Family History Society 2024-25 Session
Welcome to the 2024-25 session of the Dunbartonshire Family History Society.
Details of the new meetings venue will be found on the Home Page with the new programme on the Programme Page.
We hope you will find plenty to interest you and to help your family history research over the coming session.
Wednesday 5th June 2024 – Milngavie Week – Milngavie Library
The Society is hosting a drop-in session from 14.00 to 16.00
Society members will be on hand to assist those interested in researching their family history to use a computer system to do some basic research.
Download the blank Family Tree document by clicking here
AGM
A reminder that this will be held in the Asda Community Room on Thursday 16th May 2024 at 19.30
Disposal Of Society Library
With our move to ASDA for meetings, we are no longer able to store DFHS materials in the basement cupboard at Milngavie Hub. Therefore the Committee has concluded that the only practical route forward is to dispose of the library (and other items, screen, filing cabinet etc) one way or another.
Our Librarian has been working hard to whittle down the library holdings to a practical minimum through measures such as giving original donors the opportunity to take back their donated books, disposing of magazines etc. That now leaves the titles listed in the attached two pages – these being the remaining books and brochures for which we need to find caring homes!
Your Committee has agreed that the remaining titles, as listed, should be circulated to all DFHS Members, giving everyone a chance to benefit from material that might be useful to their individual researches.
Our Librarian has suggested that each book be given a price tag of One Pound and anyone interested in a particular title should e-mail her accordingly. Thereafter, the book could be brought to our next ASDA meeting for handover. Should more than one Member apply for a particular book – then, let the “bidding war begin” in increments of a pound!
In this way we hope to boost DFHS funds (marginally) and avoid having to destroy material that could be of benefit to someone.
https://www.scottishmemories.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DFHS-Library-List-1of-2-Feb-2024.pdf
https://www.scottishmemories.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DFHS-Library-List-2-of-2-Feb-2024.pdf
2023-24 Programme
This session, meetings will be held in the Community Room, Asda Bearsden, Milngavie Road Bearsden at the usual time of 19.30.
Details will be found in the Programme Page
2022-23 Programme
The 1921 Census – Chris Paton (Tuesday 7th March 2023)
Chris gave a fascinating illustrated talk on Zoom tracing the development of censuses in Scotland and revealing how the information gathered had changed each decade. He then explored what was available in the latest 1921 census with a lot of “Tips and Tricks” and a few “Brucie Bonuses” along the way.
Members’ Evening – Christmas Past (Thursday 8th December 2022)
Members will talk about their favourite memories of Christmas past – possibly including bringing along old Christmas decorations, special Christmas presents, family Christmas photos or a chat about favourite Christmas traditions.
From Tin to Silver – The Legacy of James Finlayson
Milngavie Community Centre 7.30pm
James Finlayson, born in Larbert, Stirlingshire in 1887, was a tinsmith who became a comic actor on the amateur and professional stage in Britain then toured theatres in the the USA until he ended up in Hollywood in the early days of the film industry. There he appeared in 250 films, 35 of them as Laurel and Hardy’s comic foil.
This is the first video documentary about him, exploring his life and work and including excerpts from some of his films. In fact, this is the documentary’s premiere.
So put on your posh frocks and shimmy up to the Community Centre on the 8th!
Thursday 15th September 2022
Who Do You Think You Are?
Milngavie Community Centre 7.30-9.30pm
Are you interested in family history? If so, why not come along and meet the Dunbartonshire Family History Society as we kick off our 2022/23 programme. Having successfully held Zoom meetings for the last 18 months, we have decided to move to a hybrid approach this session. September’s meeting will be held in person and will start with a few members sharing anecdotes of memories from their own family histories which should lead to questions and discussions. Monthly meetings thereafter will be a mix of in person, zoom calls and visits. Members range from beginners to very experienced who have a wealth of knowledge to share and in person meetings conclude with refreshments and a chance to chat with other members and benefit from their knowledge in a casual relaxed atmosphere.
AGM – Held on 12th May 2022 via Zoom
“DNA Basics; Using and Applying DNA Results”
Michelle Leonard – 7th April 2022
The handout from the above meeting ccan be downloaded via the link below.
Researching at National Library of Scotland” – Robbie Mitchell
Notes from the Meeting
Chairman’s Letter – August 2021
Hello Everyone,
Outline Programme – Session 2021/2022
I hope you are all enjoying a peaceful summer, safe from the scourges which we have all suffered over the last eighteen months – perhaps even managing to fit in a welcome staycation or two!
I am attaching an outline (albeit more or less final) Programme to this letter, setting out our plans for the next Session of DFHS, 2021/2022. The programme is somewhat different this year from those of previous years when we used to meet in Milngavie Community Centre. Covid and the consequent new concept of meeting by Zoom has affected our Society just as it has most other groups. It is not all bad, however – we avoid going out in dark winter nights, hall rentals, hospitality costs etc; the only downside appears as possible fees for an increased number of professional speakers!
Before you go over the Programme, a few explanatory notes are given below, setting out the arrangements settled upon by your DFHS Committee on your behalf.
- Uncertainty continues about future lockdowns and consequent restrictions on gatherings, so we plan to continue our now-established once-a-month/Zoom arrangements for all meetings.
- It is felt to be somewhat difficult and uncertain to ask Members to participate in evenings such as Workshops on Family Mementoes, Brick-Walls etc which rely for success upon connectivity, “share-screening” etc. All Talks, therefore, will take the form of speaker presentations.
- Most of our Talks will be presented by acknowledged experts in their own field of Genealogy.
- Because of the change in format, we have put together a programme which, hopefully, will be of practical use to our members; FH resources, recent developments in FH research, etc.
- Our opening meeting, 16th September, will be slightly different, however. Genealogist Chris Paton will be speaking about uncovering a true-life murder investigation whilst carrying out his own personal family research. Who knows, you too might uncover the basis of a good story – not necessarily as violent, however!
- We have scheduled four Visits. Each of these, however, relies upon the venue being open for tours, so these will be confirmed, or re-scheduled, in turn as the occasion arises.
- Please look upon the overall programme as both date-flexible and open to change (minimum change for both, of course).
- Sheena will put around the customary e-mail notice ahead of each Meeting and that information will also appear on our website www.scottishmemories.co.uk .
Notes from the Meeting on 15th April 2021 – The Clearances
by Margaret Anderson
Notes from the Meeting on 18th March 2021 – Using North Lanarkshire Family History Resources
by Wiebke McGhee
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR BRITISH GENEALOGY AND FAMILY HISTORY
Due to Covid-19 the 2020 British Institute will be virtual. Each presenter will introduce
topics they will cover in 2021, so you can begin your research while at home. Basic through
intermediate levels of instruction will be offered in four ‘live’ presentations with ‘live’
question and answer time. From the comfort of your home access a full syllabus highlighting
relevant record groups. Courses will run consecutively, so take one or all three from Oct. 12 -14.
They are offering the following courses:
• Tracing Your Irish Family History Chris Paton
• Hidden Treasures in Welsh Family History Darris Williams
• English Research: Fundamentals and Beyond Paul Milner
ConferenceKeeper.org
This website has a list of virtual events which may be of interest given that we cannot attend
any events at present.
For a full list of Genealogical Events and Activities go to the GENEVA site.
New Records Online
Amongst the many new records going on-line:
Beyond 2022: Ireland’s Virtual Record Treasury research project.
Recreation of Irish archive lost in 1922 fire to get €2.5m boost. Explore Beyond 2020.
ScotlandsPeople
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, ScotlandsPeople staff are working from home to keep the
ScotlandsPeople website up-to-date and answer online enquiries. During this time they would
like to highlight their extensive range of free online resources.
These include a transcribed version of the 1881 (LDS) census, their maps and plans collection,
their image library (where images can be viewed for free with a charge to purchase copies)
and the Highland and Island Emigration Society records.
Did you know that they have also made available Scottish tax records which you can view
for free? And why not practice reading old handwriting with free online tuition in palaeography?
They are unable to process any certificate orders at this time and are in the process of
arranging full refunds for any orders which they have not been able to complete.
In urgent cases where official confirmation of an event taking place is required, please use
their contact form on ScotlandsPeople, select ‘Certificates and Copies’ and one of their team
will respond to you.
Ancestry
New Records online:
UPDATED Global, Find A Grave Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations,
1300s-Current
UPDATED UK and Ireland, Find A Grave Index, 1300s-Current
UPDATED Scotland, Ireland and Wales, Militia Attestation Papers, 1800-1915
UPDATED Midlands, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965
UPDATED Former British Colonial Dependencies, Slave Registers, 1813-1834
Findmypast
New Records
Scotland, Edinburgh & Lothian Death and Burial Index
Trace Edinburgh and Lothian ancestors in this unique collection of death and burial records.
We’ve added 63,990 new burial transcripts from the parishes of Restalrig Churchyard and
Edinburgh, St Cuthberts.
Scotland, Aberdeenshire Poll Tax 1696
These records can reveal how much your ancestors paid in tax.
Yorkshire Memorial Inscriptions
Exclusive to Findmypast, another 7,639 records have been added from Calderdale Family
History Society. The update covers seven graveyards in Halifax and the surrounding area.
Cambridgeshire Burials
We’ve updated our Cambridgeshire burial collection with a further 3,279 unique records from
Fenland Family History Society. This update covers Wisbech, Mount Pleasant Cemetery
from 1900-1968.
Newspapers
We’ve added 69,314 brand new newspaper pages this week, with a new title from County
Limerick joining the collection.
The Munster News covers the years 1851-1860, 1862-1871, 1873-1877, 1879-1880, 1882-
1889, 1910, 1912-1915, 1919, 1922, 1925-1927 and 1930
As well as that, the following six papers have had comprehensive updates from the listed
years:
• Dundee Courier covering the years 1987 and 1996
• Home News for India, China and the Colonies covering the years 1866-1870 and
1889-1896
• Sunday World (Dublin) covering the years 1997 and 2005
• Perthshire Constitutional & Journal covering the year 1870
• Irvine Herald covering the years 1969-1970
• Penrith Observer covering the year 1904
Oxford Dictionary of Family Names (17 May 2020) – passed on by Jim Simpson
The online version of the Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland is being made available free for the next week (starting 17/05/20)
Details of the background to this offer are in an article in the Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/15/oxford-surnames-dictionary-goes-free-for-family-bonding-in-lockdown?
You can access the Dictionary here:
https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199677764.001.0001/acref-9780199677764
Latest East Dunbartonshire Archives Information (4th May 2020) – passed on by Anne Byiers
- Free maps online workshop on Wed 6 May at 3pm on using the excellent National Library of Scotland maps website.To book visit their website https://www.nls.uk/events/workshops-and-tours and email nlsevents@nls.uk
- Family history conference presentations from 1 May now available on Scottish Indexes private Facebook Group (send request to join) here https://www.facebook.com/groups/scottishindexes
- Ancestry are allowing remote access for EDLC library members while our libraries are closed. All you have to do to access Ancestry Library Edition is log in to your library account here: https://edlc.koha-ptfs.co.uk/ Not a member? Join online here: https://www.edlc.co.uk/libraries/how-join and your membership details will be emailed to you. Need a new PIN? Email libraries@eastdunbarton.gov.uk and we’ll reset it for you.
- Follow us on social media and see what we are sharing there. You can find us on Facebook at EDLC Culture https://www.facebook.com/EDLCCulture/ and on Twitter here https://twitter.com/edlc_culture
Information from East Dunbartonshire Archives
Jenny Burgon passes on the latest email from Archives about family history resources:
Family History Video
This is a great video by Chris Paton, a professional genealogist and author, about Scottish birth, death and marriage records. There should be something here for both beginners and more experienced family history researchers alike. Chris explains why Gretna Green became so popular for marriages, and what an ‘irregular marriage’ was. Watch here on Youtube by clicking this link https://youtu.be/boU7BRlVGp8
‘Who Do You Think You Are’ magazine
Read the latest Who Do You Think You Aremagazine for free from the comfort of your couch using the PressReader app, just login with your library card number and PIN, find out how on our website https://www.edlc.co.uk/libraries/24-7-library/pressreader
OnLine Courses
Jenny also highlights an online article, contributed by University of Glasgow, about the Medieval Kirk in Scotland that might be interesting background material.
You’ll find it at: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/ems-palaeography/5/steps/738844
The website www.futurelearn.com provides many online courses on all sorts of subjects. They can be accessed free while they are available and you can also enrol and pay a fee to get additional bemefits.
Latest Information from Find My Past (02/04/2020)
| Dear James, We hope you’re staying safe and keeping busy during these trying times. Family connections are more important than ever so reach out to those relatives you can’t be with. Video calls make it feel like they’re right there with you and your family’s past is a great conversation-starter. 30 questions to ask your family |
Keeping you busy with family history  Ellie – Findmypast We’re now running weekly live events and activities on Facebook. We’ve designed them to help you while you’re stuck at home. This week’s schedule:Tuesday 16:00 BST: Ask me anything with Myko Clelland Thursday 16:00 BST: Start your US research with Heather Henderson Join us |
| Now is the perfect time to encourage the younger generations of your family to discover their past. Get them growing with this free family tree chart and then transfer the information to our online builder, where our clever hints will bring their past to life. Download now |
Future Meeting – Thursday 26th March 2020 – Tour of Glasgow Necropolis
This tour takes place a little too late to observe the shooting of the latest Batman movie some of which was being filmed in the Necropolis on 22nd February. Watch this space for full details of when and where to meet on the 26th.
Thursday 5th March 2020 – Workshop – Interpreting Old Scottish Handwriting – Jim Simpson
Some twenty members attended a Workshop session on Thursday 5th March on “Old Scottish Handwriting” presented by Jim Simpson. The event opened with an introductory talk reviewing the origins and development of the hand with which we are so often faced when trying to interpret OPRs, Census records and the like. Half a dozen different tutorial packs covering mainly 18th Century letters were then distributed for groups of members to try their hand (literally). But time constraints and buzzing brains meant that each group could only deal with two of the tutorials – so, perhaps a re-run next year?!
Thursday 20th February 2020 – Workshop – Travels Of My Family – Jenny Oswald
Jenny provided a wide-ranging and fascinating account of the issues and changes that affected travelling for our ancestors in the past. From the development of road, railways and canals we got an insight about the barriers and opportunities for travel as well as the reasons that might have prompted these travels – the highland and lowland clearances and the huge expansion of emigration between 1825 and 1938. Maps, quotations from books and personal recollections all formed part of an entertaining evening.
Thursday 6th February 2020 – Visit – Glasgow Police Museum
A dozen or so Members and their guests visited Glasgow Police Museum where the curator, Alastair Dinsmor, conducted a very full guided tour around the museum. The museum, entirely supported by volunteers and, indeed, created and built by these same volunteers, provides a comprehensive history of policing in Glasgow. Now absorbed into today’s Police Scotland, Glasgow Police traces its origins back to 1779 when one James Buchanan instituted a force to supervise and protect Glasgow’s citizens. Although that initial force survived for only two years or thereby, it did provide the impetus for the formation of an official town guard. Shortly thereafter, however, in 1800 The Glasgow Police Act was promulgated and a permanent police force resulted (some twenty or so years ahead of London’s Bow Street Runners!). The rest, as they say, is history and the Glasgow Police Museum traces the history of the Force right through until 1975. Alarmingly, many of the exhibits of the thirty or so years leading up to that date shook the visitors as many could well remember cases now classified as ‘history” in the museum!
A very worthwhile visit and a Museum well worth returning to to browse through at ones own pace.
Society Library
Some additions to the Society Library have been added to the Library Listing Page of this website and are highlighted in italics on that page.
Thursday 23rd January 2020 – Workshop – Your Brick Walls and Other Family History Problems
A wide and varied set of problems were aired – and most of them solved or at least the owner of the issue put on pathways that might prove fruitful.
Thursday 9th January 2020 – Childhood in the 1930s – George Kirkland
Our IT guru and webmaster, George Kirkland, presented another of his archive film evenings on Thursday 9th January 2020, opening our first meeting of the Twenty-Twenty’s with a touch of Nineteen-Thirties nostalgia. Whilst most of the audience were too late for that era, many had childhood memories that could relate to those times! From matinees at “The Pictures” to schooldays and childhood singing games in the street – with traffic (such as it was then) and trams close by – to Bennie Air-Speed Railway; all brought back, generally, fond memories! A most entertaining evening – and hopefully an annual date in the DFHS Calendar!
Archive Film for Family History Research
In the previous item below, the serendipity of finding books that throw light on ones ancestors has been highlighted. Archive film can also provide a different kind of information, perhaps not of your actual ancestors but about the times they lived in, the jobs that they did or the places they lived. Both the British Film Institute and our own Scottish Film Archive provide access to a wide range of films online or by going to the Scottish Film Archive in the Kelvin Hall. For free online access, you need to register in the appropriate website (links below). The BFI archive has a collection of Scottish films as well as those from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you want to access the Scottish Film Archive during a visit to the Kelvin Hall, there is no need to register – just turn up.
British Film Institute
https://www.bfi.org.uk/britain-on-film
Scottish Film Archive
https://www.nls.uk/collections/moving-image-archive
Thursday 5th December – Members’ Book Reviews & Christmas Cheer
Our closing meeting for 2019 was held on Thursday 5th December in Milngavie Library Hub. Before tucking into delicious Christmas Fare courtesy of Melanie, members were guided through personal Family History gems generally uncovered almost by accident in the course of their own researches by the members involved.
Whilst pursuing Fair Isle relatives, and with a little bit of help from Google, Sheena came upon a book “Eight Acres and a Boat” which provided virtually a personal history of all of the islanders including that of her own family relatives. Jenny spoke of Covenanting history in the Peebles area, uncovered in the book “The Bloody Covenant” by Ronald Ireland. Jim followed with the book “The Finest Road in the World”, by James Miller, a history of transport development in the Highlands which provided much detail as to just how our forebears travelled around the country. Isobel closed the session with an account of an ancestor who had maintained a personal diary as he sailed out to a new life in Australia. Her talk was illustrated with ‘photos taken from Baird Lubbock’s book, “Colonial Clippers”.
The common theme across all of these talks was the part played by “Lady Luck” in her surprise responses to FH investigations that were previously following a completely different line of enquiry. Every avenue is worth exploring; never give up!
Thursday 21st November 09:30 to 16:30 – Visit to the Scotlands People Section of the Mitchell Library
For those coming on Thursday 21st – meet at 9.30 on 5th floor of the Mitchell Library. Fill in form and have £15 to hand to pay later.
Come prepared with names, dates, background notes etc to help you maximise your day there. Bring paper, pen or pencil, and maybe a magnifying glass. You can also use a laptop or iPad for note taking . Printouts of certificates cost 50p each.
Coffee , lunch available in ground floor cafeteria. Small lockers use £1 (old) but you can take everything in with you, except food and drink!!
Happy digging!
Meeting Report – Thursday 7th November – Talk – “ ‘No Vote, no census’: using the 1911 census as a form of protest in Scotland ” – Ruth Boreham
Ruth Boreham, History Researcher, gave a very interesting talk on how the women’s suffrage movements – of which there were three distinct categories – responded to the 1911 Census with a wide variety of disruptive tactics. Leaving home for the night, mass occupations of cafes in Edinburgh, refusing to give any information to the enumerator; every trick in the book was tried. Although the women clearly enjoyed their efforts – indeed there seemed to be a lot of partying involved – their success was somewhat tempered by reality. Certainly they gained much publicity for future campaigning, but in terms of the Census count, their efforts had little effect as actual numbers were easily assessed although individual detail was missing. Still, in the fullness of time, they triumphed and the vote became universal!
Roy Weston’s Thanksgiving Service
There will be a thanksgiving service to celebrate Roy’s life on Monday 11th Nov at 2pm at Killermont Parish Church, Bearsden.
Roy Weston
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Roy Weston on Wednesday evening after a short spell in hospital. Dorothy and the family were with him and members of the Society will be thinking of them at this sad time.
Roy had been a member of our Society for a dozen or so years and contributed much to the group with his anecdotes of his early days when his family lived in the West End. He was our Vice Chairman for a time before ill health forced him to step down; nonetheless he continued to attend our meetings, often accompanied by Dorothy – anxious no doubt that he behaved himself!
In his professional life, Roy was Lecturer in Biology, Jordanhill College of Education from 1970, promoted to Head of Department of Biology in 1981; Head of Division of Science (1987) and Departmental chair for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education from 1997-2000.
Forthcoming Event of Interest: Scottish Local History Forum Annual Conference and AGM
Thursday 31st October 10:15am to 4:30pm, Clydebank Town Hall, 49 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, G81 1UB
The conference is entitled Seeing the Wood for the Trees and is in honour of the centenary of the Forestry Commission. More details will be found on https://www.slhf.org/event/slhf-2019-annual-conference-and-agm
Meeting Report – Thursday 24th October 2019 – Workshop – “Your Family Heirlooms of Interest”
The evening started with a demonstration of two musical instruments from the 1920’s. The Swanee Whistle or Lotus Flute was designed for dance bands but remined members more of the sound track of “The Clangers”! A “Phonofiddle” (a one stringed fiddle with a horn to help recording with the original acoustic phonographs) was demostrated via a rendering of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, the end of which was greeted with much acclaim (or probably relief) by those present. More normal heirlooms revealed by members were a Ranger’s/Office-Bearer’s Sash/Collar of the Royal Order of Foresters in Shropshire, a photograph of the crew of HMS Barle and a hand-painted “Crossing the Line” certificate to mark its passage over the equator, a letter from an ancestor about getting their children into Christ’s Hospital School with a book listing all pupils between 1552 and 1902, a copy of the Farmers’ World from 1896 with an article about an ancestor’s skills in sheep rearing and a first hand account of an ancestor’s outing with the Airdrie Angling Club to Loch Lubnaig resulting in the landing of an enormous salmon. The end of the meeting was signalled by the secretary when she blew a sharp blast on a WWII Police and Fire Whistle, indicating that tea and biscuits were ready.
Meeting Report- Thursday 10th October 2019 – “Who Does He Think He Is?” – Anne Balfour
When Glasgow Herald journalist Anne Johnstone (Mrs Anne Balfour) was told in 2005 that her family might be the beneficiaries of the will of a complete stranger in Canada, she thought it was a scam. The mystery caller didn’t make her a millionaire but instead gave her a new hobby. The upshot was that two years ago on his 70th birthday she presented her husband Alastair with his family history. The Society enjoyed a fascinating journey with them back to the time of the Covenanters.
Report on Opening Meeting – Thursday 26th September 2019 – The History of Policing in Scotland
Police Superintendent (retired) George Barnsley, Chairman of Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, got the Society’s year off to a good start with a fascinating account of Scottish police history. He explored the complexities of the development of Burgh, City, County and Regional forces culminating in the National Force of today. Helmets, cap badges, medals, cars and even a seal (of the fish eating sort) found on a central reservation of a North Lanarkshire dual-carriageway, formed illustrations to the narrative. He featured brief biographies of some officers, distinguished by their skill or bravery and highlighted the problems of saving records, archive materials and artifacts from being consigned to skips during reorganisations or closure of police offices. Finding a permanent display place for such items is, he acknowledged, more problematic.
Members might wish to note that the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society will have a display at the Lanarkshire Family History Society event at the Civic Centre in Motherwell on Saturday the 5th October.
For more information, go to: https://lfhsshow.weebly.com/
This talk was particularly relevant as a forerunner to our visit to the Police Museum in Glasgow on 6th February 2020.
Useful Police History Links
Lanarkshire Police Historical Society: www.lphs.org.uk
Glasgow Police Museum: www.policemuseum.org.uk
Mitchell Library: www.glasgowfamilyhistory.org.uk/ExploreRecords/Pages/Police-Officers.aspx
Edinburgh City Police Archives: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F111338
Report on AGM – Thursday 2nd May
25 Members attended the AGM and were welcomed by the Chair, Jennie Oswald. She gave a report on a successful year’s activities. After the minutes of the last AGM were read and approved, Treasurer, Lesley Irvine, presented the Financial Report which showed the Society in a healthy position. The Report was noted.
Programme Convenor, Jim Simpson, outlined the draft programme for the next session which was nearly finalised. Details are now on the Programme tab of this website.
Attention then turned to the election of the Office Bearers and Committee.
Chair & Vice-Chair : Since there were no nominations or volunteers for those positions, it was decided that the chairing of each meeting would be done by a number of members in turn according to a rota. Several members agreed to take on such an undertaking.
Secretary : Sheena Gardiner
Treasurer: Jenny Burgon
Programme : Jim Simpson
Library : Isobel Morris
Hospitality : Melanie Wood
IT & Webmaster : George Kirkland
The Subscription for 2019-20 was fixed at £12 for a further year.
George Kirkland then presented a Society website which he had set up and the meeting approved its publication and content.
The AGM finished with suitable summer hospitality, arranged by Melanie.
Meeting 11th April – Workshop
Jim Simpson gave a very useful account of the scope and ways of accessing the range of Church Records and OPRs (Old Parish Records). To download the handout of references which Jim provided for the workshop, click one of the links below.
Visit 7 March – The Map Library, Edinburgh
Members going on this visit should meet at Milngavie Station at 09:00 and we will take the train together to Edinburgh.
Social Lunch
A lunch will be held on Wednesday 13th February 2019 at 12.30 in Garvie & Co., Milngavie. Cost is £13, including tips, payable to the Treasurer on the day.
If you wish to attend and haven’t already booked, please give your name to the Secretary as soon as possible.
Meeting 21 February – Workshop
This is a Workshop – “Accessing Information from Archives”. If you have problems with your research that you think might be solved by visiting one of the many archives available, please bring them along when other members may be able to help by sharing knowledge and experience.