Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies is 1!
The past 12 months have been a whirlwind of activity and the Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies (SIGS) team have been working hard to be able to unveil a range of exciting new initiatives for the genealogy and family history community. Clare Hennessy shares the news.
The past 12 months have been a whirlwind of activity and the Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies (SIGS) team have been working hard to be able to unveil a range of exciting new initiatives for the genealogy and family history community. Tahitia Mccabe shares the news.
The Institute’s launch event on 9th May 2023 was a resounding success with audience members joining us from across the world to hear a fascinating keynote address from guest speaker Professor Turi King.
The success of the launch event has been the springboard that led to the development of ‘SIGS Spotlight Talks’; a series of free online guest speaker talks to be held throughout 2024.
The first talk in the series was held on 24th January and featured guest speaker Nathan Dylan Goodwin, a genealogist and author of the Forensic Genealogist fiction series. The event was a huge success, and we are delighted to share news of the second talk to be held in May 2024, where we will be joined by Dr Wanda Wyporska a historian, genealogist and activist who has given lectures worldwide.
What other exciting developments are underway as the Institute approaches its first birthday?
New for 2024
The Institute is looking forward to hosting their first international academic genetic genealogy conference on 7th and 8th June 2024. The hybrid conference ‘Advancing genetic genealogy: how the past is informing the present through revolutions in genetic research’ will be interdisciplinary in nature, with a particular focus on the themes of autosomal DNA and Y-DNA, as well as on bioarchaeology, genetics, and investigative genetic genealogy, emphasising their importance and value to the field of genetic genealogy.
Looking ahead to 2025, planning has already begun for a Scottish themed event – details are under wraps!
Research developments
The Institute has a long-standing commitment to the study of genealogy. 2023 saw SIGS lead on the creation of a new ‘Papal Dispensations for Marriage’ database, intended for use in genealogical investigation. The ‘Papal Dispensations for Marriage Project’ funded by the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, has been focussing on the creation of a database that will initially cover volumes 1 to 20 and volume 23 part 1, (all volumes published to date) by extracting entries relating to marriage – specifically papal dispensations for marriage – to develop a searchable online database.
Further information on SIGS research projects including the ‘Battle of Bannockburn Family History Project’ and the ‘Declaration of Arbroath Family History Project’ can be viewed on our website.
Learn with us in 2024!
The Institute’s well-established range of learning opportunities range from beginner level short courses and free online courses to a world-leading, online Masters’ degree and a PHD pathway in History with Genealogical Studies. Students benefit from the wealth of knowledge and expertise of our experienced tutor team and those who are on the MSC pathway also enjoy a range of talks and events throughout the academic year. The annual archives event is particularly popular with students and includes visits to a variety of venues such as the Trades House of Glasgow, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, NLS Map Collections and National Records of Scotland to hear talks, share stories and meet fellow students face-to-face.
New continuing professional development courses are being developed including one on listening skills for genealogists and another in advanced genetic genealogy topics.
If you are interested in hearing more about events, courses, and research, visit the Strathclyde Institute of Genealogical Studies website https://www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/centreforlifelonglearning/genealogy/
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