Anne, Ballymena has recently been on the radar screen for a few Scotch-Irish family email lists I am on. I think an opportunity to receive some pointed guidance by locals who actually understand genealogy would be a huge plus. Rootsweb lists: Scotch-Irish and Boyd have had members discussing specifics of Ballymena focused trips this Spring. There #1 question to those of us with some experience is - Where do I go in Ballymena I'll be in Balleymoney for their October conference mainly to spread the word to the local genealogy/history facilities about this need. The numbers of Scotch-Irish researchers is large and growing. Unfortunately, Ulster is largely unaware of their existence. As a co-author of the 1718 web site _http://www.1718migration.org.uk/_ (http://www.1718migration.org.uk/) ; I spent some time with the Ulster-Scots Agency in Belfast discussing this very need. I am beginning to see some little sprouts of those seeds we planted about 4 years ago. The east Donegal Historical Society was the first (that I know of) to create a genealogy/history conference. Londonderry and then Balleymoney were next in creating an actual 2 day event and marketing it to the genealogy universe. They need work on that marketing, conference program, and accommodations BUT they are doing it. That will get them immediate rewards. I don't want to take more email space, but the key is "full cooperation". You get a commitment, then involve all groups, you will get a good response. Make it work and you'll get universal acclaim as a "to do trip" for genealogists and families for many generations. Colin Brooks The 1718 Project Quakertown, PA USA In a message dated 4/1/2010 1:43:33 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: Hello everyone. We have been talking with some people in Ballymena and would like to have the people on the list comment on the interest in research in the Ballymena area. What is your opinion of the possibility for small group trips to Ballymena, with local contact with people with local knowledge and familiar with the different townlands. Possibly to include research at the Ballymena Library, cemetery trips, and church visits. Probably with transportation included. Hopefully with the full cooperation with the local government, museum and library. The idea would be to help establish local contacts and the ability to gather local knowledge that has been collected by word of mouth as well as the records available. Do you think this type of trip would be of interest to a lot of people? It would definitely not be a big group tour. This would be a much more personalized type of thing. NI sightseeing would be optional, possibly outside of the group tour. Also a trip to PRONI and other Belfast research venues. I was asked to get your input on this subject and would appreciate any comments. Anne Anne Shier Klintworth Check out my genealogy bog at http://genealogygirl.wordpress.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Thanks for the input.  Would you be willing to email Jayne Clarke the curator at the Braid Museum?  [email protected]  She is working on trying to put some things together on just those lines.  She intends to be at the Ballymoney Conference in October.  I am sure she would appreciate any assistance you could give her.  Just as a side note, she is not the one who has asked me about the research trips.  We have been in contact with her because we are just finishing a project photographing burial and registration books for the cemeteries under control of the Borough Council. Anne   Anne Shier Klintworth Check out my genealogy blog at http://genealogygirl.wordpress.com/ ----- Original Message ---- > From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Thu, April 1, 2010 2:20:13 PM > Subject: Re: [IRL-ANTRIM] Ballymena research trips > > Anne,   Ballymena has recently been on the radar  screen for a > few  Scotch-Irish family email lists I am on. I think an opportunity to > receive some  pointed guidance by locals who actually understand > genealogy would be a huge  plus. Rootsweb lists: Scotch-Irish and Boyd > have had members discussing  specifics of Ballymena focused trips this > Spring. There #1 question to those of  us with some experience is - > Where do I go in Ballymena   I'll be in Balleymoney for their October > conference mainly to  spread the word to the local genealogy/history > facilities about this need. The  numbers of Scotch-Irish researchers is > large and growing. Unfortunately, Ulster  is largely unaware of their > existence. As a co-author of the 1718 web site > _http://www.1718migration.org.uk/_ (http://www.1718migration.org.uk/)  > ;  I spent some time with the Ulster-Scots Agency in Belfast discussing > this  very need. I am beginning to see some little sprouts of those > seeds we planted  about 4 years ago. The east Donegal Historical > Society was the first (that  I know of) to create a genealogy/history > conference.  Londonderry  and then Balleymoney were next  in > creating an actual  2 day event and marketing it to the genealogy > universe. They need work on that  marketing, conference program, and > accommodations BUT they are doing it. That  will get them immediate > rewards.   I don't want to take more email space, but the key is > "full  cooperation". You get a commitment, then involve all groups, you > will get a good  response. Make it work and you'll get universal > acclaim as a "to do trip" for  genealogists and families for many > generations. Colin Brooks The 1718 Project Quakertown, PA USA > In a message dated 4/1/2010 1:43:33 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  > > href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected] writes: Hello  > everyone. We have been talking with some people in Ballymena and > would  like to have the people on the list comment on the interest in > research in the  Ballymena area. What is your opinion of the > possibility for small group  trips to Ballymena, with local contact > with people with local knowledge and  familiar with the different > townlands.  Possibly to include research at  the Ballymena > Library, cemetery trips, and church visits.  Probably  with > transportation included.  Hopefully with the full cooperation  > with the local government, museum and library. The idea  would > be to help establish local contacts and the ability to gather local  > knowledge that has been collected by word of mouth as well as the > records  available. Do you think this type of trip would be of > interest to  a lot of people?  It would definitely not be a big > group tour.  This  would be a much more personalized type of > thing.  NI sightseeing  would be optional, possibly outside of the > group tour.  Also a trip to  PRONI and other Belfast research > venues. I was asked to get your input  on this subject and > would appreciate any  comments. Anne Anne > Shier  Klintworth Check out my genealogy bog at  > http://genealogygirl.wordpress.com/ ------------------------------- To  > unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to  > ymailto="mailto:[email protected]" > href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected] > with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes  in the subject and the > body of the  message ------------------------------- To > unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ymailto="mailto:[email protected]" > href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected] > with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of > the message

Hello Listers. Over a 10 year period Ulster Ancestry has been compiling a series of Free Pages{ genealogical records} which you can use for your research purposes. These have been sorted by date and detail the document type, for your convenience. To use these visit:- http://www.ulsterancestry.com/ua-free-pages.php A Sample of Irish Family Names - - Irish Family Names Irish Names 11-16th Century - - Irish Names Irish Surname Information Pages - - Irish Names Old Irish Names History - - Irish Names Free Ulster Maps - - Ulster Maps 1609 Pardon List 1609 - State Papers Bradford's Mayflower List 1620 - The Mayflower List The Civil Survey 1654 1654 - Civil Survey A List of Deported Convicts and Vagabonds 1737-1743 - - Death Notices of Irish Emigrants 1806/1838 - 19th c.Obituaries 18th/19th century guide to the Estates of Ulster 1700-1900 All Estates Records Passenger Lists, Deaths and Miscellaneous 1810-1812 All Ships Lists Etc. Ardclinis Old Graveyard - Antrim RC gravestone inscriptions Tenants of Lord O'Neill 1761-1766 Antrim Rental Abstracts Flax Growers Bounty List, 1796 - County Antrim 1796 Antrim Census Substitute Agricultural Census of North Antrim(Part) 1803 Antrim Agricultural Census Emigrants from County Antrim (2) 1835-1836 Antrim Emigrant List Emigrants from County Antrim 1835-1836 Antrim Emigrant Lists Catholic Householders in the Parish of Drummaul 1848 Antrim Census Abstract Census of Aghagallon 1851 Antrim Census Census of Aghalee 1851 Antrim Census Census of Ballinderry 1851 Antrim Census Census of Ballymoney 1851 Antrim Census Census of Carncastle 1851 Antrim Census Census of Craigs 1851 Antrim Census Census of Donaghy 1851 Antrim Census Census of Grange 1851 Antrim Census Census of Killead 1851 Antrim Census Census of Kilwaughter 1851 Antrim Census Census of Newtowncromelin 1851 Antrim Census Census of Rasharkin 1851 Antrim Census Census of Tickmacrevan 1851 Antrim Census Parish Of Aghagallon 1851 Antrim Census Return Civil Census, Town of Larne 1851 Antrim Civil Census Ship Owners in Belfast 1860 Antrim Ship Owners Spirit Dealers Belfast 1860 1860 Antrim Spirit Dealers Agnes Street Church Belfast 1914-1918 Antrim War Memorial The Succession of the Bishops of Armagh 1348-1939 Armagh Succession list Kilmore & Ardagh Marriage Licence Bonds (570Kb) 1630-1800 Armagh Marriage Licence Bonds Subscribers to Lurgan Quaker Church 1695 Armagh Church Members Residents of Lurgan Town 1755-1758 Armagh Rental Roll Residents of Lurgan, County Armagh 1755-1758 Armagh Rental Roll Flax Growers Bounty List, 1796 - County Armagh 1796 Armagh Census Substitute The Markethill Yeomanry 1801-1802 Armagh Pay Rolls A List of Emigrants from Newry to New York 1804 Armagh Emigrant List Principle Residents in the City/Town of Armagh Year 1840 1840 Armagh Householders List Principle Residents in the town of Lurgan County Armagh 1840 1840 Armagh Householders List Irish Immigrants To 17th Century Virginia - Cavan Immigrant Listing Qualification Rolls 1778-1790 1778-1790 County Donegal Qualification Rolls Assaroe Abbey Cemetery, Ballyshannon - Donegal Headstone Inscriptions Gravestone Inscriptions - Donegal Headstone Inscriptions Donegal Land Leases 1601 Donegal Leases Land Grants in Donegal 1608 Donegal Land Grants Inquistion at Lifford 1609 Donegal - Settlers in County Donegal c 1613 1613 Donegal List of leaseholders Donegal Muster Roll 1630 Donegal Muster Roll Muster Rolls Donegal 1631 1631 Donegal Muster Roll The Civil Survey 1654, Barony Of Enishowen 1654 Donegal Civil Survey Donegal Hearth Money Rolls 1663 Donegal Tax Record Hearth Money Roll For The Parish Of Leck 1665 Donegal Hearth Money Roll Index to Wills - Diocese of Raphoe 1684 - 1858 Donegal Will Inde Names Of Protestant Householders 1766 Donegal Householder information Catholic Qualification Rolls 1778-1790 Donegal Those taking a loyal oath Donegal Qualification Rolls 1778/90 Donegal Catholic Qualification Rolls Royal Hospital Chelsea Index To Discharge Documents 1780-1855 Donegal - Donegal-born Men found in the Royal Hospital Chelsea 1780-1855 Donegal Soldiers Service Documents Flax Growers Bounty List, 1796 - County Donegal 1796 Donegal Census Substitute Land Grants in Donegal 17th century Donegal Land Grants Census Abstracts for the Parish of Killymard 1821/1831/1841/1851 Donegal Census 1824 Pigot's Directory - Donegal Towns 1824 Donegal Pigots Directory Clergy and Gentry Stranorlar & Ballybofey 1829 Donegal List of landed gentry Parish of Killymard Co Donegal 1830 Donegal Land owners Inishowen Deaths at Sea 1831-1918 Donegal - Griffith's Valuation - Parish of Inishmacsaint 1857 Donegal Griffiths Valuation 1876 Landowners Co. Donegal 1876 Donegal Land Owners List Donegal Eviction Applications District of Carndonagh 1882 Donegal Landlords Applications 1901 Census Abstracts Parish of Killymard 1901 Donegal Census Census of Laghy Church of Ireland 1901 Donegal Census Inhabitants of Letterkenny 1910 Donegal Directory Dromara Leases and Deeds 1607-1900 Down Papers of the Trevor Estate Downshire Leases Lisburn 1762 1762 Down Leases Flax Growers Bounty List, 1796 - County Down 1796 Down Census Substitute List of Emigrants from Belfast 1811 Down Emigration List Emigrants to America 1811 Down List of Emigrants from Newry Donaghcloney Presbyterian Graveyard Inscriptions 1817-1900 Down Headstone Inscriptions Banbridge Town 1841 Down Trade Directory List of inhabitants of Carlingford,Omeath and Greenore 1876 Down List of Inhabitants The inhabitants of Kilkeel 1876 1876 Down List of Inhabitants Banbridge War Memorial 1914-1918 Down Inscriptions of the dead The Erenaghs of Fermanagh 1601 Fermanagh - Muster Roll Devenish Parish 1630 Fermanagh List of tenants Clogher Marriage Licence Bonds (289Kb) 1630 - 1800 Fermanagh Marriage Licence Bonds Fermanagh Muster Roll 1631 Fermanagh Muster Roll Poll Tax and Subsidy Roll 1660 and 1667 Fermanagh Tax records Church Wardens Enniskillen Parish 1666-1900 Fermanagh Church Registers Aghalurcher Headstones 1700-1920 Fermanagh Headstone Inscriptions Aghalurcher Headstones 1700-1920 Fermanagh Headstone Inscriptions The seat holders in Enniskillen Church 1710- 1756 Fermanagh census Fermanagh Deeds (320Kb) 1713 - 1916 Fermanagh Fermanagh Deeds Devenish Rent Roll 1753 Fermanagh Rent Roll Religious Census of Devenish 1766 Fermanagh Census Parish of Devenish Freeholders 1788 Fermanagh Roll of Electors Flax Growers Bounty List, 1796 - County Fermanagh 1796 Fermanagh Census Substitute Lisnaskea - Diocese of Clogher 1804-1813,1815 Fermanagh Births, Deaths and Marriages Poor Lists of the Parish of Aghavea County Fermanagh 1835 1835/36 Fermanagh List of the Poor Residents of Enniskillen A-D 1839 Fermanagh Directory Officers and Officials of Enniskillen 1839 1839 Fermanagh List of Citizens Parishioners of the Parish of Drummully 1899 Fermanagh Church Record Inniskillings Boer War Memorial 1899-1902 Fermanagh List of casualties Inhabitants of Belleek 1900 Fermanagh Directory Inhabitants of Enniskillen 1910 Fermanagh Directory Grave Stone Inscriptions Florencecourt n/a Fermanagh Grave Stone Inscriptions Kinawley n/a Fermanagh Gravestone Inscriptions 1689 Dublin Parliament 1689 King James II Dublin General info Inquistion at Derry 1601 Londonderry - Headmasters of Foyle College 1617-2007 Londonderry general Rent Roll of Derry 1628 Londonderry Rent information Muster Roll of the City of Londonderry 1630 Londonderry Muster Roll Muster Roll of Dungiven Londonderry 1630/1631 Londonderry Muster Roll Muster Roll Aghadowey 1631 Londonderry Muster Roll Headstones Old Glendermott Graveyard 1650-1900 Londonderry Headstone Inscriptions List of Officers Seige of Derry 1688-1689 Londonderry Muster Roll Defenders of Derry 1688-1689 1689 Londonderry List of citizens Census 1725 Aghadowey Parish 1725 Londonderry Census Census of Protestant Householders 1740 Londonderry Partial Census List of Protestant Householders Tamlagh O'Crilly 1740 Londonderry Partial Census Passengers on the Brig "George" 1769 1769 Londonderry Ships List Men born Kilrea Co Londonderry Served with British Army 1780-1855 Londonderry Soldiers Service Documents Flax Growers Bounty List, 1796 - County Londonderry 1796 Londonderry Census Substitute Ship William & Mary, Londonderry to New York 1804 Londonderry ships list A List of Emigrants from Londonderry 1811 Londonderry Emigration List Residents of Muff(Eglinton) Village 1820 Londonderry Census Survey Emigrants from Limavady Part 1 1833 Londonderry Emigrant List Emigrants from the Parish of Ballyrashane 1833 Londonderry List of Emigrants Emigrant List for the Parish of Magilligan 1833-1834 Londonderry Emigrant List Emigrants from Coleraine 1833-1834 1833-1834 Londonderry Emigration List Emigrants from Limavady Part 2 1833-1834 Londonderry Emigration List Emigrants from the Parish of Aghadowey 1834 Londonderry Emigrant List Emigrants from Aghadowey Parish 1834-1835 Londonderry Emigration List of Emigrants from the Parish of Ballynascreen 1834/1835 Londonderry Emigrant List The Garrison of the City of Londonderry 18th August 1643 Londonderry Muster Roll 1901 Census for the Village of Eglinton ,Co Londonderry 1901 Londonderry Census Inhabitants of Draperstown 1910 Londonderry Directory City of Londonderry War Memorial 1914-1918 Londonderry War Memorial Donagh Cemetery 1700-1970 Monaghan Gravestone Inscriptions Monaghan Qualification Rolls 1778 Monaghan Catholic Qualification Rolls Scottish "undertakers" in Ulster 1609-1610 N/A Land grant applications Cromwellian Adventurers in Ireland 1642-1646 n/a List of Land Petitioners Cromwellian Adventurers in Ireland 1642-1653 n/a n/a The Scotch Irish 1650-1750 N/A History Irish Marriages A-G 1771-1812 N/A Marriages Irish Marriages H 1778-1812 N/A Marriages Irish Marriages I-K 1778-1812 N/A Marriages Irish Marriages L-McD 1778-1812 N/A Marriages Irish Marriages McD-My 1778-1812 N/A Marriages Names on the Irish Wall Toronto 1847 n/a Memorial Officers of the Coast Guard 1851 n/a General Ulster Defence Union Members 1893 N/A Gentry&Clergy Roll of the Dead RMS Titanic 1912 N/A N/A Survivors from RMS Titanic 1912 N/A N/A American Prisoners 1776 1st Jan 1789 N/A Pardon Roll Rent Books for Strabane Tyrone Rent information Pedigree of O Brien of County Tyrone 1674- 1900 Tyrone Pedigree 1766 Census of Artrea Part 1 1766 Tyrone Religious Census Census of Carnteel & Aghaloo 1766 Tyrone Religious Census Religious Census of Tyrone(part) 1766 Tyrone Religious Census Flax Growers Bounty List, 1796 - County Tyrone 1796 Tyrone Census Substitute Parish of Ardstraw 1800-1900 Tyrone Clergy List Residents of Newtownstewart 1824 Tyrone Trade Directory Donemana Co Tyrone 1855 Tyrone The Residents 1857 Griffith's Valuation - Parish of Urney 1857 Tyrone Griffiths Valuation Tenants of Ballymullarty & Shanonny West Parish 1860 Tyrone Valuation of tenements Inhabitants of Fivemiletown 1908 1908 Tyrone Directory Passenger Lists Emigration Lists from Irish Ports to North America 1815 Indexed Passenger lists of 72 ships to North America List of Passengers Londonderry to America 1815-1816 List of Passengers Londonderry to America McCorkell Line Passenger Lists 1847 Shipping Lists Emigrants from Newry 14th Dec 1811 Emigrant passenger list to America Emmanuel Passenger List 1836 Passengers on board the Emmanuel out of Londonderry Passenger Lists for McCorkell Line Ships 1863-1871 Irish Passenger Books of McCorkell Line, Londonderry to Philadelphia Conestogo Londonderry to Philadelphia April 1818 Passengers on the Conestogo Mayflower Passenger List 1620 Mayflower Passenger List Passengers on the Brig Minerva 1801 Passengers on the Brig Minerva Emigrant arrivals in America 1815-1816 Transcriptions of passengers on 72 ships Passengers of the Industry 1818 Passengers on the Schooner Industry Passengers of the Lucretia 1819 Passengers of the Schooner Lucretia Passengers on the Brig Symmetry 1832 A list of the passengers on board the Brig Symmetry Mary Ann Londonderry-New Brunswick 1853 Passenger List Mary Ann Ireland to St. John, New Brunswick Passengers on the Doctor Kane 1866 1866 Passengers on the Doctor Kane Passenger List RMS Titanic 1912 RMS Titanic 1912 The Ship "Wyoming" 24th Oct 1853 Passenger List of the Ship Wyoming Passengers on board "The Duncan" 26/5/1804 Passengers on board "The Duncan" Passengers on the Anglo-Saxon 27th April 1863 Full Passenger List Anglo-Saxon Ship Prosperity, Belfast to Philadelphia. 31st August 1801 Ship Prosperity, Belfast to Philadelphia. Passengers on the Ship Provincialist 5th June 1843 Passengers on the Ship Provincialist Passengers aboard the Mohawk 6th July 1802 The Mohawk Londonderry to Philadelphia 1802 Passenger List Twilight 1867 April 1867 Passengers on the Twilight Passengers on the Herschell March 1847 Pasengers on the Herschell March 1847 Passengers of the American 1803 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Ardent 1803 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Cornelia 1803 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Diana 1803 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Independence 1803 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Lady Washington 1803 Destination: Charleston, USA Passengers of the LiveOak 1803 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Margaret 1803 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Mohawk 1803 Destination: Philadelphia, USA Passengers of the Patty 1803 - Passengers of the Pennsylvania 1803 Destination: Newcastle, Wilmington & Philadelphia, USA Passengers of the Portland 1803 Destination: Charleston, USA Passengers of the Serpent 1803 Destination: Baltimore, USA Passengers of the Snow George 1803 Destination: Philadelphia, USA Passengers of the Strafford 1803 Destination: Philadelphia, USA Passengers of the Susan 1803 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Brothers 1804 Destination: Philadelphia, USA Passengers of the Catherine 1804 Destination: Philadelphia & Newcastle, USA Passengers of the Duncan 1804 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Eagle 1804 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Maria 1804 Destination: Philadelphia, USA Passengers of the Marie of Wilmington 1804 Destination: Philadelphia, USA Passengers of the President 1804 Destination: Newcastle, USA Passengers of the Susan 1804 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Akin Alexander 1811 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Algernon 1811 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Golconda 1811 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Harmony 1811 Destination: Philadelphia, USA Passengers of the Harvey Hide 1811 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Jupiter 1811 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Mary 1811 Destination: Philadelphia, USA Passengers of the Perseverance 1811 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Protection 1811 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Radius 1811 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Helen Thompson 1847 Destination: Quebec, Canada Passengers of the Cushla 1849 Destination: New York, USA Passengers of the Princeton 1853 Destination: New York, USA _________________________________________________________________ Tell us your greatest, weirdest and funniest Hotmail stories http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/195013117/direct/01/

Dear Anne and others I think N.I. is beginning to wake up to the possibility of genealogy tourism; I think gradually archives and libraries are noticing that their role has changed; that they are not just protecting material but should be actively involved in letting people access it; and all worldwide people and not just NI taxpayers, as has sometimes been the mindset. I think your idea is very useful; for people coming from abroad back to Ulster, to help descendants connect in a meaningful way with ancestors and an ancestral place; I am sure that everyone on this list, in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc, will see that potential in a research trip, rather than just concentrating on hoovering up birthdates to put into a database on the laptop. However, I think in one sense people coming to co. Antrim, is only half of what really needs to be done; Ulster people need to understand the value to them in a personal and historical way, not just financially, of genealogy tourism. I am continually trying to promote this idea (see my article in the latest Familia). Ulster lost hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Ulster people; that was our loss; our families were pulled apart. Who knows what the traumas were; and the losses and traumas have been largely scarred over and forgotten. If descendants from America, Canada... make the effort to do historical research, and the even bigger effort to come back to Ballymoney or Ballymena, that can help people in NI, even if not themselves very interested in genealogy, begin to understand/ remember. So I would say, don't just promote this idea to the international community; make sure that you get the message out to NI media, so that a very wide audience in the province can begin to see that genealogy is not just an American/ Canadian/ etc hobby, but that it could enable connections to be made that can acknowledge Ulster's loss over the centuries. It would be worth contacting the ULster Scots Agency; for suggestions and moral support and help with promotion, if not for a grant. Remember PRONI is going to be closed from this autumn Keep us informed! I'll be glad to help if I can, though I'm not from Ballymena, and not especially well acquent there Linde Lunney

Hopefully by the time we have saved the money to enable us to visit everywhere we want to things will be up and running smoothly. Loads of family to meet (Hi Linde) and also loads to locate - when we make it over. Lynette ----- Original Message ----- From: "DIB" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2010 7:41 PM Subject: Re: [IRL-ANTRIM] Ballymena research trips and other genealogical tourism > > Dear Anne and others > > I think N.I. is beginning to wake up to the possibility of genealogy > tourism; I think gradually archives and libraries are noticing that > their role has changed; that they are not just protecting material > but should be actively involved in letting people access it; and all > worldwide people and not just NI taxpayers, as has sometimes been the > mindset. > > I think your idea is very useful; for people coming from abroad back > to Ulster, to help descendants connect in a meaningful way with > ancestors and an ancestral place; I am sure that everyone on this > list, in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc, will see that > potential in a research trip, rather than just concentrating on > hoovering up birthdates to put into a database on the laptop. > > However, I think in one sense people coming to co. Antrim, is only > half of what really needs to be done; Ulster people need to > understand the value to them in a personal and historical way, not > just financially, of genealogy tourism. I am continually trying to > promote this idea (see my article in the latest Familia). Ulster lost > hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Ulster people; that was our > loss; our families were pulled apart. Who knows what the traumas > were; and the losses and traumas have been largely scarred over and > forgotten. If descendants from America, Canada... make the effort to > do historical research, and the even bigger effort to come back to > Ballymoney or Ballymena, that can help people in NI, even if not > themselves very interested in genealogy, begin to understand/ > remember. > > So I would say, don't just promote this idea to the international > community; make sure that you get the message out to NI media, so > that a very wide audience in the province can begin to see that > genealogy is not just an American/ Canadian/ etc hobby, but that it > could enable connections to be made that can acknowledge Ulster's > loss over the centuries. > > It would be worth contacting the ULster Scots Agency; for suggestions > and moral support and help with promotion, if not for a grant. > > Remember PRONI is going to be closed from this autumn > > Keep us informed! I'll be glad to help if I can, though I'm not from > Ballymena, and not especially well acquent there > > Linde Lunney > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >