New Scottish family tree research packages from Scotland's Greatest Story

For many years I have only offered research through my Scotland's Greatest Story research service (www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk) based on an hourly rate, but I know that some people prefer the option of paying for a research package, for example, to obtain a family tree research report as a present for a celebratory event. 

As such, to offer a bit more flexibility, I have decided to put together two research package types for Scottish based research, offered as follows:

SGS 1: Four Generation Scottish Ancestral Tree     

£395  (£365 without a bound copy)

This package includes a full day of research at a ScotlandsPeople centre, plus additional research into newspapers and other resources, charts, and write up time. The starting point has to be an individual born in Scotland after 1960, with the report identifying the stories of parents going back three generations, including children’s details, and identifying the names of the ancestors in the fourth generation, and as much information on them as time will allow.

SGS 2: Five Generation Scottish Ancestral Tree

£695  (£665 without a bound copy)

This package includes two full days of research at a ScotlandsPeople centre, plus additional research into newspapers and other resources, charts, and write up time. The starting point has to be an individual born in Scotland after 1960, with the report identifying the stories of parents going back four generations, including children’s details, and identifying the names of the ancestors in the fifth generation, and as much information on them as time will allow.

(Although this is one generation further back, it is double the amount of work of the first package, as the number of families in a tree going back doubles with each generation!)

Please note:

• I will require as much information from you about the candidate chosen as the starting point as possible, including their parents' names, prior to making a start.
• Reports will include transcriptions of any records found. If original copies of records are requested, these can be sourced but will be charged at cost, in addition to the package fee.
• Where brick walls emerge, e.g. with a line that departs from Scotland at a particular time, or where there is a lack of documentation available, the research time will be redirected into fleshing out the stories of those that have been found with additional context.
• For printed and bound reports requested beyond the UK, an additional postage fee will be added, charged at cost for the relevant destination.
• A deposit will be required in advance for 40% of the relevant package, with the balance paid upon completion of the report, and prior to its despatch.  
• Payments accepted by PayPal, cheque, or via bank transfer.
  
• These packages are specifically for families that are known, or believed, to have lived within Scotland in the timescales involved. For other enquiries, for example Irish or English research, or cases involving adoptions, please use the hourly rate service - details at https://scotlandsgreateststory.wordpress.com/servicefees/.
• If required for a specific date, please contact me at least two months in advance.
  

I hope these may be of interest, and if so, you can contact me via my Scotland's Greatest Story at https://scotlandsgreateststory.wordpress.com/about-2/contact/, or via email directly at enquiry@scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk

I look forward to helping where I can!

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 the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Scottish Genealogy Network to meet in Edinburgh on March 4th

After a very successful meeting in Glasgow last weekend (see https://scottishgenes.blogspot.com/2023/02/scottish-genealogy-network-meets-in.html), the Scottish Genealogy Network (http://scottishgenealogynetwork.blogspot.com) will be meeting again very soon, in Edinburgh, on Saturday 4th March. The venue will be the Guildford Arms, next to the National Records of Scotland, at 1pm.

The Scottish Genealogy Network is, as it suggests, a network for those who work professionally within the family history world in Scotland, whether as a genealogist, archivist, librarian, tutor, or in ancestral tourism. There's no membership fee, it's a group of like-minded folk coming together to discuss the various issues and challenges that we encounter in our everyday lives in the industry, over a drink or a bite to eat. We have visited archives in the past to help in our professional development, and have also held our own conferences for members. We also have our own private Facebook group where we can share news, events and help each other out, with access to this group conditional on attendance at a meeting. You can find out more about us at the SGN website above, and read several past events reports there also. 

If you are a working genealogist, work professionally in an associated discipline, or are a retired professional in the field, you'll be most welcome to attend - hopefully we'll see you there!

Chris

Pre-order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors 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. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Three Europeans on new board of the Association of Professional Genealogists

The Association of Professional Genealogists (www.apgen.org) has announced the results of its recent board election, with three European genealogists added to the board, John Boeren from the Netherlands (for a third term), David Ryan from Cork, Ireland, and to Markus Schönherr from Austria, as well two members as to its nominations commitee. The following is the announcement:

APG Announces New Board and Nominations Committee Members

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the world’s largest association for the genealogical profession, has announced the results of its election for board members and nominations committee members. The APG membership elected six at-large board members for two-year terms, and two nominations committee members were elected for one-year terms. Both terms begin on 1 January 2023.

AT-LARGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (TWO-YEAR TERM)

John Boeren, LLM, PLCGS (Netherlands): John Boeren is a genealogy professional based in the Netherlands, where his business, Antecedentia, offers research and heritage trips. He attended the School for Archivists in The Hague and the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. John, a member of the boards of The Hidden Branch and THE Genealogy Show, is a frequent author and speaker.

Karin Coppernoll, PLCGS (US – Washington): Karin Coppernoll is a professional genealogist with more than forty years of research experience and is the sole proprietor of Brick by Brick Genealogy, a genealogy consulting business. She is the treasurer for both the Puget Sound Chapter of APG and the Olympia Genealogical Society, and previously served as secretary of the Washington State Genealogical Society.

Alec Ferretti (US – New York): Alec Ferretti, a New York City-based professional genealogist, works for the Wells Fargo Family & Business History Center, researching family histories for high-net-worth clients. A graduate of the New York University and Long Island University dual master’s program in archives and library science, Alec serves as the President of the New York Genealogy & Technology Group and is a member of the board of Reclaim the Records.

Margaret R. Fortier, CG® (US – Massachusetts): Margaret Fortier is a professional researcher, speaker, and writer with a focus on immigrants to New England. She is a facilitator for the Certification Discussion Group (CDG), a mentor for the GenProof study group, and a mentor for the CDG Mentor program. Margaret is chair of the Board for Certification of Genealogists Webinar Committee and served on the Board for the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, Inc.

David Ryan (Ireland): David Ryan is a professional genealogist, tour guide, and oral historian based in Cork City, Ireland. He has a master’s degree in medieval history and a diploma in genealogy from University College Cork, and is a graduate of ProGen Study Group 39. David is the Communications Chair for the Oral History Network of Ireland.

Markus Schoenherr (Austria): Markus Schoenherr is a professional genealogist living and working in Vienna, specializing in Central and Eastern European research. He has served on boards and commissions of various associations in Europe, giving him exposure to cultural differences in how associations operate in different countries. He formerly worked in financial planning and accounting, holding a business degree from the University of Passau, Germany.

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE (ONE-YEAR TERM)

Shannon Musfelt (US – Florida): Shannon Musfelt is the owner of Benchmark Genealogy, specializing in Northeast, South, and Midwest United States research and DNA analysis. A graduate of the Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research Program and GenProof Study Group, Shannon volunteers as a Search Angel, assists the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) Academy as a Hiveminder, and volunteers with the Polish Genealogy Society of America.

Elizabeth Swanay O’Neal (US – California): Elizabeth Swanay O'Neal is a professional genealogist, writer, and speaker, specializing in methodology, technology, and online research resources. She has studied at the National Institute for Genealogical Research, the Forensic Genealogy Institute, and SLIG. Elizabeth is president of the APG Southern California Chapter andthe Education & Programs Director for the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society.

Statement from APG President Annette Burke Lyttle

“I am pleased to welcome this dedicated group of experienced genealogy professionals to APG’s  Board of Directors and Nominating Committee. Their diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise will bring new perspectives to APG’s leadership, strengthening our efforts to serve professional genealogists around the world. We look forward to exciting new initiatives in the new year.”

Congratulations to John, David, and Marcus, and to all who will be serving the APG for the forthcoming term!

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.

APG appoints eNews Editor and Advertising Manager

So a wee development at this end...

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) is pleased to announce having contracted with Chris Paton of Scotland to edit their monthly eNews and with Theresa McVean of Ontario, Canada, as advertising sales manager.

Chris Paton has spent three decades in communication industries, including twelve years as a television documentary maker in England and Scotland both with the BBC and Scottish Television. Originally from Northern Ireland, Chris has been a professional genealogist in Scotland since 2006. In December 2021 he volunteered to edit the eNews, allowing APG to resurrect this important communication tool.

Theresa McVean is a professional genealogist and co-founder of Ancestree Detectives. She is active in APG as chair of the Ontario Chapter and a volunteer on the marketing committee. She is also a marketing consultant with experience as director of advertising sales at Canadian media companies, as well as having been senior account manager in advertising sales at The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper.

“We are very excited to welcome Chris and Theresa to our team of contractors. The eNews is our primary tool for communication to our members,” said Annette Burke Lyttle, APG president. “Chris has been doing a great job as interim editor, and we’re happy to have him continue. Theresa’s professional background in advertising sales will be a huge asset to the association.” 

Comment : I've had a lot of fun putting together the APG's newsletter in the last four months, and look forward to continuing to work with colleagues internationally to help share news that benefits us all in our professional work as genealogists.

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.

Forthcoming Association of Professional Genealogists elections

Apologies for the abuse of my own news blog here (!), but the following post is intended for my fellow members of the Association of Professional Genealogists (www.apgen.org). 

As someone who resigned as a very disillusioned Board member last month, I am proud to support the write-in campaign of my APG colleagues Annette Burke Lyttle, John Boeren, and Katherine Willson for the posts of President, Vice-President and Secretary.

The following is their manifesto commitments on which they are seeking votes:

We've generated a lot of discussion about the organization, and that is positive and important. The days of grumbling to ourselves or in small groups are over, and I see a possibility for real change for the better. I want to make a clear statement about some of the things I stand for as the write-in candidate for president. I know my colleagues, John Boeren, candidate for vice president, and Katherine Willson, candidate for secretary, are committed to these changes, as well.

• an overhaul of the elections process so it is fair and transparent
• an overhaul of the bylaws, policies, and procedures (rather than piecemeal changes) to allow the organization to function in the best interests of its members
• instituting mechanisms for easy two-way communication between the leadership and the membership and really listening
• collaborative decision making rather than having the power vested in the EC and the board as a rubber stamp
• reviving the eNews and the discussion forum to keep members informed and to allow them to network
• better serving our international members by learning what they need and supplying it

If you support these changes, then please consider voting for us, the write-in candidates.

The nominations have now been announced by the APG (please check your email for the list of nominees). Disappointingly they do not include Annette, John and Katherine, despite their request to be considered. I believe that all three could provide a much-needed fresh perspective, and outstanding leadership skills, to the organisation, particularly with regards to those of us in the international membership, as well as to our colleagues in the USA. An election without a choice is simply a coronation.

I would therefore ask you to seriously consider the option of adding all three in as 'write-in' candidates when the ballot drops in the next few days. You can find more about Annette, John and Katherine via their biographies on the APG Directory site.

Thank you.

UPDATE:  Here are candidate biographies for all three (their names can be added in on the ballot as write-in candidates):

Biography of Annette Burke Lyttle, write-in candidate for president
I have been a professional genealogist since 2014, initially offering services in research, writing, and education. In recent years my business has become centered on genealogy education in the form of speaking, teaching courses, and coaching individual clients on how to do research. I’ve held a number leadership positions in genealogical organizations, including vice president and program chair of the Colorado APG chapter and vice president and program chair of the APG Writers SIG. I’m also active in the Florida State Genealogical Society, serving on their webinar team and as editor of The Florida Genealogist. As a contractor for APG, I coordinated three Professional Management Conferences (2017–2019).

I have coordinated courses for GRIP and SLIG and currently coordinate the Fall Virtual Intermediate Foundations course for SLIG. I lead a Best Practices Study Group for three different organizations.
Non-genealogy volunteer experience includes serving as president of the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District and as president of the Golden (Colorado) Urban Renewal Authority. 

I had a long career working in leadership positions in the government, corporate, small business, and educational sectors. That experience has given me the skills to work together with people to get the job done, whatever that job is. I understand the importance of listening and communicating, of valuing the people I work with, and of delivering results for the people I work for.

I think APG should be a “big tent” that accommodates, supports, and provides for all professional genealogists, regardless of how traditional or non-traditional their business or working situation is, regardless of background and age, regardless of anything that might separate us. We have more in common than we have differences, and we will all be better off if we can share, talk openly, and work for the good of all.

Here is my immediate vision for APG:
• an overhaul of the elections process so it is fair and transparent
• an overhaul of the bylaws, policies, and procedures (rather than piecemeal changes) to allow the organization to function in the best interests of its members
• instituting mechanisms for easy two-way communication between the leadership and the membership, and really listening
• collaborative decision making rather than having the power vested in the EC with the board as a rubber stamp
• reviving the eNews and the discussion forum to keep members informed and to allow them to network
• better serving our international members and our younger members by learning what they need and supplying it

Biography John Boeren, LLM, PLCGS, write-in candidate for Vice President
I live and work in The Netherlands. After I graduated from Tilburg University (Law School) I took classes at the School for Archivists in The Hague. My first work experience was with the Tilburg Regional Archives, as their team manager for research services. Later I served several mayors as their advisor on ceremony and protocol. In 2015 I started my own genealogy business, called Antecedentia. I then took classes at the National Institute for Genealogical Studies (Professional Development, Methodology, English Records). Since October 2020 I have been enrolled in the Strathclyde certificate program for Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies. In 2018 I became a fulltime genealogy professional, one of only a few in the Netherlands. I was a speaker at international conferences and wrote articles for international magazines and blogs. 

Over the last thirty years I served on many boards, often in the position of secretary, vice-president or president. Examples are:

• Dutch Genealogical Society (board member, 2004-2009 and 2014-2017, including the position of vice-president)
• Hasselt Chapel Foundation (secretary 2009-2012)
• Royal Archery Guild Sint Sebastian (secretary 2011-2015, president 2015-2021)
• THE Genealogy Show (board member, 2018-present)
• Netherlands Academy voor Genealogy (president, 2020-present)
• The Hidden Branch (ambassador, 2021-present)

For my longstanding contribution to the Dutch society, especially in the field of local history and genealogy, the King of the Netherlands appointed me Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2018.

Since January 2020 I have served on the board of APG as one of the directors. As the write-in candidate for the position of Vice-President I envision to 

(1) improve the communication within the board and with the membership;
(2) work on transparency and trust;
(3) develop member services;
(4) increase the attention for international members and
(5) give young genealogists a fair position in the genealogy community.

I wish to work together with other genealogists in an organization that represents the interests of genealogists, and that is committed to collaboration and continuing education.

Biography of Katherine R. Willson, write-in candidate for secretary
I live in Dexter, Michigan, and have been teaching beginning, intermediate, and advanced genealogy classes in Michigan since 2001, as well as speaking at local, regional, and national conferences. I authored The Genealogist’s Guide to Grand Rapids, Michigan, published in 2018, and research family history for clients. I created the “Genealogy on Facebook” list of over 16,700 Facebook genealogy links, now hosted on Cyndi’s List. I coordinate “Teaching Genealogy Classes in Your Community” for the SLIG Academy.

I have held the following leadership positions in genealogical societies:

• Virtual Genealogical Association (Founder and President 2018–2020
• Michigan Genealogical Council (Vice President and President 2016–2019)
• Association of Professional Genealogists (Board of Directors 2018–2019)
• Federation of Genealogical Societies (Conference Publicity Chair 2019)
• Genealogical Speakers Guild (Secretary 2018–2019)
• Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (Social Media Chair 2018–2019)

As an Army Reserve wife of more than 25 years I have assisted military families as a Family Readiness Group Leader, an Army Family Programs volunteer, and a member of the Department of Defense’s Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program cadre of speakers. I have also served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the Huron River Art Collective (formerly Ann Arbor Women Artists).

I am committed to two-way communication, transparent and collaborative decision-making, making APG a truly international organization, and serving the interests and needs of all professional genealogists. 

(With thanks to all three)

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.

AGRA creates bursary in memory of Scottish genealogist Dr. John Burt

From the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (www.agra.org.uk) in England:

AGRA PRESS RELEASE: THE DR JOHN BURT BURSARY FOR AGRA ASSOCIATES

Dr John Burt was an Associate of AGRA, who made a great impact with his enthusiasm and willingness to get involved. His sudden death earlier this year came as a great shock to all his colleagues, who very much wished to find a way of remembering him and his contribution to AGRA and to genealogy. We are therefore pleased to announce that Council has decided to institute an annual bursary award of £250 in his memory. This is to be payable to an AGRA Associate progressing to full membership, and will go towards the expenses of furthering their genealogical education.

Antony Marr, AGRA Chair, said: “John made a tremendous contribution to both AGRA and the wider genealogy world. We are all saddened at his death.

“This bursary is a fitting tribute to John, providing a lasting legacy to his passion for furthering genealogical knowledge.”

Dr. John Burt, M.B., Ch.B., B.A., Cert. Archaeol., M.Sc., F.S.A.Scot., Q.G., was a retired general medical practitioner. Known as Jack by family and friends, he followed in his father's footsteps working for nearly 30 years as a local GP in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. Educated at Edinburgh Academy and obtaining his medical qualifications at the University of Aberdeen, John was a keen climber having reached the summit of all the Munros in Scotland and even gained a Blue Peter badge as a child.

He had a passion and huge knowledge of military medals which he had been collecting since childhood. Researching the men named on Fife War Memorials enabled him to give knowledgeable talks on the First World War – a war both of his grandfathers had fought in and survived.

John loved researching and learning and relished the challenge of tackling a new project. He published a book on Pictish stones in the 1990s which remains the only work of its kind to date.

Following his retirement from medical practice he gained an M.Sc. in Genealogy, Palaeography and Heraldry with the University of Strathclyde. Researching the case notes of individuals in Roxburgh District Asylum for his dissertation enabled him to write two books for genealogists and historians on mental health in nineteenth century Britain, which were published by Pen & Sword History: 'Lunatics, Imbeciles and Idiots: A History of Insanity in Nineteenth Century Britain and Ireland' (2017) and 'Madness, Murder and Mayhem: Criminal Insanity in Victorian and Edwardian Britain (2018).

John endeavoured to make a positive difference to the lives of others through his work and research and was well-loved and much respected by both the medical and genealogy communities. It is therefore fitting this bursary will go towards making a positive difference to genealogists. 

(With thanks to Jane Roberts)

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.

APG announces new Board of Directors and Nomination Committee members

The APG (www.apgen.org) has announced its new Board of Directors and Nomination Committee members - and yours truly makes an appearance! Here's the announcement:

 

Association of Professional Genealogists Announces New Board and Nominations Committee Members

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo., 9 December 2020—The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG®) has announced the results of its election for board members and nominations committee members. The APG membership elected six at-large board members for two-year terms, and one at-large board member for one year. Two nominations committee members were elected for one-year terms. Those elected:

At-Large Board of Directors (two-year term):

Alec Ferretti (US, New York)
Alec Ferretti holds masters degrees in archival sciences and library sciences. He serves on the Board of Directors of Reclaim the Records, works with the Wells Fargo Family & Business History Center, and is the President of the NY Genealogy and Technology Group.  He was the APG 2018 Young Professional Scholarship recipient, and has spoken at the 2019 APG Professional Management Conference, the 2020 SLIG Colloquium, and a number of others.

Margaret Rose Fortier, CG® (US, Massachusetts)
Margaret Rose Fortier is a Certified Genealogist® focusing on New England immigrants. She serves as membership director for the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, facilitator for the Certification Discussion Group, mentor for the upcoming GenProof Study Group, and a member of the BCG WebinarCommittee. Margaret volunteerswith the Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Records project at NEHGS and with the Royall House and Slave Quarters in Medford, MA. She holds a business degree from Boston College and an MS in Human Factors in Information Design from Bentley University.

LaDonna Garner, M.A. (US, Missouri)
LaDonna Garner, M.A., is a historical and genealogical consultant in Southeast Missouri. She earned a M.A. in Historic Preservation with a focus on forgotten communities and cemeteries. She enjoys speaking and teaching hands-on genealogy and she has held various positions promoting local and state genealogical societies. These positions include director, vice-president, editor, fundraiser, conference organizer, syllabus chair, mentor, and active volunteer, as well as a curator and researcher for historic properties.

Dana Leeds (US, Texas)
A genealogist since 1998, Dana started seriously pursuing genealogy education in 2014. She has attended many institutes and is a certificate holder of Boston University’s Genealogical Research
Program. Dana is a current memberof ProGen 46andis pursuing certification through BCG.In 2018, Dana gave her first presentation to a local genealogy group. Soon after, she developed the Leeds Method of sorting DNA matches. This innovation quickly led to invitations to speak nationally. She has presented at APG’s PMC, RootsTech, i4GG’s International Genetic Genealogy Conference, and GRIP. Dana does DNA consulting and she conducts genealogy research, with a focus on DNA.

Cynthia Maharrey(US, Florida)
Cynthia Maharrey was born and raised in a small town in West Virginia.She specializes in late 18th through early 20th century research with emphases on the state of Kentucky and African American research.Cynthia has worked with individuals in a variety of capacities including creating Kentucky-specific historical content, serving as a coach in Trace’s Coaches’Corner at RootsTech and appearing on the Travel Channel’s The Dead Files. Cynthia is a member of the National Genealogical Society, the African American Genealogy Group of Kentucky, the Florida State Genealogical Society, and two county historical societies.

Chris Paton (Scotland)
Originally from Northern Ireland, but resident in Scotland since 1997, Chris has worked as a professional genealogist since 2006. A holder of a Postgraduate Diploma in Genealogical Studies from the University of Strathclyde, Chris researches through his Scotland's Greatest Story service (www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk), offering services and experience in both Scottish and Irish family history. Chris is the author of several bestselling genealogy books and he writes the daily Scottish GENES blog (http://scottishgenes.blogspot.com).

Rose Lerer Cohen (Israel)  
Rose Lerer Cohen, Ph.D, is a current member of the APG board and active member of the Continuing Education Monitoring Committee and the International Committee. Rose is a professional genealogist and family researcher, writing, lecturing, and conducting workshops in Israel, North America, and South Africa. She has written and lectured on topics relating to genealogy research both in Israel and abroad and isinvolved in genealogy organizations, both locally and internationally. 

* Rose Lerer Cohen will fill the one-year vacancy on the board, term ending 31 December 2021.

Nominations Committee (one-year term)

Michelle Roos Goodrum (US, Arizona)
Michelle Roos Goodrum is a certificate holder (OL 16) and an instructor for Boston University’s Genealogical Research Program. Michelle completed the ProGen Study Group (ProGen 14)and regularly attends genealogical institutes and conferences.Michelle’s interest in genealogy began in junior high school. In 1994 she attended a local family history society meeting and became hooked. Areas of interest include land records, genetic genealogy, and research in the western United States.

Kimberly Powell (US, Pennsylvania)
Kimberly is a professional genealogist, author, and educator specializing in genealogical writing, pre-1850 family history, land records, DNA, and solving complex problems. She served seven years APG’s board,including two years as past president and several years as chair of APG’s Professional Development Committee. She served as the Genealogy Expert for About.com for sixteen years and teaches at genealogy institutes as well as in the online genealogy coursesoffered through Boston University. Her research focus is families with roots in the southeastern US and southwestern PA.

Statement from President David McDonald:

“We thank our retiring board members and welcome those elected. The next two years will provide us the opportunity to strengthen the field of professional genealogy as we puruse developing connections between the public and our vast network of genealogists.  We will continue advocating for improved record access while partnering with organizations and entities that value the voices of genealogists. We will work together in making decisions that will lift the standards of genealogy and increase the relevanceof our work.”   

About the Association of Professional Genealogists
The Association of Professional Genealogists (www.apgen.org), established in 1979,represents more than 2,700 genealogists in various genealogy-related businesses. APG encourages genealogical excellence, ethical practice, mentoring, and education. The organization also supports the preservation and accessibility of records useful to thefields of genealogy and history. Its 2 members represent all fifty U.S. states, Canada, and forty other countries. APG is active on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

COMMENT: I'm very much looking forward to getting involved over the next two years, and would like to thank those who took the trouble to give me their vote at the recent Board elections. The APG is predominatly a US organsiation with 82% of its members there, but it also has 18% of its members across 40 countries, with a significant contribution from the UK and Ireland. I hope to add my voice for our local members but to also help the association at large in its endeavours to help all genealogists further professionalise their skills. 

And if the Annual Meeting this evening was anything to go by, it should also be fun!

Chris

Pre-order my next book, Sharing Your Family History Online, at https://bit.ly/SharingFamHist. My book Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is also out, as 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.

Updated coronavirus Self-Employed Income Support Scheme grant details

As you may be aware, the Westminster Government has again revised the provision for the next Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant, having previously gone from 80% of 3 months average monthly trading profits, and then to 70%, for the first two payments, but then proposing for the next tranche to pay just 20%, before going back up to 40% (see http://scottishgenes.blogspot.com/2020/10/uk-government-to-increase-self-employed.html). Well now the next payment will once again be paid at 80% of 3 months average monthly trading profits. Heres the blurb from HMRC:

The UK Government recognises the continued impact that coronavirus (COVID-19) has had on the self-employed and has taken action to provide support.

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension provides critical support to the self-employed in the form of 2 further grants, each available for 3 month periods covering November 2020 to January 2021 and February 2021 to April 2021.

1. Who can claim

To be eligible for the grant extension self-employed individuals, including members of partnerships, must:

• have been previously eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme first and second grant (although they do not have to have claimed the previous grants)
• declare that they intend to continue to trade and either:
• are currently actively trading but are impacted by reduced demand due to coronavirus
• were previously trading but are temporarily unable to do so due to coronavirus

2. What the grant extension covers

The extension will last for 6 months, from November 2020 to April 2021. Grants will be paid in 2 lump sum instalments each covering a 3 month period.

The third grant will cover a 3 month period from 1 November 2020 until 31 January 2021. The Government will provide a taxable grant calculated at 80% of 3 months average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment and capped at £7,500 in total. This is an increase from the previously announced amount of 55%.

The Government are providing the same level of support for the self-employed as is being provided for employees through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which has also been extended until March 2021.

The Government has already announced that there will be a fourth grant covering February 2021 to April 2021. The Government will set out further details, including the level, of the fourth grant in due course.

The grants are taxable income and also subject to National Insurance contributions.

3. How to claim

The online service for the next grant will be available from 30 November 2020. HMRC will provide full details about claiming and applications in guidance on GOV.UK in due course.

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-extension/self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-extension)

Note the next application date - November 30th 2020.

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.

UK Government to increase Self-Employed Support Scheme payments

A further development of potential interest if you are a self-employed genealogist in the UK.

Following my post on 28 September about the Westminster government's extension to the Self-Employment Support Scheme (see http://scottishgenes.blogspot.com/2020/09/uk-government-extends-coronavirus-self.html), it has now been announced that the rate of the first two payments is to be extended from 20% of average monthly trading profits to 40%, with a decision still to be made on the second payment early next year. This still falls well short of the previous payments of 80% and 70% made earlier this year.

For further details and updates, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-extension/self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-extension

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.

UK Government extends coronavirus self-employed support scheme

The Westminster government is extending the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme for those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with two forthcoming taxable grant payments to be made to cover the periods from November 2020 to January 2021, and February 2021 to April 2021. 

That's the good news - but the bad news is that the two forthcoming payments will be based on just 20% of average monthly trading profits, as opposed to the previous grants paid at 80% and 70% payments. 

No further details are available as yet, but HMRC will publish further information in due course at www.gov.uk/government/publications/self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-extension/self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-extension.

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.

Dr Richard Baker to retire from the IHGS

From the Institute of Heradlic and Genealogical Studies (www.ihgs.ac.uk) in Canterbury, England:

Dr. Richard Baker, FHG, AIH, IHGS Principal to retire

Having worked at the Institute for almost 32 years our Principal, Dr Richard Baker, is to start his well earned retirement at the end of this July.

Richard joined IHGS in 1988. He became the Institute’s Vice-Principal in 2004, and Principal in 2010. He is an Academician of the Académie Internationale d’Héraldique and President of the International Federation of Schools of Family History. He became a Trustee of the Heraldry Society in 2013 and is responsible for their society’s examinations programme. Richard will also be the President of The International Congress of Heraldic and Genealogical Sciences, to be held at Cambridge in 2022, and will remain a popular figure at heraldic and genealogical events around the UK.

All the Trustees, staff and tutors thank Richard for his years of service and wish him a happy retirement. We extend our best regards to him and his family in the future. Whilst plans for honouring Richard's time at IHGS have had to be postponed due to current circumstances, we hope they will go ahead in due course.

Richard is to be succeeded by Dr David Wright, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and of the Society of Genealogists. He is well known to genealogists for his East Kent Probate Index as well as for his several books on Kent genealogy, including Tracing Your Kent Ancestry which was published in 2016.

COMMENT: I've had the pleasure to meet Richard on a few occasions in the past at previous conferences down south, and he was also an extenal moderator of the postgraduate genealogy course that I took at the University of Strathclyde a few years ago. He has done an outstanding job at the IHGS, and I would like to wish him all the very best for his retirement.

(Initial story at https://www.ihgs.ac.uk/news-dr-richard-baker,-fhg,-aih,--ihgs-principal-to-retire-2020-07-01)

Chris

My next 5 week Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Registers course starts July 6th - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. My next 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.

Second coronavirus payment for self-employed due in August

The government at Westminster has confirmed that a second payment for those working self-employed, including many genealogists, will be made in August though the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (see https://scottishgenes.blogspot.com/2020/05/check-if-you-are-eligible-for-self.html).

Unlike the first payment, which provided for 80% of the average self-employed income over the last 3 years, up to a maximum of £7500 a month, this second, and final, payment will be a bit less generous at just 70% of the income, and is again taxable. From the UKGov site:

If you’re eligible the second and final grant will be a taxable grant worth 70% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering a further 3 months’ worth of profits, and capped at £6,570 in total.

For further details visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme#extension. Applications are not yet open.

Chris

My next 5 week Scottish Research Online course starts June 8th - see www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. My next book, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is out shortly, 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.

Check if you are eligible for a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant in the UK

As of Wednesday 13th May 2020, those working in a self-employed role in the UK, which includes many self-employed genealogists and content providers, will potentially be able to apply for a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant via HMRC.

To check if you are eligible visit https://www.gov.uk and in the Search box type in Check if you can claim a grant through the coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

You will need your UTR number, and your National Insurance Number.

From the Gov.uk website:

Who can claim

You can claim if you’re a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership and:

• you traded in the tax year 2018 to 2019 and submitted your Self Assessment tax return on or before 23 April 2020 for that year
• you traded in the tax year 2019 to 2020
• you intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020 to 2021
• you carry on a trade which has been adversely affected by coronavirus

Your business could be adversely affected by coronavirus if, for example:

• you’re unable to work because you:
• are shielding
• are self-isolating
• are on sick leave because of coronavirus
• have caring responsibilities because of coronavirus
• you’ve had to scale down or temporarily stop trading because:
• your supply chain has been interrupted
• you have fewer or no customers or clients
• your staff are unable to come in to work

You should not claim the grant if you’re above the state aid limits or operating a trade through a trust.

To work out your eligibility we will first look at your 2018 to 2019 Self Assessment tax return. Your trading profits must be no more than £50,000 and at least equal to your non-trading income.


Comment: Best of luck to all applying, and stay safe folks.

Update: Having made an application myself this morning, I qualified and will receive a payment within the next 6 days, which will certainly help out in these weird times. Bear in mind that whilst it is a grant which does not require to be repaid, it is taxable, will also be included for your National Insurance calculation. 

Although the UK Gov site tells you to have your UTR and National Insurance number to hand, you might also want to have your UK passport handy too as a means of identification, as it is one of the options presented. The process itsef was very quick, taking just a couple of minutes to complete.

Chris

My next 5 week Scottish Research Online course starts June 8th - see www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. My next book, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is out shortly, 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.

Government support for those working as self-employed genealogists

This is just a quick note to summarise what the London based government is planning to do for those working as genealogists, in terms of financial support, during the current coronavirus crisis. You will find the full measures listed at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support.

The UK Government's Business Support page has three categories:

• Loans, tax relief and cash grants will be available
• Employers can apply for staff to get up to 80% pay if they can’t work
• Self-employed people will receive up to £2,500 per month in grants for at least 3 months

The last of these will be the category that many self-employed professional genealogists like myself will fall into, and there is a dedicated page on this at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme.

Support is envisaged by means of grants from June onwards, based on qualification as identified by HMRC through previousoly supplied tax returns. Here is the blurb:

You can apply if you’re a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership and you:

• have submitted your Income Tax Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018-19
• traded in the tax year 2019-20
• are trading when you apply, or would be except for COVID-19
• intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020-21
• have lost trading/partnership trading profits due to COVID-19

Your self-employed trading profits must also be less than £50,000 and more than half of your income come from self-employment. This is determined by at least one of the following conditions being true:

• having trading profits/partnership trading profits in 2018-19 of less than £50,000 and these profits constitute more than half of your total taxable income
• having average trading profits in 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 of less than £50,000 and these profits constitute more than half of your average taxable income in the same period

If you started trading between 2016-19, HMRC will only use those years for which you filed a Self-Assessment tax return.

Key bit - if you have not submitted your Income Tax Self-Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018-19, you must do this by 23 April 2020.

HMRC will use data on 2018-19 returns already submitted to identify those eligible and will risk assess any late returns filed before the 23 April 2020 deadline in the usual way.


Comment: I'm a little unclear as to whether I personally qualify, for whilst the majority of my income has been through self-employment over the three years noted, this was not the case in 2018-2019, in which I also worked for 9 months of that year as a parliamentary caseworker. Income from this post was more than 50% of my total income for that tax year, but I am unsure as to whether the payment is based on this primarily as the qualifying year, or on the average over the three years identified. There is nothing I can do to explore this further for now, however, as the plan is that HMRC will contact those it believes qualify.

Here's the amount you will get if you qualify:

You’ll get a taxable grant which will be 80% of the average profits from the tax years (where applicable):

• 2016 to 2017
• 2017 to 2018
• 2018 to 2019

To work out the average HMRC will add together the total trading profit for the 3 tax years (where applicable) then divide by 3 (where applicable), and use this to calculate a monthly amount.

It will be up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for 3 months. The amount will be paid directly into your bank account, in one instalment.

Good luck!

Chris

You can pre-order my new book, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 (out April). Also available, 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.