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Genealogy
MANY people visit the Far North in the
hope of finding out more about their ancestors, or the area from
which their ancestors came. If you are staying with us in Watten you
are well placed to visit the North Highland Archive, which is based
in Wick Library. It is an invaluable resource for those seeking to
find out more about times past in this most northerly part of the
mainland.
It was established in 1995 to provide an archive
service for the Caithness and Sutherland areas and is responsible
for locating, preserving and making accessible documents and other
records relating to the history of the Highlands.
The North Highland Archive stores items from the 17th century to the
present day including records of the current and previous councils
and gifts and deposits from individuals, clubs, societies,
businesses and families.
Among the items stored there are records of the Highland Council and
Caithness County Council, including records of education, parochial
boards and commissioners of supply, records of the burghs of Wick,
Thurso and Pulteneytown, records of Sutherland County, and other
official documents such as those from Caithness County Constabulary,
Wick Burgh Constabulary and Thurso Police Commissioners.
Customs and Excise records, Wick Harbour Trust and Thurso River
Harbour Trust documents, papers from the London Caithness
Association and Lybster Playing Fields Association, the records of
the Keith Family, Thurso (solicitors), and Census returns are just
some of the others available.
Those researching their family trees will find the North Highland
Archive a great starting point.
If you do plan a visit to the archive gather as much information
about your topic as you can beforehand and then give yourself plenty
of time.
Also in operation is the Caithness Family History Society which was
formed in September 1999 by a small group of enthusiasts.
It’s aim is to promote an interest in genealogy and, wherever
possible, to help others trace their roots, especially families
originating from Caithness.
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