Comainn Eachdraidh - historical societies in the Western Isles

At the BIFHSGO Conference earlier today I had great fun, alongside Highland archivisit Lorna Steele-McGinn, in answering questions to do with research in Scotland's Highlands and Islands. 

One type of resource that a lot of folk don't know about is the historical societies that exist in the Western Isles, rather than family history societies, which are known in Gaelic as the comainn eachdraidh (comann eachdraidh singular, sometimes also written as comunn eachdraidh). Many islands have a comann eachdraidh, whilst some have more than one. 

The following is a list as drawn from the Hebridean Connections platform at https://www.hebrideanconnections.com:

Comunn Eachdraidh Cheann a' Loch (CECL)
Kinloch Historical Society

Comann Coimhearsnachd Bheàrnaraigh (CCB)
Berneray Community Association

Comunn Eachdraidh na Pàirc (CEP)
Pairc Historical Society

Comunn Eachdraidh Bheàrnaraigh (CEBH)
Berneray Historical Society

Comann Eachdraidh Bharabhais agus Bhrù (CEBB)
Barvas and Brue Historical Society

Comann Glèidhteachais Teampall na Trianaid (CGTNT)
Teampall na Trianaid Conservation Association

Comunn Eachdraidh Ùig (CEU)
Uig Historical Society

Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath (CEUT)
North Uist Historical Society

Comunn Eachdraidh Nis (CEN)
Ness Historical Society

Comann Eachdraidh Chàrlabhaigh (CEC)
Carloway Historical Society

Comann Eachdraidh an Taobh Siar (CEATS)
West Side Historical Society

Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre Bheàrnaraigh (CEBL)
Bernera Historical Society

Comann Eachdraidh Cheann a Tuath nan Loch (CECTL)
North Lochs Historical Society

Càirdean Carragh Cuimhne Bheinn nam Faoghla (CCCBF)
Friends of Benbecula War Memorial

Comann Eachdraidh Tholastaidh bho Thuath (CET)
North Tolsta Historical Society

Urras Leabhraichean nan Eilean (IBT)
The Islands Book Trust

Links for these are available via the Hebrides Connections page, as above. 

If you have ancestors from the Western Isles, do try these societies for assistance, and don't forget also the Seallam! group on Harris also, that can help - details via their Hebrides People website at https://hebridespeople.com.

Chris

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