A beginner’s guide to discovering Scottish family History.

Originally from Northern Ireland, but with both Scottish and Irish roots, Chris holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Genealogical Studies from the University of Strathclyde, and today works as a professional genealogist, running his research service from the Scottish coastal town of Irvine, North Ayrshire.

As well as teaching Scottish based courses for Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd (www.pharostutors.com) he has also tutored for the University of Strathclyde’s Genealogical Studies Postgraduate Programme. In addition he is a published author of several genealogy book titles and guides (see https://scotlandsgreateststory.wordpress.com/books) and is a regular contributor to genealogy magazines in the UK and Ireland, such as Who Do You Think You Are?, Family Tree, and Discover Your Ancestors, as well as the ISBGFH’s British Connections.

Since October 2012 he has been a regular attendee of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni) stakeholder forum, and from May 2013-May 2017 he was a director of the Scottish Archive Network Ltd trust (www.scan.org.uk). He previously worked as a researcher, producer and director for 12 years in factual television for both the BBC (Bristol and Glasgow) and STV, on various documentary series, including Coast, Meet the Ancestors, Secret History, War Walks and Time Flyers.