Learn with Lorna from Highland Archives

There have been some truly heroic efforts from the family history and archives community throughout the coronavirus pandemic, but one of the most gargantuan has been an amazing effort by Lorna Steele from Highland Archives (www.highlifehighland.com/archives-service/) through her weekly series of Learn with Lorna Facebook broadcasts. 

Each week Lorna has given a short lecture, ranging from about half an hour to forty minutes in length, on a topic related to the archive holdings at Highland Archives. These have revealed not just the range of materials held by the facility, but also the many stories that they have documented. Topics have included 'Sabbath breaking and other breaches of discipline', 'Witchcraft', 'Food for rich and poor', 'The aluminium industry in the Highlands', 'The Jacobites and the Battle of Culloden', 'Poor Relief', 'Christmas in the collections', and so much more. 

To date there have been NINETY (you read that right!) such presentations, and you can find these on YouTube at www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyxasYGi8kIcL7OThf1QGsHAMACY_1DGE. If you have ancestors from the Highlands they will be of immense interest, but even if not, they still present a superb insight into the vast range of holdings available in the many wonderful archives around Scotland. 

You can find more about Lorna's series at www.highlifehighland.com/blog/learn-with-lorna-series-brings-more-people-to-highland-archive/. 

Thanks Lorna!

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.

Ancestry's new AncestryDNA Traits service

Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk) has launched a new product, AncestryDNA Traits. 

From its announcement at https://blogs.ancestry.co.uk/ancestry/2021/11/10/ancestry-launches-genetic-traits-for-international-customers/:

Combining cutting-edge science with data, Traits allows you to discover up to 36 traits and attributes influenced by your DNA in an innovative and engaging way.  You can learn more about each of the traits you’ve inherited from your ancestors, find out who else you share that trait with and where in the world it connects you to.

Split into four categories (Fitness, Nutrients, Sensory and Appearance) the traits will help you discover whether you have the ‘sprinter gene’ or are more of an endurance person, how your body may react to certain vitamins or other nutrients.  It might reveal whether you are susceptible to sun sneezing or likely to be lactose intolerant or perhaps even what colour hair or eyes run in your family!

Additional interactive features such as ‘Around the World’ let you delve even deeper and find out where in the world your traits are most commonly found and how they might be connected to your ethnic origins.  The ‘Compare’ feature allows you to compare the genetic markers that influence your traits with friends, family, or any other AncestryDNA customer who has Traits.  You can see what today’s genetic science has to say about what you have in common with friends and family – then maybe share your findings around the dinner table with them this holiday season.

The full announcement is available at the above link. I'm not sure this one is for me really, but it will be available for new customers from November 1st, and for existing customers early next year.

(With thanks to Debbie Kennett)

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.

Pen and Sword books 30% discount this weekend

For this weekend only, Pen and Sword (www.pen-and-sword.co.uk) is offering 30% off its books in a sale. To avail yourself of the offer, use the discount code BLACKFRIDAY21. There is a free p&p in the UK for orders over £35, and the offer is valid until 29 NOV 2021.

A reminder that my Scottish and Irish Family History books are available to buy at https://pen-and-sword.co.uk/Chris-Paton/a/1799, including my new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records - they could make a great Christmas present or a well-deserved treat for yourself, and with 30% off over the next couple of days, I'd get in there!!! (But I'm biased!)

Don't forget to check out the full range of family and military history titles!

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.

Historic Environment Scotland's annual report 2020-21

From Historic Environment Scotland (www.historicenvironment.scot):

Today (23 November 2021) we published our Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020-21 & Properties in the Care (PiC) of Scottish Ministers Annual Report 2020-21.

The reports highlight how HES is delivering on its Corporate Plan - ‘Heritage For All’ and commitments, as well as providing an overview of the contribution that the organisation makes.

While the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions had a major impact on finances for the financial year and called for an immediate and comprehensive response, HES continued to make a strong impact across a number of key areas and agendas, including climate change, communities and widening opportunities for digital engagement.

Key statistics from the year include:

• Invested over £13 million through the HES grants programme, helping communities to restore their built heritage and improve their understanding of the past, including the launch of the Historic Environment Recovery Fund.
• Commercial income during this period was hit by the impact of COVID-19 and fell [87%] to £8.2 million.
• HES welcomed 246,000 visitors to the staffed sites which were able to reopen in 2020- 2021.
• A total of £25.3 million, inclusive of staff costs, was invested in conservation, maintenance and management of the PiCs.
• More than 80,000 digitised items were added to Canmore, our online archive site, bringing the total available to 1.1 million.
• We continued to make a positive contribution to net zero, with carbon emissions reduced by 34.8%, bringing the total reduction over 2014 - 2021 to 54.6%.
• Around £16.1 million generated into the Scottish economy from heritage tourism.

The full period of this Annual Report took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and the various lockdowns imposed to contain the outbreak. All staffed visitor sites were closed for the majority of the reporting period, with the re-opening of over 70% of staffed and free to access sites last summer followed just a few months later by their re-closure over the winter lockdown.

For more on the story read the full press announcement at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/our-annual-report-2020-21/ and the report itself at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/archives-and-research/publications/publication/?publicationId=7ccaad05-36eb-476b-a622-ade200f6989e

Comment: In terms of online resources, the report notes the following:

DIGITISED AND MADE AVAILABLE MORE THAN 80,000 images and files, bringing the total available to over 1.1 MILLION
((2019–20: 170,000 (1 million total), down 53%))

The HES also notes that "We revised our Digital Strategy, which redefines the place of digital in the future of our services, and the implementation plan was approved by HES Board in March 2021."

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.

Dublin's Registry of Deeds facilitates self-service digital photography

As part of Explore Your Archive week in Ireland, the Registry of Deeds at Henrietta Street in Dublin (https://www.prai.ie/registry-of-deeds-services/#records), part of the Property Registration Authority, has announced that it is now permitting self-service digital photography in its reading room with small hand-held cameras or mobile devices, for documents over 100 years old, and for private research only. There is no fee. The announcement follows a trial held earlier in the year.

A short video explaining the change is available at https://twitter.com/i/status/1463084616198328322.

Don't forget that black and white microfilmed images of many of the records can be accessed freely online via FamilySearch at https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/185720. Many are also indexed at https://irishdeedsindex.net.

** For more on the Registry of Deeds, and how to use it for Irish family history research, along with many other land record types, consult my book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, available to buy from Pen and Sword at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Ancestors-Through-Land-Records-Paperback/p/19283.

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.

MyHeritage DNA offer until November 26th

From MyHeritage (www.myheritage.com):

Enjoy the lowest price EVER on MyHeritage DNA — ONLY £39! That’s 50% off the regular price.

- Treat yourself and your loved ones to the perfect holiday gift.
- Discover where your ancestors came from
- Pinpoint your origins across 2,114 geographic regions
- Find new relatives through shared DNA

Buy as many kits as you want for ONLY £39 each!
Enjoy FREE SHIPPING on orders of 2+ kits and a beautiful gift wrap option.

*Offer expires on November 26, 2021, at 11:59 PM 

To order visit visit https://www.myheritage.com/order/3035127085/CampaignSite.Email/items-bag?s=68768861&processor=adyen

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.

Scottish Indexes 14th conference on December 5th

Scottish Indexes (www.scottishindexes.com) has announced the schedule for its 14th conference on December 5th 2021. The programme of talks will be run twice during the day, with live Q&As after each sessions and in the two dedicated hour long Q&A sessions. 

The following are the scheduled talks and their times in the UK and Ireland:

First session

07.00    Introduction
07.10     ‘Dundee's Tallest Tenement’ by Jennifer Jolly
08.00    ‘Tracing Jewish families in Scotland and Central/Eastern Europe’ by Michael Tobias
09.10    'Scottish Marriage: Instantly Buckled for Life’ by Chris Paton
10.20    ‘Ae Fond Kiss and then we sever’ by Kirsty Wilkinson
11.30    Genealogy Q & A hosted by Graham and Emma Maxwell
12.30    'Tips for tracing your 18th century Scottish ancestors online' by Andrew Armstrong
13.25    ‘Business Records for the Family Historian’ by Dr Irene O’Brien
14.30    ‘Solving Brickwalls’ by Emma Maxwell

Second session

15.00    Introduction
15.10     ‘Dundee's Tallest Tenement’ by Jennifer Jolly
16.00    ‘Tracing Jewish families in Scotland and Central/Eastern Europe’ by Michael Tobias
17.10    'Scottish Marriage: Instantly Buckled for Life’ by Chris Paton
18.20    ‘Ae Fond Kiss and then we sever’ by Kirsty Wilkinson
19.30    Genealogy Q & A hosted by Graham and Emma Maxwell
20.30    'Tips for tracing your 18th century Scottish ancestors online' by Andrew Armstrong
21.25    ‘Business Records for the Family Historian’ by Dr Irene O’Brien
22.30    ‘Solving Brickwalls’ by Emma Maxwell

For equivalent schedules in different time zones around the world, please visit www.scottishindexes.com, where you can also find details on how to sign up. The conference is free to attend, although donations to the organisers are welcomed.

I look forward to seeing you there!

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.

AncestryDNA sale until November 29th

From Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk):

Now is the perfect time to explore your family story. Order AncestryDNA® today for only £49* – our lowest price of the year. Offer ends Monday the 29th. ONLY £49* (normally £79) + shipping 

*Offer ends 29 Nov 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Excludes shipping. Terms apply. 

To order kits visit https://www.ancestry.co.uk/checkout/MLI

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.

There's still time to order my Scottish and Irish genealogy books for Christmas!

There's just over a month to go until Christmas, so time to get the genea-shopping in!

Over the last three years I have had five books published by Pen and Sword Family History (www.pen-and-sword.co.uk), including two this year, which I hope will help those carrying out their research, but which I'm sure could also make a useful present to anyone you know needing some help with their Scottish or Irish research, or for research in general! 

Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records
A Guide for Family Historians
£14.99 plus p&p
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Ancestors-Through-Land-Records-Paperback/p/19283

Paton’s book is a great guide on not only the how and whys the records of Ireland were and are recorded and preserved the way they are but also how to find and navigate different types of records, like tithe, land, birth, etc. It is quite informative and Paton includes a lot of links and screenshots of the website they discuss.
- NetGalley, Samantha Garrity

Sharing Your Family History Online
A Guide for Family Historians
£12.99 plus p&p, 144 pages
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Sharing-Your-Family-History-Online-Paperback/p/18718

We’re all pretty confident now accessing census records and BMD’s online. What this excellent book reveals are the dozens and dozens of other ways we can discover new ancestors and even make new friends. Everything from online methods of collaboration and crowdsourcing to social media, DNA research and even putting a video of your family stories up online.
- Alnwick FHS

Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet
A Guide for Family Historians
£14.99 plus p&p, 192 pages
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/17717

Chris Paton is a genealogist and writer whose practical knowledge of researching Scottish records never ceases to amaze me – so I had high expectations of his latest book, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet: A Guide For Family Historians. I was not disappointed – it's a superb book from a researcher who has numerous books and countless magazine articles to his name.
- Peter Calver, Lost Cousins

Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records
A Guide for Family Historians
£14.99 plus p&p, 162 pages
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Scottish-Ancestry-through-Church-and-State-Records-Paperback/p/16848

One of the strengths of Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry through Church and State Records is that the author provides the historical contexts in which records were made and how each category developed over time, thus making the book engaging and informative, especially for family historians beyond Scotland. Overall, this is a useful and very readable introduction to Scottish records, with many case studies to assist the reader, but there is also much in it that may be new to more experienced family historians.
- The Local Historian, journal of the British Association for Local History

Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd edition)
A Guide for Family Historians
£14.99 plus p&p, 192 pages
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483

The book is easy to read, follow and understand – it is no hesitation from me in giving this one 5 stars, it has been brilliant and such a help to me – anyone with Irish ancestry should give this a read!
- Donnas Book Blog

(Postage is £4.50 UK Delivery or free UK delivery if order is over £35.)

I hope they may help!

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.

National Records of Scotland catalogue downtime on Tuesday 23rd November

From the National Records of Scotland catalogue at https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/welcome.aspx

To allow for essential maintenance, this website will be unavailable on Tuesday 23rd November from 17:00 until 21:00 GMT. We apologise for the inconvenience.

UPDATE 23 NOV 11.24am: ""The planned maintenance for Tuesday 23rd November has now been postponed. Further information will be provided here in due course. We apologise for the inconvenience." https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/welcome.aspx"

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.