Wednesday 19 April 2017

IGRS London Open Day, Saturday 6 May

The Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS) will be holding its London Open Day on Saturday 6 May in Westminster.

Following the successful format of previous years, the event will start with refreshments, followed by two informative lectures by two of Ireland's leading professional genealogists (see below) and a finger buffet. For those that wish to stay on (most do), the afternoon continues with the AGM, which everyone may attend free of charge but only IGRS members may vote. The day wraps up with an Ask the Experts session; if you haven't yet managed to collar any of the professionals on hand, this is your chance to receive to ask your burning questions.

I've attended several IGRS Open Days in London and I can recommend them to members and non-members for their welcoming and friendly atmosphere, expert speakers, and a jolly tasty lunch! It's also a great opportunity for a relaxed chat with other Irish genealogists about developments in the industry or any problems you're having with your research.

The venue is the Abbey Conference Centre, 34 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BU, which is just a stone's throw from Big Ben and the Westminster City Archives (where the AGM has been held in the previous three years).

Here's the programme for the day:

10:15 Registration, coffee and biscuits
10.45 Ireland’s Court Records – What Survived 1922? with Steven Smyrl MAGI FIGRS
11.45 Finding the Irish in the British and Irish Army Records, with Nicola Morris MAGI
13:00 Lunch
14:15 IGRS AGM (All welcome, but only members may vote)
15:30 Q&A session – Ask The Experts
16:00 Close

This being London, there's a cost involved but it's been kept as low as possible at £25 for members (£30 for non-members).

For more details and to book your place, see the IGRS website: IrishAncestors.ie.