About Us

The Ulster Historical Foundation is a long-established, highly reputable research and publishing agency. It offers extensive knowledge on the sources available for tracing Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors.

We are an educational non-profit organisation. Our aim is to encourage an interest in the history of the province of Ulster; promote a positive image of Northern Ireland overseas; strengthen the links between Ireland and those of Ulster descent; broaden access to historical documents and records for Irish and Scots-Irish genealogy; and to inspire pride in Irish and Ulster heritage and culture.

Staff

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Fintan Mullan

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

Dr William Roulston

OFFICE & ACCOUNTS MANAGER

Kathryn McKelvey

RESEARCH SECRETARY

Heather Graham

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

Darren Mullan

GENEALOGY RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Gillian Hunt

SALES OFFICER

Dr Kate Brannigan

Officers

HONORARY PRESIDENT

His Grace the Duke of Abercorn KG

VICE-PRESIDENT

The Lord O’Neill of Shane's Castle

CHAIRMAN

Mr Denis Desmond

VICE-CHAIRMAN

Ms Angélique Day

TRUSTEES

Mrs Deirdre Brown

Mr Sam Burnside

Mrs Doreen Corcoran

Mr Frank Costello

Prof Tom Fraser

Mr John Gordon

Ms Mary Harte

Mr Pat O'Neill

Dr Eamon Phoenix

Mr Cliff Radcliffe

Mr Alan Watson

Our History

The organisation was founded in 1956, at the direction of Sir Basil Brooke (later Lord Brookeborough), the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. In 1969, it was reorganised as a voluntary trust and named the Ulster-Scot Historical Foundation.

In 1975, it became the Ulster Historical Foundation, affirming its role to serve all denominations and traditions in the province. Between 1956 and 1987, the Foundation was an integral part of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Since 1988, it has been a separate organisation, and in 1991 moved to premises in College Square East in the centre of Belfast. In November 2006, it moved to new premises in Cotton Court, Waring Street, Belfast and finally moving again to 49 Malone Road in November 2009.

The Foundation is established for exclusively charitable purposes and is recognised by the Inland Revenue as a charity under reference XN 48460. It is presently governed by a trust deed dated 7 October 1998, and a scheme of incorporation dated 10 May 1999, which establishes the Trustees as a body corporate. The Foundation is administered by a Board of Trustees that meets quarterly.

There are sub-committees covering finance and resources, and publications. The Executive Director, appointed by the Trustees, manages the day to day operations of the Foundation with the assistance of a small staff made up of full time and part time employees.

Over these years the Ulster Historical Foundation has developed into one of the principal genealogical research agencies in Ireland and a leading publisher of quality historical, educational and genealogical books. It also operates a membership association called the Ulster Historical and Genealogical Guild, the aim of which is to bring together people from all over the world with an interest in finding out more about their Irish ancestors.

Ulster Historical Foundation is entirely self-funded. We depend on the support of our customers and members to continue to provide the range of services that we currently offer.