A Note from the PresidentAuthor(s): John BassettSource: North Irish Roots, Vol. 9, No. 1 (1998), p. 2Published by: North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS)Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27697155 .

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A Note from the President

In this our first edition of North irish Roots in 1998, it is appropriate we should devote some space to articles relevant to the Bicentenary of the 1798 Uprising During this year many organisations in Belfast and counties Antrim and Down have planned a wide range of activities to enlighten, inform and educate people about the background and complexity of the events both prior to and during 1798

From a family history viewpoint, I have been interested in this period as several of my ancestors

played a very minor part, as yeomen, in the Battle of Ballynahinch, which was the decisive confrontation in the north of Ireland

Equally important to genealogists is the emigration caused by the outcome of these events, as

many of the people involved, mainly Presbyterian and Roman Catholic, left to avoid the inevitable recriminations after the uprising We hope this year will see a new uprising

- an uprising of people overseas who are direct descendants of those who left after '98 and who are keen to find out more about their ancestors reasons for emigrating

Many source lists of value to genealogists are gradually appearing as a result of recent research and several major exhibitions and conferences are being held later in the year

For our part, we in the N I F H S would be delighted to hear from any members whose ancestors

emigrated around 1798 to 1803 and we will try to include your information in our second journal later in the year when we will again feature items on 'the 98'

John Bassett, Honorary President

BRANCH NEWS

COLERAINE BRANCH

Coleraine Branch continues to thrive in its second year, with a healthy membership of 45 Our members are dedicated and enthusiastic and consequently meetings are well attended. This year again we have had a mixture of local speakers and those from further afield We were lucky enough to have access to the Mormon records for six months, from June to December 1997, and during that time Mr David Hayter from the local Mormon Church visited us Other topics have included "PRONI ", "Down and Out in

Coleraine" and "Using Local Records" In February Mr Wallace Clark of the family firm of William Clark and Sons Ltd of Upperlands gave an entertaining talk on the Co Derry linen trade The Clarks have been involved in the linen business in Upperlands since the 1700s Wallace brought with him several

signed copies of his book, "Linen on the Green", which were snapped up quickly - a sign of the great

interest in a trade which involved many of our ancestors either as scutchers, weavers, millworkers or owners

The latest exciting innovation at Coleraine Branch has been the introduction of a newsletter, edited by John Moore The first copy appeared just before Christmas and included, among other things, members interests articles a book review and photographs of the Family History Fair at Mallusk The next edition is due to appear at Easter

The members of the committee are currently planning the Annual Outing and hope to take a party to the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh in late May

KILLYLEAGH BRANCH

An exhibition of old photographs and memorabilia is to be held in the Library, Killyleagh from Monday 25th May to Saturday 6th June

MOURNE BRANCH Mourne Branch will be participating in the Mourne Festival from the 15 - 25th July The Branch are

organising a Walking Treasure Hunt on 16th July at 7 30 p m Cost 2 00 per person (approx duration 2 hours)

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