Latest North Irish Roots journal has a sporting theme

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

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

Chris 

Order Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland in the UK at https://bit.ly/4jJWSEh. Also available -Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. To purchase in the USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page.

NIFHS DNA Summer School - and comedian Tim McGarry's ancestry

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

DNA Summer School 2nd to 6th September 2024

The North of Ireland Family History Society is again holding its very popular DNA Summer School. Two classes per day for beginners to advanced. Book single classes (£10) or come to all ten (£80)!

Classes are recorded and anyone registering for a class will have access to the video for 28 days - perfect for a recap or if you are in a different time zone and can’t attend live.

• 
  Step by Step Guide to analysing your autosomal DNA – Part 1
• Step by Step Guide to analysing your autosomal DNA – Part 2
• SNPs vs STRs
• The Highs and Lows of Y-DNA
• Maximise your Maternal Research with Mitotree and Mito Discover
• Mt-DNA Case Studies
• Climbing Over Brickwalls
• Using a Chromosome Browser effectively
• DNA Proof Standards
• Ancient DNA

More information and bookings here: https://www.nifhs.org/courses/ 

The society also had a very successful family history show in Belfast last weekend, including a fun session revealing some DNA surprises to Northern Irish comedian Tim McGarry - you can watch the session at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7Vz2yaFaFE, or view the presentation embdedded below:

(With thanks to Linda Kilby)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

The Really Useful Family History Show to visit Belfast in August

Discover your Roots at The Really Useful Family History Show
Europa Hotel, Belfast
10th August 2024 10am to 4pm.

Northern Ireland's first family history show in years is coming to Belfast, and everyone's invited!

This completely free event will feature 10 exhibitors ready to give advice about genealogy, research and DNA to beginners or more advanced family historians.

Visit in the morning and enter the free prize draw, with some fantastic prizes including DNA kits, society memberships, personal consultations with genealogy experts and more!

At 2pm there will be a presentation called “We know you are, Tim McGarry!” when we will be revealing to this much loved local comedian for the first time what DNA and research has uncovered about his ancestry.

The Really Useful Family History Show (https://www.fhf-reallyuseful.com/2024-live) is sponsored by the Family History Federation (https://www.familyhistoryfederation.com) and organised by the North of Ireland Family History Society (https://www.nifhs.org).

(With thanks to Linda Kilby)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

North of Ireland Family History Society Spring School 2024 Programme

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

SPRING SCHOOL 2024 PROGRAMME
North of Ireland Family History Society Spring School 2024
A series of in person and online classes - all FREE!
All times given are London time.
https://www.nifhs.org/courses/

Look-Up Live (NIFHS Volunteers)
Wednesday 17 April 2024 at 7.00pm. FREE (on zoom)
This is not a formal talk but an opportunity for you to find out about some of the items that the Society holds in its research library. Come along and ask us a question - you may even get a look-up done during the session!
Email education.zoom@nifhs.org for the zoom link, specifying Look-Up Live.

DNA Questions and Answers (NIFHS DNA Team)
Wednesday 1 May 2024 at 7.00pm. FREE (on zoom)
An evening devoted to all your DNA questions.
Email education.zoom@nifhs.org for the zoom link, specifying DNA Questions and Answers.

Starting out on WikiTree (Anne Johnston)
Friday 24 May 2024 at 7.00pm. FREE (on zoom)
If you aren’t sure how to make a start on WikiTree this talk will show you clearly and simply how to add a profile to WikiTree. Learn how to do the basics and your tree will grow person by person!
Email education.zoom@nifhs.org for the zoom link, specifying Starting out on WikiTree.

Research Lock-In (Society Volunteers)
Wednesday 29 May 2024 at 7.00pm-midnight. (In person at Research Centre)
If you want to make use of the incredible resources in our Society research library then this is the night for you! We’ll be there from 7pm to help you with your research. The rules of the night are that we ‘lock’ the door at 8pm to new entrants and once you leave you you can’t come back in again. Can you last to midnight?
Email education.zoom@nifhs.org, specifying Research Lock-In to register and secure your place.

Growing Your Family Tree (Martin McDowell)
Wednesday 26 June 2024 at 7.00pm. FREE (on zoom)
This class will provide some simple tips and tricks for people not yet too far down the research path.
Come along and hear about some ideas that may help you break through some brickwalls.
Email education.zoom@nifhs.org for the zoom link, specifying Growing Your Family Tree.

(With thanks to Linda Kilby)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

North Irish Roots spring journal now available

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

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

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

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

Exploring Family History events at PRONI, Belfast, 19-23 February 2024

So it's all happening in Belfast this month!

Exploring Family History 2024
19th February to 23rd February at PRONI
Public Records Office of Northern Ireland
North of Ireland Family History Society
ABC Family History Association

Help and Information Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm

• How can a family history society help you on your quest to tell the stories of your ancestors?
• How can you find relevant records and resources?
• How can DNA enhance your research?
• All this and more - ask us questions, get advice and even buy a DNA kit at a special price of £40.

Guided behind the scenes tour of PRONI Tuesday 20th Feb 2.15pm, and Wednesday 21st Feb at 2.15pm

Your opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes at PRONI.
Spaces are limited so book now at PRONI Tour and Document Display Tickets

Daily Talks - all free! Book here Exploring Family History 2024

ABC Family History Association - Finding Connections Tuesday 20th Feb 11am-12pm
Joy Smith will explain what membership of ABC Family History Association can mean for you and
how it can enrich your family history experience.

Introduction to NIFHS Sources Tuesday 20th Feb 1-2pm
Andrew Kane will explain what unique records are held by the North of Ireland Family History
Society and how the society can help you with your family history research.

Understanding DNA Wednesday 21st Feb 1-2pm
DNA is an excellent addition to your family history toolbox. Martin McDowell will explain how you
can benefit by comparing your DNA with others who also have ancestors from Northern Ireland.

The Really Useful Talk Thursday 22nd Feb 1-2pm
Steve Manning from the Family History Federation will be explaining how the federation works to
promote family history and the work of societies across the British Isles.

NIFHS Projects Friday 23rd Feb 1-2pm
Members of the North of Ireland Family History Society will be explaining about their local
transcription and DNA projects and how both can benefit the wider family history community both
locally and around the world 

 (With thanks to Linda at NIFHS!)

Chris

Order Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors in the UK at https://bit.ly/BelfastAncestors. Also available - Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records, Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. For purchase in tthe USA visit https://www.penandswordbooks.com. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, on Threads at @scottishgenesblog and via Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

Belfast City Cemetery DNA Project

From the Belfast branch of the North of Ireland Family History Society (https://www.nifhs.org/branches/#Branches-Tab|2):

Belfast City Cemetery DNA Project

This new and exciting DNA Project, hosted by the Belfast branch of the North of Ireland Family History Society, will be launched on 5th August at the Belfast City Cemetery.

If you have an ancestor buried in the City Cemetery, come along to the Open Day and take a DNA test. Our volunteers will then research this ancestral line of your family. This is a unique opportunity to discover some of your heritage and where you came from.

Once the Project is underway, we will invite members of the Belfast branch of the Society who have family buried in the Cemetery to take part.

** Don't forget that my new book, Tracing Your Belfast Ancestors, is now available to buy in the UK and USA from Pen and Sword! Details below...

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.

North of Ireland Family History Society Spring Classes 2023

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

Spring School 2023 Classes at NIFHS

The North of Ireland Family History Society have published their programme of classes for Spring School 2023 and bookings are open. With a broad range of topics, there is something for everyone and some classes are free. All are via Zoom so distance is no object!

• Starting out on Irish Family History (2 afternoons) Thur 23 & 30 March, 2:30 pm
• Starting out on Irish Family History (2 evenings) Thur 23 & 30 March, 7:00 pm
• NIFHS Look Up Live - FREE Wed 19 April, 7:00 pm
• Paternal and Maternal DNA Matches Fri 21 April, 7:00 pm
• Tips for Breaking through Brickwalls Fri 5 May, 7:00 pm
• DNA Ethnicity Estimates Wed 17 May, 7:00 pm
• Using WikiTree Wed 31 May, 7:00 pm
• Things I wish I had known when I started Irish Family History - FREE Fri 2 June, 7:00 pm

Spring into better family history research! More information and bookings at www.nifhs.org/courses

(With thanks to Linda Kilby at NIFHS)

 

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

North of Ireland FHS Autumn 2022 courses programme

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

NIFHS COURSES AUTUMN 2022 PROGRAMME

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

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


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

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


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

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


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

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


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

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


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

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


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

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


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

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

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

(With thanks to Martin McDowell)

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

North of Ireland FHS DNA Summer School

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

DNA Summer School 2022 - PAY NOW, PLAY LATER!
Monday 22nd to Friday 26th August

The DNA Summer School will again be held over 5 days, with 2 classes a day, all via Zoom. As all talks are being recorded, we are leaving open the option to book any talks in our schedule until the event ends on Friday 26th August. We are hoping this will enable even more people to participate in DNA Summer School and benefit from our talks.

We will be covering Y-DNA, MT-DNA and autosomal DNA, with classes for beginners to the more experienced.

This year we are providing some practical case study classes as well as theory classes so you can see working examples that will show you how to apply what you have learned.

You will have an opportunity to hear some well known guest speakers (Maurice Gleeson, Mags Gaulden and EJ Blom) and you might even win one of our great give-away prizes.

Each class will be stand alone so you can come to as many or as few as you like.

There will be a discount if you wish to immerse yourself in DNA for the whole week and book all 10 classes and you will be invited to a free question and answer session after the event.

Anyone who has attended previously will know how popular our classes are - they are friendly, easy to understand and provide practical information to help you further your DNA research.

We look forward to seeing you there.

You can see the whole programme and book on our website at https://www.nifhs.org/courses/  

Please note that if you book more than two hours before the time of any class then you will have the option to attend live and you will also receive a link to the recording of the talk.

If you book within two hours of an advertised time for any session then you will not be able to attend live. Instead you will receive a link to the recording of the talk which you will be able to access for 28 days.

Similarily if the session you wish to book has already taken place you will receive a link to watch the talk at any point within the next 28 days.

(With thanks to Martin McDowell)

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

PRONI to resume normal service from Monday 20th June

The pandemic offered many challenges to our archive sector over the last two years, but if there is one institution that has been a true exemplar of how to address them right, and importantly, to keep the public and its user base on side whilst doing so, it is the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni). 

Over the last two years PRONI has striven to offer as much access as possible to the public, in truly trying circumstances, and even took the opportunity to run an impromptu 'Covid census' to document its users' experiences in the pandemic. Today it has now announced its biggest milestone on the route back to normality - from Monday 20th June, PRONI is scrapping its appointments booking system and the cap imposed on numbers visiting. From next Monday, PRONI is essentially back to normal (I'm still awaiting clarification on hours, specifically regarding Thursday nights late opening). 

The following is its announcement:

A Message from Public Record Office of Northern Ireland:

 

The existing appointment system will be discontinued starting Monday 20 June, as will the cap on the number of public who can attend the office on any given day (groups will be required to book in advance). As from Monday anyone can walk into PRONI as it was before the start of the pandemic.

 

We still encourage you to wear masks in public/communal areas throughout the building however this will not be mandatory. 

Congratulations to all who have worked so hard in Belfast to get to this point!

(With thanks to Belfast and Larne branches of NIFHS, and Stephen Scarth at PRONI)

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

The new North Irish Journal index 2013-2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

North of Ireland Family History Society classes for 2022

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

Bookings are now being taken for our series of Classes for Spring 2022.

There are lots of exciting topics on offer and some of the classes are FREE!
All classes will be via Zoom - so you can join us from wherever you are in the world.

Thursdays 3 & 17 February @ 9am GMT - Strictly for Beginners
Thursdays 3 & 17 February @ 2pm GMT - Strictly for Beginners
Thursday 10 February @ 9am GMT - More Online Resources for Genealogy & Family History - FREE
Thursday 10 February @ 2pm GMT - More Online Resources for Genealogy & Family History - FREE
Wednesdays 23 February & 2 March @ 7pm GMT - Family Finder
Friday 11 March @ 7pm GMT - Valuation Records
Tuesday 15 March @ 7pm GMT - An Introduction to Scottish Online Records
Wednesday 23 March @ 7pm GMT - NIFHS Look Up Service - FREE
Thursday 24 March @ 7pm GMT - What’s New in Family Tree Maker- Discussion and Q & A - FREE
Friday 25 March @ 2pm GMT - Emigration to Australia and New Zealand
Friday 25 March @ 7pm GMT - PRONI Online Records
Thursday 7 April @ 7pm BST - Using Ancestry DNA
Saturday 23 April @ 11am BST - DNA Day - Beginner’s Talk - FREE
Tuesday 3 May @ 7pm BST - Five Top Tips for Analysing your DNA Results

For further details on the talks, and to book, visit https://www.nifhs.org/courses/. 

NB: I'll be doing the talk An Introduction to Scottish Online Records on March 15th, I hope to maybe see 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.

New NIFHS research booklet - The City of Belfast

The North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org) is now selling its latest Researching Your Ancestors in the North of Ireland guide booklet, entitled The City of Belfast.

The book is 105 pages in length, and is essentially a source book highlighting some of the key resources available for research in the city, or at least within the city as its boundaries were defined between 1896 and 1973. 

After a short history of the city, it then details the sorts of administrative boundaries that records were collated within, before dealing with various topics and resources that will assist the historian. By far the most useful section is the detailed listings for the various churches found in Belfast, listing the various houses of worship for the major denominations, and offering information about the surviving coverage of records. The section on Education is another equally handy chapter detailing the many schools in the city.

The price of the booklet is £12, plus p&p, and it can be ordered from https://www.nifhs.org/product/researching-your-ancestors-in-the-north-of-ireland-belfast/. 

A very useful resource if you have ancestry from the city!

(With thanks to the NIFHS for a review copy)

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.

Autumn family history courses from the NIFHS

The North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org) is running a series of courses this autumn, as follows:

Fri 29 Oct – Raising The Dead
Mon 1 Nov – Life in Ulster in the 1830’s
Tue 16 Nov – Using WikiTree
Thu 18 Nov – Google Basics for Family History Research
Wed 1 Dec – NIFHS Look Up Service
Thu 2 Dec – Advanced Google Tools for Family History Research
Sat 4 Dec – Family Tree Maker
Tue 7 Dec – PRONI Online Records  

Classes will normally last for around 90 minutes – usually a one-hour talk followed by questions and answers. The Classes are not available as recordings after the presentation date.

• The Classes are £10 each, except for the “NIFHS Look Up Service” class which is free.
• By booking the two Google Classes (Basics & Advanced Tools) together the cost is £15, a saving of £5.
• A Course Notes Booklet is available for the “Life in Ulster in the 1830s” Class.  Select the £15 Class & Notes option.

For further details, please visit the NIFHS website at www.nifhs.org/courses/. NB: The brilliantly named Raising the Dead course is "our Halloween class about reconstructing the DNA of deceased people"!

(With thanks to Martin McDowell)

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

NIFHS's DNA Summer School returns this summer

News from the North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org) about its returning DNA Summer School:

NIFHS DNA Summer School 2021
Monday 6th – Friday 10th September

The Classes
This September sees the return of our very popular DNA Summer School, a bit later this year due to circumstances. This time it is being held via Zoom which will give people an opportunity to attend irrespective of where they live.

Classes will last for around 90 minutes – usually a one-hour talk followed by questions and answers. The focus of this summer school is to enhance knowledge of DNA research and to make the whole subject more understandable. All four types of DNA will be covered (X, Y, Mitochondrial and Autosomal) and classes will provide practical advice to enable concepts to be understood and new skills to be learned. There will be a focus on making progress on DNA research within Ireland. However these classes are suitable for anyone irrespective of where their family originated. The classes are £10 each. However if you wish to attend all 10 classes a discount is available and a booking can be made at a cost of £80.

• The Advantages of Y-DNA
• The Advantages of MT-DNA
• The Leeds Method
• Using X Matches in your DNA Research
• The DNA Family Matching Tool
• Achieving Success with DNA
• Ballycarry and Islandmagee DNA Projects
• Using the Chromosome Browser effectively
• Ethnicity Estimates
• Using DNA Painter

All 10 Classes for £80

For further details please visit www.nifhs.org/courses/

(With thanks to Martin McDermott)

Chris

Just out, Sharing Your Family History Online is on sale at https://bit.ly/SharingFamHist. 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.

North of Ireland FHS announces Family Memories writing competition

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

The North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS) is inviting people around the world to take part in their 2021 writing competition that has a theme of “Family Memories”. There is a chance to win one of three cash prizes and you may get your story published. The closing date is Friday 28th May 2021 so there is plenty of time to gather your story together.  

Adding memories can bring a family tree to life and helps to preserve stories for future generations. You can use your own personal memories or those of a relative. Stories can be pieced together from interviews, old family photos, letters and other documents or heirlooms.

The winner will receive £100, with runners-up receiving £60 and £40. The results will be announced in September 2021. Many previous entries have been published in the Society’s journal, North Irish Roots. The competition is open to members of the Society worldwide - membership for overseas residents is £18 for 2021 and currently allows attendance at about 10 online meetings a month across our branch network, alongside other benefits such as a look-up service.

More information and the competition rules can be found on the NIFHS website: www.nifhs.org/resources/biennial-competition/#fmc

(With thanks to Maeve Rogan)

Chris

Just out, Sharing Your Family History Online is on sale at https://bit.ly/SharingFamHist. 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.

North of Ireland FHS Zoom classes from February-April 2021

The North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org) is offering a series of genealogy classes online from February 17th to April 13th, as follows:

The Courses are designed to offer practical help in furthering your family research using genealogy and DNA and are suitable for members and non-members. No prior knowledge is required. Society members should note that some of the subject matter may have been included in previous courses and talks.

Although courses are scheduled to last for one hour, at most of these courses our speakers will be prepared to stay on for longer to answer some of your questions. You are of course welcome to stay on for extended questions and answers if you choose to do so.

For further details, and to sign up, visit www.nifhs.org/courses

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.

FindmyPast adds Belfast and Ulster street directories

As mentioned on this blog a couple of weeks back (http://scottishgenes.blogspot.com/2020/12/pronis-decembers-stakeholder-forum.html), FindmyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk) has digitised street directories held by the North of Ireland Family History Society (www.nifhs.org), which have now gone online:

Ireland, Belfast & Ulster Directories
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/ireland-belfast-and-ulster-directories

Only available online at Findmypast, explore a pivotal era in Northern Ireland’s history with these brand new directories. Year-by-year, they can help you discover names, addresses and occupations from Belfast and beyond.

Covering 1890-1947, these directories chart the transformation of Northern Ireland and the province of Ulster as the Irish Free State was formed. They were published by the Belfast Newsletter to showcase the city's industrial excellence. 

For further releases on FMP this week visit https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/new/eastbourne-nottinghamshire-belfast

COMMENT: Two other sources offer an extensive range of additonal directories - PRONI at www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/search-archives-online/street-directories and the Lennon Wylie site at www.lennonwylie.co.uk. Between them all that should be enough to kep you going a while longer!  

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.