Genealogy

We began to research our family trees around 1999. There had been a hint that Barrie had some connection with Sir James Barrie, the Kirriemuir born author of Peter Pan. As his parents were both born in Kirriemuir, there was a possibility that we might find something exciting. And so it proved. His great grandfather was a second cousin of JM. All right, it is a fairly tenuous connection but…..

Since then, we have continued the never-ending research and Barrie has now managed to connect many other families to JM. One of the happy coincidences was that one of our guests researching her ancestors showed us her family tree and there at the top was her common ancestor with Barrie and JM.

My family has no illustrious entries but as my ancestors were fishing folk from Broughty Ferry, I have many connections still here and indeed recently, I have been in correspondence with another researcher with whom I have a common ancestor. Between us, we can link together many other present day Broughty Ferry residents.

All this research, including breaking through brick walls, has given us a good grounding in family history research tools and helpful knowledge we like to share with others.

If you have ancestors in the Tay Valley area – Dundee, Angus (formerly Forfarshire), Perthshire, Fife and part of Kincardineshire – or even beyond, then we would be happy to help you to plan your visit to get the maximum information in the time you are here.

When you make a booking, let us know the names you are researching, what you know so far about what they did, where they lived and what you hope to achieve during your visit. We love to hear your stories and can perhaps suggest the best way forward. We enjoy spending time with you in the evening hearing of your discoveries, and helping you plan the next day’s agenda.

For your convenience we have:

An extensive collection of appropriate books
1881 census disks
Old maps of the area
Computer and Wi-Fi access
Card reader

Useful sites to look at before you come

Dundee Archives – www.dundeecity.gov.uk/archives

Angus Archives – www.angus.gov.uk/history/archives

Dundee University Archives – www.dundee.ac.uk/archives

Ninewells Hospital Medical Library –

Dundee Library – photos and newspapers – burial records often giving names and relationships of everyone in that grave – www.dundeecity.gov.uk/library

Tay Valley Family History Society – pedigree charts, family group sheets and a wealth of knowledge from the volunteers – could someone – an unknown relative perhaps - have submitted their research?

Digitised records – www.scotlandspeople.gov

Museums – McManus – model of old Dundee and artefacts from work places and homes of the past www.themcmanus-dundee.gov.uk

Glamis Folk museum – how country folk lived and worked

Verdant Works – memories of the jute trade – main occupation of Dundee folk in 19th Century www.verdantworks.co.uk

RRS Discovery www.rrsdiscovery.com and HMS Unicorn www.frigateunicorn.com
– the conditions your sea faring ancestors experience.