Scottish GENES: January 2024

Wednesday 31 January 2024

I'm doing the Kiltwalk in April to raise money for An Lòchran Gaelic Arts and Cutural Centre in Partick

On April 28th I have decided to take leave of my senses and to walk for 22.6 miles between Glasgow Green and Balloch at Loch Lomond, as part of the annual Kiltwalk, to raise money for the charity An Lòchran (https://www.anlochran.com), a Gaelic language centre based in Partick, Glasgow. The jury's still out on whether I will be doing it in a kilt, but it's an activity that I have wanted to do for a few years! There will be a team of us participating on behalf of An Lòchran (calling ourselves The Gaelforce!) and we're really looking forward to it!

Since 2007 the Scottish GENES Blog has been brought to you for free, and I've never asked for any money from readers for it (although I do obviously advertise my courses and books etc), but if you have found it useful, and continue to do so, any shillings, cents, or whatever you have to hand, would be very much appreciated for this worthy cause!

The fundraiser page is through JustGiving, and can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/page/chris-paton-stewarton - thanks in advance if you can help!

Mòran taing a chàirdean!

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

New 4th Edition of Elizabeth Shown Mills book Evidence Explained

From the Genealogical Publishing Company (https://genealogical.com):

Announcing the New 4th Edition of Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, by Elizabeth Shown Mills

For today’s family historians, records abound. In courthouses and warehouses, town halls and rectories, archives and attics, we find old records in every form imaginable. Technology also delivers documents and relics through many digital formats. Audio files, podcasts, and YouTube stream insight into past lives. Libraries offer film and fiche, reprints and revisions, and translations and transcripts, alongside digital access to books and journals published previously in print.

However, all records are not created equal, and history is not just a collection of “facts.” Critical analysis is essential, and since 2007 Evidence Explained has been the definitive, go-to guide for those who explore history and seek help with understanding, analyzing, and citing the materials they use.

Evidence Explained has two principal uses: it provides citation models for historical sources—especially materials not covered in standard citation guides such as The Chicago Manual of Style. Beyond that, it enables researchers to understand the nature of each source so that the evidence they cite can be better interpreted and the accuracy of their conclusions properly appraised.

In the six years since the last edition was published, changes at major repositories and online information providers—as well as in the ever-evolving electronic world—have generated new citation and analysis challenges for researchers. As a consequence, Elizabeth Shown Mills has once again updated her citation models and added descriptions and evaluations of numerous contemporary materials not included in the previous edition.

The new Fourth Edition of Evidence Explained significantly re-examines historical resources and simplifies long-standing practices. Highlights of the Fourth Edition include:

Updated Chapters One and Two (“Fundamentals of Analysis” and “Fundamentals of Citation”) continue to lay the foundations for successful research.
An entirely new Chapter Three, “Building a Citation,” provides a tutorial for the construction of citations. Here, you learn to work with seven basic building blocks that can be mixed and matched to create a citation for any kind of source.
Chapter Three’s 14 streamlined templates replace the previous 170 QuickCheck Models, assembling the basic building blocks as needed to create citations for every type of material—whether accessed as an unpublished manuscript, print publication, database, or online image delivered at a specific URL or through a complex path and its waypoints.
All examples in the twelve “Records” chapters (Chapters Four through Fifteen) are keyed to the specific templates that work best for each source or situation.
Hundreds of new citation examples emphasize modern modes of access, particularly the layered citations that modern media require.

For further details and to purchase visit https://genealogical.com/store/evidence-explained-4th-edition/

Comment: This is a manual that shows how to create genealogical source citations. Having been trained through the University of Strathclyde's Genealogy programme, we were taught to cite sources using the Harvard referencing style, but I still have Elizabeth's book to hand to offer suggestions in certain circumstances, whilst adopting a slightly different approach within my client reports. The key thing is to understand the needs for, and the discipline behind, genealogical referencing for sources, and Elizabeth's guide is a superb asset to help with that.

Chris

Monday 29 January 2024

Chris Paton talk on Scottish marriage records for the Society of Genealogists

On February 8th I will be giving a talk for the Society of Genealogists (www.sog.org.uk) on the topic of Instantly Buckled for Life - Scottish Marriage Records. The event will kick off at 2pm, with the talk lasting an hour o so. Here's the blurb:

“Suppose that young Jock and Jenny, say we two are husband and wife, the witnesses needn’t be many, they’re instantly buckled for life”.

Beyond church and civil marriages, historically there were many other 'irregular' ways that you could be legally married in Scotland that were not found within the other countries of the United Kingdom. Most of these forms were abolished from 1940, with another finally removed from the Scottish statute in 2006. For all of them, a celebrant was not required.

If you cannot find a marriage in the records, family historian Chris Paton will endeavour to explain why!

To book, please visit https://members.sog.org.uk/events/65315c9ccc4d040008c3bb11/description?ticket=65315c9ccc4d040008c3bb13 - the adnission price is £10, and for non and standard members the talk will be available for a month after; for SOG Gold members, a year.

I hope you can join me!

Chris

Friday 26 January 2024

Buchanan Society members, Irish memorials, and Jewish directory added to FindmyPast

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

Scotland, Buchanan Society members 1725-1948
This collection is made up of 1,053 records, documenting members of Scotland's Buchanan Society between 1725 and 1948.

Ireland Memorial Inscriptions
In this new-and-improved set, you'll find 682 images and transcriptions spanning over 300 years, from 1711 to 2019.

Britain, Jewish Commercial Directory 1894
This new set contains 4,171 records from 1894, with both transcriptions and images available. This one-off commercial directory lists the names of English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish businessmen in alphabetical order. In addition to each person's occupation, you'll find a residence listed.

For further details visit https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/new/commercial-directory-buchanan-society-records

Chris

Ulster Historical Foundation website has a sleek new look

The Ulster Historical Foundation website has had a huge revamp, with a sleek new look, and with much easier access to its bookshop. It also has a new website address - https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com - although its previous address at www.ancestryireland.com redirects to this platform.

You'll find the organisation's databases under the Start Searching menu option at the top of the page, some useful Free to View Resources and Ulster Civil Parish Maps under the Library option (the Free to View Resources can also be accessed via a dedicated link further down the page), and the Bookshop as the final menu item at the top - the previous Books Ireland address at www.ancestryireland.com now redirects to the new Foundation platform.

All in all, a great new look - have fun exploring!

(With thanks to Gillian Hunt)

Chris

Scottish and Irish directories included in new TheGenealogist release

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

Look up your ancestors in these newly released Historical Directories

Over 5 million individuals have been added to TheGenealogist’s Residential and Trade Directories Collection, helping you discover your ancestors, their addresses, and their occupations back to 1744.

The new records cover England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands, along with some from as far afield as America, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa, thus adding an international flavour to this release.

Dating from 1744 to 1899, the directories in this addition to TheGenealogist are a useful finding aid for ancestors' names, addresses, and occupations and can offer contemporary details of where your past family had lived.

If a forebear had a business, then the commercial listings in the directory could help find where an ancestor may have worked.

Early Directories can also be useful for finding the addresses of residents before the census, reveal the railways that may have served the area and to find other communications links to nearby towns. With this information, those who may have ‘lost’ an ancestor may make an educated guess of where a person may have moved to live in the past.

These directory publications can also be a great complement to a census record, as the topographical information can flesh out an ancestor’s area for the researcher.

In the case of a head of the household, we may be able to find an address different from that recorded in other records such as the decennial census. This may help fill in the gaps of where a stray ancestor moved to between the census counts.

Complete Access for Under £10 a Month!

To celebrate this latest release, TheGenealogist is offering its four-month Diamond package for just £39.95 – that’s less than £10 a month! To find out more and claim the offer, visit: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/MGBDIR124

This offer expires at the end of 9th February 2024.

Read TheGenealogist’s article: An important resource in tracing ancestors and the man behind the popular Kelly's Directories, available at https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2012/an-introduction-to-directories-43/

Comment: Thanks to Nick Thorne for the above, and also for specifiying the exact Scottish and Irish additions to this collection, which are as follows:

The Dublin Almanac and General Register of Ireland, 1840
Thom’s Irish Almanac and Official Directory, 1855
Thom’s Irish Almanac & Directory, 1863
Ireland, Thom’s Irish Almanac & Directory 1864

Jones’s Directory, Glasgow, 1789
The Aberdeen Bon-Accord Directory 1841-1842
Edinburgh & Leith Post Office Directory 1850 - 1851
Aberdeen Post Office Directory 1860-1861

The Royal Kalendar for England, Scotland, Ireland and America, 1803
The Treble Almanack, 1812
The Royal Kalendar and Court and City Register for England, Scotland, Ireland and the Colonies 1828
Thom’s Irish Almac and Official Directory of Great Britain and Ireland 1867

Chris

Thursday 25 January 2024

MyHeritage offers free access to Australian records

From MyHeritage (www.myheritage.com):

As Australia Day approaches, we are excited to announce a special gift for all family history enthusiasts! In celebration of Australia’s rich and diverse heritage, we’re offering free access to our extensive collection of Australian records. This incredible opportunity runs from January 24–28, 2024.

Our Australian record collection contains over 108 million records. These include a wide range of collections that are crucial for tracing your Australian roots. You’ll have free access to electoral rolls, historical newspapers, registers, birth and death indexes, marriage records, burials, and school records.

To search the records visit https://www.myheritage.com/research/catalog?location=Australia

Further details at https://blog.myheritage.com/2024/01/celebrate-australia-day-with-free-access-to-over-108-million-records/

Chris

Wednesday 24 January 2024

Ancestry adds Irish Wills and Admons, and UK Royal Mail Pensions and Gratuities datasets

Two new collections from Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk) that may be of interest for Scottish and Irish research:

Ireland, Wills and Admons, 1515-1858
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/62773/
Source: Pre-1858 Wills and Admons. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. https://apps.proni.gov.uk/ProniNames_IE/SearchPage.aspx Accessed: May 2023.

The records in this collection are an index that pertain to wills in Ireland between the years 1515 and 1858. Most records are in English.

The term "probate" technically refers to the proving of a will—in other words, making sure it's valid. If the court finds that a will was valid, the estate is testate. In cases where someone dies without leaving a valid will, the estate is intestate. Depending on whether an estate was testate or intestate, there may be different types of records available. Some of the more common types of documents include wills, letters of administration, inventories, distributions and accounting, bonds, and guardianships.

Using this collection

Records in the collection may include the following information:

Name
Probate date
Will date
Death date
Court name
Event type

Wills and probate records can help you confirm important dates regarding your ancestor's death and their financial status at the time they died. Probate records also include names of other family members that you can add to your family tree. Probate inventories often provide a detailed record of your ancestor's possessions that may not be available in other records.

UK, Royal Mail Pension and Gratuity Records, 1860-1970
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/62452/
Source: Pension and Gratuity Records 1860-1970. London, England: The Postal Museum.

General collection information

This collection contains pension records from the Royal Mail service in the United Kingdom between 1860 and 1970. All records are in English. Most records are handwritten onto pre-printed forms, however, older records may be handwritten in ledgers.

Using the collection

Records in the collection may include the following information:

Name
Birth date
Age
Occupation and position
Name of business
Length of Service
Salary
Date pension was granted
Death date

If you can’t find a record, consider the length of your family member’s service. Pensions were available after ten years of service. If your family member left Royal Mail, they may not have been eligible for pension. The UK, Postal Service Appointment Books, 1737–1969 collection is an excellent starting tool for finding your family member’s service dates.

If your family member died while in service, their pension may have gone to their spouse or children. If you can’t find a record listed under your family member’s name, try searching the records for their next of kin.

Chris

NRS public search rooms will be closed on 1 February 2024

Thanks to Lorna Kinnaird for this. It seems that the National Records of Scotland (www.nrscotland.gov.uk) public search rooms will be closed on Thursday, February 1st 2024 for staff training purposes. I presume this includes the ScotlandsPeople search room, as well as the Historic Search Room.

If planning to go on that date, it might be best to drop the NRS a note in advance just to double check!

Chris

The Hebridean Baker comes to Stewarton

Last night I had the great pleasure to meet Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker (https://hebrideanbaker.com), at two events in Stewarton. Coinneach was invited to the town by local book store The Book Nook (www.booknookstewarton.co.uk) and local Gaelic learners group An Teaghlach (www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550570384292), and at 6.30, about a dozen learners in the town first met him within The Book Nook for an informal session. Upon arrival Coinneach immediately gave those attending a copy of the lyrics to a Gaelic puirt-a-beul (mouth tune) called Seònaid NicGumaraid (Janet Montgomery), which he then spen half an hour teaching us how to sing, which was an unexpected but fun experience!

At 7.00 we all relocated to the library, where Coinneach was then interviewed by Sarah, the owner of The Book Nook, where he shared many stories with us of his life and work on Lewis, as well as his current career. At one point he sang three puirt-a-beul, and the Gaelic group, seated at the rear, were suddenly invited to act as his backing singers for the first of the three, yup, Seònaid NicGumaraid!

There then followed a Q&A, which I managed to ask a couple of questions - the first to pass on my condolences for the loss of wee Seoras, his wee Highland Terrier who recently passed away, asking him to sahre stories about him, and the other to ask about the state of Gaelic today. I told him I had tried thirty years ago to learn the language for a few years, but had felt very unsupported, but that this time, having decided to die on a hill trying to get to fluency, I had found it a completely different experience - I asked him if he had noticed whether here was such a change in Gaelic's fortunes, to which he agreed, stating that he thought so too, there's never been a better time to have a go!

After an entertaining hour we were able to get copies of Coinneach's book signed and to get selfies etc. I managed to have a chat with him for a couple of minutes in Gaelic about Cape Breton, which he had mentioned during his talk, and a place I visited when working for STV in 1999. At one point my wife mentioned to him that I used to work for Rhoda MacDonald at the company (who used to present the Gaelic learners' series Speaking Our Language), to which he responded "I'm having dinner with her tomorrow evening in London!", which was completely unexpected, so I asked him to pass on my best to her. It's a small world...!

Coinneach's new book The Hebridean Baker at Home is predominantly a recipe book, but also contains many stories and anecdotes from his family, as well as the history of the island, covering everything from the Fairy Flag of the Macleods to the sinking of the Iolaire after the First World War. It's a great read, and a worthy addition to your library!

Mòran taing a Choinneach, bha e math tachairt riut! (Taing cuideachd do Julia Preston aig An Teaghlach, agus dhan Book Nook)

Chris

ScotlandsPeople updates Scottish Women's Land Army collection

The ScotlandsPeople Scottish Women's Land Army collection includes the surviving index cards of the Scottish Women's Land Army and Timber Corps from 1939 to 1950. However, the collection also has an online barrier to access, with a closure period for those born less than one hundred years ago.

As part of its recent update, the site has now added more than 2000 records for women born in 1923 who served. You can search the collection at https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/advanced-search/employment-records/scottish-womens-land-army/swla#form (you need to be signed in).

Chris

Sunday 21 January 2024

ScotlandsPeople annual records update

The annual update on ScotlandsPeople (www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk) has seen a further quarter of a million records added, for births in 1923, marriages in 1948, and deaths in 1973. Records after these years remain closed online for privacy reasons and data harvesting concerns, but can be viewed at a ScotlandsPeople centre.

For more on the release visit https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2024/quarter-of-a-million-records-added-to-scotlandspeople

Chris

Friday 19 January 2024

Ulster Historical Foundation Australia/New Zealand 2024 Lecture Tour

Ulster Historical Foundation representatives Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt will be touring Australia and New Zealand in February and March, returning to the Southern Hemisphere for a lecture tour programme for the first time since 2017.

The following is a summary of their itinerary – for full details, and to register for events, visit https://www.ancestryireland.com/australia-new-zealand-2024/

Saturday, 10 February 2024 - Blackburn, Melbourne VIC (9:00am-3:00pm)
Location: Unit 1, 41 Railway Rd (corner of Queen St) Blackburn VIC 3130
Host: Family History Connections (FHC) in association with Genealogical Society of Victoria
Activity: One-to-one personal research consultations

Sunday, 11 February 2024 - Adelaide, SA (9:00am-5:00pm)
Location: Unley Town Hall, 181 Unley Rd, Unley South Australia 5061
Title: Researching your Irish and Scots-Irish Family History
Host: Genealogy SA

Tuesday, 13 February 2024 - Perth, WA (times 9:30am-4:40pm)
Location: State Library of Western Australia, 25 Francis St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Host: Family HistoryWA

Thursday, 15 February 2024 - Brisbane, QLD (9:00am-1:00pm)
Location: Genealogical Society of Qld Inc. resource rooms, 25 Stackpole Street, Wishart
Host: Genealogical Society of Queensland

Friday, 16 February 2024 - Brisbane, QLD (9:00am-1:00pm)
Location: Kedron-Wavell Services Club, 21 Kittyhawk Drive Chermside, QLD 4032 Australia
Host: Queensland Family History Society

Saturday, 17 February 2024 - Nambour, QLD (9:00am-4:30pm)
Location: SCACC Clubhouse, Nambour Show Grounds, Nambour
Host: Genealogy Sunshine Coast

Sunday, 18 February 2024 - Melbourne, VIC (9:00am-4:30pm)
Location: Docklands Library, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands VIC 3008
Host: Genealogical Society of Victoria

Monday, 19 February 2024 - Melbourne, VIC (9:00am-4:30pm)
Location: 2 Diggers Way, Blackburn VIC 3130
Host: Family History Connections, formerly AIGS

Tuesday, 20 February 2024 - Canberra, ACT (9:00am-4:30pm)
Location: FHACT Education Room, Cook Community Centre, 41 Templeton Street, Cook, ACT 2614
Host: Family History ACT

Wednesday, 21 February 2024 - Sydney, NSW (times 9:00am-5:00pm)
Location: Henry Carmichael Theatre, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Host: Society of Australian Genealogists

Friday, 23 February 2024 – Panmure, Auckland, NZ (10:30am-2:30pm)
Location: Family Research Centre (FRC), Level 1, 159 Queens Road, Panmure, Auckland 1072
Host: Irish Interest Group of the New Zealand Genealogical Society

Saturday, 24 February 2024 – Pakuranga, Auckland, NZ (9:00am-5:00pm)
Location: Te Tuhi Arts Centre, 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga, Auckland
Title: Ireland: Unlocking your Irish Ancestry (Day 1)

Sunday, 25 February 2024 – Pakuranga, Auckland, NZ (9:15am-5:00pm)
Location: Te Tuhi Arts Centre, 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga, Auckland
Title: Ireland: Unlocking your Irish Ancestry (Day 2)

Monday, 26 February 2024 – Pukekohe, Auckland, NZ (9:00am-1:00pm)
Location: 12 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe, Auckland 2120
Host: New Zealand Society of Genealogists Franklin Branch, Auckland Council Libraries Pukekohe

Tuesday, 27 February 2024 – Wanaka, NZ (9:00am-12:00pm, 12:30pm-1:45pm )
Location for consultations: Wanaka Library, Dunmore Street, Wanaka
Location for lunchtime lecture: The Armstrong Room, Lake Wanaka Centre, 89 Ardmore Street
Host: The Wanaka Genealogy Group

Wednesday, 28 February 2024 – Dunedin, Otago, NZ (9:30am-5:00pm)
Location: Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, 31 Queens Gardens, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Title: Researching your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors
Host: Ulster Historical Foundation and Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

Thursday, 29 February 2024 – Christchurch NZ (9:30am-3:30pm)
Location: Christchurch Irish Society Hall, 29 Domain Terrace, Christchurch
Title: Researching your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors
Host: Ulster Historical Foundation

Friday, 1 March 2024 – Wellington, NZ (morning: 9:30am-12:30pm)
Location: Collective Community Hub, 1/33 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville
Host: Lower North Island Irish Interest Group (NZSG)
Activity: Morning of one-to-one personal research consultations

Friday, 1 March 2024 – Wellington, NZ (evening: 5:00pm-8:30pm)
Location: Loaves and Fishes Hall, CNR Hill & Molesworth St, Thorndon
Title: Researching your Irish and Scots-Irish family (opening reception)
Host: Lower North Island Irish Interest Group (NZSG)

Saturday, 2 March 2024 – Wellington, NZ (9:00am-4:30pm)
Location: Collective Community Hub, 1/33 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville
Title: Researching your Irish and Scots-Irish family (full-day seminar)
Host: Lower North Island Irish Interest Group (NZSG)

Fintan and Gillian certainly know their stuff, you'll have a cracking time if you attend any of the events!

Chris

Wednesday 17 January 2024

Glasgow's People's Palace secures National Lottery funding

The People's Palace in Glasgow has secured £850,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of efforts towards the museum's refurbishment, which will cost almost £36 million, and following its closure in 2018. Development work will hopefully allow a further £6.65 million to be secured from the fund in the near future.

For further details visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-68005733

Chris

FamilySearch adds 1931 Canadian census

From FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org):

FamilySearch, the world's largest genealogical organization, and Libraries Archive Canada (LAC), are happy to announce the completion of the free, fully searchable index and images of the 1931 Census of Canada. This significant achievement is a remarkable resource for genealogists, historians, and anyone interested in uncovering their Canadian roots. Search the census now at FamilySearch.org.

The digital images of the 1931 Census of Canada, the 7th census for Canada, were made available by the Libraries and Archives Canada in June 2023. Ancestry, and nonprofit FamilySearch, then went to work extracting information written on each enumerated page to create a name-searchable index of over 10 million people waiting to be discovered from its 234,678 pages.

Key Highlights of the 1931 Census of Canada Release

Full Accessibility: Each enumerated page of the historic 1931 Census of Canada has been digitized and made available online, ensuring that researchers worldwide can access this invaluable resource from the comfort of their homes.
Fully Searchable Name Index: With the introduction of a fully searchable name index, individuals can now easily locate their ancestors and discover unique insights about their lives. Whether you're seeking birthplaces, occupations, or household members, FamilySearch’s robust search functionality yields a high probability you will discover your Canadian ancestors if they are in the census.
High-Quality Images: The release includes high-quality images of the original census records, preserving the historical integrity of the documents while enabling users to view them in remarkable detail.
Collaborative Effort: This project was made possible through the collaborative efforts of FamilySearch and Ancestry.com, which transcribed and indexed the records, and the Library and Archives Canada, which generously provided access to the census materials.

FamilySearch invites researchers of all levels to explore the 1931 Census of Canada and embark on a journey through time to uncover their family's stories. This release aligns with our commitment to help preserve and provide access to the world's genealogical records, making family history discoveries more possible for all.

To access the 1931 Census of Canada and begin your journey of discovery, please visit FamilySearch.org.

(Source: https://www.familysearch.org/en/newsroom/familysearch-announces-free-1931-census-of-canada)

Comment: Direct link is at https://www.familysearch.org/en/info/1931-census-of-canada - you need to be registered with a free FamilySearch account to access.

Chris

National Library of Scotland to change opening hours

From the National Library of Scotland (www.nls.uk) in Edinburgh:

We’re changing our opening hours at George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. From 5 February we will open at 10am (Monday to Saturday). More info on our opening hours > https://www.nls.uk/using-the-library/opening-hours/

Chris

Sunday 14 January 2024

1938-39 electoral register for County Monaghan added to Roots Ireland

From RootsIreland (www.rootsireland.ie)

New Monaghan Records Online Now!

We are delighted to announce the addition of the Electoral Register for Co. Monaghan, 1938-1939, which consists of 36,616 records. For an up to date list of sources for Monaghan and to search these records, go to monaghan.rootsireland.ie and login or subscribe as required.

Chris

Family Tree magazine's DNA Discoveries events in March

From Family Tree magazine:

Family Tree are excited to present DNA Discoveries, an exciting programme of online events exploring and celebrating the use of DNA for family history, with registration now open.

DNA Discoveries is a brand new online event dedicated to genetic genealogy, as many of the world's top DNA experts come together for presentations, workshops, and a discussion panel.

Family Tree Publisher Matt Hill said:

'DNA has had a remarkable effect on family history in recent years, and the advances continue to take us in new, exciting directions. This combination of traditional research methods and state-of-the-art science means there's so much to learn, share, and celebrate, and that's why we've launched DNA Discoveries, an online event featuring some of the world's top experts in the field of genetics and genealogy.

'Over two weeks we'll be presenting special talks and workshops to explore how DNA can, is, and will be used for family history, culminating in a special panel discussion as we review the technology and ask where it might take us next. We hope everyone can join us for this exciting online celebration.'

Registration for the event is now open, with the Event Pass starting at £69 for members of Family Tree Plus.

Individual sessions are also available to book individually.

The DNA Discoveries programme includes:

    Wednesday, 13 March 2024
    I've taken a DNA test, now what?
    with Karen Evans | Registration £15 | Event Pass, from £69

    Thursday, 14 March 2024 *
    The Science Behind the Stories: Using Genetic Genealogy in Crime Fiction
    with Nathan Dylan-Goodwin | Registration £15 | Event Pass, from £69

    Tuesday, 19 March 2024
    Using Advanced DNA Tools to Understand Your MyHeritage DNA Matches
    with Daniel Horowitz (MyHeritage) | Registration £15 | Event Pass, from £69

    Wednesday, 20 March 2024
    Y DNA: case studies and how Y-DNA can be used
    with John Cleary | Registration £15 | Event Pass, from £69

    Thursday, 21 March 2024 *
    Workshop: AncestryDNA’s tools
    with Laura House (Ancestry) | Registration £15 | Event Pass, from £69

    Monday, 25 March 2024
    FamilyTreeDNA
    with Janine Cloud (FamilyTreeDNA) | Registration £15 | Event Pass, from £69

    Tuesday, 26 March 2024
    10 DNA dos and don'ts
    with Michelle Leonard | Registration £15 | Event Pass, from £69

    Wednesday, 27 March 2024
    DNA panel discussion | Registration £15 | Event Pass, from £69

To book either a full event pass, or individual talks, please visit https://www.family-tree.co.uk/store/downloads/family-tree-magazine/dna-discoveries-2024-bundle/

(*I'll be hosting the above events marked with an asterisk)

Chris

History Scotland hosts Robert Burns and the Kirk lecture on January 24th

History Scotland magazine has organised a talk on January 24th, at 6.30pm UK time, entitled Robert Burns and the Kirk - here's the blurb:

In this 45-minute illustrated talk, Professor Gerard Carruthers explores why a Presbyterian-cradled 18th-century Scots-language poet wrote a series of kirk satires.

What were the circumstances of the cultural and ecclesiastical politics within which Robert Burns engaged himself so energetically?
How was Burns posthumously reclaimed by Scottish Protestantism?

These related questions and more are addressed in this fast-moving lecture by a world-renowned expert on Robert Burns and his world.

The talks costs £10 to attend - for further details, please visit https://www.historyscotland.com/virtual-events/robert-burns-and-the-kirk-24-january-2024/

Chris

Friday 12 January 2024

NLS Maps site adds 1973 OS maps, and Woodlands viewer 1840s-1880s

Two major additions so far this month to the National Library of Scotland maps viewer:

Ordnance Survey maps published in 1973

We have put online 1,868 maps at scales of 1:1,250 to 1:10,560 which were published in 1973, and which have therefore just come out-of-copyright from 1 January 2024. These include 1,151 detailed maps at scales of 1:1,250 and 1:2,500 covering areas in Scotland, and 717 less detailed maps at scales of 1:10,000/1:10,560 covering areas in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Our graphic index showing the maps highlights the new maps published in 1973 in orange. These are usually the most detailed, basic scales of Ordnance Survey maps for these areas.

Home page - Ordnance Survey National Grid maps, 1944-1973

Woodland in Scotland map viewer, 1840s-1880s

The Library has recently partnered with the nature regeneration platform, Zulu Ecosystems, who have extracted a digital layer showing woodland from the mid-19th century Ordnance Survey maps. The depiction of woodland on these OS Six-Inch to the mile maps (1843-1882) is one of the most comprehensive records of ancient woodland in Scotland. It is hoped that the development and donation of this open access layer will contribute towards the conservation and protection of ancient woodland in Scotland.

Due to the automated processes used to extract the layer, some revisions are still needed. We are inviting volunteers to easily record corrections they spot in the viewer.

Woodland in Scotland map viewer

For further details on recent releases visit https://maps.nls.uk/additions

Chris

BT's last ever phone book comes through the letterbox

The final ever British Telecom phone book came through my door earlier, an edition covering 'Clyde Coast'.

The following message is written inside, accompanying a two page potted history of the phone book dating back to the first ever edition published in London in 1880:

We've been delivering The Phone Book to you from 1880 to 2024.

We have loved being your local directory online and print, thank you for you support.

We will no longer print and deliver The Phone Book after March 2024.

The online service will also finish on 31.03.2024 Until then please keep visiting www.thephonebook.bt.com

It's not easy to see why the publication of the phone book services is ending, in an era of increasing mobile phones and tablets use, and with ever fewer domestic land lines. The Clyde Coast edition is just 122 pages in length, half of which comprises of what would have been the old 'yellow pages', with trade adverts, and the rest with domestic listings. Nevertheless, a major part of history is now happening with its demise, with a once essential publication now becoming a relic. There was a time when I could proudly say my family were the only Patons in the Northern Irish phone book, as a badge of honour!

Don't forget that historic BT phone books for Scotland and the UK (including pre-Partition Ireland, and post-Partition Nothern Ireland) can be found on Ancestry within its British Phone Books, 1880-1984 collection at https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/1025/. It's actually a very difficult set to use, as it returns far too many results in a search (you are much better to browse the volumes), but it can help you to locate individuals between census years and after 1921.

This final edition states on the cover "Final Edition - Hold on to it forever" - sad hoarder that I am, I might just do so!

For more on the story visit https://www.printmonthly.co.uk/News/Industry/11130/bt-to-cease-production-of-uk-font-colorwhitefont

RIP the Phone Book.

Chris

Monday 8 January 2024

Eight days into 2024, and problems once again with records access at National Records of Scotland

I've just learned from a colleague at the Scottish Genealogy Network that there is once again problems with access to some records at the National Records of Scotland (www.nrscotland.gov.uk) "due to safety concerns following a routine inspection".

So, eight days into the new year, and already, here we go again.

I've said it before many times, Scotland desperately needs a new national archive facility that is fit for purpose. The current set up is nothing short of disgraceful, and people do not go to the repository in Edinburgh to look at pretty buildings, they go to try to carry out research. Belfast and London have superb 21st century national archive repositories, Edinburgh simply does not.

This is a comparison I made of the three national archives in the UK in 2014 - https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/2014/07/comparing-uks-three-national-archives.html. Whilst there has been some minor progress, the broad thrust of the description and of the NRS's failures largely still stands almost a decade on.

And a reminder of a response from the NRS's Anne Slater nine years ago in January 2015, detailing a response to the NRS's own estates review (see https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/2015/01/national-records-of-scotland-estates.html):

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

It cannot be emphasised enough that the fact that we have a national archive reeling from one crisis to another, and one service failure to another, is absolutely not a failure of the archivists, who do superb work - it is a failure of the political system in Scotland which merged the GROS and NAS in 2011 to provide a service on the cheap, a subsequent lack of investment, and the recent atrocious leadership at the facility in Edinburgh. According to its website, the NRS still has an Interim Chief Executive, Registrar General and Keeper minding the shop until the position is formally filled, after the previous incumbent, Paul Lowe, resigned in December 2022, not long after the debacle concerning the 2022 census.

The current NRS estate is a worn out relic from the Victorian era.

Scotland needs, and deserves, so much better.

Chris

Sunday 7 January 2024

More Scottish Cabinet records dumped onto ScotlandsPeople

The records you've been waiting for! The newly digitised 2008 Scottish Cabinet records have been added to, errr...(checks notes), ScotlandsPeople (www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk).

Once again, the National Records of Scotland has dumped recent government records of practically no use whatsoever for family history onto its dedicated family history platform, seemingly because it has simply nowhere else to put them, although the news release does mention that further records are available to comsult in the historical search room at General Register House.

You can read more about the release at https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2024/2008-scottish-cabinet-records-to-be-released-online. Form an orderly queue now, and no pushing at the back there...!

Hopefully the annual update of actually useful records on ScotlandsPeople will happen shortly.

Chris

Remembering the 1923 migrations to Canada on the Metagama and the Marloch

In 1923, following the casualty count and loss of life in the the First World War, as well as the tragic loss of life on board H.M Yacht Iolaire as it made its way to Lewis (see https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/first-world-war/the-iolaire-disaster-1919), a mass migration took place in the Western Isles of over two thousand folk, mainly men, who made their way to Canada on board ships such as the S.S. Metagama from Lewis and the S.S. Marloch from Barra. Some of those who emigrated later returned, but the majority remained in their new land. Their departure led to a further decline in the numbers of Gaelic speakers in the Western Isles, but enriched the new country to which they migrated.

There is an excellent documentary on BBC Alba, available via the BBC iPlayer (UK only), about the efforts in 2023 to remember the stories from the great migration on the Metagama and the Morlach by schools across the Western Isles, as well as to tell the story of some of those who left. Amongst those featured is Western Isles MP Angus Brendan MacNeil, whose family on Barra has a long term friendship with a Canadian family thanks to their connection through the Marloch story.

The programme, in Gaelic (with English subtitles) is part of the Trusadh series, and entitled Eilthireachd: Cuimhneachdain Coimhearsnachdan, meaning "Emigration: Remembering Communities". It can be found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001sfz2/trusadh-series-16-3-eilthireachd-cuimhneachain-coimhearsnachdan.

Chris

Friday 5 January 2024

Scottish Indexes conference on January 13th 2024

The next free to attend Scottish Indexes Conference takes place on January 13th, with the following speakers and talks:

'Discovering the Resurrection Men of Kelso' by Andrew Armstrong
'The Disappearing Streets and Lost Communities of Glasgow' by Catriona Haine
'Lust, Lucre and Lybell: An 18th Century Scottish Soap Opera' by Dianne Brydon
‘Moving DNA to the Next Level’ by Mia Bennett
'Finding Births, Marriages and Deaths in Scotland before 1855' by Emma Maxwell
'The reach of the Shetland fishing industry throughout history' by John Goodlad
‘Ah Kent Yer Faither’: Researching Family History in a Scottish Local Authority by Sarah Wilcock of Perth & Kinross Archive

For further details please visit the recently revamped Scottish Indexes website at https://www.scottishindexes.com/conference.aspx#c4

Chris

Coldstream Guards photo albums and attestation records added to Findmypast

Added to Findmypast (www.findmypast.co.uk) today:

British Army, Coldstream Guards 1800-1981

This week's biggest update comes to our Coldstream Guards collection, to which we've added 17,896 photo album records and 497 attestations. Founded in 1650, the Coldstream Guards is one of the British Army's oldest regiments. It has historically been responsible for the protection of the Royal family, and is thus is also considered to be one of the army's most prestigious regiments.

With this update, our Coldstream Guards collection now totals in at over 167,000 records, making it easy to track down relevant information about your ancestors that may have served with this regiment between 1800 and 1981.

The first part of this record update consists of images and transcriptions of over 17,000 photo album entries. Glean high quality images from some of history's key moments - who knows, you may even spot a familiar face or two.

But that's not all - on top of these detail-rich images, there are also attestation records for you to explore. (497 attestations in total)

For further details visit https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/new/coldstream-guards-south-wales-borderers

Chris

Wednesday 3 January 2024

Scottish Family History Month talks from History Scotland and Family Tree magazines

From History Scotland magazine (https://www.historyscotland.com), news of Scottish Family History Month, which it will be hosting alongside Family Tree magazine (https://www.family-tree.co.uk) in February:

Join us this February for Scottish Family History Month, supported by National Records of Scotland and Strathclyde University, as we present a series of insightful online webinars led by some of the best speakers in the field.

Choose to attend individual talks or opt for the 'bundle' ticket to enjoy all six sessions at a discounted rate.

Secure your spot today and make the most of Scottish Family History Month!

SCOTTISH FAMILY HISTORY MONTH

Webinars can be booked individually at £10 each or as a bundle for £55.
All sessions include a Q&A and will be recorded for registrants to view afterwards.

Locating Scottish burial records (Emma Maxwell)
1 February, midday

Understanding Scottish birth, marriage and death certificates (Ken Nisbet)
7 February, 6.30pm

Sailing to Philadelphia: where did my Scots ancestors go? (Alison Spring)
14 February, midday

Where did they live? Using maps for family history (Mary Evans)
21 February, 6.30pm

Scottish burgh and trade incorporation records (Chris Paton)
24 February, midday

Using DNA To break down Scottish brick walls (Michelle Leonard)
28 February, 6.30pm

You can book talks individually or as a bundle via https://www.historyscotland.com/store/downloads/history-scotland/scottish-family-history-month-2024 or https://www.family-tree.co.uk/how-to-guides/scottish-family-history-month-2024/

Comment: I'll be on hosting duties for these sessions, introducing the speakers and taking questions from attendees to put to them, so I hope you can join us for what promises to be a great month of presentations!

Chris

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