Tuesday 26 March 2013

Last call for Clare Conference

With just over one week to go before the start of the fringe events to the Clare Roots Society Genealogy and Family History Conference, it's time to get in booking mode if you're planning on visiting one of this year's major genealogy events in Ireland.

The Conference itself will take place at the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis, Co.Clare, and there's a terrific line-up of lectures (see below, together with costs and booking details).

But in the days leading up to the Conference there's a string of fringe events, some of which attract a €5 charge. You can download the full brochure here.

I'm told that while there should be no problem accommodating all-comers to most of the fringe events, it's essential to book for one of the few remaining places on the Clare County Library tours (Wednesday 4pm, Thursday 4pm and Friday at 3pm). The tours last about one hour, and provide a useful level of familiarity with an exceptionally strong Local Studies and genealogy library.

Similarly, numbers are restricted for the tour of Ennis Friary, and places on the ever-popular Meet the Genealogist sessions need to be booked. While both are free, you need to pre-book by email.

The Conference itelf has its official opening and a first lecture on Friday evening. A full-day seminar is held on Saturday 6 April and the fee is €30. If you want to stay to the Gala Dinner, the inclusive price is €70. You can book here.

Here the line-up of lectures:

Pre 1800 Records, with Fiona Fitzsimons

Finding Cousins in the USA, with Eileen Ó Dúill

The Irish Workhouse and Workhouses in County Clare
, with Peter Higginbotham

"Dead Money" – Probate Genealogy
, with Steven Smyrl

Forthcoming online sources for geneaology at the National Archives, with Catriona Crowe

English records for Irish Families, with Michael Gandy.