Scotland's first family history centre has opened in Dundee.

[Martin Briscoe]

This is on the BBC news today

Scotland's first family history centre has opened in Dundee.

The facility brings together the Registrar's office, city archivist, the local history library and the burials administration section.

Staff in the centre at Central Library should be able to trace most families back to the late 17th century.

They have access to large catalogues of books, directories, maps, plans, photographs and even images of gravestones.

Staff can also issue authenticated certificates of any Scottish birth, death, civil partnership or marriage record, after digital images held by the General Register Office for Scotland were made available.

 

More here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7144461.stm

[iainkennedy]

Sounds interesting but I'm a bit sceptical about them tracing most families back to the late 17th century... perhaps they meant late 18th century which is a lot more straightforward?

Iain Kennedy

[Martin Briscoe]

Sounds interesting but I'm a bit sceptical about them tracing most families back to the late 17th century... perhaps they meant late 18th century which is a lot more straightforward?

Iain Kennedy

It's not impossible that the person writing the story could think that a 17xx date is 17th Century!

Martin Briscoe

[Christopher]

The February edition of "Ancestors ... Family History with the Experts" haven't made any comment on the reference to the late seventeenth century. 

[annebrod]

Hi Martin
I travelled from my home in Western Australia to UK last December and spent a couple of hours in the Dundee Family History Centre.  They had just recently opened and everyone was extremely helpful.  With the help of the Registrar, I was able to find 5 brothers/sisters of my mother that neither I nor my brothers and sisters were aware of!  I was also able to trace other ancestors from the late 18th century. A Reporter from the local 'Telegraph' came and took my picture as it happened to be the day when the Centre was being featured in that newspaper.  After leaving the Centre, I then went to meet for the first time, cousins on my grandfather's side of the family, that I had found through my internet research.  Since my return to WA, another cousin from my grandmother's family has made contact through her internet research and I recommended that she go to the Centre.  She didn't know about it and lives in Dundee!  It was a memorable day - I just wish I could have done more, but only had a 2 day stay in Dundee to do it all.
Anne

[tommacgregor]

Hello Anne,

So you're from Western Australia. My brother lives over there too, in Perth. He used to be the Rocking Horse Master, and quite well known because he used to demonstrate his skills at Scarborough. Unfortunately, his sight is now failing and he's had to give it away. Damned shame.

I took my wife back to the UK, flying from here in Melbourne, a couple of years ago for her birthday. Absolute magic! Look, this new Centre sounds just like what I'm looking for, because quite a few of my ancestors "migrated" from the Dundee area across the Firth of Tay. Wonder if you would mind giving me a few personal impressions of its worth.

Best Wishes,


Tom.

[annebrod]

Hi Martin
I had already spent many hours researching my Dundonian connections via ScotlandsPeople website and had gained as much information as I could using it.  When I planned my trip back to Scotland and the Family History Centre in Dundee, I had a list of questions ready for the paid researcher.  It cost twenty pounds per hour and I booked 2 hours (bookings are required).  For me, it was money well spent, having an expert on the job and gaining instant, correct information.  The service provided couldn't be faulted - everyone was so helpful.  I went to the wrong address to begin with - the old registery - and was re-directed to the new Centre in the Wellgate. 
Regards
Anne

[tommacgregor]

Hello Anne,

You've answered my question with your reply to Martin. Sounds absolutely great. Many thanks.

Best wishes to all,


Tom.

[charlotteCH]

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