A new branch of the Family History Society (NIFHS) was recently formed following a meeting held in Enniskillen Library to discuss the possibility of forming a Fermanagh branch of NIFHS.
The President of the Society, Randal Gill attended an enthusiastic gathering of 25 people led by Frank McHugh. The inaugural meeting of the new branch had attracted 23 members.
The officers of the new branch are - Mervyn Hall, Chairman; Frank McHugh, Secretary and Kay Campling, Treasure.
In addition to Mr Gill, the Society President and Librarian, the meeting was also attended by Ann Robinson, Society Chairperson; and Rosemary Sibbett, its Membership Secretary. They were there to offer encouragement and guidance to the new branch.
After discussion of plans for a future programme. They include visits to the Public Records Office for Northern Ireland (PRONI), the General Register Office in Belfast, The National Archives in Dublin and the NIFHS Research Centre in Belfast.
Mr Gill gave a talk on, "Tracing Irish Roots". He is from the North Down and Ards branch and is a founder member of the North of Ireland Family History Society. Since its foundation in 1979, NIFHS has been joined by 10 other branches in Northern Ireland. The Fermanagh branch will its twelfth.
The objective of setting up the Fermanagh Family History Society is to foster an interest in family history, with special reference to families who have roots in Fermanagh and their descendants, wherever they may be.
Membership rates have been agreed as follows: Single membership - £15.00, Concessionary membership - £12.00 and Joint membership - £21.00.
Benefits of membership include regular family history talks, trips to the various archives, two copies annually of the 'North Irish Roots' journal and a regular newsletter. Fermanagh Family History Society will meet regularly from September to May on the third Saturday of the month in Enniskillen Library. Research trips will take place during the Summer months.
If you are interested in your family history, you are invited to come along to the next meeting on Saturday 17th May in Enniskillen Library at 2.30pm. At the end of the meeting at 3.15pm, Frankie Roofe will give a talk on, "Finding a family tree in Fermanagh".
