Find Out How You Can Explore Your Family History
03 May 2011
A new exhibition by Mid-Antrim Museums Service is opening at Carrickfergus Museum and Civic Centre from 10 May-30 July. 'Exploring Your Roots' looks at how museums can be a unique resource for those seeking to find out more about their family history.
Many museums hold records that can be of help to the researcher such as rate books, burial records and business ledgers. These records usually relate to the local area and contain useful information such as the names of those who owned land or worked in a particular industry. While it is exciting to discover the name of an ancestor in museum records, it can be equally interesting just to explore the world in which people lived in the past. Family photographs, often contained in faded albums, capture a moment in time. These images can be explored to show how people lived and worked in earlier times. Photographs, maps, documents and artefacts held by museums help to place our ancestors in their day-to-day world.
This exhibition has been designed to offer a flavour of the diverse collections held within the Mid-Antrim Museums Service. Acting Curator Shirin Murphy says, ‘many of the treasures held by museums are items that could be hidden in your Gran’s attic, just waiting to be discovered. What museums can do is offer context to these items, explain what they mean, how they were used or worn. These can be little details that offer an insight into a relative’s personality, in a way that archival records cannot always do.’
A free exhibition guide is available, which includes a detailed section on local sources for family history research produced in association with the Ulster Historical Foundation.
Mid-Antrim Museums Service has also organised a series of events to help you find out more about your ancestors...
Unlocking PRONI
Tue 10th May 12.00-1.00pm, Carrickfergus Museum and Civic Centre, 11 Antrim Street (booking essencial)
Join Dr. Ann McVeigh as she demonstrates how resources at the Public Record Office can help in tracing your family tree.
Family History on the Web
Thu 26 May 6pm-8pm, Carrickfergus Library, 2 Joymount Court (booking essencial)
Mary Bradley from Libraries NI will lead a genealogy workshop for beginners. Find out what your local library has to offer the keen genealogist and learn about a range of on-line resources.
Open day at Andrew Jackson and US Rangers Centre
Sat 18th June 2-4pm, 2 Boneybefore, Carrickfergus
Experience the life and times of America’s 7th President and discover the role played by the US Rangers, an elite American army unit during World War Two
Admission to exhibition and all events is free.
To book a place tel:028 9336 6666, email: stacey.ferguson@carrickfergus.org
For further information please contact:
Stacey Ferguson
Telephone: 028 9336 6666
E-Mail: stacey.ferguson@carrickfergus.org
