A two year project will see four graveyards restored in Perthshire, thanks to Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust. The graveyards are Coupar Angus, Meigle, Collace and Kinfauns.
For more, see www.thecourier.co.uk/Community/Heritage-and-History/article/11822/perthshire-s-historic-churchyards-to-be-restored.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
(Thanks to @ScottishHistory on Twitter)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Tartan - a blot on Scotland's conscience?
The BBC is running an online poll/debate just now on the question "Walter Scott's re-branding of all Scots as tartan-wearing Highlanders has been a hindrance to Scotland's cultural development". Agree or disagree?
I couldn't agree more, and have always refused to wear a kilt or tartan as peddled by the modern tartan industry. I see the whole thing as an affront to the true memory of the Highlanders (including some of my lot), whose culture was brutally ripped from them after Culloden, with aspects later revived and appropriated by Lowland Scotland (and sadly Highland 'aristocracy') for the simple sake of impressing a German king who once deigned to visit us in the 1820s, and whose very ancestor was one of those responsible for the carnage. Don't worry, I also think Bonnie Prince Charlie was a muppet! I'm not a great royalist really...
I see the use (abuse) of tartan today as a blot on Scotland's conscience. If we all dress up like peacocks, everything will be fine and it will somehow make us more Scottish. Hmmm, not really. Scottishness comes with the blood and the culture, and not some cheap form of what is now just fancy dress. That's why when people ask me which tartan they are 'entitled' to wear, I tell them to wear what they like, it's all bubblegum. Your identity comes from what is within, not what you look like on the outside. Hence the power of family history to cut through all the crap and to tell you who you actually are. I also find it extraordinary that within the diaspora so many people want to pledge some form of allegiance to a 'clan' - in many cases the clan chiefs were responsible for the fact that the diaspora exists! A point I blogged on a few months back at http://walkingineternity.blogspot.com/2010/11/nonsense-of-clan-system.html.
I did make that point briefly on the BBC poll, but to be fair, I did also stick up for the shortbread industry. Despite the dodgy tins it comes in, Scottish shortbread cannot be beaten! lol
But enough of my rants - have a say yourself at www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/history/debates/identity/ !
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
I couldn't agree more, and have always refused to wear a kilt or tartan as peddled by the modern tartan industry. I see the whole thing as an affront to the true memory of the Highlanders (including some of my lot), whose culture was brutally ripped from them after Culloden, with aspects later revived and appropriated by Lowland Scotland (and sadly Highland 'aristocracy') for the simple sake of impressing a German king who once deigned to visit us in the 1820s, and whose very ancestor was one of those responsible for the carnage. Don't worry, I also think Bonnie Prince Charlie was a muppet! I'm not a great royalist really...
I see the use (abuse) of tartan today as a blot on Scotland's conscience. If we all dress up like peacocks, everything will be fine and it will somehow make us more Scottish. Hmmm, not really. Scottishness comes with the blood and the culture, and not some cheap form of what is now just fancy dress. That's why when people ask me which tartan they are 'entitled' to wear, I tell them to wear what they like, it's all bubblegum. Your identity comes from what is within, not what you look like on the outside. Hence the power of family history to cut through all the crap and to tell you who you actually are. I also find it extraordinary that within the diaspora so many people want to pledge some form of allegiance to a 'clan' - in many cases the clan chiefs were responsible for the fact that the diaspora exists! A point I blogged on a few months back at http://walkingineternity.blogspot.com/2010/11/nonsense-of-clan-system.html.
I did make that point briefly on the BBC poll, but to be fair, I did also stick up for the shortbread industry. Despite the dodgy tins it comes in, Scottish shortbread cannot be beaten! lol
But enough of my rants - have a say yourself at www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/history/debates/identity/ !
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
Monday, 14 March 2011
Fenwick celebrates co-operative charter
The Ayrshire village of Fenwick has been staking its claim today as the location for the world's first co-operative movement, established by charter by the Fenwick Weavers some 250 years ago.
The BBC has the story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12733078
(With thanks to @SueWilesauthor on Twitter)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
The BBC has the story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12733078
(With thanks to @SueWilesauthor on Twitter)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
RootsTech catch-up
From FamilySearch:
SALT LAKE CITY—If you missed the popular inaugural RootsTech 2011 conference, you can now at least get a sampling of what all the excitement was about. The wildly popular new technology and family history conference held last month in Salt Lake City, Utah, made its keynote addresses and a few other popular presentations available online today free of charge. The six free presentations can be viewed at RootsTech.org.
“The scope of the RootsTech conference was unique. We wanted to try to fulfill a need to bring technology users (family history buffs and anyone interested in genealogy) and technology creators (developers, programmers, engineers) together in a unique, fun environment to collaborate and move the genealogy industry forward through technology,” said Anne Roach, RootsTech conference chair. And bring them together it did.
The inaugural conference, hosted by FamilySearch, was a runaway success. With over 3,000 in-person attendees and another 4,500 attending remotely over the Internet, it was arguably one of the largest genealogy-related conferences ever held in the country. In-person attendees hailed from 42 states and 15 countries. Some came from as far away as China, New Zealand, Australia, Namibia, and Israel.
Paul Nauta, RootsTech public relations chair, reported that there were over 40 bloggers in attendance. “Between online articles, blog posts, and nonstop tweets, the online community was buzzing 24 hours a day during the conference and for weeks following—and amazingly, articles and tweets are still going strong,” noted Nauta.
The new conference was pulled together quickly by industry standards—in about 6 months. “The fact that we were able to attract as many conference goers as we did in such a short amount of time testifies to the interest there is in technology and family history,” said Roach. “And we’ve put the videos of the keynotes and other presentations online for free to give others a chance to share in the RootsTech experience; to give them a taste of what they can expect for 2012,” added Roach.
A highlight of the conference was the extensive community networking—community zone (exhibit hall), collaboration stations, and unconferencing sessions. These integrated features produced an open conference atmosphere that seemed to be ideal to introduce technology creators to genealogy technology users and to foster discussions, learning, collaboration, and future industry developments.
Unconferencing sessions—impromptu, participant-driven discussion forums that promote brainstorming, the sharing of ideas, and innovation—were totally new to genealogy attendees, but were more familiar to the technologists. Attendees took advantage of unconferencing sessions to discuss user needs with technology developers and to brainstorm new ideas and solutions. “People emerged from these [unconferencing sessions] with eyes sparkling, and I overheard several people describing conversations between developers and genealogists that left both feeling validated and motivated,” said Polly FitzGerald Kimitt, an attendee and author of Pollyblog.
The RootsTech 2012 conference is scheduled for February 2–4 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In addition to the six video presentations mentioned above, video interviews of other conference speakers and developers can be watched at Genealogy Gems YouTube.
(With thanks to Paul Nauta)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
SALT LAKE CITY—If you missed the popular inaugural RootsTech 2011 conference, you can now at least get a sampling of what all the excitement was about. The wildly popular new technology and family history conference held last month in Salt Lake City, Utah, made its keynote addresses and a few other popular presentations available online today free of charge. The six free presentations can be viewed at RootsTech.org.
“The scope of the RootsTech conference was unique. We wanted to try to fulfill a need to bring technology users (family history buffs and anyone interested in genealogy) and technology creators (developers, programmers, engineers) together in a unique, fun environment to collaborate and move the genealogy industry forward through technology,” said Anne Roach, RootsTech conference chair. And bring them together it did.
The inaugural conference, hosted by FamilySearch, was a runaway success. With over 3,000 in-person attendees and another 4,500 attending remotely over the Internet, it was arguably one of the largest genealogy-related conferences ever held in the country. In-person attendees hailed from 42 states and 15 countries. Some came from as far away as China, New Zealand, Australia, Namibia, and Israel.
Paul Nauta, RootsTech public relations chair, reported that there were over 40 bloggers in attendance. “Between online articles, blog posts, and nonstop tweets, the online community was buzzing 24 hours a day during the conference and for weeks following—and amazingly, articles and tweets are still going strong,” noted Nauta.
The new conference was pulled together quickly by industry standards—in about 6 months. “The fact that we were able to attract as many conference goers as we did in such a short amount of time testifies to the interest there is in technology and family history,” said Roach. “And we’ve put the videos of the keynotes and other presentations online for free to give others a chance to share in the RootsTech experience; to give them a taste of what they can expect for 2012,” added Roach.
A highlight of the conference was the extensive community networking—community zone (exhibit hall), collaboration stations, and unconferencing sessions. These integrated features produced an open conference atmosphere that seemed to be ideal to introduce technology creators to genealogy technology users and to foster discussions, learning, collaboration, and future industry developments.
Unconferencing sessions—impromptu, participant-driven discussion forums that promote brainstorming, the sharing of ideas, and innovation—were totally new to genealogy attendees, but were more familiar to the technologists. Attendees took advantage of unconferencing sessions to discuss user needs with technology developers and to brainstorm new ideas and solutions. “People emerged from these [unconferencing sessions] with eyes sparkling, and I overheard several people describing conversations between developers and genealogists that left both feeling validated and motivated,” said Polly FitzGerald Kimitt, an attendee and author of Pollyblog.
The RootsTech 2012 conference is scheduled for February 2–4 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In addition to the six video presentations mentioned above, video interviews of other conference speakers and developers can be watched at Genealogy Gems YouTube.
(With thanks to Paul Nauta)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
ScotlandsPeople Centre evening sessions
You asked for them, so here they are! From the ScotlandsPeople Centre (http://www.scotlandspeoplehub.gov.uk/):
Free Evening Introduction Session - Wednesday 16 March
For anyone who has yet to embark on their family history research, we are running a free introductory evening session this Wednesday 16 March from 18:00 to 20:00. The evening will commence with a 30 minute talk about our records and then you will be given an opportunity to search for your ancestors. Staff will be on hand to provide guidance and advice. Booking is essential so please ring us on 0131 314 4300 to book your place for this special event.
1911 Census Evening Session - Tuesday 5 April
The 1911 census is being launched on Tuesday 5 April. We are running an evening session from 18:00 to 21:00 that night for a cost of £10 per person. This is an opportunity for those who work full time to carry out their research during their leisure time. If you are interested in attending then ring us on 0131 314 4300. Please note that seats must be paid for in advance.
We wish you luck with your research.
ScotlandsPeople Centre
(With thanks to the centre)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
Free Evening Introduction Session - Wednesday 16 March
For anyone who has yet to embark on their family history research, we are running a free introductory evening session this Wednesday 16 March from 18:00 to 20:00. The evening will commence with a 30 minute talk about our records and then you will be given an opportunity to search for your ancestors. Staff will be on hand to provide guidance and advice. Booking is essential so please ring us on 0131 314 4300 to book your place for this special event.
1911 Census Evening Session - Tuesday 5 April
The 1911 census is being launched on Tuesday 5 April. We are running an evening session from 18:00 to 21:00 that night for a cost of £10 per person. This is an opportunity for those who work full time to carry out their research during their leisure time. If you are interested in attending then ring us on 0131 314 4300. Please note that seats must be paid for in advance.
We wish you luck with your research.
ScotlandsPeople Centre
(With thanks to the centre)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Kilmainham records catalogued
The National Archives at Kew has announced that 20,000 records of soldiers who discharged to pension at Kilmainham Hospital in Dublin have now been catalogued from WO119, and can be viewed on the archive's main catalogue. The period covered is 1783-1822, and includes soldiers from all over the British isles who ended their careers pensioned in Ireland, rather than Chelsea. The work was carried out by the Friends of he National Archives.
These records are in fact being digitised at present by FindmyPast, which has already made TNA's Chelsea pension records available online.
For more, see www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/548.htm
(With thanks to the BI-Gen blog)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
These records are in fact being digitised at present by FindmyPast, which has already made TNA's Chelsea pension records available online.
For more, see www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/548.htm
(With thanks to the BI-Gen blog)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
Comparing old Edinburgh maps
Borders Family History Society has a useful post illustrating the comparison of old Edinburgh maps using the new geo-referencing tool from the National Library of Scotland, produced as part of its Visualising Urban Geography Project.
The post is available at http://blog.bordersfhs.org.uk/2011/03/new-map-comparison-tool-from.html - well worth a look if you're looking for a new project to create!
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
The post is available at http://blog.bordersfhs.org.uk/2011/03/new-map-comparison-tool-from.html - well worth a look if you're looking for a new project to create!
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
Old Roads of Scotand - Statistical Accounts
Thanks to @direcleit and @ScottishHistory on Twitter for flagging up a useful part of the Old Roads of Scotland website, which contains summaries of road networks as described in the Statistical Accounts of Scotland from the 1790s and 1830s - see www.oldroadsofscotland.com/statisticalaccountsmain.htm - useful resources in that it also includes parish maps etc.
The full Statistical Accounts are available at http://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/sas/sas.asp?action=public&passback=
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
The full Statistical Accounts are available at http://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/sas/sas.asp?action=public&passback=
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
Friday, 11 March 2011
Fire at Blair Castle
A fire at Blair Castle, near Blair Atholl and home to the Dukes and Earls of Atholl since the 13th century, has destroyed the roof and second floor of the tower.
The BBC has more at www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-12708978
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
The BBC has more at www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-12708978
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
Irish Resources Online talk in Coatbridge
Hi folks,
If you are in the Coatbridge area and wish to find out more about online Irish resources that can help with your family history research, I'm giving a talk tomorrow at Coatbridge Library, Buchanan Centre, Main St, Coatbridge, at 1pm, as part of the St. Patrick's Day Festival.
Further details at www.stpatricksdayfestivalcoatbridge.org - maybe see you there! :)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
If you are in the Coatbridge area and wish to find out more about online Irish resources that can help with your family history research, I'm giving a talk tomorrow at Coatbridge Library, Buchanan Centre, Main St, Coatbridge, at 1pm, as part of the St. Patrick's Day Festival.
Further details at www.stpatricksdayfestivalcoatbridge.org - maybe see you there! :)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Tracing Your Family History on the Internet (Even newer book!)
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