Three Speakers at OGS Conference Focus on British Isles Research

1 February 2005

Three experts on British Isles genealogical research will be presenting lectures at the 2005 Ohio Genealogical Society Conference in Akron, Ohio, on April 15-16, 2005.

Paul Blake is a professional genealogist; researcher, educator and author. He is past chairman of the Society of Genealogists; Executive Committee member of the Federation of Family History Societies, and serves on several national Advisory Boards in Britain. Maggie Loughran is presently employed as the Administrator for the Federation of Family History Societies, and as such is heavily involved in family history at a national level in Britain. Paul Milner, is a native of England, a communication professional and national speaker specializing in British Isles research.

On Friday, April 15, the trio will team up to present the following four lectures:

"Scots-Irish: Who, Why, When," by Maggie Loughran This lecture examines the reasons for emigration to the new World of the Scots Irish-the Presbyterian migrants from the Scottish Lowlands to Ulster, including records held in Ireland or the UK.

"Discovering the Scottish Presbyterian Forebears of the Scots Irish," by Paul Blake. The "Scots-Irish" had their roots in the lowlands of Scotland. From the early 17th C they began migrating to the north of Ireland. What can be discovered about them before they departed, and what were the reasons for that migration?

"Effective Internet Use of England's National Archives," by Paul Milner. England's National Archives was formed from the merger of the Public Record Office and the Historical Manuscript Commission. Learn how to use the Internet to find resources and original documents about individuals, places and topics in this large online archive.

"Early British Population Listings," by Maggie Loughran. From early times, the state, church, and private or local authorities made lists recording names of individuals. These can be essential sources for locating a person or family where other resources fail or are missing.

The British Isles specialists return on Saturday, April 16, with another four lectures, as follows:

"Sources for Emigrants to North America Held in the British Isles," by Paul Blake. Surprisingly, the surviving records held in Britain of those who chose to their home country for the New World are very few. The lecture will examine what records do survive, their uses, and their limitations.

"How the Federation of Family History Societies Can Help You with Your Research," by Maggie Loughran. The FFHS is an essential port-of-call for anyone undertaking British research. This lecture emphasizes how easy it is to access the available information.

"Irish Emigration to North America: Before, During, and After the Famine," by Paul Milner. This lecture examines the Irish migration to the US and Canada, looking at the push and pull factors and how these changed with time. Scots-Irish migration patterns will be included.

"Land Grants in America and American Loyalist Claims: Records Held in the British Isles," by Paul Blake. The Crown made grants of lands to settlers and others as reward for service or loyalty during the War for Independence. The lecture will examine the surviving records held in Britain, mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Paul Blake is President of the East Surrey FHS; Fellow of the Society of Genealogists. Extensive lecturing and teaching experience, at all levels, throughout the U.K. and overseas over 15 years: at major conferences including 2003 FGS conference in Orlando, for the Society of Genealogists and at many family and local history society meetings. Paul has been a guest lecturer on cruise ships, and in appearances on radio and television.

Maggie Loughran has been a committee member of a number of local history and genealogy societies, and is currently Chairman of the Earlsdon Society (a local history group). Maggie regularly contributes articles on family and local history to various journals and magazines and gives lectures on family and local history related subjects, and has been a family and local history consultant for the History Channel.

Paul Milner is co-author, with Linda Jonas, of Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Scottish Ancestors (Betterway, 2002) and Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your English Ancestors (Betterway, 2000). He is the product review editor for the FGS FORUM and past FGS Board member, past president and newsletter editor for BIGWILL (British Interest Group of Wisconsin and Illinois).

The theme for the 2005 Conference of the Ohio Genealogical Society, scheduled for April 14-16 in Akron, Ohio, is "From Farmland to City Streets: Our Ancestors' Changing Environment." For more information, contact OGS at 419-756-7294 or ogs@ogs.org. The conference program is posted on the society's website at www.org.org.

The 2005 Conference and accompanying exhibition will be held at the Quaker Square Convention Center in downtown Akron. The adjoining Crowne Plaza Hotel will serve as the headquarters hotel for the conference.

The Ohio Genealogical Society is the largest state genealogical society in the nation, with over 5000 members in 94 chapters around the state and elsewhere in the U.S. It publishes the OGS Quarterly, OGS Genealogy News, Ohio Records & Pioneer Families, and Ohio Civil War Genealogy Journal.