The first meeting of the New Year of the Bellaghy Historical Society was addressed by Mr Bill McAfee, Genealogist, on “Tracing our Ancestors”. The Speaker showed enormous enthusiasm for and depth of knowledge of his subject and gave many useful pieces of information on how to set about researching our forebears.

He suggested starting with the present, recording all the family members already known and working backwards using Church records, Census Returns, Griffith’s printed Valuation, Tithe Applotment Books and several other sources of information including some Web sites which could be visited.

His large audience showed great interest in the subject and Mr McAfee was asked a great many questions at the end. He left several documents and a disc for retention in Bellaghy Library where they might be available to members for perusal.

Thanking the Speaker, Mrs Mary Breslin, Chairperson, reminded those present that the meeting in February would be addressed by Father Arthur O’Reilly on the subject of Lissan House.