The Tayroots Family and Local History Day in Arbroath’s Webster Theatre on Sunday, 6 April, 2014 will provide a host of opportunities for anyone keen to trace their family tree and discover more about their Scottish ancestors and the lives they led.

This free event, held as part of the Tartan Day Scotland Festival Homecoming weekend in Arbroath, includes a programme of talks by leading genealogists and historians:

- Geneticist Katie Barnes of ScotlandsDNA will provide an insight into ancestral DNA testing
- The darker side of Angus and Dundee will be revealed by author Forbes Inglis, with accounts of some of the grisly murders and dastardly misdeeds that have taken place in this corner of Scotland over the centuries.
- Alastair Cunningham of Scottish Clans and Castles Ltd will talk about the origins of the clans, Highland Dress and tartans.
- Iain Ferguson, manager of the ScotlandsPeople Centre in Edinburgh, will highlight some of the more unusual historical records available on the ScotlandsPeople website and explain how other records of the National Archives of Scotland may help uncover a family’s roots.

During the Tayroots’ event, visitors will be able to do a few searches using the ScotlandsPeople website free of charge, assisted by the ScotlandsPeople team. A wide range of family and local history experts, archivists and family history societies will also be on hand to offer help and advice during the Tayroots Day, including representatives from Angus Archives, Tay Valley Family History Society, Deceased OnLine and ScotlandsPlaces. The Scottish Local History Forum will also be attending and back copies of the SLHF Journal will be available to browse and purchase.

During the Tayroots Day, there will be a lunchtime break so visitors can also enjoy the stirring spectacle of the Massed Angus Pipe Bands marching to Arbroath Abbey for the re-enactment of the Signing of the Declaration of Arbroath within the walls of this historic monument.

The day will conclude with a 6pm screening of vintage local film footage. Tickets for the film evening cost £2.50 and booking is essential - contact the Webster Theatre Box Office on 01241 435800.

The Tayroots Day is part of the Tartan Day Scotland Festival 2014, which takes place across Angus from 5-13 April and commemorates the 1320 signing of the Declaration of Arbroath. For more information about the Tayroots Family and Local History Day, and to book places for the talks, visit www.angusheritage.com/tayroots or call 01307 473226. Alternatively, pick up a copy of The Tartan Day Scotland Festival Events Guide from tourist information centres, ACCESS offices, libraries, museums and tourist attractions across Angus or download from www.tartandayscotland.com.