MyHeritage Live 2019’s schedule announced

From MyHeritage (www.myheritage.com):

MyHeritage Live 2019’s Schedule: Genealogy, DNA, and So Much More

We are excited to announce the schedule for MyHeritage Live 2019 — our second annual international user conference that will take place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, September 6 – 8, 2019. Offering an exceptional mix of engaging lectures and workshops on the latest in genealogy, DNA and MyHeritage features, participants are sure to have a fantastic weekend and go home with some new skills to enrich their family history research.

Three Conference Tracks

At the heart of MyHeritage Live 2019 is a jam-packed schedule centered with three different tracks for participants to choose from: a genealogy track, a DNA track, and track dedicated to hands-on workshops. Lecturers will include world-renowned experts in the fields of genealogy and DNA, as well as presentations by senior MyHeritage staff members. Hands-on workshops will offer unique opportunities to discover MyHeritage tools and features. The tracks will run simultaneously and participants can pick and choose their favorites from each of the three.
Attendees have multiple options of lecture choices per time slot

The lectures and workshops will be led by an incredible lineup of international speakers, MyHeritage staff, and local experts including MyHeritage Founder & CEO Gilad Japhet, Chief Science Officer Prof. Yaniv Erlich, Blaine Bettinger (The Genetic Genealogist), Yvette Hoitink (Dutch Genealogy), Diahan Southard (Your DNA Guide), Roberta Estes (DNA eXplained), Leah Larkin (The DNA Geek) and more.

The genealogy track includes world-class lectures taught by industry experts and top MyHeritage staff. Topics include ways to maximize your research with MyHeritage record collections, uncover immigration stories, best utilize MyHeritage matching technologies, get overviews of major MyHeritage historical collections, and learn top insider genealogy tips.

In the DNA track, you’ll discover MyHeritage’s latest exciting features — Theory of Family Relativity and Autoclusters. Explore the Autoclusters feature in a session given by their actual creator. Learn how to use your DNA results to uncover your ancestors’ stories. Discover the future of DNA testing and advancements in the field of genetic genealogy with top experts in the field, such as MyHeritage’s Chief Science Officer, Yaniv Erlich.

The hands-on workshops run by top MyHeritage staff will take you through the top MyHeritage tools and features step-by-step and teach you how to use them to maximize your family history discoveries.

The speaker schedule is available at https://live2019.myheritage.com (scroll to bottom)

Meet us in Amsterdam

The conference lectures and workshops offer unparalleled opportunities to expand your knowledge of MyHeritage and learn more about researching your family history. Participants will still have ample opportunities to mingle with hundreds of genealogists and MyHeritage users from all over the globe as well as enjoy world-class performances and entertainment.

Amsterdam is a city brimming with life and a rich history. Not to be missed are the city’s vast archive collections, museums, and beautiful canals and architecture. Don’t miss out on what is sure to be an unforgettable experience!

To register and receive an early bird discount visit https://live2019.myheritage.com

(With thanks to Daniel Horowitz - original announcement at https://blog.myheritage.com/2019/06/myheritage-live-2019s-schedule-genealogy-dna-and-so-much-more/)

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.

SAFHS 2016 conference at New Lanark

From Lanarkshire Family History Society (www.lanarkshirefhs.org.uk):

SAFHS 2016 AT NEW LANARK

The Scottish Association of Family History Societies will hold its 2016 Annual Conference and Family History Fair at New Lanark on Saturday 23rd April. The event is being hosted in the World Heritage Site village by Lanarkshire Family History Society.

The theme is “Heritage Along the Clyde”, and there will be four keynote speakers, as well as exhibitors from throughout Scotland and further afield. Family history societies from all parts of Scotland will attend, as well as major online genealogy companies FindMyPast and FamilySearch. Other exhibitors include the Scottish Genealogy Society, Guild of One-Name Studies, Scottish Monumental Inscriptions and the University of Strathclyde’s Genealogical Studies Postgraduate Programme.

FamilySearch and ASGRA (the Association of Scottish Genealogists and Researchers in Archives) will offer free one-to-one help and advice to anyone trying to overcome a family history “brick wall”, or needing advice on starting out on their research.

Jane Masters, Heritage Manager at New Lanark, will open the event with a talk on New Lanark Mill Village and its People; Dr Irene O’Brien, City Archivist for Glasgow will outline the Mitchell Library’s holdings on Shipbuilding and other industries on the River Clyde. After lunch, Emma Maxwell of Scottish Indexes will advise on Understanding Our Ancestors - A Look at Prison Registers and Mental Health Records; and the day will be rounded off by Dr Stephen Mullan who will speak about Runaway Slaves in Britain: Bondage, Race and Freedom in the 18th Century.

Entry to the four talks costs £16, or £20 with a buffet lunch; entry to the family history fair is free. Throughout the day, a free shuttle bus will run between the New Lanark car park and the village. The event is open between 9.30am and 4.45pm. Up to date information is available on the dedicated website at http://safhs2016.weebly.com/ where bookings can also be made.

COMMENT: Unfortunately I'll be overseas and will miss this, but with such a great venue, and with a great talks programme, this definitely looks like one not to miss!

(With thanks to Liz Irving)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Genealogy in the Sunshine - Days 2 and 3 report

Days 2 and 3 have now just about passed on the Lost Cousins (www.lostcousins.com) Genealogy in the Conference programme in Portugal - well, almost passed, the speakers are doing some one to ones on advice later this afternoon!

Yesterday, the Society of Genealogists resident gene genie Else Churchill kicked off with a talk about additional family history resources that can be consulted beyond the parish registers, followed by myself with a talk on the history of the Scottish Kirk, its schisms, and how to find various records - particularly for those of dissenting or nonconformist traditions. The big event of the day however was unquestionably Vancouver based Donald Davis' talk on the 1841 census, which not only discussed how the enumeration process was established for England and Wales (and Scotland), but which also included examples of original household schedules that he has recently discovered in Shropshire Archives for that census in Ludlow. It was a magic tour de force on a thoroughly well researched subject, and one which also alerted us all to the growing possibility, and perhaps likelihood, of such further discoveries coming to light elsewhere, as detailed cataloguing of resources continues across the country's vast array of archives. Truly one of the best genie lectures I think I have ever attended.

I later thanked Donald as I recounted how I had recently had a lengthy discussion with an academic genealogist who claims the censuses that we access to be primary sources, when they clearly are not, as enumerators' returns are copies of the data as extracted from the household schedules. What was truly shocking to discover from Donald's lecture is just how different the published 1841 census returns can be from the primary source - in the examples he gave, we actually saw family relationships recorded, correct ages recorded before being rounded down by the enumerator in the published return, and a truly lengthy list of occupations - as indicated by the householder himself/herself (apparently the only census where they had free reign to describe what they did themselves) which were later standardised in the enumerator's records to fit pre-determined categories. It was almost night and day between the household schedule and the enumerator's return, to the point that two people were in fact listed on one household schedule, and their names then crossed out - and those names did not subsequently make it to the extracted return.

In the evening, there was an opportunity for several delegates to cook for each other and to have a 'safari supper' in small groups, though as I am already in a group of four with my family, I bowed out from that one - sounds like a good time was had by some of the delegates who did participate! Instead, we went for a trip to a nearby town called Caroveiro, and had a few drinks by the beach and a bit of exploration away from the touristy bit, in some of the back streets!

Today I kicked off the proceedings with a discussion on Scottish civil registration records, and after this, and after a bit of a technical hitch (my computer became possessed by demonic forces for a short while), Debbie Kennett then gave an introductory talk on Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA testing. The SoG's John Hanson then took up the reins and finished with a talk on one name studies and one place studies. Later this afternoon we are having a scheduled experts advice area, then this evening an informal get together at a local bar in the resort.

So far the Genealogy in the Sunshine event has been working an absolute treat, with a small but dedicated crowd, a range of interests - oh, and some sun!!!!

Chris

Time to find your inner Irish...! All the best online Irish genealogy resources can be found through my book Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet - in print and ebook formats. "Very useful, makes me wish I was Irish!" - Saint Patrick, patron saint.

FIBIS weekend conference

The Families in British India Society (www.fibis.org) will be hosting a weekend conference at the Best Western Manor Hotel, Meriden, Warwickshire from May 16th-18th 2014.

Amongst a range of activities will be discussion groups, a presentation of the new FindmyPast India Office records collection, genealogy help and advice surgeries, workshops, and several talks from speakers inclusing Charles Allen, Peter Bailey, Gill Blanchard, Anne de Courcy, John Keay, Sylvia Murphy, Jayne Shrimpton, Hedley Sutton, Philip Geddes and Michael Gandy.

The full programme, and details on how to sign up, is accessible at www.conference2014.fibis.org.

Chris

My latest genealogy books are Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records, and Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet. My next Pharos course is Scottish Research Online, which commences Feb 27th 2014, 5 weeks, price £45.99.

SAFHS conference in 2015 to be in Stirling

An early notice that the 26th conference of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies (www.safhs.org.uk) is to be held in Stirling on April 25th 2015, at Allan Park South Church. It is being hosted by Central Scotland Family History Society (www.csfhs.org.uk).

The 25th annual conference will be held next year in Dunfermline, Fife, on April 26th - for further details see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/safhs-2014-conference-update.html.

(With thanks to Chris Halliday via the SGN LinkedIn group)

Chris

My latest book, Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records, is now available from http://www.gould.com.au (print) and http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html (ebook), whilst Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet is available at http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-History-on-the-Internet/p/3889/.

SLHF Conference: Trades and Crafts in Scotland, Medieval to Modern

The Scottish Local History Forum's next conference is entitled The Butcher, the Baker and the Candlemaker: Trades and Crafts in Scotland, Medieval to Modern. It runs on Thursday 31 October 2013 at Glasgow Trades Hall - for further details, including details on speakers, visit http://www.slhf.org.

Chris

My latest book, Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records, is now available from http://www.gould.com.au (print) and http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html (ebook), whilst Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet is available at http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-History-on-the-Internet/p/3889/. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs, starts Nov 13th - see http://pharostutors.com.

Who Do You Think You Are Live talks 2014

I'm delighted to announce that I will be returning to speak at the Who Do You Think You Are Live event in from February 20th-22nd 2014, as part of the Society of Genealogists' programme of talks, with the following topics:

Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records
Thursday Feb 20 2014
WDYTYA?Theatre/SoG 1
14.45-15.30

Scottish civil registration commenced in 1855 following the creation of the General Record Office for Scotland, some seventeen and half years after England and Wales. But since its creation Scottish statutory records have been compiled under the authority of Scots Law, with many major differences between how things were done north of the border compared to the south – not least within the area of marriage. In this talk genealogist Chris Paton examines the history of Scottish civil registration, and the differences between Scots records and those of the rest of the United Kingdom.


British Civilian Prisoners of War in First World War Germany
Friday Feb 21 2014
SoG 4 / First World War Ancestors
16.15-17.00

In 2014 Britain commemorates the one hundredth anniversary of the First World War, and the sacrifices of those who served and ultimately gave their lives in the war to end all wars. But the war did not just have military victims, with 2014 also the centenary anniversary of the internment of over 5500 British and British Empire civilians at the Ruhleben Prisoner of War camp near Berlin. As bloody hell erupted around them, their only crime was to be in the wrong place in Europe at the wrong time when war was declared against Germany. Chris Paton tells their story.

Look forward to hopefully seeing a few of you there!

Chris

My latest book, Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records, is now available from http://www.gould.com.au (print) and http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html (ebook), whilst Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet is available at http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-History-on-the-Internet/p/3889/. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs, starts Nov 13th - see http://pharostutors.com.

Scottish Genealogy Society - 60th anniversary conference

I'll be participating at the Scottish Genealogy Society's anniversary conference next Saturday - the following is an outline of what to expect on the day, with details on how to book tickets.

Scottish Genealogy Society 60th Anniversary Conference
5 October 2013
“Scots on the Move”
Tracing records of our Scottish ancestors who emigrated

The Scottish Genealogy Society will be holding a special family history conference to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Society. The theme of the Conference will be “Scots on the move - tracing records of our Scottish ancestors who emigrated”.

The all-day Conference will be held at the Augustine United Church on George IV Bridge, Edinburgh and will feature talks by Ken Nisbet on Australasia, Chris Paton on Ireland, Eric Graham on Crossing the Atlantic before steam and Naomi Tarrant on English records. Delegates will also have an opportunity to consult specialists on other aspects of family history - such as military and maritime records, OPRs, censuses, land records, European sources etc.

The cost of the Conference will be £15 per delegate. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Bookings forms available on our website: www.scotsgenealogy.com; by email to enquiries@scotsgenealogy.com, by telephone on 0131 220 3677, by post or in person at the Society’s Family History Centre at 15 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL

Chris

My latest book, Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records, is now available from http://www.gould.com.au (print) and http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html (ebook), whilst Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet is available at http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-History-on-the-Internet/p/3889/. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs, starts Nov 13th - see http://pharostutors.com.

Unlock the Past's 2014 British Isles cruise now taking bookings

Further to my post last week (http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/unlock-past-british-isles-discovery.html) on the 5th genealogy cruise from Unlock the Past, which will be sailing around Britain and Ireland and also paying a quick visit to the Channel Islands and France, the company has now announced that booking for the voyage is now open. The cost is £1199 per person ($AU2067) twin share room (further prices are at http://www.unlockthepastcruises.com/5th-cruise-pricing-booking/).

For further details, visit Alona Tester's post on the Gould Genealogy blog at http://www.gouldgenealogy.com/2013/09/5th-unlock-the-past-cruise-is-open-for-booking/

(With thanks to Alona)

Chris

My latest book, Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records, is now available from http://www.gould.com.au (print) and http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html (ebook), whilst Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet is available at http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-History-on-the-Internet/p/3889/. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs, starts Nov 13th - see http://pharostutors.com.

PRONI witchcraft conference for Halloween

From PRONI (www.proni.gov.uk) in Belfast:

31st October 2013

To mark the publication of Dr Andrew Sneddon’s new book Possessed by the Devil: The Real History of the Islandmagee Witches & Ireland's Only Witchcraft Mass Trial (History Press Ireland, 2013) PRONI will be hosting an evening conference looking at various aspects of belief in the supernatural in Ireland before the Twentieth Century.

Programme
5.30 to 6.00 pm Refreshments

6.00 to 7.30 pm Conference

Cara Hanley (University of Ulster) ‘Portrayals of Witchcraft, Gender and Sexuality in Early Modern Imagery’

John Fulton (University of Ulster) ‘Mary Butters: the Carnmoney Witch, 1807-8’

Jodie Shevlin (University of Ulster) ‘Demonic Possession, Exorcism and the Roman Catholic Clergy in the Pre-famine Period’

Andrew Sneddon (University of Ulster) ‘Writing the History of Witchcraft and Magic in Ireland’

Speakers
A history lecturer at the University of Ulster, Dr Andrew Sneddon’s first book, Witchcraft and Whigs: the Life of Bishop Francis Hutchinson, 1660-1739, was published in 2008, while, Possessed by the Devil: The History of the Islandmagee Witches & Ireland's Only Witchcraft Mass Trial was published in 2013 by the History Press. He is currently writing a book for Palgrave Macmillan on Witchcraft and Magic in Ireland over the last 400 years.

John Fulton (University of Ulster) is currently pursuing a PhD in history with a thesis exploring attitudes to the supernatural in Enlightenment Ireland.

Cara Hanley’s (University of Ulster) doctoral research explores the cultural representations of witchcraft in eighteenth and nineteenth century England.

Jodie Shevlin (University of Ulster) is undertaking a PhD exploring popular and elite attitudes to ghosts, fairies and demonic possession within nineteenth-century, Irish Catholicism.

Please contact PRONI at proni@dcalni.gov.uk to book your place.
WHEN: 31st October 2013
WHERE: PRONI
HOW MUCH?: Admission is FREE but booking is essential


COMMENT: I would love to go to this - I have recently found that I have family from Islandmagee and have only recently been chasing up on the peninsula's history  (I've ordered a history book about the area 2 days ago!).     Not sure what this is in my throat that is making me *cough* just now, ahem *cough* sorry about this folks, possibly a fur ball... **PRONI's YouTube channel**... ahem... ahh, cleared it now! There are so many good events happening these days, it would be good to try to get a few more of them back onto PRONI's YouTube again for those who are slightly geographically challenged like myself!!! (End of hint/plea!)

(With thanks to Gavin McMahon!)

Chris

My wife Claire is planning to swim from the Scottish island of Cumbrae to the town of Largs on September 14th to raise money for local charity Gillian's Saltire Appeal, providing respite for families affected by cancer (Claire's mum and sister in Ireland have previously come through cancer, whilst my mum, based in England, currently has bladder cancer). Her Just Giving sponsorship page, with further details, is at http://www.justgiving.com/Claire-Paton1. If you can help to sponsor her, even by a wee amount, we'd be very grateful - many thanks!

Digital Past conference announced for Llandudno in 2014

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales has announced a 2 day conference, Digital Past, which will showcase "innovative digital technologies for data capture, interpretation and dissemination of heritage sites and artefacts".

The event is planned for February 12th-13th 2014 at St George’s Hotel, The Promenade, Llandudno. Further details are available at www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Our+Services/Outreach+/

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My Scottish land and church records ebooks are available at http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html, whilst my next Pharos Scottish course, Scottish Research Online, starts Sep 4th - see http://pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

FIBIS 2014 conference - provisional programme

The Families in British India Society, aka FIBIS, has announced a provisional programme for its three day conference from Friday May 14th - Sunday May 16th 2014.

The full programme is accessible at www.new.fibis.org/archives/972.

(With thanks to @fibiswebmaster)

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My Scottish land and church records ebooks are available at http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html, whilst my next Pharos Scottish course, Scottish Research Online, starts Sep 4th - see http://pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

Plantation Families talks event in Belfast

From PRONI in Belfast (www.proni.gov.uk):

“Plantation Families – People, Records and Resources”
A Family and Local History Event on the Plantation of Ulster

Friday 27th September – Public Record Office of Northern Ireland

This event is aimed at anyone interested in the Ulster Plantation of the early seventeenth century, a period of critical importance in the shaping of modern Ulster and Ireland. The event will be held on consecutive days, in Belfast (PRONI – Friday 27th September) and then in Derry-Londonderry (Saturday 28th September).

The presentations in PRONI will focus on the Plantation in Belfast and east Ulster. The event will be chaired by Dr Sam Burnside and a host of renowned experts on the Plantation will speak at this one-off event, held in tribute to the life and work of R.J. (Bob) Hunter.

When: Friday 27th September, 9.30am – 4pm
Where: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Belfast – www.proni.gov.uk

The event is free to attend and light refreshments and lunch will be provided on both days.

Registration is essential - to register please contact Tim Smyth at the Ulster Historical Foundation on 02890 661988 or enquiry@uhf.org.uk

For more info please see the event flyer - http://www.therjhuntercollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Hunter-event-flyer.pdf

(With thanks to Gavin McMahon)

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My Scottish land and church records ebooks are available at http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html, whilst my next Pharos Scottish course, Scottish Research Online, starts Sep 4th - see http://pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

SAFHS 25th anniversary conference

The Scottish Association of Family History Societies (SAFHS) has announced details for its 25th anniversary conference in Dunfermline, 2014, entitled A Matter of Life and Death.

For more information visit http://safhs.org.uk/silver.asp

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My Scottish land and church records ebooks are available at http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html, whilst my next Pharos Scottish course, Scottish Research Online, starts Sep 4th - see http://pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

SAFHS 2013 Conference in Galashiels

Saturday week sees the SAFHS Conference in Galashiels. I'll sadly not be able to make it this year, as my mad cousin Aly from Australia will be staying with us in Largs for a few days, but it looks another great programme. Here's the blurb from the SAFHS website (http://safhs.org.uk/conference.asp):

SAFHS Conference 2013

The 24th Annual Conference of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies will be hosted by Borders Family History Society, and will be held within the Scottish Borders Campus, Nether Road, Galashiels, TD1 3HE, Scotland from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 11th May, 2013 - click here for a map showing the conference location.

The theme for the conference is Comings and Goings, Migration and Scotland.

Talks include:

• Scotland and Migration by Ian Wotherspoon
• Droving and Drove Roads in Northumberland by Dr Ian Roberts
• Emigration & Immigration Records on the Internet by Ken Nisbet
• Exploring the Buccleuch Archives by Andrew Armstrong
• Border Shepherds in Caithness by Jennifer Bruce
• Migration Stories at the National Portrait Gallery by Sheila Asante

The provisional programme and online booking for the 2013 SAFHS Conference is now online at www.bordersfhs.org.uk/BFHSConference.asp.

Delegate bookings online for the SAFHS Conference will close on 6th May. Please don't be disappointed, book online (www.bordersfhs.org.uk/BFHSConferenceBooking1.asp) today!

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers, starts May 15th - see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/scotland-1750-1850-beyond-oprs-starts.html. Time to smash a few brick walls...!

Kilkenny Conference - Emigration Through the Centuries

Kilkenny Archaeological Society is hosting a conference at Rothe House and Garden, Kilkenny, from Tuesday 2nd to Thursday 4th April. The programme is entitled Emigration Through the Centuries.

For details on the programme and on how to register visit http://rothehouse.com/2013/01/15/the-gathering-ireland-at-rothe-house-garden/.

(With thanks to the Tourism Ireland stand at WDYTYA Live!)

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit  http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.

Family History Conference in Essex

A forthcoming conference from the Essex Society for Family History I was asked to plug a week ago (sorry for delay Heather!):

Family History Weekend Conference: Dig for the Past, Look to the Future

Celebrating 40 years of the Essex Society and our Federation

Holiday Inn, Basildon. Friday to Sunday 29-31 August 2014

• Talks to help with your research
• make new friends and meet old ones
• Accessible venue under one roof

Please register your interest at events@esfh.org.uk or phone Heather on 01702 522992
Watch www.esfh.org.uk for details

(With thanks to Heather Feather)

Chris

Pre-order my new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, through Pen and Sword (30 April 2013), or purchase early at Who Do You Think You Are Live 2013 in London. For my other genealogy books, please visit  http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.

SAFHS 25th anniversary conference - A Matter of Life and Death

The Scottish Association of Family History Societies has announced that its 25th anniversary conference - entitled A Matter of Life and Death - is to be held on April 26th 2014 at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline. The full talks programme will be announced later in the year.

Meanwhile, the 24th conference, being organised by Borders FHS, is to take place in Galashiels on Saturday 11th May 2013.

Full details for both events can be found at http://safhs.org.uk/conference.asp.

Chris

Pre-order my new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, through Pen and Sword (30 April 2013), or purchase early at Who Do You Think You Are Live 2013 in London. For my other genealogy books, please visit  http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.

Halsted Trust's genealogy conference on British migration

From the Halsted Trust, more detail on a conference I briefly mentioned in a post last May:

Genealogy Conference on British Migration

With 20 talks from 17 different internationally known genealogists and historians, the Halsted Trust is delighted to announce its Second International Family History conference featuring the theme of British Migration; from, to and within the British Isles. Exodus: Movement of the People will be held at a comfortable and modern hotel from 6th to 8th September 2013.

Families that move are always a challenge for family historians. They may travel a few miles into another parish or another county or another country. They may have come from just down the road or from the other side of the world. Finding where an ancestor comes from, or goes to, needs skill and tenacity as well as luck. Are there records showing movement into the parish?

As the British Empire expanded, and later contracted, British migrants are to be found all over the world and not just on areas coloured red in the Edwardian atlas. They were entrepreneurs, and engineers, miners and musicians as well as colonial civil servants and soldiers. Not every migrant wanted the adventure and many came back as soon as they could. 

The Halsted Trust invited our conference speakers to consider how and why Britons migrated from, to or within the British Isles. We wanted to know how genealogists could be equipped to tackle the challenges of tracing the origins of migrant ancestors and understand the reasons for their migration. Poverty, religion, ambition, even love are strong drivers of change and wanderlust. Some such as criminals and slaves were forced to migrate. Are there new genealogical sources and resources becoming available and what evidence does archaeology or DNA provide for migration? We wanted to look at the impact of Diasporas on Britain and the impact of the British Diaspora on the world. As we look at migrants to the UK’s former colonies we also look at the growing digital resource of migration sources and passenger lists as well as the vast untapped resources within UK archives showing the clues for the ancestor who just turns up in a parish.

Migrants moulded the British Isles and its history. In the year leading up to this conference the Trust has published articles on the conference website about the places our ancestors went to and came from, along with stories about migrants who prospered and influenced history.

For further details please visit www.exodus2103.co.uk or for a brochure write to The Halsted Trust, Box H, Society of Genealogists, 14 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Rd., London EC1M 7BA

(With thanks to Alec Tritton)

Chris

Pre-order my new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, through Pen and Sword (30 April 2013), or purchase early at Who Do You Think You Are Live 2013 in London. For my other genealogy books, please visit  http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.

Family Tree University Winter 2013 Virtual Conference

The American based Family Tree Magazine (www.familytreemagazine.com) has a set of courses taught through its 'Family Tree University' (www.familytreeuniversity.com). As a part of this it will be holding a Winter Virtual Conference next weekend on all things genealogical, including a half hour guided lecture by yours truly on the ScotlandsPeople website, entitled Secrets for Seeking Scottish Ancestors. Here's the general blurb on the conference as a whole:

DATES: 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013
You get a three-day all-access pass to watch 15 pre-recorded video classes and participate in live chats. Join in every day or as your schedule allows—you make your own schedule.
TUITION: $199.99

You can join in every day or as your schedule allows. The full programme is available at www.familytreeuniversity.com/virtual-conference/winter-2013-virtual-conference-program and includes session from Rick Crume, Thomas Macentee, Laura Prescott, Dave Fryxell, Lisa A. Alzo, Lisa Louise Cooke, D. Joshua Taylor, Sunny Jane Morton, Billie Stone Fogarty, Angela Walton-Raji, Melanie D. Holtz, and yours truly at the very end!

To sign up visit www.familytreeuniversity.com/virtual-conference. The team have produced a short video with some sample clips from a few of the lectures:

If you wish to subscribe and join in the fun, quote the following code and you will get 20% off:

FRIENDSOFCHRISTOPHER

Don't say we're not good to ye - have fun!

Chris

Pre-order my new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, through Pen and Sword (30 April 2013), or purchase early at Who Do You Think You Are Live 2013 in London. For my other genealogy books, please visit  http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.