Curious about your ancestors? Looking to uncover fascinating family stories hidden in the past? The Highland Archive Centre in Inverness is inviting people from across the Highlands to take a step back in time and explore their heritage at its upcoming Family History Day.
The Highland Archive Service, which is part of High Life Highland, is hosting this special event on Saturday 31 October, dedicated to genealogy, family history research and discovering the wealth of resources available.
Whether you’re a complete beginner tracing your family tree for the first time or an experienced researcher looking to deepen your knowledge of Highland ancestry, this free event – which was also held back in March – offers something for everyone.
The day begins with a fascinating talk – The Quirks of Family History – from respected family historian Anne Fraser. For Anne it will be her last family history event before retiring at the end of the year. She has helped hundreds of people trace their Highland roots during her time in this role.
Anne said, “It has been a real privilege for me to help people discover their roots and learning how to trace ancestors, build family trees and uncover connections to Highland communities which is what this day is all about.
“I will be sharing some of the unexpected discoveries, challenges and surprises that can emerge when exploring family histories and my colleague Alasdair and I will be around to chat with people about genealogy research.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to view original archive documents that can enrich family history research, including school and poor relief records as well as take part in Scotland’s People taster sessions.
The event also showcases the support available year-round through the Highland Archive Service. The Highland Archive Centre’s dedicated Family History Room in Inverness provides access to a wide range of specialist resources and expert support from staff with extensive knowledge of Highland and Scottish genealogy.
The centre is also the only location in the Highlands with direct access to the Scotland’s People Network, providing access to census records, parish registers and statutory birth, marriage and death records from across Scotland.
For those looking to explore their family history in greater depth, the Highland Archive Service’s professional family historians can offer one-to-one consultations, commissioned research and family tree-building services. Family history vouchers also make a unique and thoughtful Christmas gift.
Since 1990, the Highland Archive Service has played a vital role in preserving, protecting and sharing the history of the Highlands. With archive centres in Inverness, Portree, Fort William and Wick, the service collects and makes accessible records that reflect the rich heritage and diverse stories of Highland communities.
Admission is free, although donations are warmly welcomed – and booking is essential.