On 29 August 2024, ASGRA member Lorna Kinnaird was delighted to meet three representatives from Japan who were archivists/librarians at the National Library of Scotland for an afternoon. Lorna talked about our role as genealogists in Scotland, how we find records, how we carry out our research, our communications and relationships with our clients, and how we achieve accreditation.

Hiroaki, Setsuki and Etsuko were interested in the unique record collections we have in Scotland and how, as representatives of the Association, we work with other professionals in our field. It was most interesting to learn what little records they hold in Japan that relate to early genealogy—there are no records before 1945.

After the interview, Lorna was able to take them to Greyfriars Kirkyard, the site of the Old Tolbooth and St Giles Cathedral. Hiroaki, Setsuki and Etsuko were delighted to hear bagpipes at the High Court, too. Lorna then left them with plans to visit the Thistle Chapel and Mary Kings Close – this time without any luggage in tow. Lorna had a most enjoyable afternoon with three lovely Japanese visitors to our beautiful City of Edinburgh.

On 30 August 2024 ASGRA member John McGee met up with three Japanese genealogists Hiroaki, Setsuki and Etsuko, two from Okinawa Island

and one from mainland Japan. He led them on a short tour from Edinburgh Central Library, down the Mound, past the Black Watch statue and the National Galleries, along Princes Street and down to the Haymarket Clocktower. He outlined that the memorial had been raised in 1921 to honour the Hearts players who served in the 16th Royal Scots, McCrae’s Battalion, with tragic consequences during WW1.

Over a drink and a meal, the three Japanese asked John to outline the role of a Scottish genealogist, including what was required to become accredited with ASGRA. He also showed them an example of what a professional report would look like and the various records which could be researched. Due to strict Japanese data protection, Japanese genealogists are only allowed to research their own direct ancestry, which can take months or even years of research. Hiroaki, Setsuki and Etsuko were very generous with small Japanese gifts, which concluded a very pleasant meeting.