Guest speaker adds interest to virtual Caithness Family History Society meeting
Caithness Family History Society held its first virtual members' meeting in September with guest speaker, genealogist, author and family historian Chris Paton, giving a talk entitled “Genealogy Without Borders”.
Members from England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, USA, New Zealand and Australia participated.
Although Chris thought his Irish mother and Scottish father would confine his descendants mainly to these countries, he quickly found his research led him to Belgium, Gibraltar, Corfu, Bermuda, India, Canada and the USA.
About 16 years ago (when online resources were very limited or non-existent) he and his wife visited Brussels to try to find out where his great-grandfather was buried. This search proved unsuccessful but he did manage to access his death record.
From photographs of the shoe shop which his great-grandfather had managed, he found it was now a restaurant. When he told the owner that his grandfather had been born above the shop he was invited back next day, given a tour of the property and presented with a bottle of wine.
After the talk Chris answered questions and gave advice to several members regarding their specific queries.
The next meeting of the Society will be an 'in person' AGM to be held on Wednesday, October 13, within Thurso West Church Hall at 7pm.