Last Saturday we welcomed hundreds of visitors to our Local and Family History Open Day. They took part in a packed programme of taster sessions, talks and exhibitions, organized as part of the Previously…Scotland’s History Festival.

It’s at this time of year that thoughts turn to the members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty. But how much do you know about the role your ancestors played in a war that started almost a century ago?
This Saturday (10th November) Central Library’s History Hub is the venue for a World War One Surgery from 10am – 12noon.

A top-notch lineup of local and family history professionals are joining us for Central Library’s Local and Family History Day on Saturday 17th November.

For the past few years we’ve been working with the University of Edinburgh on the Edinburgh’s War project, telling the story of how World War 1 affected our city and its people.

At the end of the year, as you wade through omnipresent “best of” lists, it’s nigh on impossible not to be retrospective.  Seeing as Christmas is a time for family, why not give in to nostalgia and discover if there are any Scrooges lurking in your family, or if your great-great uncle was a beloved Bob Cratchit character?
If you have some time off this December, please pop in to your favourite library to access Ancestry for free!

Was someone from your family in the forces in the first World War? Do you have any interesting family stories about World War One or any letters, photos or diaries that you would like to know more about?

If you’ve been inspired by Previously… Scotland’s History Festival to delve into your family history, we are happy to help you continue your journey into the past! Your library is a natural place to start researching your family history, and accordingly, we have several excellent resources for you to use to unravel the mysteries of your family’s past!

We’re really looking forward (or do we mean backward?) to the fast-approaching Previously…Scotland’s Festival of History!

Congratulations to the winners of our Scran competition! Jimmy Russell was our overall winner with his romantic tale of Hartwood Hospital- “My parents met and fell in love at Hartwood…most of the site was demolished…the fact that we cannot visit gives this photograph and others like it a very special value”.