Greetings Friends of Tiree, as per below are two emails which I received from Louis MacDougall who has been very instrumental in much good re: Tiree. Thank you on behalf of all Louise. I hope everyone is enjoying winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the south! Read on and support the cause! Cheers, Scott -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attached you will find a letter which the Archivist on Tiree has asked me to forward to you for distribution to the Tiree Mailing Lists. In it, Catriona Hunter tells how An Iodhlann (the Tiree Archive) has been successful in acquiring a whole THREE years of funding to computerize Tiree genealogy records at the Archive! This will create an amazing linked database, preserving known records and creating a genealogical legacy for future generations. I would like to point out that, although the Tiree Archive is very good at securing government funding every year for various projects, this letter tells of the breakthrough they have made in being approved to receive funding specifically for genealogy. Earlier this year, the Archive invited a handful of their members from around the world to write letters of support to accompany an application for this funding. I would personally like to thank everyone who accepted the invitations and wrote wonderful letters. And I’m sure all the Tiree family historians out there will join with me in expressing our gratitude to the anonymous Canadian donor whose generous contribution made it possible for the Archive to launch their genealogy project a couple years ago. No doubt this pilot project played a large role in the Archive being approved to continue their genealogy work. Although the Archive is located on the Isle of Tiree, it encourages membership from around the world. Anyone reading this message is encouraged to become a member and support the Archive’s work in preserving our heritage on the Island. A yearly membership costs only 5 pounds sterling. I will put the details of how to join in a separate email. Enjoy the following great letter from Catriona, Louise MacDougall Errington, BC Canada P.S. Here are the current links to the websites for the Archive and A’Bhuain (the Tiree Homecoming May 22-26, 2006.) http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/~iodhlann/ http://www.tireearchive.com http://www.isleoftiree.com/heritage/abhuain.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Letter from An Iodhlann, Isle of Tiree, Scotland I thought I would let you know that An Iodhlann has been successful in applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund for our genealogy project. We're very grateful for all the help and support we received in making our application. In 2002 we received our largest ever donation of £4,000 from a friend in Canada of Tiree descent particularly targeted at our genealogy section. As well as buying a new computer dedicated to genealogy, some new office furniture, two new software packages (Roots Magic and Family Tree Maker), the Old Parish Registers for Mull, Iona and Coll, the 1881 British Census on CD-ROM and a microfilm of the 1855 Tiree Valuation Roll (the list of ratepayers), we conducted a pilot study for the genealogy project. The project involves entering all the marriages in the Old Parish Registers between 1815 and 1854 plus the children from these marriages into individual family files using RootsMagic software. As there will be approximately 1,600 marriages in the period, the names of the spouses will put on an Access database to allow us to search for and find individual family files. This database will also allow us link the families to material already in the archive such as estate documents, procurator fiscal reports and family histories donated by the descendants of Tiree emigrants. It's unfortunate that when A' Bhuain starts we will only be at the beginning of the project which will run for three years. However, we are very excited about it as we think it has enormous potential for further work. Best wishes, Catriona Hunter, Archivist -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello again Tiree Listers, Below are the various ways by which you can become a member of An Iodhlann, the Tiree Archive. But first let me tell you the benefits of your supporting the Archive. Membership gives you free admission to Archive exhibits on the Isle of Tiree, occasional newsletters from the Archive by email and, most importantly, the knowledge that you are supporting the Archive in its present work to ensure that the heritage of Tiree is available for future generations. The Tiree Archive is a UK charity. Therefore, unfortunately, donations made by non-UK taxpayers are not tax deductible. Donations to the Archive can be made through the same avenues as listed below for memberships. Yours in preserving the legacy of our past, Louise MacDougall Errington, BC Canada ---------------------------------------------------------------- You may join the Tiree Archive in one of the following ways. If you are reading this message after Jan. 31, 2006, please check for updated instructions. 1. by Mail to the UK: Send 5 pounds sterling in a UK cheque or International bank draft/money order, made payable to: An Iodhlann, Scarnish, Isle of Tiree, Argyll, Scotland, PA77 6UN 2. by Mail in North America: Send a $15 cheque, drawn on any Canadian or US bank, made payable to myself: Louise MacDougall, Box 390, Errington, BC Canada V0R 1V0 (I am doing this as a courtesy service to encourage membership from the US and Canada. Any extra funds beyond my costs will be donated to the Archive. In other words, by using your own local cheque instead of buying a bank draft, the extra “handling” dollars will go to the Archive instead of the bank.) Note. If you choose this method, send me an email at: editor@tireegathering.com to let me know to expect your cheque. You will receive an email confirmation after it has arrived. 3. By Internet: Donate 5 pounds sterling via any major credit card: -Go to http://www.workwithus.org -Type the word, Tiree, in the left-hand box marked “Charity Search”, and click “Go”. -On the appearing page, find the reference for An Iodhlann and click its title: “Tiree and Coll Gaelic Partnership”. -On the appearing page, Click the button “Make A Donation”. -Follow the page of instructions carefully, and it should work fine! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------