News

Northern Scotland Journal

Northern Scotland is an established scholarly journal that has been in existence since 1972. Initially produced by the University of Aberdeen, and latterly by the UHI Centre for History and Aberdeen University, in 2010 it was relaunched as a fully peer-reviewed publication whose editorial board, contributors, reviewers and referees are drawn from a wide range of experts across the world.

While it carries material of a mainly historical nature, from the earliest times to the modern era, it is a cross-disciplinary publication, which also addresses cultural, economic, political and geographical themes relating to the Highlands and Islands and the north-east of Scotland. It contains substantial articles and book reviews, as well as interviews and reports of research projects in progress. It meets a need within and beyond the academic community in both domestic and overseas markets and complements publications such as the Scottish Historical Review, Scottish Archaeological Journal and Journal of Scottish Historical Studies.

Northern Scotland is published annually under the co-editorship of Professor Marjory Harper (University of Aberdeen) and Dr David Worthington (University of the Highlands and Islands).

The Great North of Scotland Genealogy, Family and Local History Fair

Genealogyscotland, in conjunction with the Moray and Nairn FHS, will present The Great North of Scotland Genealogy, Family and Local History Fair at Eight Acres Hotel, Elgin on Saturday 29th September 2012, from 10.00m until 4.30pm (see Fairs)

Vandalised Elgin Cemetery Headstones

Some headstones at Elgin Cemetery were damaged around the 22nd August 2011. Moray Council want to contact lair holders. If you own one of the lairs, or are related to the lair holder, please contact Margaret Smith on 01343 557058 or by email at margaret.smith@moray.gov.uk.

A list of the lair numbers affected, the names of the deceased and dates of interment is available at www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_75686.html

Digging Up Your Roots, Series 7, January 8th - February 26th 2012

The popular genealogy series Digging Up Your Roots returns to BBC Radio Scotland in the new year. Tune in to 92-95 FM every Sunday at midday between 8th January and 26th February to pick up genealogy tips and hear interesting family history stories.

The BBC are keen to hear from people who are researching their ancestry, so if you have a question about the life of one of your family members, or a great tale to tell, then get in touch with our genealogists for free expert help. Write to: Digging Up Your Roots, BBC Radio Scotland, Beechgrove Terrace, Aberdeen, AB15 5ZT or email the program at diggingupyourroots@bbc.co.uk.

Programmes will also be available as podcasts - simply log on to bbc.co.uk/radioscotland and follow the links to "Digging Up Your Roots" to download all eight episodes week-by-week.

1911 Census for Scotland

The 1911 Census for Scotland taken on the the 2nd of April 1911, was made available for Family historians on the 5th of April 2011. One of the unique bits of information on the 1911 Census which has not been seen on previous census is the Fertility information this shows for a married couple the number of children both living and deceased from that marriage. The pages have also been digatised in colour for the first time. they have been available since the 5th of April both at the Family History centre in Edinburgh and on the Scotland's People web-site.

Nairn Family History Fair 2010

Nairn Community Centre was the venue for the ‘Nairn Family History Fair 2010’ on Saturday, 2nd October 2010, which was hosted jointly by Scottish Genealogical Research and Moray & Nairn FHS.

Family history societies present included Aberdeen & NE Scotland; Highland; Moray & Nairn; Lanarkshire & West Lothian. The Scottish Association of Family History Societies also took a stand - other SAFHS members present included Guild Of One-Name Studies & Moray Burial Ground Research Group.

In addition, there were stand-holders from Buckie Fishing Heritage; Highland Council Archives; J & B Bishop Publishing; Janet M Bishop, Genealogist; The Queens Own Highlanders Regimental Museum; Fort George David Hirst Postcards; The Clan Donald Society of the Highlands and Islands; Cawdor Heritage Group & Moray Heritage Connections

Special thanks go to the guest speakers at the event: Jean Shirer, Aberdeen & NE Scotland FHS; Charles Burnett, Ross Herald; Bruce Durie, University of Strathclyde; and, Ken Nisbet, Scottish Genelaogical Society and Moray & Nairn FHS. All gave very interesting and informative talks on their chosen subjects. That they gave of their time and knowledge was very much appreciated.

Thanks are also given to the staff of Nairn Community Centre for their very professional organisation and attentive help on the day.

Lost Moray & Nairn, by Bruce B Bishop

In Lost Moray & Nairn, our Chairman, Bruce Bishop traces what has been lost from the old counties of Moray & Nairn, both architecturally and socially. Packed with illustrations of places, buildings and of aspects of life which are now vanished, and containing a history of various elements of life in the area, Bruce illustrates changes in the way of life of the people of the Burghs of Nairn, Forres and Elgin, and in the smaller towns and villages. The effect of these lost elements on the coastal towns is also discussed, with particular focus placed on the demise of the ports of Findhorn, Nairn and Garmouth, and the more recent decline in the fishing industry.

His journey through the region takes him from prehistory to the present day, and examines everything from geology, architecture, agriculture, industry, to communications. Lost Moray & Nairn is an important, illuminating and compelling account.

Published by Birlinn and available now from Yeadons of Elgin & Banchory, at £16.99.

SAFHS Conference, Livingston, 17 April 2010

Bruce Bishop & Stuart Farrell at the MNFHS stand

Moray & Nairn FHS had a stand at the 2010 SAFHS Conference, in Livingston, West Lothian, on Saturday 17 April 2010. Stuart Farrell, Moray & Nairn FHS SAFHS Representative, is shown above, along with chairman Bruce Bishop.

SAFHS is the umbrella body for all the Scottish Family History Societies. Each year, a member society hosts a Conference in their county. This year saw the 21st Conference. The 22nd Conference in June 2011 will be hosted by the Scottish Genealogical Society, and will be held in Edinburgh city centre. Our chairman Bruce Bishop is also the current chairman of SAFHS.

Bruce Bishop, Chairman of SAFHS, closing the 2010 Conference

Anglo Scots FHS Scottish Marriage index

Anglo Scots FHS has built a database based on a marriage, because recording details of the couple and their parents gives, in most cases, 4 family names, the place where the Scot was born, the place where they were married and the dates and times of the events. The database is called The Scottish Marriage Index, and can be accessed at www.mlfhs.org.uk

If you would like your family details listed (providing either the groom or bride was born in Scotland) then send the following data to office@mlfhs.org.uk

Please put Scottish Marriage Index in the Subject line; names of the couple; their dates and places of birth; the names of their parents; the date and place of marriage; your postal address and email address. No personal details are listed on the webpage. You will be allocated a number.

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