Historical project to open again

A historical initiative will open for the eighth year this weekend in east Perthshire.

The Alyth Family History Project has grown from its humble origins in 2009, when it was basically an archive of photographs available to local residents to view.

It is now regarded as an important store of local information.

Irene Robertson, project coordinator, said: “It continually surprises me how much interest this project sparks locally and across the world. What started in 2009 as an archive of photographs to capture generations gone by has turned into a must-see library of information in all forms.

“We have old parish records dating back to 1,623, baptisms, weddings and burials recorded. And we also have currently over 6,500 photographs.”

She added: “The most satisfying part of this project is helping people find their relatives and in particular the look on their faces when they find them in photographs. It’s invaluable.”

The project includes digital photographs, recorded maps of cemeteries’ headstones, free internet access for genealogy research and memorabilia from Alyth through the decades.

It also contains burial records from 1869 to 1999, with baptisms, marriages and deaths being held on microfilm.

The project opens on Easter Sunday, from 2pm to 4pm in Alyth Parish Church. For more information email fhp@alythparishchurch.org.uk.