Researching Your Irish Ancestors: September 2027

01st September 2027 - 08th September 2027

This immersive, week-long research programme gives you the chance to spend a whole week researching in the archives – being guided and supported by our team of researchers

£1,099.00

Book Now Pay Deposit of £350.00

+44(028) 91 812073 enquiry@uhf.org.uk

Overview

Whether you are new to Irish family history or have previously participated in one of our family history events and courses, the expert genealogists of the Ulster Historical Foundation will be on hand during this BRAND NEW programme to guide you at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI).

This enhanced research programme gives you the chance to spend a whole week researching in the archives – being guided and supported by our team of researchers each day. It offers you a great opportunity to break down any genealogical brick walls and unlock your family history.

This programme will have a maximum capacity of 30 people meaning that our September 2027 reserach programme offers unprecedented level of personal guidance from genealogists who know how to mine the archives for your family tree. As our team know the archives and how to mine the information for your family tree, working closer with our researchers will greatly improve your knowledge of and experience in using the archives, as well as improving your chances of success.

The programme will begin the first morning with a number of workshops on Irish family history research. These workshops will benefit both the novice and those with some experience of Irish research and will be designed in such a way that you can hit the ground running when you enter the archives. After this first morning, your week will be spent in the archives of Belfast working alongside our researchers to help you find that elusive Irish Ancestor.

Trace your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors with Ulster Historical Foundation. Join us for the journey. We will be delighted to see you.

‘Sisters, sisters. There were never such devoted sisters …’ (courtesy Irving Berlin)

Not only was our September 2025 event the first ever all female group, but three sets of sisters got together in Belfast to research their family connections – tag teaming to get the job done!

Pictured are: Cathy Keener and Mary Beth Dickson Aiello, Linda Swizdaryk and Marge Cleave, and Joan Sheeran and Judith Myrth.

Sisters x 3 sets at dinner 5th September 2025

"I thoroughly enjoyed the Autumn School and the opportunity to meet others who share my interest in researching their Ulster heritage. Having access to academics was a huge benefit and advanced my research. Not only were they experts, but they were approachable and interested in our individual research challenges. The visits to the various sites of historical interest and the commentary on the bus were also enjoyable and enriched the whole experience. Thanks!"
Virginia MacLatchey – Ontario, Canada

Highlights

September 2027 Programme

This September 2027, the expert researchers and genealogists of the Ulster Historical Foundation invite you to Belfast for a brand-new, deeply immersive research programme. Designed for anyone with Irish or Scots-Irish roots—whether you are relatively new to family history or a seasoned researcher stuck on a generational roadblock—this week-long experience offers the ultimate blend of education, archive access, and one-on-one expert guidance.

Tracing your Irish ancestors can be uniquely challenging, but you don't have to do it alone. For one dedicated week, you will step inside the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) to research alongside professionals who know these archives inside and out.

We know that true progress comes from personalized attention. That is why this programme has a strictly limited capacity of just 30 delegates. This small-group setting ensures you will receive significantly more one-on-one time, tailored advice, and collaborative problem-solving with our research team than you would at any standard conference, seminar, or class.

Your week begins with targeted workshops on Irish family history. Designed to benefit both novices and experienced researchers alike, these sessions give you the foundational knowledge and insider strategies you need to hit the ground running the moment you step into the archives. Our genealogists won’t just point you in the direction of a shelf; they will be by your side throughout the week. You’ll learn how to properly analyze records, navigate tricky nomenclature, and evaluate evidence, drastically improving both your family tree and your own independent research skills.

For September 2027 we will be introducing a new format to the first morning, to try to give everyone – beginner and seasoned research alike – the best possible start to their week in the archives.

The first morning will provide our guests with the following:

Introduction to PRONI and its archives (by a PRONI staff member)
Presentations designed to help get you started on a particular group of sources that best suit your research objectives
A 30 minute one-to-one consultation with a member of our team
‘Rootsireland.ie help desk’ – our searchers standing by to help you explore and ideally exploit the potential of this most useful database of online BMDs
Guided tour of PRONI and introduction to the Search Room and Reading Room by PRONI staff
Assistance obtaining/renewing your reader’s card
Further orientation on how to use PRONI’s search room by the Foundation’s team (should you feel you require it)
The opportunity to browse, purchase and set aside any titles you want to have shipped home
The opportunity to use (and be given guidance on using) some of our most important sources, in some cases by the author themselves: Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors, 1600– 1800; the Townland Atlas of Ulster; Researching Ulster Ancestors, 1800–1914 – essentially the opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ with some of our more important published guides
Access via the Foundation to rootsireland.ie and ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com (through the whole programme, not just the first morning)

In addition, because the event breaks over the weekend their will be a dedicated trip for all researchers to visit the Foundation’s library on Saturday morning/early afternoon, before returning to Belfast to give delegates the rest of their Saturday, and all of the Sunday to relax, see some sights, or sift through your research to prepare for Monday morning.

Delegates will have the chance to explore the Foundation’s library, use our online databases and other electronic resources, use our holdings of newspapers for the Belfast Newsletter and Belfast Telegraph. Also important, it will provide a second formal opportunity to speak with staff about what you have found so far and to discuss your objectives for Monday morning.

We are strictly limiting this programme to a maximum of 30 participants. This small-group setting guarantees significantly more one-on-one time with our team than our traditional conferences or classes. Because our genealogists know PRONI inside and out, working closely with them will not only help break down your genealogical brick walls, but also dramatically improve your own archive research skills.

Expand your research horizons with a special group visit to the North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS) library. Home to an incredible collection of local records, monumental inscriptions, and reference publications, this visit gives you the chance to tap into unique local resources with the support of our expert team.

Schedule

: 16:30 - Informal get-together.

During this get-together you will meet with the Foundation’s staff and the other delegates, have a chance to ask any questions you might have about the week ahead and get to know your fellow delegates. Please note that this gathering is completely informal so if you have recently arrived and would prefer not to attend you will be able to meet us on the Thursday morning

18:30 - Evening concludes
: A day of assisted research at PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland)
Spend the day uncovering your family history at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). With guidance from our experienced research team, you’ll have exclusive access to invaluable archives, records, and documents that could bring your ancestry to life. Whether you’re tracing long-lost relatives or simply curious about your heritage, our team will be on hand to help you navigate the collections and make meaningful discoveries.
: A day of assisted research at PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland)
Work alongside our experienced research team as you uncover family records, historic documents, and unique insights into your ancestry.
: Saturday will see the full group will visit the Ulster Historical Foundation’s own research facility—one of the largest private research libraries in Ireland. Enjoy specialised lectures tailored to Irish ancestry and guided research time using UHF’s extensive, unique collections.
: Free day for delegates to spend as they choose. Some may care to visit the church of their ancestors, explore the city of Belfast or visit the many fantastic attractions the city has to offer.

A full day can be spent visiting the recently refurbished HMS Caroline, a lone survivor of the Battle of Jutland in 1916. A short bus ride will also allow you to take in such sites as the Ulster Museum and Botanical Gardens as well the Ulster Folk and Transport museum at Cultra.

A visit to St. George's Market is highly recommended. Located in a charming Victorian building (constructed 1890-1896) the market is one of Belfast's oldest attractions offering delicious food, local crafts and antiques.

In the evening, why not take in a performance amidst the Victorian splendour of Belfast's Grand Opera House or the recently refurbished Lyric Theatre with its marvellous views of the River Lagan and then finish off the day with a modest libation in Belfast's most famous pub, the Crown Liquor Saloon with its period gas lighting and cosy snugs.
: Our September 2027 programme continues with a special visit to the North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS) and their dedicated library. Discover new resources, connect with local expertise, and expand your research horizons.
: A day of assisted research at PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland)
Momentum & Discoveries: Return to PRONI for another full day of guided research. By this point in the week, you’ll be navigating the archives like a pro, with our team right by your side to help piece your family tree together.
Return to PRONI for another full day of guided research. By this point in the week, you’ll be navigating the archives like a pro, with our team right by your side to help piece your family tree together.
: A day of assisted research at PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland)
Wrap-Up: Your final day of guided research in PRONI. Make those last-minute breakthroughs, finalise your notes, and celebrate your discoveries with the group before the programme draws to a close.
Your final day of guided research in PRONI. Make those last-minute breakthroughs, finalise your notes, and celebrate your discoveries with the group before the programme draws to a close with a final group meal in Belfast.

Locations

What's Included?

Register for our 2027 Family History Conference with just a deposit of £350 (GBP). The full price for our 2027 Conference is £1,199.

Given the current low value of sterling (GBP) against other currencies now is a particularly good time for overseas visitors to attend. The present exchange rate will ensure overseas delegates can make a very tidy saving on the cost.

For all those taking part in Researching Your Irish Ancestors conference the following are included:

Access to 6 pre-recorded lectures on essential topics relating to Irish genealogical research (over 7 hours of content) before the programme begins.
Two live "Q and A" sessions/Tutorials with our researchers before the programme begins (to be scheduled at different times to suit different time zones)
Research assistance by professional genealogists in PRONI
Irish Family History guidance materials
Three evening meals
Five morning tea/coffee
Five lunches
Personal Research assessment
Personal face-to-face discussion time with our researchers
Lunchtime lectures on family history

Please note that travel to and from Northern Ireland and accommodation are not included in the price, and delegates will need to make their own reservations for accommodation during the Tracing your Irish Ancestors event.

To allow you to reserve the accommodation of your choice, and which suits your own needs/interests, look at our section relating to accommodation

Bookings cancelled by 31 January 2027 will receive a 80% refund. Cancellations received between 01 February 2027 and 30 April 2027 will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations received between 01 May 2027 and 30 June 2027 will receive a 40% refund. Any cancellation from 01 July 2027 will receive a 20% refund. Cancellations due to medical conditions will be treated as sympathetically as possible.

In the unlikely event that the Foundation has to cancel Researching Your Irish Ancestors due to insufficient registrations, full refunds will be provided.

Given the current situation with fuel prices and possible travel uncertainty, we will be as accommodating as possible if there is a need to cancel or transfer your booking. In these cases cancellations ultimately will be dependent on costs/fees already incurred by the Foundation relating to your booking and any insurance policies or airline/accommodation compensation you may be entitled to.

If you have attended one of our previous Family History Conferences and wish to join us in 2027 please contact conleth.mullan@uhf.org.uk in order to register for the best possible rate.

Travel & Accommodation

Accommodation for our 2027 programme is not included in this event package. There are, however, several hotels in or close to Belfast’s historic Titanic Quarter.

Important Note: As most of the time during this programme will be spent at PRONI it might be worthwhile looking at the hotels closest to the archive.

These hotels include:

There are also a number of hotels close to Belfast’s historic Cathedral Quarter which would merit consideration.

Alternatively, you may wish to stay elsewhere in Belfast or its vicinity. Go to www.discovernorthernireland.com to check out accommodation options.

A number of delegates in the past have also rented serviced-apartments within walking distance of the Titanic Quarter and this can prove to be incredibly cost effective. A quick Google search highlights a number of rental options.

The image above shows an area in Belfast close PRONI. It is recommended that delegates stay within this area to make it easier to be on time each morning.