Latest North Irish Roots journal has a sporting theme

The latest North Irish Roots journal (Vol. 36 No. 2, 2025) from the North of Ireland Family History Society (https://www.nifhs.org) is now available for members, this time with a sporting theme. Amongst this edition's content there are several articles on tracing sporting ancestors, including within the areas of rugby, hockey, and golf.

For further details on the journal and other membership benefits please visit https://www.nifhs.org/research-centre-resources/resources/north-irish-roots-jstor/

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, 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. To purchase in the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

North Irish Roots spring journal now available

The first North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org) North Irish Roots journal for 2024 has just arrived in the post, and includes an article by yours truly on Poor Law Removals from Britain to Ireland. 

Also in the journal, which focusses on 'Tracing your family in England', there are articles from Debbie Bradley on how to search for ancestors in England and Wales, the Shankill Graveyard, and Christian Endeavour (Ireland) Retreat Homes, news on some new NIFHS transcriptions available to members, a review of the 'A Few Forgotten Women' project, and more!

For more on the journal, visit https://www.nifhs.org/resources/north-irish-roots/.

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.

North Irish Roots journal index 1984-2021 now available for NIFHS members

Over the last year I have been working as part of a team of volunteers on a project for the North of Ireland Family History Society (https://www.nifhs.org), to index the seventy-seven North Irish Roots Journals from 1984-2021 as part of a new Guide for NIFHS Members. Led by Audrey McKeown, the team also included Kate Brinko (USA), Amy Abbott (England), Margaret Armstrong (Northern Ireland), Alison Balzer (Canada), Elizabeth McIver (Scotland), and Jon Kwiatkowski (USA).

From Audrey: “The purpose of producing this Guide has been to provide members with a key resource document of over 260 pages to use as part of their family history resources. It lists Titles, Authors, Surnames, Locations, Resources (over 480 listed), Transcriptions completed, Books, and Book Reviews (320+). It also highlights the work of the NIFHS Volunteers and Branches over the years.”

Most of these Journals are accessible to members in the JSTOR Ireland Collection. The Guide is available to members in the Members Only Content section of the website.

To join the NIFHS, please visit https://www.nifhs.org/membership/ - you can join a specific branch (Ballymena, Belfast, Causeway Coast and Glens, Foyle, Killyleagh, Larne, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, South Tyrone, Tyrone), or join as an associate member.

I hope the guide helps – I'm already making some interesting finds!

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - 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. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

North of Ireland FHS Autumn 2022 courses programme

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

NIFHS COURSES AUTUMN 2022 PROGRAMME

1. Starting Out on Irish Family History, Audrey McKeown
Thursday 13 & 20 October 2022 (2.00pm) 

Ideal for beginners to Irish records and those wanting a refresher, this two-session course has been developed to help you find useful up-to-date resources and websites. You will be introduced to records which will assist you in your family history research, including civil, church, census, burial and land records. The course will also cover the resources made available to NIFHS members.


2. Starting Out on Irish Family History, Audrey McKeown
Thursday 13 & 20 October 2022 (7.00pm) 

Ideal for beginners to Irish records and those wanting a refresher, this two-session course has been developed to help you find useful up-to-date resources and websites. You will be introduced to records which will assist you in your family history research, including civil, church, census, burial and land records. The course will also cover the resources made available to NIFHS members.


3. Look-Up Service (NIFHS Volunteers)
Friday 4 November 2022 (7.00pm) FREE

Our ever-popular Look-up evening returns to give you an opportunity to reap the benefits of our society look-up service. This is not a formal talk but an opportunity for you to find out more about some of the items that the society holds in its research library. Come along and ask us a question - you may even get a look-up done during the session! If you are interested in attending then send an email to education.zoom@nifhs.org for the zoom link.


4. Amalgamating Your DNA Match Lists, Martin McDowell
Saturday 5 November 2022 (2.00pm)

Did you know you could use DNA Painter to combine together your match lists from Family Tree DNA, MyHeritage, 23andme, Geneanet and Gedmatch? This class explains step-by-step how to use the bulk import tool to combine match lists and organise them by segment.


5. Using the Leeds Method, Anne Johnston
Wednesday 9 November 2022 (7.00pm)

Do you feel overwhelmed by your list of DNA matches and don't know where to start? Or have you unknown parentage and can't make sense of your matches? The Leeds Method, developed by Dana Leeds, helps you to group your matches and look for patterns. Join us for a session which will take you step-by-step through the methodology and give you hints and tips on the follow up.


6. Launch of New Index for North Irish Roots, Audrey McKeown and Mike McKeag
Thursday 17 November 2022 (2.00pm) FREE

The North Irish Roots journal is brimming with sources, records and articles relating to a vast range of subjects. Over the last year, the journal editor and NIFHS members from around the world have produced a searchable guide of all 75 issues of the journal. This session will explain how members may use the updated Guide (which runs to over 200 pages) and also explain how back issues can be accessed. If you are interested in attending then send an email to education.zoom@nifhs.org for the zoom link.


7. Registry of Deeds, Matthew Gilbert
Friday 18 November 2022 (7.00pm)

Using memorials from the Registry of Deeds can be an effective tool in pushing your family tree back into the 1700s.  However, navigating the online records can be confusing.  With a detailed introduction, and worked examples, this course aims to show how to utilise the Registry of Deeds treasure trove.


8. Dating Old Family Photographs, Alison Tait
Friday 2 December 2022 (7.00pm)

Interpreting and dating photos is an important tool in our family history research. This class will use real examples to demonstrate dating techniques.

For further details visit https://www.nifhs.org/courses/.

(With thanks to Martin McDowell)

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - 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. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

FIBIS seeks volunteer journal editor

From the Families in British India Society (FIBIS):

Volunteer Journal Editor needed

FIBIS are currently in need of a volunteer Journal Editor. Please read the job description below and contact FIBIS Chairman Pat Scully (email: chairman@fibis.org) if you are interested in the position or have any questions.

Job description - General Information

The primary role of the FIBIS Editor is to put together the Bi-annual Journal.

The FIBIS Journal is primarily an educational and historical publication to inform and entertain members interested in family history and life in India in the days of the Raj. It is published twice per year, so the work associated with its editing can be spread out as required, to suit the editor ‘s own availability or, if preferred, can be a concentrated effort taking place over a week or so. The work is eminently suitable for flexible working. Moreover, it is very interesting and varied work, where the Editor is in the fortunate position of learning whilst working, constantly being updated by reading the first-hand research and experiences of other people with similar interests and objectives. The role is well-supported by other FIBIS members who are always helpful and willing to lend a hand, contribute knowledge and expertise and generally are ready to step in wherever required.

Being Editor of the FIBIS Journal is a responsible position, but one is not alone. There is a strong team ethos behind the organisation and help is always available when needed.

Specific Tasks

• To receive, select and edit articles contributed for the journal.
• To proof-read the short-listed articles/material and edit where appropriate.
• To format the Journal, arranging articles in a coherent and interesting form and update the information regularly contained (positions held by Trustees etc. usually on an annual basis)
• To liaise with the Printing company and the proof-reader, so that the material contained in the Journal is correct and ready to be printed according to an agreed timetable.
• To send out complimentary copies of the Journal (a list is provided). Members ‘ copies, which form the bulk of the mailings, are sent out by the Printer.
• In order to perform the role successfully, a good level of I.T. and literacy skills is required.

Status

The Editor normally becomes a Trustee of the FIBIS charity, but doesn’t have to be. If applicants are interested in also taking on the trustee responsibilities they will need to attend Trustees ‘ meetings every two months, held at the British Library or via Zoom.  

(With thanks to FIBIS by email)

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - 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. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

The new North Irish Journal index 2013-2021

I've just attended a great presentation by Audrey McKeown and Michael McKeag about a new index that has been compiled for the North Irish Roots journal of the North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org), covering the most recent journals from 2013-2021.

A wee bit of background from the email announcing the launch:

The new resource lists 2000 family surnames, 2100 locations and over 100 useful websites. It is a substantial piece of work at 44 pages which are searchable.

The NIFHS journal has long been digitised in a partnership between Queens University Belfast and JSTOR - a digital library of academic journals, books, and primary sources. NIFHS members get free, at home, access to the Irish Collection on JSTOR. Some libraries offer access too. The new index is free to members and is due to be sent to them after the launch event.

Note that all copies of the journal are available to members within the Ireland Collection on the JSTOR platform (https://www.jstor.org), with the exception of those from the most recent three years (there is an ongoing release programme on JSTOR for access to journals). For further information on this access, please visit https://www.nifhs.org/membership/benefits-of-membership/jstor-north-irish-roots/. For more on the journal itself, visit https://www.nifhs.org/resources/north-irish-roots/.

The journal is a great member benefit, and the index should be a very useful finding aid - congratulations to all involved!

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - 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. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

North Irish Roots - focus on Scotland

The latest edition of the North of Ireland Family History Society's journal, North Irish Roots (Vol. 31 No.2), has a particular focus on Scotland.

There are articles by Iain Ferguson on using ScotlandsPeople (www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk), from Jocelyn Grant on using the National Records of Scotland (www.nrscotland.gov.uk), from Emma Maxwell on the Scottish Indexes website (www.scottishindexes.com), from Irene O'Brien on Glasgow's poor law records (www.glasgowfamilyhistory.org.uk/ExploreRecords/Pages/Poor-Law.aspx), and from yours truly on working as a genealogist in Scotland, and the differences in carrying out research here from a Northern Irish perspective. NIFHS member Linde Munney also has an interesting article on whether Scotland has forgotten about its diaspora in Ulster, and questions why that may be the case, and there are a fair few articles also about Northern Ireland and Ireland!

For more on the journal, and to join the society, visit www.nifhs.org.

And for members of the Larne branch, I look forward to speaking to you on Monday 16th November about Tracing the Irish in Scotland!

(With thanks to Audrey McKeown)

Chris

My next 5 week Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers course starts November 2nd - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. My book Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is now out, also available are Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.