Abstract

A journey through the history of the Irish in Scotland. 

Abstract

The stories of both Scotland and Ireland have been intertwined for centuries. Whilst the 17th century Plantations of Ulster led to the settlement of thousands of Scotland in the north of Ireland, the incorporation of Ireland into the UK in 1801, and the subsequent An Gorta Mór of the 1840s, led to an equally vast migration of Irish folk into Scotland in the 19th century, and beyond.

In this session, Chris will explore the Scottish records which can assist in not only documenting what became of the settlers who have arrived over the last two centuries, but which in many cases can also identify an original point of origin in Ireland from which they came. He will cover the vital records as created by the state and the various Scottish churches, the records of confirmation (probate), the administration of poor relief, the records of religious and political conflicts, and more, explaining how such records can help to shed light onto their ancestral stories. He will also highlight some Irish based collections that can equally help with the Irish story in Scotland.

Abstract

In this session Chris will explore how to locate ancestors in Ireland using the civil registration records of births, marriages and deaths from 1845 and 1864 onwards, both online and offline.

Chris will also look at the various church denominations in Ireland, how they were structured, and the types of records kept. He will also explore how to identify what has survived and what has not (and why), and to understand where Protestant and Catholic Ireland occasionally overlapped, with the role of the Church of Ireland as the state church.

Abstract

In this session Chris will look at the census records that can help us to locate our ancestors on the island of Ireland. These include religious censuses, the UK decennial censuses, the newly released 1926 Irish Free State census, reconstituted lost census material from secondary sources, the 1922 military census, and census substitutes.

Whilst many challenges exist due to the loss of records in the Irish Civil War, Chris will show that the glass can be half-full rather than half-empty when it comes to census-based research. 

Abstract

This session introduces researching your family history on-site in Ireland.  While much genealogical research can be done online, there is a treasure trove of records that can only be accessed at archives.  Discover which records are best consulted in person and how to prepare for a research trip.  Learn what to expect when you visit an Irish archive or library, and how to make the most of your limited time there.  This talk will help you to decide when and how to carry out research in Ireland, and to feel confident about navigating Irish repositories.

Abstract

This session will guide you through essential resources for finding out more about the place where your ancestors lived in Ireland.  Whether you are just beginning your research or looking to delve deeper into your family’s past, a better understanding of your Irish ancestral homeplace can improve the effectiveness of your searches and allow you to build up a richer picture of what life was like for your Irish forebears.  You will receive practical advice to help you access and use historical publications, records and online databases to learn about places in Ireland.

Abstract

In this talk Chris explores various Irish land record sources that can assist when the vital records and other sources fail. He will discuss the legal basis for how they were compiled, and the locations where they can be accessed today.

From leases to estate records, and register of deeds to valuation records, you may well find that your Irish ancestors were much better recorded than you think!

Abstract

This session introduces ways to use genetic genealogy in tandem with documentary research to build your family tree.  For those considering DNA testing, there will be advice on which family members to test and which tests to use.  For those who have already taken a test, there will be guidance to help you make sense of the results, with a particular focus on using them to research ancestors who lived in Ireland.  From matches to biogeographical ancestry, learn what DNA tests can (and cannot) tell you about your Irish family history.

Abstract

Many people were supported with poor relief and these included the Irish. Records created as a result of the Poor Law (Scotland) Act of 1845 are often rich in detail and can give information on a person’s (and family’s) origins. This session will discuss what these records contain, where they can be found and how to use them.

Biographies

Ciara Chivers

Ciara Chivers is a genealogist based in Northern Ireland. Through her business, Shamrock Roots, she helps clients to discover their family history and connect with their heritage. She particularly enjoys research that is focused on Ireland and the Irish diaspora.  Ciara is also a tutor at the University of Strathclyde, supporting students who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications in genealogy, and she serves as a Director of the Register of Qualified Genealogists, supporting fellow genealogists and their clients.

Dr Martin Mitchell

Martin Mitchell has taught at the University of Strathclyde since 2005. Before then, he was a Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen. His teaching and research interests lie in the fields of British History, Scottish History since 1700 and Irish History since 1660. He is the Year 1 Coordinator for History at Strathclyde.

Chris Paton

Chris Paton is a Scottish based professional genealogist, originally from Northern Ireland, specialising in Scottish and Irish family history, and Scottish house history. He holds a PG Diploma in Genealogical Studies from the University of Strathclyde and tutors for Pharos Tutors. A prolific speaker and author, he has lectured extensively around the world and is the author of over 20 genealogy books as well as contributing regularly to UK genealogy magazines.

Judith Russell

Judith Russell qualified with the MSc in Genealogical Studies in 2012 and is now a retired tutor and genealogist based in Glasgow. Judith tutored for many years on the University of Strathclyde’s postgraduate Genealogical Studies programme and also taught and developed shorter genealogy courses for the university’s Centre for Lifelong Learning. She has developed courses and seminars on Irish family history and on the poor law, with particular reference to the Irish diaspora in Scotland and to Glasgow City Archives’ collection of poor relief applications. Judith also has a wealth of experience in researching genealogy projects for clients, many of which involved Irish family roots.