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Thursday 23 July 2015

SAVE THE DATES FOR THE WINTER WEBINAR SERIES!

Starting in October 2015, Genealogy Tours of Scotland will begin their annual winter webinar series. There are 8 webinars planned for the fall of 2015.

Each webinar is $14.95 cdn. Registration opens October 1, 2015 

Topics include:

  • In Search of Your Scottish Ancestors (Oct 1)
  • Dinnae Waste Yer Credits, Then (making effective use of the ScotlandsPeople Website (Oct 8)
  • Lesser Known Databases for Scottish Genealogy Research (Oct 15)
  • Tracking Your Scots Emigrant Ancestor (Oct 22)
  • Using Scottish Libraries for your Genealogy Research (Oct 29)
  • Using Local Archives for Scottish genealogy research (Nov 12)
  • ​Researching Your Scots Industrial Ancestor (Nov 19)
  • Preparing for a research trip to Scotland (Jan 14, 2016)

SECOND TOUR ADDED FOR 2016

A second, smaller group genealogy research trip to Scotland has been added for 2016.

With the popularity of the Spring 2016 tour and it being SOLD OUT 11 months in advance, a second, smaller sized group tour has been added for 2016. 

Spaces are limited to 10. Spaces will fill quickly with the majority being filled over the remainder of the summer. I anticipate that by mid October ALL SPACES WILL BE GONE. 

No further tours for 2016 will be added. 

If you are interested in a group trip to Scotland to research your family history and to spend time in your ancestral homeland, BOOK NOW while space is available. 

Following the 10 day research tour, you will return home with your newly found documents, memories and deeper sense of your own Scottish heritage.

Here's the link:  http://genealogytoursofscotland.ca/

Spring 2016 Genealogy Research Tour to Scotland ITINERARY NOW CONFIRMED

Monday May 30: This is a day of arrival. Today is a bank holiday in Scotland. While all of the banks and government buildings will be closed, the heritage sites, museums and tourist attractions will be open as are most of the stores.

We will meet in the restaurant area of the hotel at 6:30 pm for a meet and greet and to talk about the week ahead. There will be an opportunity to sign up for optional walking tours of Edinburgh during the week. Each tour is £8 and the fees will be payable upon sign up. Non-researchers are also welcome to join us for the meet and greet and to attend the walking tours with us.

I will also have information of things to do during the weekend if you are planning to travel to the area where your ancestors lived before or after the genealogy tour.

Tuesday May 31: Following breakfast, we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group for 8:45. From here we will taxi to ScotlandsPeople Centre where we will enjoy a Family History session followed by research time. Laptops and tablets can be taken into the research room. WiFi is not available.

You will need money to put on an account to pay for your downloads or print outs. Downloads are 30p Prints are 50p. Any money not spent will be returned to you at the end of the day.

Please have a username ready so that the staff can set up your account. You can give this to me at the meet and greet on Monday evening. If you are going to download, please make sure you have a USB drive with you (they are available in the shop if you forget). Pencils only, please, no pens. There are lockers available for your coats, bags etc. These require a one pound coin (£1) which will be returned to you when you open the locker back up.

There is a cafe onsite and there is a terrific little pub next door for lunch.

Wednesday June 1: Following breakfast- we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group at 9:45. We will taxi to the maps building of the National Library of Scotland.  Here we will get an introduction and will be able to then explore the maps that are available. Additional staff will be available for assistance. You may wish to bring your laptop or tablet as the number of computer stations is limited. Wifi is available.

Those who are signed up for the tour of Greyfriars Kirkyard will meet in the hotel lobby at 6:45. From here we will walk over to the Kirk yard gates to meet with the tour organizers. This tour is approximately 90 minutes. It is NOT a ghost tour, it is an educational/historic tour. It will be outdoors, so dress appropriately. There is some walking but it is not on difficult terrain.  

Thursday June 2: Following breakfast- we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group at 9:00. From here we will walk over to the National Library of Scotland.
In order to access the records, you will require a library card. Please register online before the trip so that this will be a more seamless process. You can register here: http://www.nls.uk/

Getting the cards will take time to process for the group. Please have a piece of photo id ready to show the registrar as well as a piece of id (mail, drivers licence) that has your address on it. At 10:00, we will enjoy a talk on the resources available at the library.

The rest of the day will be available for research. The NLS is three blocks from the hotel, however, if you require a taxi to get there, one will be ordered for you. 

Those who are signed up for the historic walking tour will meet in the hotel lobby Details regarding the time to meet will be available at the meet and greet on Monday evening.

This tour lasts 2 hours. It is outside so please dress appropriately. There is quite a bit of walking involved. There are some hills and cobbled streets. It is also an historic/educational tour about some of the old closes, buildings and famous inhabitants of Edinburgh.

Friday June 3: Following breakfast, we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group for 8:45. From here we will taxi to ScotlandsPeople Centre where we will enjoy a full day of research. 

June 4 & 5 : The weekend is set aside for you to travel to the area of Scotland where your ancestors were from to gain a better sense of their lives and struggles. For those doing the travel before or after the tour, you may wish to spend the time exploring the rich history that Edinburgh has to offer.

Monday June 6: This day is set aside for you to research in the local archives or Family History Society in the region where your ancestors lived. You may also choose to sightsee, shop or take a day trip instead.

Tuesday June 7: Following breakfast, we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group for 8:45. From here we will taxi to ScotlandsPeople Centre where we will enjoy our final day of research. 

At 6:20 pm, we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group. From here we will taxi to Prestonfield where we will enjoy the Taste of Scotland Dinner and Show.


Wednesday June 8: today is check-out day. I wish you safe travels as you return home with your newly found documents, memories and deeper sense of your own Scottish heritage.

Wednesday 15 July 2015

Scottish SIG Symposium August 21, 2015

The SIG Symposium is just over a month away

We have a full day of learning about Scottish Genealogy lined up for you.

Topics for the day are:

DNA - learning the difference between the tests and what you can learn from each type

Scottish Special Collections - learn about the rare documents available at the University of Guelph

Unraveling Fact from Fiction - hear how one person's genealogy adventure uncovered the truth behind family lore

Getting the Most out of the ScotlandsPeople Website - this is the ONLY website where you can view the actual documents. Learn how to make the most of your credits

We have a full day of learning about Scottish Genealogy lined up for you.

Topics for the day are:

DNA - learning the difference between the tests and what you can learn from each type

Scottish Special Collections - learn about the rare documents available at the University of Guelph

Unraveling Fact from Fiction - hear how one person's genealogy adventure uncovered the truth behind family lore

Getting the Most out of the ScotlandsPeople Website - this is the ONLY website where you can view the actual documents. Learn how to make the most of your credits

ScotlandsPeople is sponsoring the Symposium and is offering 20 free credits to everyone who attends the Symposium. This will give you a chance to practice what you learn during the day!

Heading Back to the Highlands (Games)

This Saturday, July 18th, Genealogy Tours of Scotland will be exhibiting at the Cambridge Highland Games. I will be among the clan tents. 

If you are at the Games, drop by and say hello. Share your genealogy stories, or ask for advice.

Looking forward to seeing you in Cambridge on Saturday, July 18th,

Wednesday 8 July 2015

2016 IS SOLD OUT!

The May 2016 Genealogy Research Tour to Scotland is now SOLD OUT!! 

If interest warrants we may offer a second, smaller tour which will coincide with the end of the current tour. Dates will be June 6 - 15, 2016

If you are interested, please contact at: genealogytoursofscotland@gmail.com


This second tour will ONLY take place if we manage to sell out all 8 spaces


Tuesday 7 July 2015

Very Last Chance!

Although we are still over 10 months out, there is only ONE research space left for the 2016 Genealogy Research Tour to Scotland in 2016!

First come, first serve! The last research spot is waiting for YOU.

Book now at: http://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/

Thursday 2 July 2015

Heading to the Highlands - Games That Is

This weekend, in Kincardine Ontario, the Scots diaspora and descendants will gather for the annual Kincardine Scottish Festival. Kincardine and the surrounding villages & towns were settled by Scots who emigrated from Lewis, Uist, Skye, Colonsay, Oronsay and Mull. There is a rich Scottish heritage that is deeply honoured in a variety of ways from the nightly lone piper at the lighthouse to the weekly pipe band parade, and then to the annual Scottish Festival. 

Genealogy Tours of Scotland will have a tent on Avenue of the Clans on Saturday. If you are at the Festival, please drop by to say hello and share the stories of your Scottish ancestors. There will be quick guides for purchase and the opportunity to ask questions about your brick walls. 

Let the games begin!