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Comman Eachdraidh an Taobh Siar was constituted in 1981 and covers the geographical area from Arnol to Dalbeg on the westside of the Isle of Lewis ( see location map). The archives are based in Ionad Na Seann Sgoil (The Old School Centre) in Shawbost. There is a large display of photographs and other illustrative material and ledgers of information on the history of the separate townships of Arnol, Bragar, Shawbost and Dalbeg. (Ionad Na Seann Sgoil is a community run centre managed by the Shawbost Old School Trust providing a range of services to the surrounding community, visitors, volunteer groups and businesses.) Angela Macleod (nighean Lowry) is the Research and Development Worker for Comann Eachdraidh an Taobh Siar. Angela started on a two year post in August 2006 through joint funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Western Isles Enterprise and Leader+. Part of Angela's time has been taken up working on a project to preserve local heritage with regard to researching the croft history and basic family genealogy, by enabling the general public to access the information via our website or by visiting the premises. The area which will be scoped in extends from Dalbeag to Arnol. This information will eventually feed into the Hebridean Connections project, which aims to preserve, promote and provide web access to the collections of the Comainn Eachdraidh of the Outer Hebrides and you can currently search through over 43,000 records. (www.hebrideanconnections.com) As part of Angela’s research households will continue to be individually interviewed to ascertain the croft and house history through several generations. Once all the information is collated the community will be able to access it either through the CEATS website (www.ceats.org.uk) or by visiting the centre.
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In addition to Angela the Comann Eachdraidh have a group of able volunteers but we are always looking for additional volunteers who can help in any way. Examples of work currently being carried out are going through back-dated copies of the Stornoway Gazette, researching rent rolls, checking census figures, photography, planning and organizing exhibitions, fund raising. So, it’s not all about meetings! The Comann Eachdraidh would like to extend their thanks to all those who have so far come forward with information and photographs, to either a member of the volunteer team or directly to Angela.
Comann Eachdraidh Appeal The Comann Eachdraidh are appealing for any old recordings, reel to reel or tapes, cine film or video of the Westside area with a view to holding copies in the Comann Eachdraidh archives and perserving them for future generations. If you can help call or email Angela on the contact details below. All donated tapes etc will be returned to contributors after we have made copies. Archive Material Links on this page give information related to the Society and it aims. To view archive materials click on the Archives link. This section of the site has it's own links and will be extended as time goes on. Office Tel: 01851 710797 Address: Ionad Na Seann Sgoil, North Shawbost, HS2 9BQ
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