Events, Talks and Visits

Public Talks

Recovery & Repair: Supporting Jewish Family Histories of the Holocaust in Britain

The Wiener Holocaust Library is home to the UK's International Tracing Service digital archive, which holds millions of documents related to the Holocaust and Nazi era. The archive preserves the shared past of victims and survivors of the Holocaust and helps support family research of Nazi persecution. 

These free events will take place in Scotland and include a chance to view the pop-up exhibition, 'Fate Unknown: The search for the Missing after the Holocaust', and an opportunity to learn more about the archive. 

All historians, archivists, family history researchers, heritage practitioners, and those interested in Jewish and Holocaust history are welcome. 

12 September 2023, The Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR. In-person

These are free events, but space is limited. Visit wienerholocaustlibrary.org to register
1.30-3.00pm: Family History Research Workshop 

This workshop will help you take the first steps in conducting your own family research using the International Tracing Service digital archive, including using sources freely available online. The National Records of Scotland will be present to give a brief introduction to the primary sources for family history research in their archives, alongside other family research support services available from other partner organisations. 

Participants will have the chance to sign up for one-on-one consultations with The Wiener Holocaust Library’s expert researchers. Bring your research questions! 

4.00-5.30pm - Fate Unknown: The search for the missing after the Holocaust - Curators' Talk 

Join the co-curators of the Fate Unknown exhibition, Prof Dan Stone and Dr Christine Schmidt, who will explore the remarkable, little-known story of the search for the missing after the Holocaust. Fate Unknown draws upon The Wiener Holocaust Library’s family document collections and the International Tracing Service archive to illustrate the legacy of the ongoing search for missing victims. 

They will be joined by The University of Edinburgh’s Professor Hannah Holtschneider where they will discuss the development of the exhibition and reflect on some of the issues and themes it highlights. 

6.00-8.00pm - Fate Unknown: The search for the missing after the Holocaust - Exhibition Launch and Drinks Reception

Take part in an exciting launch event that will feature talks by the co-curators, special guests, a drinks reception, and an opportunity to view the Fate Unknown travelling exhibition. 

These are free events, but space is limited. Visit wienerholocaustlibrary.org to register.

Evening Class

Scottish Handwriting 1500-1700

Each year, NRS runs evening classes in palaeography on behalf of the University of Edinburgh's Office of Lifelong Learning. This practical course in Scottish Handwriting covering the period 1500-1700 is taught by archivists from NRS at General Register House in Edinburgh. The course runs for 10 weeks on Tuesday evenings from September with a second 10 week term starting in the following January. More information can be found on the University of Edinburgh's Short Courses pages, where you can also enrol onto the course.

Classes start at 5.30pm to 7.00pm on Tuesday 26 September at General Register House, Princes Street, Edinburgh. For more information on the course, please contact: [email protected]

Learning

National Records of Scotland’s (NRS) Outreach and Learning department supports learning for all age groups. Our Services for Schools are designed to support the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence and National Qualifications. NRS staff can also provide specialist talks to interested groups.

If you have any enquiries about our services, please contact: [email protected].

Past NRS talks

If you have missed one of our recent public talks, many can be viewed on the NRS YouTube channel.