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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

This issue includes the story of Cutty Sark designer Hercules Linton, practical tips for getting more from Family Tree Analyzer, advice on visiting the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Archives, plus Society news and much more. #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Scotland #FamilyHistory #Genealogy

Graphic advertising the August issue of the Society's Journal. Articles include:

Hercules Linton: Designer, Shipbuilder and Antiquarian
The Flashlight Concert Party
George Mathieson M.A., God’s CHREST-I-AN
Finding Patrick Cushnie
Family Tree Analyzer: Finding Hidden Depths in Family Trees
In(s)ching back to my Roots
Hawkers and Harlers, Part 2: The Harler Succession
An Extraordinary Coincidence: Disney Alexander and Family
Taking on a Legend: the Alexanders versus Ned Kelly
Visiting Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Our #Glasgow Group’s upcoming Members’ Day will explore stories of migration, movement and new beginnings, from rural exodus to city life and journeys across the world. For more details: bit.ly/4tMFdRn #Aberdeen #aberdeenshire #scotland #genealogy #familyhistory

Join us for our next Glasgow Group meeting on Saturday, 23rd May 2026 from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Renfield Saint Stephen's Church Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP.

Were you inspired by our January zoom-only meeting when Gavin Bell spoke about his family's rural exodus? (See Journal 178, May 2026). We are continuing on this theme, broadening it out to explore why your ancestors moved about, not necessarily from rural to town or city locations but perhaps flitting within a city, or even to the rest of the world. Why and when did they move on? How successful was their experience? What resources did you use beyond family lore and BMDs?

On Members' Day we particularly encourage members to participate and no Members' Day would be complete without Graham Robertson's Famous Quiz which is always very popular – and challenging.

This meeting is in-person-only so we kindly ask you to email your intentions to glasgow@anesfhs.org.uk to ensure we have sufficient chairs, refreshments and prizes.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Our Annual General Meeting will be this Saturday (16th May) followed by a talk by Hugh Falconer - "Music Making in Aberdeenshire in the 1960s – 1970s" Details here: anesfhs.org/meetings-eve... #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Scotland #FamilyHistory #Genealogy

Just a reminder that our Annual General Meeting takes place this Saturday (16th May) starting at 2 pm (BST) and we’d love to see you there.
The AGM is a chance to hear about the work of the Society over the past year, find out what’s planned for the months ahead, and take part in the formal business of the afternoon.
After the AGM, we’ll enjoy a talk by Hugh Falconer on Music Making in Aberdeenshire in the 1960s and 70s, a fascinating look back at the local music scene during a memorable era.
The in-person meeting takes place at the Fountainhall (formerly Rubislaw) Church Centre, 1 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen, AB15 4AB.
The meeting will also be broadcast live over Zoom. If you're planning on joining us from home, pre-registration is required. You can register for the meeting here: https://anesfhs.org/meetings-events/events/event/518-abd2026may

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

At our next Moray/Banff Meeting, we'll have the second part of our "DNA Matters" session and hear how researcher George Jamieson spent 20 years tracing the wrong family, and how DNA testing eventually helped set things straight. #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Genealogy #DNA #FamilyHistory #Scotland

Graphic with information about our upcoming Moray/Banff Group meeting on Saturday, 2nd May 2026 from 2 pm – 4 pm (BST) online via Zoom. This is the second part of our DNA Matters session.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

We are thrilled to announce our latest publication - The Kirkyards of Monquhitter and St. Luke's, Cuminestown. More info here: anesfhs.org/publications... #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Monquhitter #Cuminestown #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Kirkyards #memorialinscriptions

Graphic showing the cover for our latest publication, The Kirkyards of Monquhitter and St. Luke's, Cuminestown

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

We’d love to see you there — whether you’ve got lots to share or just fancy a catch-up, you’ll be very welcome.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Come along to the new Activities Room on Saturday and bring us up to date. Please note the earlier start time, as the library closes promptly at 16:00.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

It’s a long time since we last met at Elgin Library so we thought we would start with a chance to catch up with each other again. What has been happening in our family history worlds since we last met? Have we broken down some brick walls or, more likely, have we acquired some new ones?

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Join us for our next Moray/Banff Group meeting on Saturday, 4th April 2026 from 1:30 pm — 3:30 pm in the Activities Room of the Elgin Library, Cooper Park, Elgin, IV30 1HS. For more details, please visit: anesfhs.org/meetings-eve... #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Elgin #Scotland #Genealogy #FamilyHistory

Image advertising our next Moray/Banff Group meeting on Saturday, 4th April 2026 from 1:30 pm — 3:30 pm in the Activities Room of the Elgin Library, Cooper Park, Elgin, IV30 1HS. This will be an in-person meeting only.

It’s a long time since we last met in the Activities Room at Elgin Library so we thought we would start with a chance to catch up with each other again. What has been happening in our family history worlds since we last met? Have we broken down some brick walls or, more likely, have we acquired some new ones? Come along to the new Activities Room on Saturday and bring us up to date.

Please note the earlier start time, as the library closes promptly at 16:00.

We’d love to see you there — whether you’ve got lots to share or just fancy a catch-up, you’ll be very welcome.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Our next #Edinburgh Group meeting on 28th March 2026 from 2 pm — 4 pm (GMT) either online or in-person. More details here: anesfhs.org/meetings-eve... #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Scotland #Genealogy #FamilyHistory

Graphic advertising our upcoming Edinburgh Group that will feature a recorded talk by Chris Paton entitled "Researching Your House". The meeting will be on Saturday, 28th March 2026 from 2 pm — 4 pm (GMT). The in-person meeting will take place at the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh. The meeting will also be broadcast live over Zoom. More details can be found on our website: https://anesfhs.org/meetings-events/events/event/495-edi2026mar

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

It’s just one of the fantastic benefits we’re able to offer visitors to our Research Centre — and we’d love to welcome you in!

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

These are valuable genealogical records from all over the world. These images of original documents can help you break down brick walls and discover completely new branches of your tree.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

That means when you visit us, you can access millions of digital records that you won’t find from home — records that are only viewable at a FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library like ours.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Everything will be back up as soon as the move is complete. Thanks for your patience!

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

After the move the website will identify as anesfhs.org (but anesfhs.org.uk links will still work). This relocation is temporary whilst some compatibility issues are resolved and the server will revert to anesfhs.org.uk later in the year.

anesfhs.org

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Website maintenance notice Our website will be taking a short break while we relocate our server. As a result, the site will be unavailable for a while starting 08:00 GMT on Wednesday 18 March. #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Scotland #Genealogy #FamilyHistory

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Citizens understood this well into the mid-twentieth century. Aberdeen’s story is preserved with rare clarity in the craftsmen’s records, revealing values—duty, skill, fellowship, and civic responsibility—that continue to anchor their lasting influence.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

The Seven Incorporated Trades shaped far more than Aberdeen’s working life — they helped forge its character, its standards, and its civic conscience.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Join us for our next #Aberdeen meeting on Saturday, 21st March 2026 from 2 pm — 4 pm (GMT) at the Fountainhall Church Centre. This meeting will also be available via Zoom. Details here: bit.ly/4um5s2A #Aberdeenshire #Scotland #Genealogy #FamilyHistory

Join us on Saturday, 21st March 2026 from 2 pm — 4 pm (GMT) for Graeme Nicol's talk, "Seven Incorporated Trades — A History".
The Seven Incorporated Trades shaped far more than Aberdeen’s working life — they helped forge its character, its standards, and its civic conscience. Citizens understood this well into the mid-twentieth century. Aberdeen’s story is preserved with rare clarity in the craftsmen’s records, revealing values—duty, skill, fellowship, and civic responsibility—that continue to anchor their lasting influence.

Our Aberdeen in-person meetings are held at the Fountainhall (formerly Rubislaw) Centre, 1 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen AB15 4AB. The talk will also be broadcast over Zoom.

Watching from the comfort of home?

If you're a member, please log in to our website and visit the following link to register:

https://www.anesfhs.org.uk/meetings-events/aberdeen-meetings/event/487-abd2026mar

If you're not a member of the Society, you can send an email to syllabus@anesfhs.org.uk to request an invitation link.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Yes, DNA matters! It’s becoming increasingly important to us as genealogists and most of us now need to acquire a better understanding of it. For more details and to pre-register for the meeting, please visit: bit.ly/40r2JY9 #Aberdeen #Scotland #Aberdeenshire #DNA #Genealogy #FamilyHistory

Graphic advertising our upcoming Moray/Banff Group meeting on Saturdday, 7th March 2026 from 2 pm — 4 pm (GMT). This is an online only meeting and this is the first part of our DNA Matters meetings.

For this March meeting, Helen Taylor, always a popular speaker on DNA matters, is going to help us get a better understanding of what our DNA tells us and how we can use it. There will be DNA hints and Ancestry tree tips together with handouts. In the course of her talk she will be giving us a live demonstration and also a quick demonstration to show us how the Leeds Method can help us find a person on a missing line.

For more info: https://bit.ly/40r2JY9

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Most of us use it. Many of us rely on it. But are we really making the most of everything that ScotlandsPeople offers? Join our Australia/New Zealand Group meeting this Saturday to find out more. More details here: bit.ly/3OCLL6r #Aberdeen #Scotland #Aberdeenshire #Genealogy #FamilyHistory

Graphic advertising our upcoming Australia/New Zealand Group meeting on Saturday, 7th March 2026 from 4 pm — 6 pm (AEDT) / 6 am - 8 am (GMT).

Most of us use it. Many of us rely on it. But are we really making the most of everything that ScotlandsPeople offers?

If you're struggling to find ancestors or relatives on Scotland’s People then David Stephen’s session will will share practical tips and tricks to help you search smarter and avoid some of the common pitfalls that can waste both time and credits.

David has been researching his family history for 35 years and has done a lot of his research using Scotland’s People.

Having grown up in Cowie, near Stonehaven, and his father’s line being primarily fisherfolk from the coastal villages between Aberdeen & Montrose using Scotland’s People has helped him find a lot of his forebears.

More details: https://bit.ly/3OCLL6r

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

The Society's February Journal is now available to members on our website. If you're not a member of the Society, joining is easy! Full details here: www.anesfhs.org.uk/about-us/mem... #Aberdeen #Scotland #Genealogy #FamilyHistory

A graphic announcing that the February issue of our Journal is now available on our website. It includes the following articles:

The Lonely Grave of May Mowatt, Cholera Victim
The Schoolmaster's Children
The Sangsters of Cruden
The Thom Family of Dunnottar
A Recipe for Haggis
Raspberry Brandy
From North-East Scotland to New Jersey
The Sleighs of Aberdeenshire—and elsewhere
Family Legends: Fyvie Castle, Gerrards and Florences
A Spooky Coincidence: Ingrams and Thirds
Lion Tamers and Polar Bear Ticklers
Loss of the Watt Family and the Fishing Boat, Rose, 1899
Illness and Home Cures of Henrietta Mackenzie
North-East Scotland Fishing Villages and the Great Shetland Fishing
Notes on Using the British Newspaper Archive

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Join our Edinburgh Group this Saturday (24th January 2026) for Ken Nisbet's talk entitled "Researching British Prisoners of War, 1914-1919 and 1939-1946". Full details here: anesfhs.org.uk/meetings-eve... #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Edinburgh #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #MilitaryRecords

This Saturday (24th January 2026), Ken Nisbet, whose many hats include Chairman of the South of Scotland Branch of the Western Front Association, will show what sources can be used to research your relative taken prisoner during the two major conflicts of the 20th century. The situation prior to the Great War, and the role of the Hague and Geneva Conventions, will also be covered.

A consistently popular and engaging speaker, Ken is well regarded for sharing practical insights into a wide range of research resources, along with guidance on how best to access and use them. His talks are informative, accessible, and full of ideas that members can apply immediately to their own family-history research.

Our Edinburgh Group in-person meetings take place from 2 pm —4 pm (GMT) at the Royal Scots Club, 29 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh EH3 6QE. We’ll be in the ground-floor Ellesmere Room, as is now usual. If you're planning on attending the in-person meeting, please drop us a quick note at edinburgh@anesfhs.org.uk.

The meeting will also be available via Zoom. For the online meeting, pre-registration is required.

Members can log on to the website and visit the following link:
https://www.anesfhs.org.uk/.../edinb.../event/494-edi2026jan

If you're not (yet!) a member and would like to attend, please send a message to edinburgh@anesfhs.org.uk to request an invitation link.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Six weekly sessions, online via Zoom, so you can join from anywhere. Thursday evenings, 7–9 pm (GMT).

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

The course covers statutory records, census returns, church records, military sources, and an introduction to DNA, showing how they fit together in practice

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Designed for complete beginners, those returning to family history after a break, or anyone wanting a clearer understanding of Scottish records.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Thinking about starting your family history in the New Year? Our Beginner’s Course offers a clear introduction to Scottish genealogy and how the key records fit together. More details here: bit.ly/3KShvmz #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Scotland #Genealogy #FamilyHistory

A graphic advertising our upcoming course entitled "A Beginner's Course to Researching Your Family's Story and History". This is a six-week online course tutored by Ken Nisbet. The course will be on Thursday nights from 7 pm to 9 pm (GMT) from Thursday, 29th January 2026 to Thursday, 5th March 2026 (inclusive). The cost for the course is £46.00 / £42.00 (concession). To register your interest, please contact us at syllabus@anesfhs.org.uk.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

If you’ve hit a dead end, bring it along. If you’ve had a breakthrough, we’d love to hear that too. And if you simply want a friendly room of fellow researchers to natter with, you’ll fit right in. Come for the genealogy… stay for the company!

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Our London meetings take place at the Crown Court Church of Scotland Hall, Russell St., London WC2 5EZ.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Our London Group is meeting in person on Saturday, 22nd November 2025 from 12 pm—2 pm for a Brick Walls and general genealogy chat. This will be a time to swap stories, share tips, and commiserate over ancestors who refused to be helpful. #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Scotland #London #Genealogy

Graphic advertising our London Group Meeting on Saturday, 22nd November 2025 from 12 pm—2pm (GMT) at the Crown Court Church of Scotland Hall, London WC2 5EZ. This is an in-person meeting where we'll discuss brick walls and have a general genealogy chat.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

If you're not a member of the Society and wish to join the online meeting, please email us at syllabus@anesfhs.org.uk to request an invitation link.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Join us from 2 pm—4 pm (GMT) on Saturday, 22nd November 2025 at the the Fountainhall (formerly Rubislaw) Centre, 1 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen AB15 4AB or online via Zoom.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

For the past five years, her focus has been on the men and women from the North East of Scotland who volunteered with the Scottish Women’s Hospital during the First World War — exploring who they were and how their lives unfolded before, during, and after the war.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

She recently launched her own website, Hame and Hearth, and has previously contributed articles to our Journal and given talks on her research.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Karen Shaw has had a long-standing interest in local history and genealogy With a background in secondary and higher education as a librarian, she also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Genealogy from the University of Strathclyde

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

At our Aberdeen meeting, Karen Shaw will introduce William Smith — an Aberdeen-born artist and explorer whose remarkable life included connections with royalty, tall ships, and the Scottish Women’s Hospital. #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Scotland #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #ScottishArtists

Graphic advertising talk on Saturday, 22nd November from 2 pm—4 pm (GMT) at the Fountainhall (formerly Rubislaw) Church Centre, Aberdeen and online via Zoom.

Karen Shaw will give a talk on Aberdeen artist and explorer, William Smith.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

This open day is part of the ETZ Community & Coast programme, in partnership with Cameron Archaeology and ANESFHS. It’s a great chance to explore this historic site and meet others with a shared curiosity about Aberdeen’s past.

Poster advertising an open day at St. Fittick's Church (Coast Road, AB11 8TJ) on Friday, 28 November 2025

Come along between 11 am and 3 pm to find out about the history of this fascinating little medieval church and learn to read memorial inscriptions on the gravestones in the kirkyard with volunteers from Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Location: Saint Fittick’s Road / Coast Road, AB11 8TJ Date: Friday 28 November Time: 11 am – 3 pm What3Words: cigar.pirate.aura

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Join us between 11 am and 3 pm on Friday 28 November to explore the story of St Fittick’s Church. Volunteers from ANESFHS will be there to demonstrate how to read/record gravestone inscriptions in the churchyard and share insights into the lives commemorated there. #Aberdeen #Scotland #genealogy

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

There’s still time to join our popular five-week online evening course, “Researching Your Relatives’ Service in WWII,” but be quick — only a few spaces remain! Details here: www.anesfhs.org.uk/about-us/new... #Aberdeen #Aberdeenshire #Scotland #Genealogy #WWII #FamilyHistory

Graphic advertising upcoming course "Researching your Relatives' Service in WWII", tutored by Ken Nisbet (SGS/SAFHS). This is a five-week online course from Thursday, 6th November 2025—Thursday, 4th December 2025 from 7 pm—9 pm (GMT). The course costs £46 / £42 (concession). To register your interest, contact us at syllabus@anesfhs.org.uk.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Presenter Jamie Lees will share the remarkable true story behind Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith at our Southern Ontario Group meeting on 20th September 2025. More details here: www.anesfhs.org.uk/about-us/new... #Genealogy #Aberdeen #Dundee #Scotland

Graphic advertising our upcoming Southern Ontario Group meeting on Saturday, 20th September 2025 from 1 pm to 3 pm (EST) / 6 pm to 8 pm (BST).

Presenter Jamie Lees will share the remarkable true story behind Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith. It begins in Dundee, Scotland in 1911, when a young woman left two small boys in a pram at the Wellgate before disappearing from their lives. Through historical records, photographs, and personal archives, Jamie traces the path of this woman across continents and generations, uncovering the hidden threads that connect past to present. This talk follows the acclaimed Left at The Wellgate exhibition in Dundee and precedes an upcoming book and theatrical production based on the story.

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Not a member yet? 🤔 Now’s the perfect time to join! Membership is easy to set up on our website, and you’ll get instant access to the new Journal plus our full archive of past issues, Click here: www.anesfhs.org.uk/about-us/mem...

anesfhs.org.uk

Membership - Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society

Membership rates

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Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society @anesfhs.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Our August edition of our quarterly Journal is now available for members to read online through our website. It’s packed with fascinating articles, research tips, and Society news – perfect for an afternoon’s reading with a cup of tea! ☕📖 #Genealogy #Aberdeen #Scotland

Image of the cover of Journal 175 featuring a sailing ship and the title "Drama on the High Seas"

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