Dec, 11am-1pm
Introductory workshops for those interested in local and family history.

2) Online Resources
26 November, 6 December, 11am-1pm
Introduction to using online records for family and local history research.

To book a seat at the above events visit https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/talks-and-events-proni

(With thanks to the latest PRONI Express)

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.

Possible merger for Denbighshire and Flintshire archives

Denbighshire County Archives (http://archives.denbighshire.gov.uk), currently based in the former gaol at Ruthin, may be forced to close and merge with Flintshire Archives (www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/LeisureAndTourism/Records-and-Archives/Home.aspx).

The suggested plan is to replace the facilities with a new centre at Mold next to Theatr Clwyd, at a cost of £16.6 million, and with work expected to commence in 2022. The proposals have not gone down too well with users of the facilities, with whom there appears to have been no consultation.

For more on the story visit www.deeside.com/denbighshire-county-archives-could-merge-with-flintshires-and-move-to-16m-building-in-mold and www.darrenmillaram.com/news/council-criticised-failing-consult-public-over-plans-close-denbighshire-archives.

(With thanks to Martin James via Twitter)

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.

PRONI to release new digitised records online

Just back from Belfast, where I attended the latest stakeholder meeting at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni) - and with some very exciting news!

For some time PRONI has been discussing making available through its online catalogue various digitised record sets. This already happens at the archive's search room in Belfast, where, for example, you can access various digitised church records collections (see https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Church%20Records%20Available%20as%20Digital%20Copies%20in%20PRONI_0.pdf)

The plan now is to try to make several collections available for users to access from home in time for Explore Your Archive Week, towards the end of November. The collections being made available will include:

ED/1 National Education Commisioners Grant Aid Application ( 1832-1889)
From the PRONI catalogue:
In September 1831, the Commissioners of National Education were established to administer a fund of 30,000 per annum placed at the disposal of the Lord Lieutenant for the education of the poor in Ireland. They were empowered to make grants to local schools on condition that part of the required sum was raised locally and in addition they supervised the work of the schools, supplied textbooks and trained teachers. This class of records which bears the PRONI reference number ED/1, consists of 33 volumes of applications made to the Commissioners for grants for building schools, payment of teachers, provision of textbooks, equipment etc. The applications were made on printed questionnaire forms (occasionally accompanied by correspondence), which were filed and bound together in date order and arranged county by county. They cover the period 1832-1889. ED/1/1 to ED1/28, are available on microfilm and bear the reference number MIC/548, Reels 1 to 52. The National Archives in Dublin hold a few unbound applications from Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh and Meath, as well as a volume of Rejected Applications from Ulster schools for the period 1868-72.

Tithe Applotment Books (Northern Ireland)
The books from the Republic are already available online at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp. This collection from PRONI will not be presented in the same way, in that they will not be keyword searchable, but instead must be browsed by the relevant townland or parish (much more preferable, in that when browsing you can pick up on things that a keyword search may miss). They will be presented as large scale PDF documents, via a 'View digital object' button on the catalogue entries. PRONI will be adding to its site a how-to user guide to explain how to work through the collections. 

(NB: It is hoped these will be ready in time for the main launch, but they admit they are working to a tight deadline - nevertheless, if not ready by November, they are imminent)

Photo collections - various collections will be made available, including some gems such as circus photos, historic images from the Steeple estate in Antrim, and material from the Northern Ireland Photographic Association (formed 1967).

Hansard Papers - from the Northern Irish Assembly

Other news:

340 documents have been added to the Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN) covering the years 1991-1992. Plans are in place to add further records for 1993-94 over the next year.

State papers form 1995 have now been added to the site's catalogue. (535 fully open, 172 partially redacted, with 45 still closed to access).

I'll blog about forthcoming events on a separate thread.

But hey - the tithe records are coming online soon!

(With thanks to all at PRONI)

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.

The Men Behind The Glass Exhibition at PRONI

Details of a talk and exhibition at PRONI (www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni) on Tuesday 20th August 2019:

The Men Behind The Glass Exhibition

PRONI is delighted to host a lunchtime talk on the Men Behind the Glass exhibition and project on 20 August, 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm.

PRONI will be hosting a travelling exhibition curated by Campbell College this summer. The exhibition features many former Campbellians including First World War participants such as Lieutenant Edmund De Wind VC. Subjects include, Pre-War Campbell, life at Campbell, Campbellians at War, Campbell’s Contribution and Commemorating. The exhibition will be on display from 19 August to 27 September.

(With thanks to Gavin McMahon)

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 Scottish Research Online course starts 2 September 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Construction of new learning spaces at TNA

From the National Archives (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk), in Kew, England:

We will shortly begin construction of two major new learning spaces within our first floor reading rooms.

One space will be located next to the library, while the other will occupy part of the existing document reading room here at Kew.

Caroline Ottaway-Searle, Director of Public Engagement at The National Archives, said ‘This project is part of our ongoing programme to re-imagine and reconfigure our site to become a more vibrant and welcoming environment, better equipped to deliver services and events for a wider range of visitors.

‘These new spaces will provide us with improved facilities for children, young people, students and learners of all ages to engage with and learn about our collection.’

Visitors may experience some disruption over the next few weeks as we carry out preparatory works, continuing as construction begins in the autumn. We will try to keep this to a minimum, but some disturbance is inevitable. The works are due to be completed by spring 2020.

Library users may experience some disruption to services from early August while the collection is re-arranged in preparation for the construction works.

Some books, journals and resources may be temporarily relocated but will remain available upon request. Other collections, such as the National Register of Archives paper lists, will be unavailable during this period although the register remains available to search through our catalogue Discovery.

More detailed updates on the affected collections will be available on our library page throughout the project.

In the document reading room, 72 seats (nine tables) will be temporarily removed, along with some camera stands. Almost 300 seats will remain available in this area.

Several phases of the programme have already been completed, including the redevelopment of the public restaurant and the creation of a large multi-purpose events space.

(Source: http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/news/new-learning-spaces-for-the-historians-of-tomorrow/ - with thanks to Simon Fowler)

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.

Northern Ireland's national archive PRONI - in glorious 3D!

This is a bit of fun - a 360 degree tour of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) produced by young filmmakers during the Summer VR Filmmaking Programme in 2019.

Click and drag on the image with your mouse as it is playing and you should be able to move around the environment as it plays. The video is embedded here and can also be found at https://youtu.be/xNIofUEegTk.

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.

Shock as National Records of Scotland BMD registers damaged by flooding

This is the tragedy that should not have happened. Birth, marriage and death records at the National Records of Scotland have been damaged by flooding last week, as heavy rain leaked through the New Register House dome. You can read the shocking story at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-49164095 and at https://www.scotsman.com/news/leaking-dome-at-national-records-of-scotland-causes-massive-damage-to-precious-historical-documents-1-4973084.

I have long argued that the NRS building in Edinburgh is not fit for purpose. It might look pretty, but I'm not looking for pretty, I'm looking for functional, and many records are not held on-site. A 19th century building has many shortcomings in the 21st century. You can read my take on this at http://britishgenes.blogspot.com/2014/11/more-on-national-records-of-scotland.html, from a blog post in 2014, when the NRS announced its Estates Review.

The subsequent findings of that review were announced in 2015, which I again blogged about at http://britishgenes.blogspot.com/2015/01/national-records-of-scotland-estates.html. At this point, I was advised of the following:

"Our long-term aspiration is to co-locate the majority of our staff in a fit-for-purpose facility in Edinburgh, and to expand and improve our archive and public facilities at Thomas Thomson House in the west of the city. Although there are no immediate plans for NRS to move out of General Register House or New Register House, these buildings do not feature in our core estate over the long-term. This intention remains subject to a number of challenges and constraints, not least funding, and at this stage this is our preferred direction of travel over the long-term, not a hard and fast commitment."

It is now imperative that this programme is accelerated.

One final point - the BBC story states the following:

"They (the NRS) said there was no loss of information as all records were digitised.

"The records office said a team of volunteers was on standby in case flooding occurred in future."

First, the records are all digitised - but it is also the case that records which have been poorly digitised can be rephotographed from the original registers. In other words, whilst they have all been previously digitised, some of that work was not up to par, and I have personally asked on trips to ScotlandsPeople centres to have records rescanned for consideration later in the day. I have absolutely no idea whether this service now remains an option, or how extensive the damage was.

As for the second point - I would sincerely hope that records are now not in a place where they might be potentially damaged again.

I look forward to the day when Scotland has a modern purpose built national archive repository on a par with Northern Ireland's PRONI and England's National Archives.

(Image courtesy of Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Matheson_(architect)) 

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.

National Records of Scotland head interviewed in Broadsheet

The latest issue of Broadsheet (49) carries an interview with the new Chief Executive of the National Records of Scotland, Paul Lowe, and Laura Mitchell, Deputy Keeper of the Records of Scotland.

Amongst othjer articles there is also an indepth piece reflecting on the commemorations of the Iolaire disaster of 1919 by Seonaid McDonald, archivist at Tasglann nan Eilean, and a focus on thirty years of work by the Ballast Trust in preserving business and technical records.

Broadsheet is freely accessible at https://www.scottisharchives.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Broadsheet-49.pdf

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.

Peterloo Massacre event at the UK's National Archives

The National Archives in England (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) is hosting an event on August 16th to commemorate the bicentenary of the Peterloo Massacre in Manchester in 1819. The following is the description:

On 16 August 1819, 60,000 peaceful pro-democracy protestors gathered in Manchester. They were charged by cavalry, leaving at least 15 dead. This event became known as the Peterloo Massacre.

200 years on, our experts will examine Peterloo’s impact on the parliamentary reform movements; on the use of the military to maintain civil power; and ask what bearing the massacre had on the way we think today about the history of democracy. Footage from Mike Leigh’s acclaimed Peterloo, and original testimonies, will provide context.

Speakers include Jacqueline Riding, historian for Mike Leigh’s film Peterloo, and George Hay, records specialist at The National Archives.

For further details, and to book, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-peterloo-massacre-at-200-tickets-62581158931.

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.

Highland Archive Centre 10th Anniversary

From Highland Archive (https://www.highlifehighland.com/highland-archive-centre/):

Highland Archive Centre 10th Anniversary

2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the Highland Archive Centre and we will be holding an event on 23rd November to mark this (details to follow in our next full newsletter!).

In the run up to the event we would like to gather a collection of words that people associate with archives, heritage, family history, genealogy, and all things related! We are asking our social media followers, searchroom users, depositors, event attendees, staff and other archive professionals to contribute words which will then form part of a piece of artwork.

For some people archives provide reliable historical information which enables them to carry out their job, for others they provide a way of educating and inspiring young people about our past, present and future. Some use archives to reminisce about places and people and others use them to discover their roots. If you have any words which sum up archives, family history or the Highland Archive Centre for you, please let us know using any of the means listed below. We're excited to hear all the different things that people come up with - we know how much archives matter to so many people.

Postal Address: The Highland Archive Centre, Bught Road, Inverness, IV3 5SS
Email: archives@highlifehighland.com
Telephone: 01349781130
Facebook: @highlandarchives
Twitter: @hlharchives

(With thanks to Highland Archive)

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.

Genealogy and the Use of Online Resources

I've discovered that an article I wrote for the journal Scottish Archives in 2012, entitled Genealogy and the Use of Online Resources, is hosted online at https://www.scottishrecordsassociation.org/Scottish%20Archives%2018.web.2%20Paton.pdf.

Although some parts are now dated (Addressing History sadly no longer exists online, and the NRS is now wifi enabled!), it might still be of interest, as I suspect that the immortal battle between the merits of both online and ofline access to records is one that will continue until Armageddon!

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.

Irish Workhouse Drawings online, and Tipperary workhouses booklet published

Thanks to Peter Higginbotham via Twitter (@Workhouses) for the news that the Irish Workhouse Drawings Collection, from University College Dublin and the Irish Architectural Archive (iarc.ie), is now online at http://digital.ucd.ie/view/ucdlib:260452. The following is the abstract from the page describing the collection:

The Workhouse Drawings collection contains a representative sample of drawings, plans, and documents drawn from the Irish Architectural Archive's Workhouse Collection. The Workhouse Collection (reference 85/138) in the Irish Architectural Archive includes surviving drawings for workhouses built in Ireland to provide relief for the poor. Built between 1839 and 1847, the workhouses were designed in a Tudor domestic idiom by architect George Wilkinson. Occasionally drawings are accompanied by other documents including the standard printed specification or, more rarely, items of correspondence. Many are in extremely poor condition and their extreme fragility precludes public access. This online collection provides access to drawings and documents relating to the Mallow, Castleblayney, Lismore, and Gorey workhouses. The drawings for Mallow Workhouse may be considered a representative set of the surviving drawings for the Tudor style workhouses built by Wilkinson. The majority of the drawings were produced mechanically (engraved and printed). The inclusion of drawings from Castleblayney, Lismore, and Gorey, in addition to those of Mallow, ensures that this online collection includes samples of each printed drawing.

Also on workhouses, the Irish Workhouse Centre (http://irishworkhousecentre.ie) is hosting a talk in Nenagh Library, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary on the subject of The Workhouses of County Tipperary to promote a new booklet by Steve Doolan for Irish Heritage Week on Tipperary's twelve workhouses.

Further details are available at https://www.heritageweek.ie/whats-on/event/the-workhouses-of-county-tipperary.

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.

NRS is working on a Gaelic Language Plan

In 2017 the Scottish Government published its Gaelic Language Plan for 2016-2021 (https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-gaelic-language-plan-2016-2021/), as part of efforts with Bòrd na Gàidhlig to help restore Gaelic speaking in Scotland to the levels recorded in the 2001 census (it having fallen in 2011).

In the section entitled Implementation of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, it notes the following sections:

Gaelic Language Plans

Bòrd na Gàidhlig may request a public authority to produce a Gaelic Language Plan. A list of Gaelic Language Plans produced to date may be viewed at http://gaeliclanguageplansscotland.org.uk/. Public bodies which carry out functions on the Scottish Government's behalf and have not yet been asked to produce a Gaelic Language Plan may refer to this plan and the national Gaelic language plan for an indication of an appropriate level of Gaelic language commitments to implement, particularly in relation to branding.

Other sector-specific bodies

A wide range of other agencies and NDPBs carry out functions on behalf of the Scottish Government, and through their activities are likely to enhance the status of Gaelic. Creative Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, National Records of Scotland, and others are all involved in promoting and supporting the Gaelic language in a variety of ways.

In working on my next book yesterday, I noticed that the National Library of Scotland (www.nls.uk) and Historic Environment Scotland (www.historicenvironment.scot) have a visible Gaelic profile on their home pages, noting their agencies' names bilingually, but that the National Records of Scotland does not. The NLS has a Gaelic Language Plan (see https://www.nls.uk/news/archive/2018/02/draft-gaelic-language-plan-2018-2023), as does Historic Environment Scotland (https://www.historicenvironment.scot/archives-and-research/publications/publication/?publicationId=6100001d-485b-4d0e-90ea-a94900a2db24), but I was unable to find one for the NRS.

I therefore queried this on Twitter, and have just received the following response from the archive:

Hi Chris: NRS is working with stakeholders to develop a Gaelic language plan, in tandem with our work to prepare for Scotland’s Census 2021. Ross

It's good to see that the NRS is not ignoring this. For some folk, it won't make a difference if we see a bit of rebranding to include Gaelic on the site, and the NRS does already include some Gaelic on correspondence that it sends, but a Gaelic Language Plan is certainly something that is needed to promote the language's use in other ways. 

For those who have Gaelic as a working language in their daily lives, and for those of us who are learning (some of us for twenty years or more!), it is important to see such small measures in helping to recognise and promote our heritage and to help promote equality for a language so important to Scotland's history and psyche.

Suas Leis a' Ghàidhlig, agus cum Gàidhlig beo!

(With thanks to the NRS)

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.

National Archives of Ireland repository redevelopment by 2040

From the Irish Government:

National Archives’ major €22 million Project Ireland 2040 Repository Redevelopment now underway

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan TD today announced that the first phase of enabling works to prepare for the National Archives’ major new Project Ireland 2040 Repository Redevelopment is completed, with much of the State’s papers and documents being moved to temporary storage in order to facilitate the preliminary site works. The project is intended to deliver new purpose-built storage facilities at the National Archives premises in Bishop Street, Dublin 8 and will build-in the potential to develop and construct additional storage in the future. It is funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under Project Ireland 2040.

Did you know?

Over 70,000 boxes of records have been transferred off-site temporarily during the repository redevelopment project while the majority of our records continue to be accessible to the public
This equates to
1,500 pallets
60 articulated lorry loads
Over 2m records
Once completed the Archive Repository will have the capacity to store 250,000 boxes of records

The Minister also complimented the National Archives’ new website (www.nationalarchives.ie) which provides easy online access to services provided by the National Archives to both government and the public, all over the world. Video technology has been incorporated into the new site to facilitate a behind the scenes look at some of the projects currently being undertaken in the National Archives, such as the conservation of archives salvaged from the Public Record Office fire in 1922.

Microsites highlighting the abundant genealogy collections and contributions by the National Archives to the Decade of Centenaries can now be accessed from the new homepage, enabling easier online pathways and showcasing the variety and richness of its records which are available to the public.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Madigan said: “I am delighted to be here in the National Archives to view first-hand the exciting new developments both on-site and online and I look forward to accessing the rich range of records and information at www.nationalarchives.ie”.

(Source: https://www.chg.gov.ie/national-archives-major-e22-million-project-ireland-2040-repository-redevelopment-now-underway/)

The department has a short video accompanying its announcement on its Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/i/status/1141677616694517760


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.