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Located this year at Dundee Family History Centre, Angus Archives, Montrose, Arbroath, Brechin and Carnoustie, you can look forward to practical genealogy with a taste of our fascinating heritage, and some great entertainment. Get a warm welcome and a discounted deal in local accommodation with Tayroots Special Festival Accommodation Offers
Tickets for events with admission charges are NOW AVAILABLE from Dundee Box Office:
Tel: + 44 (0) 1382 434940 Fax: +44 (0) 1382 434451
6 City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BG Map
Email: citybox@dundeecity.gov.uk
Opening hours:
Monday - Friday, 9 am to 4.30 pm Saturday, 9.30 am to 1.30 pm
The Box Office is situated on the ground floor and has disabled access.
Reserve seats for FREE events using the Roots Festival Booking Form
To search general accommodation listings look for somewhere to stay or see VisitScotland's Ancestral Welcome Scheme
Thursday 23 September
10.00am - 4pm Family History Workshop Day, Dundee Family History Centre, Central Library, Wellgate Dundee
One-stop shop advice Sessions and Workshops, offering unique access throughout the day to some of Angus & Dundee's key genealogical resources - including Dundee Archivists and Registrars, Angus Archives and Registrars, Tay Valley Family History Society and Dundee University Archive Service. FREE EVENT
11.00am - 12pm A talk on 'The Families of Dundee', by Scotia Heritage.
12pm - Talk by Fiona Scharlau - The Business of Death
2.30pm - 4pm A Workshop on 'Scottish Wills' Conference Room, Central Library, Wellgate Dundee
Given by Dr Bruce Durie Genealogy Course Director at the University of Strathclyde, author and broadcaster of BBC Radio Scotland's 'Digging Up Your Roots' programme. Tickets £7.50, booking advised, tickets available now from Dundee Box Office
7.45pm - 9.45pm BBC Recording of 'Digging Up Your Roots', Conference Room, Central Library, Wellgate, Dundee
BBC Radio Scotland will be recording a 55-minute genealogy question-and-answer panel show for the next series of 'Digging Up Your Roots' with Bill Whiteford, Bruce Durie, and local family history experts, to be broadcast in the New Year. This is a unique chance to take part in Scotland's most popular genealogy programme. Open to the public, and seats are free, book via the Festival booking form. If you are successful, our reply email is your ticket, you will be required to show it to gain admission.
8pm - 11pm TradAngus Tayroots traditional music session at the Aboukir Hotel, 38 Ireland Street, Carnoustie DD7 6AT Tel 01241 852149
Live music and song, with traditional instrumentalists and singers from around Angus. FREE EVENT. These sessions are open to all, and you are welcome to join in with a song or tune. Check with the venue if you wish to dine too.
Friday 24 September
10.30am - 11.45am The Howff burial ground, Dundee
A guided tour of the Howff, historic graveyard in Dundee City centre. Everyone who WAS anyone is buried in the Howff - find out more with the professional help of Scotia Heritage in this guided walking tour. Practical footwear for walking required, length of tour approximately 1hr 15 minutes. £5.00 Tickets available now from Dundee Box Office.
12.00pm - 2.00pm The inaugural Tayroots Ancestral Luncheon City Chambers, Dundee
The first lunchtime event of its kind in Dundee -hosted by the Lord Provost of Dundee, Cllr John Letford. The Luncheon will be graced by the beautiful singing of Sheena Wellington, famous not least for her performance at the Opening of the Scottish Parliament. A gathering of visitors, local and national family history experts will be addressed by the Lord Provost and Dr Bruce Durie, genealogist, author and broadcaster, and the event presents a UNIQUE opportunity to celebrate Dundee's heritage and the importance of family history, in the historic surroundings of Dundee's civic headquarters. Enjoy stimulating conversation and share knowledge with those in the know. A piper will welcome guests to the prestigious City Chambers, and wine will be served on arrival and with the meal. A vegetarian option will be available.
Entry to this event is free, courtesy of Dundee City Council, but numbers are limited, so booking is essential. Book your seat at an ancestral table via the Festival booking form. If you are successful, our reply email is your ticket, you will be required to show it to gain admission.
7.30pm The House of Dun, Montrose
An acoustic gem of a concert with Angus singer songwriter Jim Malcolm, one of Scotland's finest folk artistes and songwriters. Lead singer with the world-renowned Old Blind Dogs, Jim's traditional renderings and contemporary writing attracts a huge following. Jim has promised to bring Scotland's Bard himself along - Robert Burns - to sing and play his own songs, in the beautiful grand saloon of National Trust for Scotland Georgian gem the House of Dun, near Montrose. What better surroundings for a great evening of music and song, and Scottish hospitality? Tickets £8.00 include interval refreshments, tickets available now from Dundee Box Office
Saturday 25 September
10.00am - 4pm Local History & Genealogy Fair, Montrose Town Hall
Everyone who's anyone in local history and genealogy in the North East will be exhibiting and answering questions, including Angus Archives, Angus Registrars, Tay Valley family History Society, Aberdeen & North East Scotland Family History Society; Aberdeenshire Registrars; Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre; HAAR from Auchmithie, University of Dundee Archives and Continuing Learning; plus local storytellers, antique dealers, visitor attractions and lots more. Expert talks and advice throughout the day - bring your old photos, and get help to begin your own family tree! FREE EVENT
4pm - 5.30pmA Letter from Arbroath - an historic re-enactment
Arbroath Abbey
Travel back in time with Arbroath Abbey Timethemes' re-enactment of the historic signing of the Declaration of Arbroath on April 6 1320 in the dramatic setting of the Abbey itself. Meet the re-enactors and find out more about this important period in Scotland's history. £5.00 ticket price includes admission to Abbey and its excellent Visitor Centre. Tickets available now from Dundee Box Office.
7.30pm Ripping Yarns - an evening stories and music. Abbey Theatre, Abbott Street, Arbroath
Who doesn't love to be told a story? Tales your granny used to tell, and mysterious yarns from the hills and the sea, or from around the hearth. Masterstoryteller Bob Pegg and harpist and tradition carrier Heather Yule weave a spell in words, song, and strings to make you laugh, or put a shiver down your spine! Tickets £8.00 (£5.00 Concs) Tickets available now from Dundee Box Office
2.30pm The Inaugural Tayroots McManus Lecture
Title: The Future of Family History
An examination of the way family history has been transformed by new media and broadcasters, with reference to the internet explosion of datasets and the implications for archives and written record.
Given by Dr Nick Barratt, first presenter of BBC TV's Who Do You Think You Are? and of Hidden House Histories (History Channel) at the superbly refurbished McManus Galleries in the historic heart of Dundee.
Like all good historians, Nick is passionate about using historical information and analysing data to produce great stories. As well as working as a presenter, Nick is a prolific reviewer and commentator on all aspects of history, notably family history, and has recently launched a new magazine - Your Family History. He has also worked with a variety of companies, celebrities and TV presenters to compile family histories. Enjoy this stimulating lecture, then meet and talk with Nick in an informal question and answer session. FREE EVENT. Reserve your seat via the Festival booking form.
8pm TradAngus Tayroots traditional music session, The Caledonian Hotel, 43 - 47 Southesk Street, Brechin DD9 6DZ
01356 624345
Live music and song, with traditional instrumentalists and singers from around Angus. . These sessions are open to all, and you are welcome to join in with a song or tune, check with the venue if you wish to dine too. FREE EVENT
10.00am - 4pm Family History Free For All at all partner venues plus the 21st Birthday Bash at Angus Archives!
2010 marks the 21st birthday of Angus Archives, which is home to 800 years of documents and records relating to the families, buildings, organisations, businesses, churches and councils of the county. To celebrate, an open day is being held, and the anniversary celebrations will include free Deceased OnLine taster sessions, a local history quiz, entry to a prize draw for a copy of Fiona Scharlau's book 'Angus in Old Photos', children's activities, tea, coffee, some birthday cake of course - and a glass of celebratory fizz! Visitors will also have a unique chance to handle some of the treasures of the collection. During the open day, many of the treasures of Angus will be on display, including the oldest charter (dating from 1232) and Arbroath Abbey's medieval register. FREE EVENT
In Dundee, the Family History Centre at the central Library will be welcoming all to their Open Day, and a series of free lectures will be given at the Conference Room in the Central Library and Family History Centre.
11.00am Talk by Richard Cullen, Archivist at Dundee City Council, and David Kett, Team Leader, Reference Services, Dundee City Council on 'Using Dundee Family History Centre to uncover your Tayroots.'
2pm Hamish Robertson will speak about the Mariners of Dundee
3pm A talk on the Tay Bridge Disaster will be given by Stuart Morris, the son of the Laird of Balgonie, whose great-great-great grandmother died in the tragedy. FREE EVENT
Tay Valley Family History Society will welcome all comers to their offices at 179-181 Princes Street, Dundee, Angus DD4 6DQ 01382 461 845. FREE EVENT
The University of Dundee Archive Service will be interested in meeting anyone who wants to find out more about the University's resources.
FREE EVENT
Traditional music sessions - artiste details:
Maureen Jelks, Lesley McLuckie, Ken Johnston & Jim Penny.
Four great singers, different styles, unaccompanied singing and with guitar, mandoline, mandocello etc. Maureen is well known for her Dundee songs and ballads, recorded on 'First time ever', 'Coorse and Fine' etc. Lesley is a regular at the Fishermans session.
Ken returns to Angus after 27 years in Kendal, working in carpet designing, plus much music at the Kendal Folk and Ceilidh circuit. Jim from Arbroath robust singer, many songs and tunes on guitar, mandoline, moothie and bodhran.
Tunes & songs from the 1800's to present day with Gordon Ewan (fiddle), Nigel Jelks (mandoline, fiddle, concertina), David Adam (Scottish Small & Border Pipes, plus flute and many whistles), Niel Jelks (guitar) and Barbara Dymock (great songs, plus bodhran).
Gordon and Nigel play together regularly at the Kirriemuir weekly session, plus ceilidh band gigs with Niel on guitar. David is originally from Inverness, founder member of 'Skelpaig', great stock of tunes and spirited performance on all instruments. Barbara was the original singer and founder member of 'Ceolbeg' and 'Fon a Bhord'. Great songs and fine bodhran player.
Check out our 2009 gallery of images from the Festival.
Have a look at the video from the 2008 Roots Festival.
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