Hebridean Connections, an online collection of over 40,000 historical records relating to the Western Isles, is continuing to grow apace thanks to contributions from web site visitors from all over the world.
Since launching in August, a further 2100 people records are now accessible online, with many more stories and photographs. Feedback from site users has also helped add fascinating detail to the stories of many of the emigrating Hebrideans, as well as updating information held in their ancestral home.
Sarah Egan, of Hebridean Connections, commented: “In many cases we have no knowledge of the fate of families who left the islands - if you're a descendent, please get in touch to finish the story for us, and, with your agreement, we'll update the records online.”
The data, encompassing the genealogy, history, traditions, culture and archaeology of the Western Isles, contains detailed records on the people and places of the Outer Hebrides, fully mapped and searchable.
All the material is drawn from the collections of the Comainn Eachdraidh, the Historical Societies that have been preserving local historical knowledge for decades. However, with the advent of the internet, these records are now accessible to a global audience.
To help navigate through the mass of information that is available, the site utilises a map search tool to refine results down to a particular area of interest.
With genealogy, one the most searched for terms on the internet, the hope is that sites like Hebridean Connections will bring benefits to the tourism sector by inspiring family tree fans to visit the homeland of their ancestors.
www.hebrideanconnections.com
Hebridean Connections
Uig Community Centre,
Uig,
Isle of Lewis
HS2 9JD
Tel. 01851 672301 fax 01851 672748
