Online Study session Recording December 2023

Finding your Scottish Family :Documentary Evidence to DNA

£10

£5 for Friends of the Argyll Estate Archives

The Friends of Argyll Estates Archives hosted a rich and insightful online event for family history enthusiasts, featuring expert speakers and case studies exploring the use of archival records and online tools for genealogical research. Here’s a summary of what took place:

Juli Anderson from the University of Strathclyde opened the event with a warm welcome, outlining the day’s programme and providing helpful housekeeping guidance.

Getting the Most Out of ScotlandsPeople – Tessa Spencer from the National Records of Scotland. Tessa introduced attendees to the vast resources available on ScotlandsPeople, the official online platform of the National Records of Scotland. She demonstrated how to access a range of records from births, deaths and marriages to legal and parish documents, highlighting tips to make the most of the site.
Top Tips for Using FamilySearch – Judy Nimer Muhn, Professional Genealogist. Judy shared practical advice for navigating FamilySearch, one of the most comprehensive free genealogy websites. She covered effective search strategies, the value of the Wiki, and how to evaluate family trees submitted by other users.
Putting Flesh on the Bones – Alison Diamond, Argyll Estate Archives Archivist. Alison Diamond offered a fascinating look into the Argyll Papers, showing how estate archives can provide vivid details about the lives of Scottish ancestors. She explained how these records help contextualize individuals’ lives on the Duke of Argyll’s estates.
Case Studies by volunteers from Argyll Estate Archives.Dena Palamedes shared how estate rental records helped her trace her ancestors to Savary, Morvern, and uncover their connections to the Dukes of Argyll. Catriona Smyth discussed how the Argyll Papers illuminated her family’s past in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, proving the value of oral tradition and perseverance in archival research.
From Adoptee to ‘Son of Somerled’ – Ed Sweeney, student studying for his Masters Degree in Genetic Genealogy at the University of Strathclyde.Ed explained how DNA testing, combined with traditional documentary research, can overcome genealogy brick walls. His personal story, from being an adoptee to tracing lineage back to early Scottish roots, underscored the powerful potential of genetic genealogy.

The event concluded with thanks to the speakers and participants, and a sense of shared inspiration and renewed enthusiasm for uncovering family histories.

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