Searching Scotch-Irish And Irish Roots: A Seminar By The Ulster Historical Foundation
Those interested in finding out about their Irish or Scotch-Irish family heritage will not want to miss the seminar being presented by the Ulster Historical Foundation (UHF) Tuesday, May 7, at the Blacksburg Public Library Community Room.
The UHF has been touring the United States since 1979 not only to present information on how to trace one's ancestry to Ireland, especially Northern Ireland, but also to do a search using their computerized archive of Irish genealogical records. These records include church and civil records of baptisms, births, and marriages, as well as gravestone inscriptions for most of Northern Ireland. It also cites muster rolls of 1640, hearth-money rolls for the 1660s, lists of Protestant householders in 1740, as well as the Surname Index of the early to mid 1800s, among many other sources for useful records.
In addition to the presentations, UHF staff will offer one-to-one consultations prior to or after each meeting. A consultation includes a preliminary search plus a written assessment on the feasibility of detailed research for a given family line.
Brian Trainor, presenter and historian, is research director of the Ulster Historical Foundation and is former director of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and chairman of the Irish Manuscripts Commission. Fintan Mullan, co-presenter, is executive director of the Ulster Historical Foundation and expert in Irish genealogy. He holds a graduate degree in Irish Politics from Queen's University.
The seminar begins at 9 a.m., ends at 4 p.m., and includes a lunch break. A registration fee of $20 is payable to Historic Smithfield. An additional fee of $32, also payable to Historic Smithfield, is required if the UHF is to perform a specialized search. Send checks with name, address, number attending, and number of specific family searches with surname to: Historic Smithfield, Attn: Terry Nicholson, 1000 Smithfield Plantation Road, Blacksburg VA 24060.
Registration is due by April 25 to ensure seating. This event is sponsored by Historic Smithfield and by the Center for Ulster Migrations, Cultures, and Societies and the Digital Library and Archives at Virginia Tech.
For further information contact Terry Nicholson, Historic Smithfield, 540-231-3947, or smfd@vt.edu.
