Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts soon

A reminder that my next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course kicks off in just over a week's time, from November 4th, and for five weeks. Here's the blurb:

This is an intermediate level course in Scottish family history for those who are going back beyond 1850. You should have some experience with research in the Old Parochial Registers of the Church of Scotland and in using major websites for Scottish research. This course discusses sources that fill the gap when the OPRs are uninformative or missing; for example, records of parish and town administration, occupations, land transfer and taxation. Using these records involves several different locations. You will learn how to check online finding aids and how to find the most effective way to obtain records that may be online, in print, on CD or microfilm. This is the second course on Scottish research. If you have not taken Scottish Research Online please check its description.

Lesson Headings:

* Kirk Sessions records and parish poor
* Burgh records and town poor
* Occupations, taxation and early lists
* Land transfer and the value of sasines
* Land, inheritance and estates

Each lesson includes exercises and activities; a minimum of 1 one-hour chat session per week. See How the Courses Work.

STUDENTS SAID: "well structured chats with opportunities for questions as well"

Relevant Countries: Scotland
Course Length: 5 Weeks
Start Date: 4 Nov 2019
Cost: £49.99

The following video also gives a bit more of a flavour about what to expect:

(Available also at https://youtu.be/1vX6GZtwZJ0)

For further details, and to sign up, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302.

I'll hopefully see you there!

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.

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.

Karen Cummings appointed Course Director of Pharos

From Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd (www.pharostutors.com):

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Karen Cummings as Course Director of Pharos, taking over the role that Sherry Irvine held until her retirement a few years ago. Helen Osborn continues as Managing Director.

Karen is one of our longstanding tutors and has taught and written a number of Pharos courses over the last 5 years. She currently tutors:

• Demystifying DNA for Family Historians
• Professional Genealogist: Become One Become a Better One
• Wills & Administrations, the riches of probate records

Karen started her career in the pharmaceutical industry and holds a PhD in scientific research. She gained her genealogy qualifications with the IHGS (Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies) and holds both the Higher Certificate and Diploma in Genealogy. She set up her genealogy research business, Professional Family History, in 2010. In addition to her work for Pharos Karen has also tutored and written course material for the IHGS and held the position of Examiner for the Diploma in Genealogy. Karen is a Member of AGRA (the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archive), the accrediting body for genealogists in England and Wales, and has served on AGRA’s Council and Board of Assessors.

Karen is passionate about methodology in genealogy. She loves teaching tricks and tips to students to help them gain the most from their research.

Good luck Karen! For furtehr details on Pharos courses, visit the website at https://www.pharostutors.com/coursesmainsd.php

* Don't forget also that my next Pharos course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs (originally written by Sherry!), starts on November 4th - for further details, and a short introductory bvideo, see https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/2019/09/scotland-1750-1850-beyond-oprs-course.html. To register for the course, visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302.

(With thanks to Helen Osborn)

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.

Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course in November

It's still a couple of months away, but here are the details of my next forthcoming Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers (OPRs) course, starting 4 November 2019:

This is an intermediate level course in Scottish family history for those who are going back beyond 1850. You should have some experience with research in the Old Parochial Registers of the Church of Scotland and in using major websites for Scottish research. This course discusses sources that fill the gap when the OPRs are uninformative or missing; for example, records of parish and town administration, occupations, land transfer and taxation. Using these records involves several different locations. You will learn how to check online finding aids and how to find the most effective way to obtain records that may be online, in print, on CD or microfilm. This is the second course on Scottish research. If you have not taken Scottish Research Online please check its description.

Lesson Headings:

* Kirk Sessions records and parish poor
* Burgh records and town poor
* Occupations, taxation and early lists
* Land transfer and the value of sasines
* Land, inheritance and estates

Each lesson includes exercises and activities; a minimum of 1 one-hour chat session per week. See How the Courses Work.

STUDENTS SAID: "well structured chats with opportunities for questions as well"

Relevant Countries: Scotland
Course Length: 5 Weeks
Start Date: 4 Nov 2018
Cost: £49.99


The following video also gives a bit more of a flavour about what to expect:

(Available also at https://youtu.be/1vX6GZtwZJ0)

For further details, and to sign up, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302.

I'll hopefully see you there!

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.

Last call for my next Scottish Research Online course!

My next Scottish Research Online course starts on Monday 2nd September, but there's still time to sign up!

For full details of the five week course, visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102

Hopefully I'll see you there!

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.

New MOOC to explore Working Lives on Britain's Railways

From Tahitia McCabe at the University of Strathclyde's genealogy team:

Just wanted to tell you about a new MOOC (massive open online course) which has been created by colleagues from the English Studies programme here at Strathclyde and the Railway Museum in York. It’s Working Lives on Britain's Railways: Railway History and Heritage and as you might suspect focuses on people working on the railways and their experiences. I think it will be of interest to genealogists! It’s free, offered through FutureLearn and starts at the end of September. Folks can sign up here https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/working-lives-on-the-railway.

And here's the formal description from the course site:

Working Lives on Britain's Railways: Railway History and Heritage

Discover Britain's industrial heritage and learn about the lives of British railway workers from 1840-1914.

Explore British railway history and learn what work on the railways was like

On this course, you will investigate the professional lives of the men and women working on the British railways from the 1840s until the First World War.

Using archival materials from the National Railway Museum, you will learn about the mental and physical hardship endured by railway workers, as well as the risks and pleasures that came with working in this new industry.

From Irish Catholic navvies to female office clerks based in industrial cities, you will discover the surprising diversity and complexity of the railway workforce.


What topics will you cover?

You will learn about four categories of railway worker:

• Engine-drivers
• Signallers
• Navvies
• Clerks

You will compare their differing experiences, investigate the physical and mental labour involved in their job and consider some of the following questions:

• What did they do on a daily basis?
• How did this change during this period?
• What were the key responsibilities and risks in their work?
• What were the key pleasures?

You will look at the ways in which railway workers represented their own work, using autobiographies and other primary historical materials.

You will also study how these professions were represented by those with no direct connection to railway labour.

(With thanks to Tahitia)

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.

Scottish Research Online course starts soon!

Hi folks, just over a week to go until the start of my next Scottish Research Online course, which starts on September 2nd 2019, and which runs for 5 weeks - here's the description!

Scottish Research Online (102)
Tutor: Chris Paton

Scotland was first to have major records digitized and offer indexes and images online. It has also been a leader in placing resource information on the World Wide Web. This course describes the major sites, the types of information and data that they offer, the forms in which databases are presented and how to analyze results. You will learn to lay the foundations for searching a family, how to select best resources and what to do next either online or in libraries and archives.

Lesson Headings:

• Scotlands People, Family Search, Ancestry, FreeCen: content, comparison, assessment
• Essential Maps and Gazetteers
• Civil Registration and Census Research Online
• Searching in Church of Scotland Registers Online
• Scottish Wills and Inventories Online
• Take It From Here

Note: it is recommended but not required that students in this course sign up for the basic search option, 30 units/seven days, at ScotlandsPeople (cost is seven pounds).

Each lesson includes exercises and activities; a minimum of 1 one-hour chat s See How the Courses Work.

STUDENTS SAID: "I particularly liked the fact that the course didn't just focus on the well-known BMD resources available, but on a much wider range of websites, including many which give extremely useful background information on the geography and history of the localities where our ancestors lived."

"a very knowledgeable Instructor"

Relevant Countries: Scotland

This course is offered twice annually.

Course Length: 5 Weeks
Start Date: 2 September 2019
Cost: £49.99

And for a wee video introduction, visit https://youtu.be/ssdYLlGtoHw or watch below!

To sign up to the course, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102

Note that the follow up course to this, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs starts on November 4th - for further details on this, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302

Hopefully see you there!

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.

Next Scottish Research Online course starts September 2nd

Just a few weeks to go before the start of my next Scottish Research Online course, which commences on September 2nd 2019, and which runs for 5 weeks - here's the description!

Scottish Research Online (102)
Tutor: Chris Paton

Scotland was first to have major records digitized and offer indexes and images online. It has also been a leader in placing resource information on the World Wide Web. This course describes the major sites, the types of information and data that they offer, the forms in which databases are presented and how to analyze results. You will learn to lay the foundations for searching a family, how to select best resources and what to do next either online or in libraries and archives.
Lesson Headings:

• Scotlands People, Family Search, Ancestry, FreeCen: content, comparison, assessment
• Essential Maps and Gazetteers
• Civil Registration and Census Research Online
• Searching in Church of Scotland Registers Online
• Scottish Wills and Inventories Online
• Take It From Here

Note: it is recommended but not required that students in this course sign up for the basic search option, 30 units/seven days, at ScotlandsPeople (cost is seven pounds).

Each lesson includes exercises and activities; a minimum of 1 one-hour chat s See How the Courses Work.

STUDENTS SAID: "I particularly liked the fact that the course didn't just focus on the well-known BMD resources available, but on a much wider range of websites, including many which give extremely useful background information on the geography and history of the localities where our ancestors lived."

"a very knowledgeable Instructor"

Relevant Countries: Scotland

This course is offered twice annually.

Course Length: 5 Weeks
Start Date: 2 September 2019
Cost: £49.99

And for a wee video introduction, visit https://youtu.be/ssdYLlGtoHw or watch below!

To sign up to the course, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102

Note that the follow up course to this, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs starts on November 4th - for further details on this, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302

Hopefully see you there!

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.

Keeping busy in the genie world!

Apologies for the limited blogging this week, but it has all been a bit manic at this end, as I continue to try to sell my house and juggle a few other things at the same time!

I have recently started a new temporary part-time job for six months working for a local member of the UK parliament as a caseworker, to cover for a friend who is away travelling on a trip of a lifetime. This is a role I worked on last year for a member of the Scottish Parliament, which is as immensely rewarding as genie work in helping folk with everyday problems. As a consequence, I will be cutting back on my genealogical research service for clients up to Christmas to an extent, albeit not completely (I was over in Belfast on a research trip for a client last Friday, for example), but I will be continuing as normal on writing, teaching and speaking chores. If you are seeking research done in Scotland before Christmas, do drop me a note and I will see if I can fit it in, but if not, I will happily direct you to trusted colleagues who will certainly be able to help.

I am now delighted to confirm that I will be heading over to the USA next year on two conference trips, the first to the Celtic Connections conference in Illinois at the end of July 2020, and the second to run the Irish tract for the ISBGFH's British Institute in Salt Lake City in October 2020. The last time I was in either Illinois or Salt Lake City was during a filming trip for a Scottish Television documentary series in 1999, and so I am very much look forward to both. I will blog more about both of these in due course.

Over the next few weeks I will be finalising my third book this year for Pen and Sword, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, and am looking forward next month to the release of my Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd edition) - you can pre-order this book at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483.

I have several talks up and coming in Scotland and England for the rest of this year:

• October 5th 2019 Lanarkshire Family History Show - An Irish house history
• October 5th 2019, Aberdeen & NE Scotland FHS (Glasgow branch) 2pm-4pm, Renfield Saint Stephen's Church Centre - Glasgow, 260 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4JP - Discover Scottish Church Records
• October 19th 2019, Manchester & Lancashire FHS, Manchester, England - Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis
• October 21st 2019, Glasgow & West of Scotland FHS. Irish genealogy - house history, and Q&A
• November 13th 2019, Central Scotland FHS, Stirling, Scottish Research Resources before 1800

My next Pharos based Scottish courses are coming along soon also:

Scottish Research Online (102)
Course Length: 5 Weeks
Start Date: 02 Sep 2019
Cost: £49.99
https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102

Scotland 1750 - 1850 - Beyond the OPRs (302)
Course Length: 5 Weeks
Start Date: 04 Nov 2019
Cost: £49.99
https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302

So little time, so much genealogical work to be done...! :)

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 announces course dates

The Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com) has announced dates for its Irish Genealogy Essentials course:

Irish Genealogy Essentials - New Dates for 2019/20

The most comprehensive Irish family history focused genealogy course offered in the U.K. and Ireland, Irish Genealogy Essentials embraces the unique nature of Irish genealogical research.

It 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 elusive Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors.

The next genealogy courses are scheduled for:

04-08 November 2019
10-14 February 2020

For more information or to register for this course visit https://www.ancestryireland.com/irish-genealogy-essentials/

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. 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.

Scotland 1750-1850 course starts in just over a week!

Just over a week to go until the start of my next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers course, which gets underway on May 13th 2019, and runs for 5 weeks!

Here are the details:

This is an intermediate level course in Scottish family history for those who are going back beyond 1850. You should have some experience with research in the Old Parochial Registers of the Church of Scotland and in using major websites for Scottish research. This course discusses sources that fill the gap when the OPRs are uninformative or missing; for example, records of parish and town administration, occupations, land transfer and taxation. Using these records involves several different locations. You will learn how to check online finding aids and how to find the most effective way to obtain records that may be online, in print, on CD or microfilm. This is the second course on Scottish research. If you have not taken Scottish Research Online please check its description.

Lesson Headings:

* Kirk Sessions records and parish poor
* Burgh records and town poor
* Occupations, taxation and early lists
* Land transfer and the value of sasines
* Land, inheritance and estates

Each lesson includes exercises and activities; a minimum of 1 one-hour chat session per week. See How the Courses Work.

STUDENTS SAID: "well structured chats with opportunities for questions as well"

Relevant Countries: Scotland
Course Length: 5 Weeks
Start Date: 5 Nov 2018
Cost: £49.99


The following video also gives a bit more of a flavour about what to expect:

(Available also at https://youtu.be/1vX6GZtwZJ0)

For further details, and to sign up, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302.

I'll hopefully see you there!

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. 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 Family History Experience in June

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

Irish Family History Experience, 10-15 June

This brand new, six-day programme will offer you the opportunity to spend three days learning from the experts and researching in the Public Record Office Northern Ireland (PRONI) followed by the option of three days of touring Ireland’s famous historic sites.

For further details visit https://www.ancestryireland.com/family-history-conference/summer

(With thanks to the UHF)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. 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.

Update on my books, talks and courses

Apologies for the gap in blogging over the last week. I spent all of last week on a final push to complete my second book this year, Tracing Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records, which is now with the publisher, Pen and Sword.

I've also had an update on the publication schedule for my three books with Pen and Sword - Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) is now looking like it will be published this August, whilst Tracing Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records is provisionally set for November. My third book, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, will follow in 2020.

I have a few other irons in fires on other possible projects, but will blog about those in due course. In the meantime, some forthcoming talks I will be giving:

• October 5th 2019 Lanarkshire Family History Show, Motherwell - An Irish house history
• October 5th 2019, Aberdeen & NE Scotland FHS (Glasgow branch) 2pm-4pm, Renfield Saint Stephen's Church Centre - Glasgow, 260 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4JP - Discover Scottish Church Records
• October 19th 2019, Manchester & Lancashire FHS, Manchester, England - Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis
• October 21st 2019, Glasgow & West of Scotland FHS. An Irish house history (plus Irish records Q&A)
• November 13th 2019, Central Scotland FHS, Stirling, Scottish Research Resources before 1800
• January 18th 2020, Aberdeen & NE Scotland FHS (Edinburgh branch) - Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis

And a reminder that my next Pharos course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs, commences on May 13th 2019 - full details are available at https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302.

Finally, I've given my research service website a bit of an update, at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk - let me know if I can help with your research!

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. 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.

Writing Your Family History course with Gill Blanchard

From genealogist Gill Blanchard, news of a forthcoming writing course:

Writing Your Family History
E-Course Module One
www.writingyourfamilyhistory.co.uk

Starts Friday 10 May 2019
Ends Week ending Friday 2 August 2019

12 Weeks. 5 Lessons. Weekly Discussions.
Cost £150

Tutor: Gill Blanchard
Author and Professional Family Historian
MA. Biography and Creative Non Fiction (UEA)

This is a practical writing course spread over a twelve week period that guides participants through the process of bringing their ancestors to life. The aim is on producing an entertaining family history that other people want to read. The lessons will focus on enabling students to choose the most suitable format for them, decide what to include and how, and find and add relevant context. The tutor will provide personalised and in-depth feedback throughout the course.

Students are encouraged to move beyond a basic ‘John begat William and Jane begat Mary’ chronicle; learn how to integrate relevant social and local history materials and to deal with repetitions, missing pieces and anomalies in their writing.

The course lasts for twelve weeks and is comprised of five lessons. The first four lessons are posted online at fortnightly intervals, with an extra week after lessons four and five to allow additional time for reading, writing, critiquing and feedback.

The lessons include writing exercises, focussed guidance, useful tips, writing examples, links to useful resources and background reading. There will be regular live online discussions with the tutor and other students. A dedicated learning hub can be used at any time throughout the course to share work, ask questions and post news.

This course is aimed at those who have completed a body of research into their family history and are ready to start writing.

(With thanks to Gill)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. 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.

Scotland 1750-1850 course starts May 13th

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers course starts on May 13th 2019, and runs for 5 weeks.  Here are the details:

This is an intermediate level course in Scottish family history for those who are going back beyond 1850. You should have some experience with research in the Old Parochial Registers of the Church of Scotland and in using major websites for Scottish research. This course discusses sources that fill the gap when the OPRs are uninformative or missing; for example, records of parish and town administration, occupations, land transfer and taxation. Using these records involves several different locations. You will learn how to check online finding aids and how to find the most effective way to obtain records that may be online, in print, on CD or microfilm. This is the second course on Scottish research. If you have not taken Scottish Research Online please check its description.

Lesson Headings:

* Kirk Sessions records and parish poor
* Burgh records and town poor
* Occupations, taxation and early lists
* Land transfer and the value of sasines
* Land, inheritance and estates

Each lesson includes exercises and activities; a minimum of 1 one-hour chat session per week. See How the Courses Work.

STUDENTS SAID: "well structured chats with opportunities for questions as well"

Relevant Countries: Scotland
Course Length: 5 Weeks
Start Date: 5 Nov 2018
Cost: £49.99


The following video also gives a bit more of a flavour about what to expect:

(Available also at https://youtu.be/1vX6GZtwZJ0)

For further details, and to sign up, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. I'll hopefully see you there!

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts May 13th 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. 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.

One week to go until my next Scottish Research Online course

Just one week to go to the start of my next Scottish Research Online course, which starts on March 11th 2019, and which runs for 5 weeks - here's the description!

Scottish Research Online (102)
Tutor: Chris Paton

Scotland was first to have major records digitized and offer indexes and images online. It has also been a leader in placing resource information on the World Wide Web. This course describes the major sites, the types of information and data that they offer, the forms in which databases are presented and how to analyze results. You will learn to lay the foundations for searching a family, how to select best resources and what to do next either online or in libraries and archives.
Lesson Headings:

• Scotlands People, Family Search, Ancestry, FreeCen: content, comparison, assessment
• Essential Maps and Gazetteers
• Civil Registration and Census Research Online
• Searching in Church of Scotland Registers Online
• Scottish Wills and Inventories Online
• Take It From Here

Note: it is recommended but not required that students in this course sign up for the basic search option, 30 units/seven days, at ScotlandsPeople (cost is seven pounds).

Each lesson includes exercises and activities; a minimum of 1 one-hour chat s See How the Courses Work.

STUDENTS SAID: "I particularly liked the fact that the course didn't just focus on the well-known BMD resources available, but on a much wider range of websites, including many which give extremely useful background information on the geography and history of the localities where our ancestors lived."

"a very knowledgeable Instructor"

Relevant Countries: Scotland

This course is offered twice annually.

Course Length: 5 Weeks
Start Date: 11 Mar 2019
Cost: £49.99

And for a wee video introduction, visit https://youtu.be/ssdYLlGtoHw or watch below!

To sign up to the course, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102

Note that the follow up course to this, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs starts on May 13th - for further details on this, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302

Hopefully see you there!

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.

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.

Pharos genealogy courses for February 2019

The following short genealogy courses from Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd in February 2019 still have spaces available:

So You Think You Know FamilySearch - A Guided Tour (206)
Course Length: 4 weeks
Start Date: 04 Feb 2019
Cost: £41.99
Tutor: Barbara H. Baker

Introduction to One-Name Studies (901)
Course Length: 5 weeks
Start Date: 12 Feb 2019
Cost: £49.99
Tutor: Julie Goucher

Full details at https://www.pharostutors.com/coursesmainsd.php

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.

Scottish Research Online course starts March 11th

My next Scottish Research Online course starts on March 11th 2019, running for 5 weeks - here's the description!

Scottish Research Online (102)
Tutor: Chris Paton

Scotland was first to have major records digitized and offer indexes and images online. It has also been a leader in placing resource information on the World Wide Web. This course describes the major sites, the types of information and data that they offer, the forms in which databases are presented and how to analyze results. You will learn to lay the foundations for searching a family, how to select best resources and what to do next either online or in libraries and archives.
Lesson Headings:

• Scotlands People, Family Search, Ancestry, FreeCen: content, comparison, assessment
• Essential Maps and Gazetteers
• Civil Registration and Census Research Online
• Searching in Church of Scotland Registers Online
• Scottish Wills and Inventories Online
• Take It From Here

Note: it is recommended but not required that students in this course sign up for the basic search option, 30 units/seven days, at ScotlandsPeople (cost is seven pounds).

Each lesson includes exercises and activities; a minimum of 1 one-hour chat s See How the Courses Work.

STUDENTS SAID: "I particularly liked the fact that the course didn't just focus on the well-known BMD resources available, but on a much wider range of websites, including many which give extremely useful background information on the geography and history of the localities where our ancestors lived."

"a very knowledgeable Instructor"

Relevant Countries: Scotland

This course is offered twice annually.

Course Length: 5 Weeks
Start Date: 11 Mar 2019
Cost: £49.99

And for a wee video introduction, visit https://youtu.be/ssdYLlGtoHw or watch below!

To sign up to the course, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102

Note that the follow up course to this, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs starts on May 13th - for further details on this, please visit https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302

Hopefully see you there!

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.