Scotlands Genealogy Jan 2014 | Page 5

Many servicemen from the Dominians and America were stationed in the UK, and during leave would head to Scotland in search of their Scottish roots. Johnston was aware of this and had the vision to see the need for such an organisation and it's future potential. So in mid March 1945 the Scots Ancestry Research Council was established, an independent and unofficial body with Lord Alness, Lord Rosebery and Rt Hon Tom Johnston M.P and Scottish Secretary as Trustees, and a council of leading figures in the Scottish historical scene : Lord Lyon, Keeper of the Register and Records of Scotland plus numerous history professors. The following week the newly created body held a luncheon at which Lord Rosebery gifted £1000 from his 1944 Derby winner, Ocean Swell, to cover the initial expenses.By June the Council had received nearly 500 inquiries, initially from the UK, but as word spread the number of inquiries had risen to over 90% from overseas. New inquiries would receive a questionnaire about their known ancestry for a fee of 5 shillings.

If further research was deamed feasible over 150 years, then a maximum fee of £3 was charged though the majority paid no more than £1. Business was brisk and the initial team of two was doubled to cope with the research and correspondence. By December 1945 over 1000 applications had been received from all over the globe and it was paying its way with an income of over £200 and the generous gift from Lord Rosebery was not required. These figures had surpassed even Johnston's expectations.

The Council office in 4A North St David St had a regular stream of visitors and was rapidly becoming a centre of Scottish district and family information. They had even decorated the office with bunches of heather, staghorn moss and family and clan plaques and prints. This was seen as more welcoming and to create a homely atmosphere for the American soldier, Australian airman and Canadian sailor, away from the 'Civil Service' manner of wartime Britain.