Scottish GENES

Wednesday, 19 July 2023

University of Galway's Landed Estates database expands into Ulster

Some great news courtesy of Claire Santry's Irish Genealogy News - the University of Galway's Landed Estates database at https://landedestates.ie, which previously covered the provinces of Connacht and Munster, from 1700-1914, has now expanded its coverage to include three of Ulster's counties - Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan, the three counties within the province that are today within the Republic of Ireland (the other six now constituting Northern Ireland).

I have ancestry in all three counties, so am looking forward to exploring this in more depth! As Claire advises, access to the information is best gained via the interactive maps. Each of the pins is for the various baronies in a county - clicking on a pin leads to information on the main houses of the landed gentry within each.

Whether Northern Ireland ever becomes included to complete the province is unknown, but one thing is for certain - Leinster is looking very lonely on this map just now. Fingers crossed that it gets a look-in also!

For more on Irish land records, don't forget my book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is available from Pen and Sword in the UK at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Ancestors-Through-Land-Records-Paperback/p/19283 and in the USA via https://www.penandswordbooks.com/9781526780218/tracing-your-irish-ancestors-through-land-records/.

(With thanks to Claire at https://www.irishgenealogynews.com/2023/07/landedestatesie-database-expands-into.html)

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.

HMS Unicorn, Scotland's oldest ship, receives £1.1 million for restoration

Scotland's oldest vessel, HMS Unicorn, has received £1.1 million in funding for its restoration from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. Launched in 1824 as a 40 gun frigate for the Royal Naval Reserves, the ship continued in use until the 1960s. It is today based in Dundee, where it is in the care of the Unicorn Preservation Society (https://www.frigateunicorn.org).

For more on the story visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-66202473.

Creative Commons: CC BY-SA 2.0
File:HMS Frigate Unicorn - geograph.org.uk - 1169196.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Unicorn_(1824)#/media/File:HMS_Frigate_Unicorn_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1169196.jpg

Chris

Sunday, 16 July 2023

Dòchas - Gaelic in Nova Scotia

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is not only heard as a language in Scotland, you'll also hear it spoken by communities in Canada, specifically in Nova Scotia. The following short film, Dòchas (meaning 'hope'), is a great wee watch that I found on YouTube a few days ago, giving a flavour of its use there amongst the youth of the community, and its efforts to survive as a community transmitted langauge (also available at https://youtu.be/WDQt9x2sgaA).

If interested in learning Gaelic, you can do for free at Duolingo (www.duolingo.com), which also includes sections on Nova Scotian Gaelic - whilst the BBC's Speak Gaelic series can be viewed worldwide on YouTube (with subttiled episodes available), and with the course itself freely available at https://speakgaelic.scot. LearnGaelic is another great, free platform at https://learngaelic.scot, with many useful resources including a dictioonary and subtitled TV programme clips, including the Speaking Our Language series from the 1990s.

Suas leis a' Ghàidhlig!

Chris

Update on Threads

The new social media platform from Meta, entitled Threads (www.threads.net), has become the fastest growing app of all time, with over 100 million new sign-ups in the first week.

I have previously announced that I will be permanently moving to Threads once it has become more viable as a replacement for Twitter (http://scottishgenes.blogspot.com/2023/07/scottish-genes-is-now-on-threads.html), and have already deleted my longest running account there, @chrismpaton, which I had for 14 years. According to the Washington Post, Twitter is now paying right wing 'influencers' to post on its platform, degrading the brand even further (https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/07/13/twitter-creators-payments-right-wing/), whilst Reuters is reporting that Twitter's new seemingly toxic strategy seems to be putting off the advertisers, with a huge drop in revenue against what Musk was projecting (https://www.reuters.com/technology/elon-musk-says-twitters-cash-flow-still-negative-ad-revenue-drops-2023-07-15/). It's a far cry from the environment surrounding Twitter as a platform just a year ago - every day now I have to block right wing followers, bitcoin pushers, and a whole range of other folk clearly not in it for the genealogy! It's tiring, it's tedious, and it was never asked for.

Threads is shaping up to be a great replacement, but it is worth flagging up what Threads cannot do just yet, because it still has some way to go as a new-born. You can't use hashtags yet to focus on a topic, there's no chronological feed, and you can't view posts ('threads') from only those who are your followers. Accessibility features also need more priority. These are some of the more important projects that Meta says is on its to-do list, and the sooner they arrive, the better. What is great about the platform is that posts can be 500 characters in length, and video clips can be added up to 5 minutes in length, which I will exploit at some stage soon! The first update has just been announced for the app (https://www.imore.com/apps/meta-brings-out-the-first-of-many-updates-for-threads-on-your-iphone-whats-been-fixed), there will be plenty more along the way.

I am delighted to see 185 followers already on @scottishgenesblog, and hope you will switch from Twitter to join me there, or at least as well as there! And if Threads is not quite your cup of tea, you can also find me on Mastodon at https://mastodon.scot/@ScottishGENES.

Time to move on!

Chris

Ancestry adds Fife police records 1858-1947

Just added to Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk):

Fife, Scotland, Police Records, 1858-1947
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/62559/
Original data: Fife Police Records. Fife, Scotland: Fife Collections Centre.

General collection information

This collection includes police employment records from Fife, Scotland, between 1858 and 1947. The records include employment histories of individual officers, applications from aspiring officers, and applications for enrollment in the police department's women's auxiliary. The applications from aspiring officers include information about the applicant's family, religion, occupation, and a physical description. The collection includes images of the original documents.

Using this collection

Records in this collection may include the following information:

Name
Maiden Name
Birth date
City, parish, and county of birth
Age
Gender
Occupation
Parish of residence
Employment date
Station name
Resignation date
Death date
Marriage date
Spouse's name
Parents' names
Names and birth dates of up to five children

The records in this collection can provide a wealth of information about your ancestor's family members that could be used to expand your family tree. The records also can be used to confirm that your ancestor was a member of the Fife Police Department during a specific period of time.

Further details via the link.

Chris

LivingDNA adds chromosome browser

From LivingDNA (https://livingdna.com):

We cannot contain our ex-segment!!!

You can now use the Living DNA Chromosome browser to establish further details on how you and your matches are related.

Within family matching you can now use the Shared DNA tab to discover which parts of the Chromosome you have in common with your matches and which parts you do not.

To view Chromosome browser click into your match and click the Shared DNA tab.

This information will help you establish how you are related to each of your matches. You can write down anything your discover in the notes section.

Haven't yet opted in to family matching?

Opt in to family matching now. You will receive your match list within 7 days and you can begin to explore the features available.

Comment: A chromosome browser is a very useful tool to help identify DNA matches, by looking for shared segments of DNA between an identified genetic cousin and the profile being matched with. On this front, it's one up to LivingDNA versus Ancestry, which is still languishing in some weird abyss over the issue.

But there is more than one abyss, and Living DNA still has no tree matching facility worth talking about, which would be far more useful. This remains the holding message on the issue:

The seed has been planted! Our new family tree feature is growing every day. We are working on a way to display your matches in a way that is simple to understand, and is based on your genetics.

In development

Come on folks, you were the future once, and this is the diametric opposite of the death of a thousand cuts...

Chris

Friday, 14 July 2023

TheGenealogist adds Royal and Merchant Naval records

From TheGenealogist (www.thegenealogist.co.uk):

New Seafaring Records

TheGenealogist has just released a range of records that will appeal to many British family historians with seafaring roots. As an island nation, we have seen countless ancestors go to sea, especially in the two World Wars. Whether our forebears served in merchant vessels or in warships, this latest release has records of interest for those with both types of sailors in their family trees.

Researchers can use these records to reveal names, dates and information about ancestors who were recorded in a number of Navy Lists for the Royal Navy (RN) that cover both WW1 and WW2. Family historians looking for Merchant Navy (MN) mariners killed or who died on service in WW1 will also find something in this release for them, as well as gaining access to names for merchant seamen honoured with medals and awards between 1914-1918.

For those who have lost seafarers, whether in either the Royal Navy or the Merchant Navy, then this collection of records is a useful addition. Family history researchers will be able to look for ships that were sunk. The new resources include Merchant Shipping Losses 1914-1918, and the British Merchant Vessels Lost or Damaged by Enemy Action During the Second World War 1939-1945. For the Senior Service’s vessels, the Returns Showing the Losses of Ships of the Royal Navy 1914-1918 will give details of the ship and where it was sunk.

Fully searchable by name or keyword from TheGenealogist’s Master Search. The new additions include records from a variety of sources, including:

●    The Navy List 1914
●    The Navy List January 1916
●    The Navy List April 1918
●    The Navy List August 1937
●    The Navy List October 1937
●    The Navy List July 1943
●    The Navy List April 1945
●    Return Showing the Losses of Ships of the Royal Navy 1914-1918
●    Merchant Adventurers 1914-1918
●    Merchant Shipping Losses 1914-1918
●    British Merchant Vessels Lost or Damaged by Enemy Action During Second World War 1939-1945

To learn more about how this collection of records helped us in the research of a mariner whose daring deeds earned him a VC read TheGenealogist’s article: Under the “Red Duster” and the White Ensign. https://thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2023/under-the-red-duster-and-the-white-ensign-2246/.

(With thanks to Nick Thorne)

Chris

Thursday, 13 July 2023

FamilySearch adds Irish Catholic parish records index

I'm slightly belated in reporting this, but FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org) has added the following indexed Irish collection:

Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1740-1900
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2820100

Catholic church parish registers from Ireland, containing baptism, marriages, and deaths that took place in Ireland and Northern Ireland from 1740-1900. Records may include: name, parents, spouse, father's occupation, residence, date of birth, date of marriage, burial date, and much more depending on the record type. This collection also contains a small amount of confirmations, dispensations, and funeral records. The content varies by location and date. The original records are held at the National Library of Ireland.

Having another index is useful, although it is a pity the images are not linked. The collection is also freely indexed on both Ancestry and FindmyPast, which, unlike FamilySearch, does have access to the NLS images, although I have found that their indexes have missed a few folk in the past.

The original collection is also freely available from the NLI, in browse only format, at https://registers.nli.ie.

(With thanks to Thomas MacEntee via @genealogybargains on Threads)

Chris

BIFHSGO 2023 conference - Leaving Their Scottish Homes: What Were They Thinking?

I'm delighted to be participating in the 2023 BIFHSGO annual conference online at the end of October. Here are the details:

Leaving Their Scottish Homes: What Were They Thinking?
BIFHSGO's Virtual Annual Conference
Saturday/Sunday 28-29 October 2023

Ever wondered why your ancestors left their homes in Scotland? Join us for BIFHSGO's 3rd virtual conference to hear five key speakers on this topic.

Marjory Harper, Professor of History, The University of Aberdeen and Visiting Professor, The Centre for History, The University of the Highlands and Islands / Two Centuries of Adventure and Exile: Voices from Scottish emigration
Chris Fleet, Curator of Maps, National Library of Scotland / Getting the Best out of the NLS Maps Website
Michelle Leonard, Scottish professional genealogist / Combining DNA and Traditional Research: Scottish case studies
Kirsty F. Wilkinson, Professional genealogist & Research Manager with AncestryProGenealogists / Sources in Scotland for Tracing Scottish Emigrants
Chris Paton, Genealogist, family historian and author / Tracing Irish Ancestors in Scotland

There will also be a social time and a Conference Connect with Scottish Regions session. See the full

Tickets are available on the Registration page at https://www.bifhsgo.ca/registration

Ticket price: CAN $30 for BIFHSGO members / CAN $40 for non-members

I hope to see you there!

Chris

Ancestry adds Chelsea Pension payment registers 1842-1883

Ancesty (www.ancestry.co.uk) has added the following new collection, which can help those with ancestors who served in the British Army and who were later discharged to pension in Britain or Ireland.:

UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Returns of Payment of Army and Other Pensions, 1842-1883
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/62604/
Source: WO 22: Royal Hospital Chelsea: Returns of Payment of Army and Other Pensions. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives.

About UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Returns of Payment of Army and Other Pensions, 1842-1883

General collection information

This collection includes records of pension payments from the Royal Hospital Chelsea dated between 1842 and 1883. The records include entries related to pensions for British Army servicemen and other miscellaneous pensions. The collection typically doesn't include records of soldiers who died in service or were discharged by purchase.

Using this collection

Records in this collection may include the following information:

Name
Service number
Military Rank
Regiment
Admission date
Pension date
Death date
Death age
Place of admission
Place of transfer

The information in these records may help you verify if and when your ancestor was admitted to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and when their pension commenced. You also may be able to verify your ancestor's date of death and their age at death compared with other vital records. In addition, record images may show the estimated pension amount your ancestor received.

Comment: This is a potentially very handy collection that can help you to 'follow the money' to locate a soldier after his discharge from the British Army.

The following collections have also been updated on Ancestry:

UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715-1925

UK, British Army Records and Lists, 1882-1962

UK, Naval and Military Courts Martial Registers, 1806-1930

Chris

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Wednesday, 19 July 2023

Sunday, 16 July 2023

Friday, 14 July 2023

Thursday, 13 July 2023