2018 Conference
28 September 2018
Don Whiteside Memorial Lecture
Tracking a Scottish Regiment over Three Countries
Sam Allison
Sam discussed many of the problems encountered in writing about soldier-settlers of the 18th century, which genealogists also face in their research. For example, regimental lists are time-sensitive and error-ridden; historical fiction about Highlanders often overwhelms historical facts; and Scottish and American authors have influenced our image of the Highlands. He believes that the “past is a foreign country” where people and events can be easily misinterpreted; we need a healthy dose of scepticism about what is now regarded as “the truth.”
29 September 2018
Who Are the Scots? Not Celts!
Bruce Durie
This lecture dispelled the idea that Scots are a single, unitary people of shared ancestry, genetics and culture. Beginning with the earliest settlements in 12,000BC, Bruce discussed the early indigenous inhabitants, whom we now call “Picts;” the arrivals of other Brythonic peoples, the Gaels, the Angles, Scandinavian raiders (loosely called Vikings); the uniting of Gaels and Scots into the Kingdom of Alba; and how Highland Gaels and Lowland Scots remain culturally and linguistically separate to this day.
Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda: A Look at Ethics in DNA Testing
Diahan Southard
In this presentation, Diahan got participants thinking about the ramifications of pursuing DNA testing for genealogical purposes and gave them the tools they need to address unexpected situations should they arise.
Leaving a Legacy: Creating a Family History Book
Lynn Palermo
In this lecture, Lynn discussed the anatomy of a great family history book. Along with a brief look at copyright and permissions, she explained how to determine the scope of the book, explored a variety of page options and elements to include, assess the potential cost, developed a production team, and created a plan to keep the project on task and on time.
NOTE: poor audio quality due to microphone issue
Wills, Testaments, Inventories and Retours: Inheritance in Scotland
Bruce Durie
This lecture navigated the minefield of researching inheritance in Scotland up to the 1860s and subsequently, and where to find records from 1513 to 1925. Bruce explained where wills, testaments, retours of services of heirs, and the trust disposition and settlement system fit in. In the process, you learn that Scotland has no probate and no coroners and glean other fascinating historical and legal insights—with a fair amount of Latin and Old Scots along the way.
Back to 18th Century Scotland with Autosomal DNA
Linda Reid
It can be difficult to find documentary evidence for pre-1800 ancestors, but autosomal DNA can supplement the paper-trail research. In this talk Linda explained how to confirm ancestral lines systematically, starting with the closest relatives. Her case studies illustrated the use of Family Finder (FTDNA) along with Ancestry DNA, GEDmatch and Y-DNA to verify a grandparent’s pedigree on four different lines to people born in the 18th century. The examples are Scottish, but the techniques would apply anywhere.
The Combined Power of Y-DNA and Autosomal DNA
Diahan Southard
DNA is certainly helping to shape our modern definition of family—helping to expand our views of our own personal and extended relationships—and these waters can be difficult to navigate. Using a case study as her guide, Diahan discussed how Y-DNA and autosomal DNA testing helped one family to better understand their own past and gave them incentive to reach out and connect with others. She covered methodology as well as the sociology of this kind of situation and the best ways for you and your family to forge bonds with others in a non-traditional fashion.
Finding Your Ancestors with FamilySearch
Shirley-Ann Pyefinch
Shirley-Ann’s talk helped researchers to more effectively use the resources and tools available through the FamilySearch website and to develop effective strategies. She discussed adding names, editing information and navigating in Family Tree; searching historical records and filtering results; searching for and making good use of historical books; searching through submitted genealogies and contributing to genealogies; using the FamilySearch wiki and catalogue; and getting help from the many FamilySearch resources available.
30 September 2018
Genes and Genealogy: Is Surname a Good Predictor of Ethnic Origin?
Bruce Durie
The Scots are not one homogeneous ethnic or ancestral group but rather have five or six ethnic origins, each typified by a geographical location. So, what can DNA tell us about “Scottishness,” if anything? Many Scots-origin people will say they come from a particular clan or family and a defined location; but is the surname a good predictor of ethnic and geographical origin? This lecture surveyed the genetic, geographical and onomastic landscapes of Scotland, to see if they help determine a place of origin and an earlier ancestry.
The Wonders of WikiTree: Adventures in Collaborative Genealogy
Leanne Cooper
WikiTree (www.wikitree.com) is a free online collaborative family tree. Leanne explored various ways that WikiTree supports finding and collaborating with distant cousins and other genealogists. By working together, we can build more complete and accurate life stories of our ancestors and ensure that this information is accessible to all.
A Day Out with Your DNA
Diahan Southard
As more and more companies crop up trying to capitalize on this era of personal genomics, it can be difficult to decide how to proceed with your own DNA testing experience. In this lecture Diahan helped you understand the value of your raw data file, as well as explain different options for using that file not only to further your genetic genealogy pursuits but perhaps to explore your health as well.
Scottish Funeral Customs and Death Records
Sadie De Finney
Sadie’s talk examined the evolution of Scottish funeral customs and looks at recent developments in Scottish death records that can benefit family history research efforts. Sadie described the types and locations of resting places or end-of-life processes (e.g. cairns, cemeteries, graveyards, cremation) as they relate to tracking down ancestors. She then shifted her focus to Scottish death records and discusses the information needed to do an effective search for them and the best places to look.
Regular and Irregular Marriages in Scotland Before 1834
Bruce Durie
The Church and the State wanted all marriages in Scotland to be “regular”: conducted the way they stipulated. But certain forms of “irregular” marriageswere still valid, including betrothal before witnesses and antenuptial contracts. Sometimes these left no records, but on other occasions they did. So how did this situation come about? And how recently did it end? Bruce described the various forms of marriage, identifies sources for research and told a few good stories along the way.