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.

Ulster Historical Foundation announces US talks tour for 2020

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

The locations being visited are: 

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

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

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

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

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

Chris

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

The Genealogy Show announces speakers for 2020 event

The Genealogy Show has announced its speakers for the next show in 2020.

Giving the keynote talks will be

Celia Heritage
Fiona Fitzsimons
Maureen Taylor
Roberta Estes

Additional speakers include:

Daniel Smith Ramos
Dave Annal
Doreen Hopwood
Jacqui Kirk
Janet Few
Jean-Marc Bazzoni
Jenni Phillips
Jill Ball
John Boeren
Kai Michael Poppe
Karen Cummings
Les Mitchinson
Lynn Palermo
Mags Gaulden
Maya Hirschman
Michelle Leonard
Nathan Dylan Goodwin
Robert Bristow
Robert Parker
Ruth Blair
Steven Jackson

The event will be held on Friday 26th & Saturday 27th June at The National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England.

Further details are available at https://thegenealogyshow.uk - details of the talks programme itself will be made available soon.

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.

Thanks to Manchester and Lancashire FHS

A huge thank you to the Anglo-Scottish branch of the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society for its hospitality yesterday (Saturday), when I travelled down from Scotland to give  atalk on being Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis.

It was my first time to Manchester in six years, following the death of my mother there in 2013, and it was great to see the place buzzing as much as normal, and to see so many folk attend the talk in the superb Central Library building.

For more on the society, visit https://www.mlfhs.org.uk.

(With thanks to Yvonne and Michael!)

Chris

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

NIFHS hosts Finding Your American Cousins talk

From the North of Ireland Family History Society:

US Genealogist to Give a Talk on “Finding Your American Cousins”

The North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS) is starting its 40th anniversary celebrations and is inviting people to a special talk on Sunday 20th October: “Finding Your American Cousins”.

Past generations of your family left here and went to America. What happened to them? Where did they go? If you can “jump the pond” with your research, you may be able to fill in gaps in your family tree and connect with cousins who have precious family photos and stories to share with you.

Donna Moughty, a visiting professional genealogist from America, will talk about what records are available for the time and place where your relatives settled. She will focus on online records and will outline strategies for how to use them effectively. She also asks the question: should I do a DNA test?

Your American cousins may be looking for you. Attend this talk to learn how to find them and connect with them.

Booking is not required for this event which starts at 2.30 on Sunday afternoon, 20th October. Admission £5. Venue: Castle Upton Suite, Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick, County Antrim.

This talk is part of a special year-long programme of events to celebrate the 40th anniversary of NIFHS. The society has its roots in a family history group formed in Bangor in 1979 and now has eleven branches across Northern Ireland and over 1000 members both locally and around the world. The society has many facilities and projects to help family historians, including a library and research centre in Newtownabbey that is also used for family history and DNA classes.

Further details at www.nifhs.org/resources/courses/american-cousins/

(With thanks to Maeve Rogan)

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.

Thanks to talks organisers in Motherwell and Glasgow

A quick note to say thanks to all who came along to my talks in Motherwell and Glasgow on Saturday (including one person who attended both!), and to the organisers.

On Saturday morning I gave the opening talk at the Lanarkshire Family History Show at Motherwell Concert Hall, looking at the history of an Irish townland and house, and to a packed and well engaged room.

I only had a short while after to say a few hellos to friends on the main floor of the fair afterwards, but it was doing a busy trade when I was there, with many familar faces present. Keep an eye on Scottish Indexes (www.scottishindexes.com) over the next few months in particular, they have a few nice developments coming along soon!

After a mad hop into Glasgow on the train, I then attended the latest meeting of the Glasgow branch of the Aberdeenshire and North East Scotland FHS, where I gave a talk on Scottish church records, and the history of the Kirk. A few unfortunate gremlins with the technology meant dispensing with the projector altogether, and doing it the auld fashioned way, loud and proud with no slides, but I think I got away with it!

Some forthcoming talks:

• 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
• November 19th 2019 - University of Strathclyde students session
• January 18th 2020, Aberdeen & NE Scotland FHS (Edinburgh branch) - Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis

I'll hopefully see you at one of them!

Chris

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

NIFHS's new season of Family History Classes

From the North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org):

NIFHS - New Season of Family History Classes

The North of Ireland Family History Society has announced its autumn series of genealogy classes. It all starts this Saturday, 5th October, with a one-day beginner’s class run by the society’s former president, Rosemary Sibbett. This is followed on Tuesday 15th October with the first in a series of classes for people who have received their DNA results and who would like help in taking the next steps. The “Family Finder” classes are open to anyone who can upload their autosomal results to FamilyTreeDNA where the society has a DNA project. There is a follow-up, one-day, DNA class in November.

New this season is a class on “Tracing Relatives of the Belfast Shipyards”. The lecturer is Maureen McKinney, Vice-Chair of Belfast Titanic Society, who will share her knowledge of maritime research to help those researching relatives who worked in the Harland & Wolff and Workman Clark shipyards.

The full list of courses is below and more information about each, plus booking information, can be found on the society’s website. There is a mixture of daytime, evening and weekend classes. Many are run on a one-day basis to help people travelling a distance.

· Starting your Genealogy - Beginner’s Course
· DNA: Family Finder (1)
· Life in Ulster in the 1830s
· Making the Most of Your Autosomal DNA Results
· Understanding Heraldry
· Using Land Records
· DNA: Family Finder (2)
· Using WikiTree
· School Records
· Tracing Relatives of the Belfast Shipyards
· Finding Family History Stories

The venue is the society’s Library and Research Centre: Unit C4, Valley Business Centre, 67 Church Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 7LS. It’s about a 15 minute drive from Belfast City Centre and there is free parking. The society has a kitchen and there is an on-site café that is usually open until mid-afternoon.

Places must be booked in advance. Fees can be paid at the first class. The cost is £8 for one session, £14 for 2 session-classes or £18 for 3-session classes.

More information about each class and booking details: https://www.nifhs.org/resources/courses/

(With thanks to Maeve Rogan)


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.

Finding Your American Cousins talk in Templepatrick

From the North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org):

Finding Your American Cousins

You are invited to a talk by our 40th Anniversary Guest Speaker, DONNA MOUGHTY

On Sunday 20th October 2019 at 2.30pm
CASTLE UPTON SUITE HILTON HOTEL, TEMPLEPATRICK
Admission £5
Come along and bring a friend

Donna Moughty is a Professional Genealogist who has been conducting family research for over 25 years. She teaches and lectures on a variety of subjects including Internet, Irish research, methodology and computer topics locally and at national and regional conferences and institutes. Her blog can be found at www.irishfamilyroots.com

(With thanks to Ken Tait)

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.

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.

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.

August events at PRONI in Belfast

The following events are forthcoming at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni):

Dr Raphael Ernest Grail Armattoe: The West African Scientist in 1940s Ireland
5 August, 1-2pm

Elly Omondi will explore the legacy of Dr Armattoe, his pioneering contribution as a West African immigrant, his work as a locum doctor in Belfast, as a GP in Derry~Londonderry, and his lasting work on anthropology as a science.
Book tickets via http://www.eastsidearts.net/event/dr-raphael-ernest-grail-armattoe

East Belfast and the Blitz
6 August, 1-2pm
The presentation will focus on the people from East Belfast who died during the German air raids of 1941, and on public and family commemoration.
Book tickets via http://www.eastsidearts.net/event/east-belfast-and-blitz-nigel-henderson

Women in the Archives
7 August, 1-2pm
Lynsey Gillespie and Jason Burke will explore hidden stories from the archives of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and the Linen Hall Library.
Book tickets via http://www.eastsidearts.net/event/women-archives-lynsey-gillespie-and-jason-bourke

The "Wee Yard" and the Great War
8 August, 1-2pm
This presentation marks the 100th anniversary of the Workman Clark war memorial which is now located at the Pumphouse in the Titanic Quarter. The presentation will provide a wide-ranging account of the involvement of the Workman Clark shipyard and its employees in the First World War.
Book tickets via http://www.eastsidearts.net/event/wee-yard-and-great-war

'Men Behind the Glass' Exhibition
From 19 August
The exhibition will be on display in the PRONI atrium and will run from 19 August until 30 September.
Further details via https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/talks-and-events

(With thansk to the PRONI Express)

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.

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.

Thanks to Glasgow and West of Scotland FHS

A huge thanks to Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society (https://www.gwsfhs.org.uk) for its hospitality last night. After the society held its AGM I gave a talk on the latest Irish family history developments online and offline.

I had so much to talk about that we sadly ran out of time at the end to have Q and As, but managed to help a few folk before throwing out time at Kelvinside Academy!

For more on the good work being done by the Glasgow based society, read the Scottish Genealogy Network post at http://scottishgenealogynetwork.blogspot.com/2015/03/sgn-visit-to-glasgow.html, following a visit in 2015 to its resource centre in Partick.

It was also great to bump into fellow Norn Iron genie chum Maeve Rogan at the talk, who handles the online social media platforms for the North of Ireland FHS. Ireland really is only a hop, skip and a jump* away from Scotland (*ferries are also available!). The society's website is at https://www.nifhs.org.

Thanks again!

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.

Glasgow talk on Irish genealogy resources

Just a quick heads up to say that On Monday 15th April I will be speaking at Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society (https://www.gwsfhs.org.uk) about What's New in Irish Genealogy, at the Gilchrist Theatre, Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow (please use the Kirklee Rd entrance).

The talk follows the society's AGM, and
should kick off shortly after 7.30pm - I hope to maybe 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.

The Scots in British India talk by Sir Tom Devine

Thanks to Valmay Young at the Families in British India Society (https://www.fibis.org) for notice of the following:

Scotland’s Empire: The Scots in British India

Scotland’s EmpireThe British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia (www.bacsa.org.uk) invites those of Scots/British India ancestry, and all interested in the history of the Scots in India, to attend a lecture on ’Scotland’s Empire: The Scots in British India’ by Sir Tom Devine, Professor Emeritus in History at the University of Edinburgh. Sir Tom Devine is Scotland’s pre-eminent historian and the leading authority on the Scottish Diaspora. His books include Scotland’s Empire, To the Ends of the Earth and The Scottish Clearances.

In this lecture Sir Tom considers the role of Scots in India in administration, the military and trade with special reference to the period from the late seventeenth to the early nineteenth centuries. Among the themes examined are the scale of Scottish ‘colonisation’ of the East India Company, the reasons for this and the impact of the India connection on Scotland itself.

The lecture will be followed by a wine reception and book sales. It is the final in this year’s series of lectures on British India, ‘THE RAJ Re-Examined’ (BACSA in association with the South Asia Centre, LSE).

Time/place/price
Monday 8 April, 6.30-8.00pm

Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building, London School of Economics, 54 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LJ

Tickets: £8.50 (BACSA members £6) includes a glass of wine
Online booking: http://www.bacsa.org.uk/?page_id=2180

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.

Rootstech 2019 presentations now online

Rootstech (www.rootstech.org) has now uploaded recorded presentations from its recent 2019 conference in Salt Lake City, available at https://www.rootstech.org/category/2019-rootstech-sessions.

There are 23 presentations available, covering a variety of themes - some of the most notable from a UK/Irish perspective include:

• Uncovering Family Stories with British and Irish Historic Newspapers: Myko Clelland
• Examining Your DNA Matches with DNA Painter: Jonny Perl
• Essential Considerations for DNA Evidence: Blaine Bettinger 

...and with plenty more. Enjoy!

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.

Announcing DNA Down Under with Blaine Bettinger

From Unlock the Past (www.unlockthepast.com.au):

Announcing DNA Down Under with Blaine Bettinger

Adelaide, South Australia, 5 March 2019 – Unlock the Past is delighted to announce DNA Down Under, a DNA themed roadshow to six Australian cities, culminating in a major 3-day conference in Sydney.

This is a world class conference and roadshow. Choose from 40 topics in three streams in Sydney over three days. The other five cities offer 10 topics each in two streams over a full day. There are topics at all levels, ranging from beginner to expert. Each city will have an exhibition of product and service suppliers, societies, DNA interest groups and organisations.

The presenters

Internationally renowned genealogist and DNA authority, Blaine Bettinger, heads a team of experts:

Blaine Bettinger (USA) – author of the best-selling The family tree guide to DNA testing and genetic genealogy and co-author of Genetic genealogy in practice
Fiona Brooker (New Zealand) – Professional genealogist – Memories in Time
Louise Coakley (QLD) – Professional genealogist – Genie1
Kerry Farmer (NSW) – Professional genealogist – Family History Research
Michelle Patient (New Zealand) – Professional genealogist – The Patient Genie
Helen Smith (QLD) – Professional genealogist – Dragon Genealogy

The locations:

Brisbane Wed 14 Aug (1 day)
Perth Sat 17 Aug (1 day)
Adelaide Tue 20 Aug (1 day)
Melbourne Fri 23 Aug (1 day)
Canberra Mon 26 Aug (1 day)
Sydney Thu-Sat 29-31 Aug (3 days)

About Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D. - www.thegeneticgenealogist.com - www.dna-central.com
Blaine is a professional genealogist specialising in DNA evidence. He is the author of the long-running blog The Genetic Genealogist, and frequently gives presentations and webinars to educate others about the use of DNA to explore their ancestry.

About Unlock the Past - www.unlockthepast.com.au
The event and publishing division of Gould Genealogy & History (established 1976). It is a collaborative venture involving an international team of expert speakers, writers, organisations and commercial partners to promote history and genealogy through innovative major events, genealogy cruises and a new publishing brand.

Further information
Alan Phillips (Unlock the Past)
p: +61 8 8263 2055
e: alan@unlockthepast.com.au
w: www.dnadownunder.com.au

(With thanks to Alan Phillips)

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 American Tour - update

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

American Lecture Tour - Update

Our 2019 Irish and Scots-Irish family history lecture tour of the United States begins next week on 09 March in Concord, NH.

Our events in Madison, WI and Tampa, FL have already sold out and our other events are filling up fast. If you are interested in attending any of our events, even those that are free to attend, we would recomend you contact the host organisation as quickly as possible to ensure that you don't miss out.

If you would like to register for one of the programmes simply click on the relevant link below.

09 March - Concord, NH
10 March - Philadelphia, PA
11 March - Chicago, IL
12 March - Madison, WI SOLD OUT
13 March - Green Bay, WI
14 March - Salt Lake City, UT
15 March - Salt Lake City, UT
16 March - Denver, CO
18 March - Pittsburgh, PA
19 March - Louisville, KY
20 March - Coeur d'Alene, ID
22 March - Valparaiso, IN
23 March - Tampa, FL - SOLD OUT
24 March - Fairfield, CT
25 March - New York City, NY
26 March - New York City, NY

Getting involved – we would like you to help us

We would like you to help us make our 2019 lecture tour as successful as it can be. It is easy to get involved: by talking to friends and family, especially those interested in family history; telling your local library, community learning groups, fraternal organisations in your area; messaging genealogy and history societies, museums, Irish, Scots-Irish and celtic cultural organisations, sharing and commenting on social media, blogs and forums; or even mentioning the Foundation to your local Irish pubs, clubs or local interest groups.

You don’t need to live in USA to assist. Supporters living in UK and Ireland, Canada, Europe, Australasia and South Africa have friends, family and contacts in USA. You too can share posts, tweets and details of the tour with potentially interested parties.

We would like to thank you for your help and support. More information can be found at https://www.ancestryireland.com/lecture-tour-2019.

(With thanks to the UHF)

Chris

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

Irish family history talk in Motherwell on March 14th

A quick note to say that my next talk will be on Thursday March 14th 2019 at the GLO Centre Motherwell, from 7:00pm, hosted by the Lanarkshire Family History Society (www.lanarkshirefhs.org.uk). The subject is Irish Family History Resources Online.

I hope to see some of 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.