Tay Family History Society
OSCR Scottish Charity Register

New SAFHS Bulletin available for our members!

The Scottish Association of Family History Societies Bulletin for July 2025 has just been published and is now available on our own TVFHS website, in the 'other societies' part of the journal archive. If you log in and press the link below, you'll be able to read what the other societies are doing, and of course our own short entry for this year.
Also of course see what other journals are available there!
Current Journals from other FHS

It is with very great sadness that Tay Valley Family History Society reports the passing of a long-standing member and volunteer, Christine Bailey, who died on the 2nd of June, at Ninewells hospital. A stalwart of the Society, she was a member of our Council for several years, after which she continued her role as volunteer-manager of our Bookstore until her health prompted retirement in 2023.

She knew the books (many authored by members) well, and took pride in organising and cataloguing them and posting to members, to make the small 'store' work. She was often in our Centre, and well-known to many of our volunteers. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to her relatives and friends.

There is no formal funeral.

Another great issue - so many thanks to our Editor and all the Contributors!
Below is the Table of Contents. Members can click HERE to go to the journals page to read that issue (or any others) - you'll need to log in to the site first.

Q&A registration details at the foot of this message! The latest talk from Tay Valley FHS is now up at https://youtu.be/56OQYSopjKQ - details for the Q&A (28th April) will be here soon.
This talk outlines the Process of Divorce of Mary McCulloch and William Fisher, in 1823, giving some of the evidence presented in the Commissary Court by witnesses called by Mary's lawyer to prove the lybel. Also gives the sums of money involved!

Link for registering for Q&A is https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-for-divorce-1820s-style-tickets-1323533306749?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl - this event is on Monday 28th April at 20.00 UK time (8.00 p.m, UK summer time)

You need to give your membership number which for most people has four digits. If you can't remember it say so on the form and we will check if you are indeed a member. If you're NOT a member of TVFHS but want to attend, get in touch at talks@tayvalleyfhs.org.uk.

Did you know that divorces happened in Scotland, from the 1560s on? Not a lot, but each one a piece of the history of the parties and their families. This new talk, 'Divorce, 1820s Style' looks at one particular case from 1823 - the people, the process and the not inconsiderable cost.
This talk will be available within a few days. The Q&A is on the last Monday of April, and details will soon be available here so Watch This Space!

The image is from the 'Accounts' - Crown Copyright, NRS, obtained from the National Records of Scotland as part of the set of documents CC8/6/1886 that were part of this Process of Divorce.

Our Volunteer Coordinator, Kathleen Alexander, organised a small gathering for centre volunteers on Saturday 22nd March.  There was coffee and cake, plenty of chat as well as information about the centre's new status as an Affiliate Library for FamilySearch.Org.

 

 

Outline schedule is here in the image.
Please email us to reserve a place - tvfhs@tayvalleyfhs.org.uk - and it will help us if you please put CLASSES in the subject line of your email.

We're working on the details for the Genealogy/Family History classes and these will be available very soon. Beginner class runs on Wednesday evenings, 7-9 p.m., starting 26th March.  Advanced will follow starting in May.

The fee for the Beginner class is £35, the Advanced class is £20, and if you sign up for both that's £50 giving you a wee discount. Email us at the Tay Valley address to sign up. Make sure you put CLASSES in the subject for the email!

We're running our Genealogy/Family History Classes again, at our Centre in Princes Street. These will start on Wednesday 26th March, and we'll have 'Basic' and later 'Advanced' classes.

First, we'll have six weeks of 'Basic' Wednesday-evening classes for people needing a brush up and for beginners - so yes, you can be an absolute beginner and this will get you up and running! Or you can be just a bit rusty or wanting to know a bit more, learn some new techniques, learn more about the kind of documents we use. Something for everyone here.

Then we'll have three weeks of 'Advanced' class, dealing with topics like DNA, reading older writing, and finding more obscure resources. You can enrol for the whole 9 weeks, or for the first 6 or for the Advanced 3.

We'll be giving out the details and the fees very shortly - Watch our 'News' space and Facebook for details.

(Image from ScotlandsPeople. OPR Births 421/0010 0149 Dairsie
Crown Copyright NRS.)

Table of contents here (click 'read more'). A great issue - many congratulations to our Editor and to all the contributors. Members can access the journal (you need to log into the site).

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