Newtownabbey family history branch marks 25th anniversary

Members of the Newtownabbey branch of the North of Ireland Family History Society pictured before the March lockdown.

In the autumn of 1995 a group of people who were interested in tracing their roots signed up 60 members during a successful promotion at Glengormley Library.

The first meeting was held in the Drama Theatre in Glengormley High School, which has been the venue ever since, with many of the original members still attending.

In those 25 years, things have changed and while there is still a place for visiting local archives and libraries, more records are online now and many people use DNA to help with their family tree and to find long lost cousins.

Local residents pictured at the very first meeting of Newtownabbey Branch of the North of Ireland Family History Society in September 1995.

Programmes like ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ and ‘Long Lost Family’ have increased interest in the hobby.

This year the branch has adapted to the global pandemic by switching to holding virtual meetings.

Two online meetings have been successfully held to date. At the first, local members shared their experiences of the new normal in family history research.

At the second, Ron Bishop presented an entertaining virtual tour of Carrickfergus, showing historical places that may be overlooked.

Everyone was attending from home and members enjoyed seeing familiar faces and having a friendly discussion afterwards.

New opportunities have opened up and in November, Elaine Fraser will be zooming in all the way from Canada to present a talk about how to use Google Earth for genealogy.

Newtownabbey residents are invited to find out more and to join the society.

More information is available on the Newtownabbey branch of the North of Ireland Family History Facebook page or www.nifhs.org/branches/newtownabbey/

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