Learn about the pre-1855 Parish Registers of the Roman Catholic Church

Donna Maguire, archivist and records manager to the Bishops Conference of Scotland, is giving a talk on ‘The pre-1855 Parish Registers of the Roman Catholic Church'.

The talk takes place at the Corn Exchange and Ormiston Institute, Market Square, Melrose, TD6 9PN at 2.30pm on Sunday, 29th May. Map.

The talk will be preceded by Borders Family History Society's Annual General Meeting but that's usually over quickly.

I’m eagerly looking forward to this talk.
Donna is going to tell us about the Catholic registers for parishes that were founded before 1855, the six Scottish dioceses and the records of the Bishops Conference of Scotland and its agencies.

You may attend the talk and the AGM whether you are a member or not.
Doors open at 2pm; the AGM begins at 2.30pm.

Knowing how to find Catholic records is vital in family history, even if you think you have no Catholics in your family, you may be wrong, as I was, especially if you can’t find the birth of one or more your ancestors.

I suggest you go early to get a good seat.
They'll have a range of family history publications available to buy, and there’ll be light refreshments (donation expected) available after the talk.

 If you have a problem with your family history, please discuss it (no charge) with one of their volunteers.

The talk was previously advertised for last October but did not take place then due to illness.

Change to Borders Family History Society's Speaker for tomorrow, Sunday, 30 November at Melrose

Borders Family History Society have changed their speaker for tomorrow, Sunday, 30 November at Melrose.
Unfortunately, Mary Craig, who was to have spoken about Beggars, Thieves and Whores - the ultimate medieval outsiders, has suddenly fallen ill.

Instead, they will have two speakers:

• Enid Cruickshank: Walter and Andrew Haddon, solicitors, of Hawick
• Gregory Lauder–Frost: Earlier records including privy council records, exchequer rolls and regality records

It's at the same venue, the Corn Exchange & Ormiston Institute, Market Square, Melrose, TD6 9PN.  See this map for directions.
The talk is open to the public.

More information.

We wish Mary a speedy recovery.