A Little Slice of Britain

Presentations by Distinguished British Genealogists
from the Federation of Family History Societies

Saturday, 16 September 2006, 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.,
Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA

2006 Genealogy Conference Sponsored by
Chester County Historical Society and
Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania

8:45 a.m. Registration

9:15 a.m. Welcome

9:20 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Beginning your British Research – Maggie Loughran.

This lecture will guide people through the basic steps of starting their British genealogy research, and give a broad understanding of what Britain is. It will introduce the records involved in research, the information they contain and discuss how they can most effectively be used. An emphasis will be placed on how to easily access these sources from North America, using the Internet and other resources.

11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

Sources for Emigrants to North America before 1776 held in the British Isles – Paul Blake.

The freedom to leave their home country, with almost no hindrance of any kind, means that there is no single source or index of those who so chose. The surviving records of those who did emigrate to North America from the British Isles include only a small fraction of the many millions. A great deal of work has been undertaken on nearly all possible sources for those who emigrated during the 17th and early 18th centuries, or were transported between 1615 and 1776. Passenger Lists only begin in 1890, but there are other records covering groups, such as the Palatines and those sent to the New World by the local Poor Law authorities, as well as many individual free settlers and their families.

12:20 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – LUNCH BREAK

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The Scots Irish: The Roots from Ireland — Who, What, Where and When – Maggie Loughran.

The Scots-Irish are the descendants of those Presbyterian Scots who emigrated to the Province of Ulster in Ireland, largely from the Lowlands of Scotland during the 17th century. Their descendants began migrating to America during the early part of the 18th century. This lecture examines the reasons for their emigration to the New World, and concentrates on the records of the Scots-Irish in Ireland. An emphasis will be placed on methods to easily access these records from North America, using the Internet and other resources.

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

British Quakerism – Paul Blake.

From its foundation in the 1640s, the records of British Quakerism have been incredibly well kept with excellent survival. This lecture will look at these diverse records, held in the British Isles, detailing the history of the families of many American immigrants.

Paul Blake is a professional genealogist; researcher, educator and author. He is a past chairman of the Society of Genealogists and is Vice-Chairman of the Federation of Family History Societies. Mr. Blake is President of the East Surrey FHS and a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists. He has extensive lecturing and teaching experience, at all levels, throughout the U.K. and overseas for over 20 years. He has spoken at major conferences including that of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (2003, 2006) and the 2005 Ohio Genealogical Society Conference. Mr. Blake writes regularly for the genealogical press and is co-author of The Complete Guide to Creating Your Own Family Tree. He co-authored, along with Maggie Loughran, the recently-published Discover Your Roots; 52 Brilliant Ideas for Exploring Your Family and Local History.

Maggie Loughran's interest in genealogy began over 15 years ago when she began researching her own family history. This developed into a passion, which has lead to a heavy involvement with several Family History Societies and as a Librarian at an LDS Family History Centre. Currently, she is Chairman of the Earlsdon Society (a Local History Group). Mrs. Loughran regularly contributes articles on genealogy and local history to various journals and magazines. She has lectured both in the U.K and United States, speaking at this year's Federation of Genealogical Societies conference, the 2005 Ohio Genealogical Society Conference, and at the Genealogical Society of Virginia in 2003. She is the co-author of Discover Your Roots; 52 Brilliant Ideas for Exploring Your Family and Local History.
More information on the program and speakers can be obtained by calling GSP at 215-545-0391 or Chester County Archives at 610-344-6763.
Note: There will be no vendors on-site.
A reminder: temperatures in a large building can fluctuate, so you may wish to bring a jacket or sweater.
Registration form

Directions to the Chester County Historical Society

North of West Chester (from the Pennsylvania Turnpike take Exit 312, formerly Exit 23) follow Route 100 South (Pottstown Pike).  Route 100 becomes N. High St. in West Chester.  The Society is in the 200 block of N. High St. on the left when heading South.

South of West Chester follow the signs to Route 202 North until you come to the West Chester Holiday Inn.  Continue straight (do not follow Route 202 to the right), you will now be traveling on S. High St. headed North.  Continue through the borough and cross Market St.  You are now traveling on N. High St.  The Society is in the 200 block of N. High St. on the right when heading North. 

East of West Chester take Route 3 to the Borough of West Chester.  The road will bear to the right and deliver you to E. Gay St.  Follow E. Gay St. through West Chester until you intersect N. High St.  Turn right on to N. High.  The Society is in the 200 block of N. High St. on the right when heading North.

West of West Chester take Route 30 to Route 100, Exton.  Take Route 100 South (follow sign for Pottstown Pike).  Route 100 becomes N. High St upon entering the Borough of West Chester.  The Society is in the 200 block of N. High St. on the left when heading South.

Parking is available in the parking garage (Chestnut and Walnut Streets) or the parking lot on Chestnut St.  The Society is at the corner of High St. and Chestnut St.  Street parking is also available.  All meters are free on Saturday.  Parking is usually free in the garage on weekends.