Dig into your past at Family History Show

Genealogy experts to give advice

Scotland’s largest family history show will take place on Saturday (September 2), in Motherwell Theatre and Concert Hall.

Organised by volunteers from Lanarkshire Family History Society, the event has become a regular event on the genealogy calendar, appealing to everyone with an interest in family history and local heritage.

There will be four keynote speakers on the day: Genealogist Chris Paton will discuss researching our ancestors at times of crisis in their lives; Dr Irene O’brien of Glasgow City Archives will talk about using business records and directories for family history research; Ruth Washbrook of the National Library of Scotland’s moving image archive will give a presentation on the film collection and its use in adding flesh to the bare bones of family history

And Sharon Paton will talk about life on the Duke of Hamilton’s estate during the 18th century, from research carried out during the restoration of Chatelherault Hunting Lodge.

A spokesperson for the society said: “Family history societies from throughout Scotland will be attending, as well as local museums and attractions including Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, New Lanark Mill and Friends of Low Parks Museum.

“A large number of organisations involved in local history, archives and heritage will be taking part, including North Lanarkshire Archives (with historic NHS material from Hartwood Hospital), Motherwell Heritage Centre, Lanarkshire Yeomanry Group, Glasgow City Archives, Friends of Cambusnethan Priory and Shotts History Group.

“Major genealogy website Familysearch will be exhibiting, along with the Scottish Genealogy Society, Historic Environment Scotland Archives, the Guild of One- Name Studies, Scottish Monumental Inscriptions, NLS Kelvin Hall Film Archive, Scottish Local History Forum and the Scottish Military Research Group.

“Professional genealogists from the Scottish Genealogy Network will join members of Lanarkshire FHS and Familysearch in the ‘Ask the Experts’ area to offer free one-to-one advice to anyone starting out researching their family history or who has hit a brick wall.”

Specialist help on Irish and military research will also be available.

Information about tickets and an up-to-date list of exhibitors can be found on the website lfhsshow. weebly.com.

Entry costs £2 per person, with talks priced at £4 each.

Buying one or more talk tickets allows free entry to the show.

Children under 12 are admitted free with a paying adult.

The show will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm in Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre.