Family and social history: possible weekend event

[Mary G]

A few people with a passion for Kintyre-related family and social history have been knocking about the idea of holding a weekend of activities for folk who share these interests.

Perhaps billed as a kind of “Where do you think you’re from?” event, the thinking is it would allow those with an interest in genealogy and social history that relates to Kintyre to:

• Learn more about the lives of ancestors who lived in Kintyre.
• Meet others with similar family history interests – face-to-face - even if they've communicated through forums like this one, post and email.
• Share knowledge and research, in the case of those with expertise and significant professional capability.
• See artefacts and items of historical interest - in the flesh – so to speak, eg archive materials, books, registers, tools.
• Visit places – guided if appropriate – that relate to personal family history, eg churches, cemeteries, old schools, villages, Heritage Centre.
• Get going with family history research, if this is a new interest that needs a boost.

The format would probably be a mix of workshops, seminars, presentations, stalls, displays and visits. It could be of interest to locals and exiles alike. Those who've departed recently, or those who discovered that they have more distant Kintyre ancestry, could be encouraged to use the weekend as a feature of a visit ‘home’. Maybe some local people have wondered how to get started with this sort of research. Obviously this isn't everyone’s cup of tea, but an increasing number of people are getting into genealogy and family history research, as we see regularly in this Forum.

So, Kintyre Forum members: What do you think? Is this something you’d attend? Or like to contribute to, if you have associated expertise? How might this sort of thing benefit you, if you’re a local business?

All ideas, thoughts and suggestions welcome. Post here, or send me a direct message if you’d rather keep your thoughts private!

[gray_marian]

Hi Mary, Think this is a great concept for genealogist's and local business. Two amateur's here, met through Ancestry.com and
willing to embrace whatever is suggested. We are planning further trips ourselves, so keen to learn what would be included
in the package when finalized. Marian

[MPR]

very interested in this

[robinoz]

Please send dates.
I'll be inCampbeltown 19 - 24 August.
Looking to trace Neil O'Neil. Born 1809, left 1838 for Australia.

[Kintyre Forum News]

Brilliant idea - really interested in this and I know a lot of local people would be too.

[Mary G]

Thanks to all for expressing interest so far!

robinoz: Great that you have dates for visiting Campbeltown - I'm not sure whether the dates you mention refer to this year or next.

At this stage, those of us who are considering this idea are checking to see what sort of interest there might be. And the reaction has been very positive so far, which is very encouraging.

Putting on this sort of event takes time to do properly; and it's important to give people plenty notice so that they can organise their travel in advance. So at this stage our thinking is we'd hold this event in the summer of 2014, exact dates to be decided.

When more of the planning has been done, further details will certainly be communicated widely, including here on the Kintyre Forum.

[robinoz]

My trip is this year. 19th August to 25th August.
Looking for 'self-catering' accomodation at those times about Campbeltown.

[Mary G]

That's a great time to visit, robinoz. You'll be able to take in some of the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival.

http://www.mokfest.com/

In fact, because the town will be busy with visitors for the Festival, probably best to get your accommodation sorted as soon as possible.

You might find some options here:

http://www.kintyreaccommodation.com/

[Doreen]

Great idea. Very interested.
Doreen