The AGM was held in Abertay University on the evening of 15th August. About 30 members attended.
Murray Nicoll presented his Chairman's report and also read the Treasurer's report on behalf of Ron Thoms who could not be there.
Murray, Bob Sutherland (Deputy Chairman) and Ann Martin (Hon. Secretary) had all completed their terms of office. There were no nominations to fill these posts. To ensure continuity, Standing Orders require that these three senior office bearers should not all be replaced at one time. As Bob and Ann have other commitments which prevent them continuing, Murray agreed to carry on as Chairman; the other two posts remain vacant for the time being. Caroline Makein and and Ruari McNaught stood down as Members of Council, and the nominations of Constance Kinnear and Iain Naylor as Council Members were accepted. The Hon. President, The Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorne, and the Hon. Vice-Presidents, David Dobson and Doug Soutar, have agreed to continue in these positions. The meeting approved all of these appointments unanimously.
Mr Alan Beat has indicated that he does not wish to continue as Independent Examiner.
The present levels of subscriptions are to remain for another year.
The 200 Club draw was made.
At the conclusion of the formal Society business, Archie Lumsden gave a fascinating talk entitled "The Lumsden DNA Project". Archie outlined the origins of surnames and in particular where Lumsdens came from. He showed how Y-chromosome testing could determine whether men with the same surname were actually related. Other tests can determine to which haplogroup a person belongs - all those in one haplogroup are descended from an individual who lived many thousands of years ago. Testing of mitochondrial DNA, inherited by both women and men from their mother, also determines a person's haplogroup on the female line. The effects of invasions and human migration, e.g. due to the advance and contraction of the ice ages, can be seen in the distribution of haplogroups within geographical areas. The talk was awarded by a warm round of applause.
The meeting ended with a cup of tea and biscuits for those who did not rush home to watch "Who Do You Think You Are".
