Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society

Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society Aberdeen & NE Scotland FHS is a Scottish Charity, SC012478 SCIO,

The Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society exists to assist and promote the study of genealogy and family history based on the North-East corner of Scotland.

Here's a little surprise for anyone who thought our local groups had finished for the summer!While we usually take a sum...
18/06/2026

Here's a little surprise for anyone who thought our local groups had finished for the summer!

While we usually take a summer break and return in September, our Moray/Banff Group has decided to host an extra Zoom gathering this Saturday (20th June 2026 from 2 pm – 4 pm BST) to bridge the long gap between their last online meeting in May and the next one in October.

Even better, this will be their 50th Zoom meeting!

It's hard to believe how far we've come since those first online gatherings during lockdown, when many of us were learning the ins and outs of Zoom for the very first time. What started as a way to stay connected during an uncertain time has grown into a thriving community of family historians.

This special milestone meeting will be informal, with no set topic, but attendees are invited to reflect on one question:

What is the most important or interesting thing you've learned from all these Zoom meetings?

This will be a lovely opportunity to catch up and celebrate an impressive milestone.

Pre-registration for this online-only meeting is required.

If you're a member of the Society, log in to our website and go to the Events page for this meeting:

https://anesfhs.org/meetings-events/events/event/520-mbf2026jun

If you're not (yet!) a member of the Society, please send an email to [email protected] to request an invitation link.

04/06/2026

Two upcoming meetings – 6th June 2026

Two very different family history meetings are taking place on Saturday, 6th June, offering something for a wide range of interests.

Our Moray/ Banff Group will be meeting in person at the Elgin Library from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm (BST) for A Chance to Work with Ancestry and FindMyPast.

Scotland's People is often the first place we turn for Scottish research, but other websites can contain useful records and resources that are well worth exploring. This practical session will look at how to get the best from them.

Our Australia/New Zealand Group will be meeting online for Family Life and Illegitimacy in NE Scotland from 4 pm – 6 pm AEST / 7 am – 9 am BST.

This fascinating talk will explore the realities of everyday family life in earlier times and how illegitimacy was recorded and dealt with in North-East Scotland. The speakers will also discuss some of the records that can help researchers uncover these stories today.

Whether you're looking for research tips or an intriguing glimpse into the lives of past generations, we'd love to have you join us.

Full details can be found on the Events page of our website:

Our Australia/New Zealand Group will meet online on Saturday, 6th June from 4 pm – 6 pm AEST, 7 am – 9 am (BST) for a ta...
24/05/2026

Our Australia/New Zealand Group will meet online on Saturday, 6th June from 4 pm – 6 pm AEST, 7 am – 9 am (BST) for a talk by Dale Fogarty and Heather Mackay entitled Family Life and Illegitimacy in NE Scotland.

This intriguing topic looks at the realities of everyday family life in the north-east of Scotland and the ways in which illegitimacy was recorded, discussed, and dealt with in earlier times. The talk will touch on the historical records that can help researchers uncover these stories and better understand the lives of their ancestors and communities.

The meeting is online only, making it easy for members and non-members around the world to join us.

Pre-registration is required via the Events page:

https://anesfhs.org/meetings-events/events/event/511-aus2026jun

Glasgow Group MeetingMembers' Day: On The Move: (Rural Exodus, part 2)Saturday, 30th May 20262 pm – 4 pm (BST)Renfield S...
22/05/2026

Glasgow Group Meeting
Members' Day: On The Move: (Rural Exodus, part 2)

Saturday, 30th May 2026
2 pm – 4 pm (BST)
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 [email protected] to ensure we have sufficient chairs, refreshments and prizes.

More details can be found here:

https://anesfhs.org/meetings-events/events/event/519-gla2026may

Thinking about trying Ancestry or FindMyPast for your Scottish family history research?While Scotland’s People remains t...
21/05/2026

Thinking about trying Ancestry or FindMyPast for your Scottish family history research?

While Scotland’s People remains the key resource for Scottish records, both of these websites can uncover useful extras that are well worth exploring. From monumental inscriptions to access to Bruce Bishop’s Moray and Banff booklets, there’s a surprising amount to discover.

Both sites also offer short free trials, so knowing how to make the most of them can really help you get value from your time there.

Join us on Saturday, 6th June 2026 from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm at the Elgin Library, Cooper Park, Elgin, IV30 1HS for an interesting session and pick up some handy tips for using these resources in your own research.

This is an in-person meeting only and everyone is welcome. You don't need to be a member of the Society in order to attend.

For more details, please visit:

https://anesfhs.org/meetings-events/events/event/515-mbf2026jun

16/05/2026

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for today’s AGM, both in person and online. It was wonderful to see such a good turnout.

We also hope everyone enjoyed Hugh Falconer's talk on "Music Making in Aberdeenshire in the 1960s–70s", which was a lovely way to round off the day. What a blast from the past!

The continued support and enthusiasm of our members and volunteers are what keep the Society going (and we've been going since 1978!).

If you’ve been enjoying our Page, we’d encourage you to take a look at Society membership and everything it helps support. Membership starts at just £18 a year. https://anesfhs.org/about-us/members/membership

Thank you again to everyone who took part!

Just a reminder that our Annual General Meeting takes place this Saturday (16th May) starting at 2 pm (BST) and we’d lov...
13/05/2026

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

13/05/2026

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the London Group meeting planned for 23 May has had to be postponed.

We hope to rearrange the meeting in due course and will share further details once a new date has been confirmed. You can stay up to date with all of our upcoming meetings by checking out our Events page:

https://anesfhs.org/meetings-events/events

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

11/05/2026

Has researching your family history made you feel connected to a particular village, town, county, or even a single street?

Is it where generations of your family lived? Is it somewhere you've visited because of your research?

What place keeps drawing you back, and what’s the connection?

Since March, we have been delighted to take part in the University of Aberdeen ABDN Internship Programme by welcoming Ca...
11/05/2026

Since March, we have been delighted to take part in the University of Aberdeen ABDN Internship Programme by welcoming Campbell Mackay as our student intern.

As his internship now comes to an end, we’d like to say a huge thank you for all of his hard work and enthusiasm during his time with us. He quickly became a valued part of the team and contributed to a wide range of projects across the Society. It’s been a pleasure to see his passion for history and research shine through, and we’re delighted that the experience has been such a positive one for him.

In his own words:

“My time as an intern at the Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society has been an amazing experience. It has allowed me to further develop my skills as an academic historian while giving me a broader, in-depth understanding of the organisational, research, and journaling skills I will need in the future. It’s also given me a real taste of the rich history the north east has to offer. I’m immensely grateful for this opportunity and for the chance to work with such a brilliant team.”

We’ve greatly appreciated everything he has brought to the Society and we wish him every success for the future. We’ve no doubt he has a very bright future ahead of him.

Address

164 King Street
Aberdeen
AB245BD

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm

Telephone

+441224646323

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category