The roots of ancestry

EXPERT genealogists will be available to answer queries from people researching their family trees at the Clare Roots Society’s Genealogy and Family History conference next month.

The conference, with the theme The Future of our Past will take place in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis on Saturday, October 1.
However, for early arrivals to the conference the previous Friday, there will be free sessions with a number of genealogists. The sessions will take place from 4pm to 7pm, and depending on numbers attending, they could last between 15 and 30 minutes.
The conference will be opened by society chairman Gerry Kennedy. Among the speakers at the conference will be Dr Nick Barratt who will discuss Family History and the Media. The television presenter and commentator, known for his role on Who Do You Think You Are?, is editor in chief of Your Family History magazine and chief executive of Sticks Research Agency since 2000.
Gregory O’Connor, who has worked as an archivist at the National Archives of Ireland since 1989, will discuss Legal and Court Documents in Genealogy Research, while Jim Herlihy, a member of An Garda Siochána and author of several books will discuss The Black and Tans and Auxiliaries. Dr Jane Lyons, a professional genealogist based in Laois, will speak on The Importance of Graveyards in Genealogical Research. Antoinette O’Brien of the Clare Heritage Centre in Corofin will speak about the centre and its records.
John Grenham, who was instrumental in setting up the GO Consultation Service, forerunner of the current advisory service in the National Library and National Archives, will discuss Jam Tomorrow: what’s online and what’s coming. There will also be a question and answers session.
Meanwhile, the new season of talks by Clare Roots Society will commence on Wednesday, September 21 at 8pm at the Ennis Town Council Civic Room, Drumbiggle.
The meeting will be addressed by John Joe Conwell of Ireland XO project who will speak on how this pilot scheme is progressing in South Galway and plans for its expansion. For full details see www.clareroots.org.