Every family has its stories, but some of the most fascinating are the ones nobody has told us yet.
On Saturday 31 October, the Highland Archive Centre in Inverness will open its doors for a special Family History Day, offering people the opportunity to discover more about the ancestors, communities and lives that shaped their own family histories.
Organised by the Highland Archive Service, part of High Life Highland, the free event welcomes everyone from complete beginners wondering where their family came from to experienced researchers searching for that elusive missing branch of their family tree.
For many people, exploring their ancestry begins with a familiar name, an old photograph or a story handed down through generations.
But behind those fragments of family history can lie remarkable discoveries, from long forgotten relatives to unexpected connections with communities across the Highlands and beyond.
The day will begin with a talk entitled The Quirks of Family History, delivered by respected family historian Anne Fraser.
It will be a particularly meaningful occasion for Anne, who is retiring at the end of the year after helping hundreds of people trace their Highland roots.
This will be her final family history event before retirement.
Anne said:
“It has been a real privilege for me to help people discover their roots and learning how to trace ancestors, build family trees and uncover connections to Highland communities which is what this day is all about.
“I will be sharing some of the unexpected discoveries, challenges and surprises that can emerge when exploring family histories and my colleague Alasdair and I will be around to chat with people about genealogy research.”
Visitors will be able to examine original historical documents, including school records and poor relief records, which can reveal details about the everyday lives of previous generations.
There will also be introductory sessions offering a chance to explore Scotland’s People, the national resource for researching Scottish ancestry.
The Highland Archive Centre is the only location in the Highlands offering direct access to the Scotland’s People Network, which includes census records, parish registers and official records of births, marriages and deaths.
These resources can help families piece together stories that might otherwise have been lost, connecting names and dates with real people and the places they called home.
Throughout the year, the centre’s dedicated Family History Room provides specialist resources and guidance from staff experienced in Highland and Scottish genealogy.
For those hoping to take their research further, the Highland Archive Service also offers individual consultations, commissioned research and assistance with building family trees.
Family history vouchers are available too, offering an unusual Christmas gift for someone interested in discovering their past.
The service has been preserving Highland history since 1990, with archive centres in Inverness, Portree, Fort William and Wick holding records that reflect the region’s extraordinary heritage.
From crofting families and fishing communities to schools, businesses and generations of ordinary Highland life, those collections help ensure that personal histories are not forgotten.
Family History Day offers the chance to explore that heritage with people who understand both the records and the stories behind them.
And for anyone who has ever wondered about the lives that came before their own, it might be the beginning of a remarkable journey.
Admission on Saturday 31 October is free, with donations welcomed, but advance booking is essential.
