The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) is offering free webinars in October and November that will interest family historians.
Depending on where you live, you may need to get up extra early in the morning to watch.
October 6 and October 20, 7:30 a.m. Eastern time
Getting Started Workshops – Using Online Resources
Whether you are trying to do your own family tree online, researching for study or planning to visit PRONI and want to know how to find your references in advance — these virtual workshops will have something for you. An ideal opportunity for you to ask your questions directly to PRONI staff. More info and registration.
October 13, 3:00 p.m. Eastern time
The Boer War and its Legacy by Dr Spencer Jones, senior lecturer in Armed Forces and War Studies at the University of Wolverhampton and regimental historian for the Royal Regiment of Artillery.
The Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) was a bitter and controversial conflict that marked a watershed in the history of the British Empire. Britain had gone to war in 1899 confident of a swift victory against the outnumbered Boer irregulars. But the conflict confounded these expectations.
The opening battles saw the British Army suffer a series of humiliating defeats before reinforcements turned the tide in 1900. Yet, even after the British had conquered the Boer republics, the war raged on in the form of a bloody guerrilla conflict that left swathes of South Africa devastated.
This period of savage fighting would come to be characterised by what Liberal Party leader Henry Campbell-Bannerman condemned as “methods of barbarism,” including scorched earth, summary executions and, most notoriously of all, concentration camps.
In this online talk, Dr. Jones will explore the course and conduct of the Boer War and consider its legacy for both Britain and her army. Info and registration.
November 23, 9:00 a.m. Eastern time
Researching farming ancestors in PRONI by William Raulston, research director, Ulster Historical Foundation.
As part of the national UK and Ireland “Explore Your Archives Week,” and to mark his recent publication, PRONI is delighted to host a talk by Dr. William Roulston.
Agriculture has been central to Irish life for centuries and the backbone of the rural community is the farming family. The aim of this talk is to help those with roots in the farming community in Ireland find out more about their ancestors through identifying documentary sources of relevance.
The specific focus of this talk is on records held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, but the principles outlined can be applied across the island. Much attention will be directed towards the value of landed estate papers and how these can assist researchers discover more about farming families. More info and registration.
If interested in watching any of these webinars, you may want to register soon. PRONI’s webinars tend to fill quickly.
