The Society is hosting an Information Marketplace where BBC's Nick Barratt, best known for his appearances on 'Who Do You Think You Are?' will host a seminar giving the audience hints and tips on family history.
With advancing technologies and more digital media usage, visitors can bring along their old photos, documents or letters to be scanned and put into digital format at a Photo and Document Clinic and receive expert advice from the conservation staff of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) on how best to look after family archives and preserve them for future generations.
Culture Minister, Edwin Poots, MLA said: “Family history is continually growing in popularity and makes up the fabric of our society and our past. Whether you are a keen genealogist or simply interested in learning about your family, the marketplace will help you to understand the best way to preserve your records.
“As technology moves forward, the preservation of family history and treasures must move along with it and I hope that people will make use of the resource PRONI provides and learn how to look after their records in the correct way.”
A selection of the most interesting film footage from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive will also be on display at the Marketplace - a huge variety of subjects are covered from the Bangor Yacht Race, the De Lorean Car and President Bill Clinton’s visit in 1995.
The Marketplace, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Waterfront Hall, Wednesday 29 August, 2.00pm – 5.30pm.
Running alongside the Information Marketplace will be this year’s Society of Archivists’ 60th Anniversary Conference. Queen’s University has been chosen as this year’s venue which is set to attract an international array of around 70 speakers and 200 delegates.
Speakers will discuss some of the most iconic documents ever found from the Dead Sea Scrolls, the American Declaration of Independence and Islamic manuscripts dating from as early as the 8th Century.
The Minister continued: “I am encouraged to see so many international delegates come to Northern Ireland to discuss archives and family history. This is the third time Belfast has hosted such a prestigious event and I hope it will persuade even more people to base their conferences in Northern Ireland.”
Those who are interested in attending all or part of the Conference can register on payment of the conference fee. Details can be found on the Society of Archivists' website www.archives.org.uk or from the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland at proni@dcalni.gov.uk or 90/255905.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
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