Fountain trail launch

The project has come about as a result of Mr Temple’s research into a planned new book on the Fountain, which he’s currently researching and hopes to publish in 2013.

He’s inviting anyone with an interest in the history and heritage of the Fountain to come along to the launch of the trail during the Maiden City Festival 2012 over Wednesday, August 8 - Friday, August 10.

At this stage the trail consists of a number of computerised databases that will allow people access Orange Order, Apprentice Boys, B Special, military and old Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) records at the click of a mouse.

The trail is a part of a three-year Hertiage Lottery Fund (HLF) supported project called the ‘DiverseCity’ programme which focues on the communities around the historic walls of the city of Londonderry.

Mr Temple explains: “What we’re hoping to do is exhibit, information relating to the Fountain, which I have computerised.

“People who are trying to trace their family ancestors can come along and I can go through Orange Order and Apprentice Boys records. We’ve got B Specials records as well, relating to the people from the Fountain.

“It’s all computerised already. It’s part of a bigger project I’m doing, which is about the history of the Fountain. This has come about as part of the research for that.”

“We’ve also got access to UVF records from 1913 if they are looking to track down family from that time.”

The launch of the trail will run over three days in the Thiepval Gallery in George Street.

Mr Temple believes a lot of people whose families lived in the Fountain in the past will be interested in tracing their links to the area. He is also encouraging anyone with old pictures, memorabilia or stories to come along to the launch.

The launch follows hot on the heels of the Fountain Primary School’s disclosure of over 80 long lost birth certificates dating back to the 1930s.

The certificates - belonging to former pupils of the First Derry school - were first discovered when former Fountain PS principal Isabel McNally was conducting a clear out following her retirement.

Alongside the birth certificates the school also revealed it had other records including Salvation Army school transfer cards that were probably sent with pupils who had travelled to Londonderry from further afield.

Mr Temple said it would be possible for him as a researcher for the Fountain Family Trail to point anyone who was unable to find what they needed through the Orange Order, Apprentice Boys and B Special records to other sources such as the school or the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI).

“When people come along, if I don’t have records,” said Mr Temple. “I can maybe pass them on to other people who have records.”

He’s also hopeful of obtaining further information over the launch period and is keen to get as much feedback as possible.

“One of the things we’ll have is a sheet with people’s names and addresses, with people’s comments,” he said.

“As I say it’s part of a bigger book I’m writing about the Fountain story. I’m gathering information. It’s at the research stage.

“So if people come along looking for information about relatives, they might be able to give me information or point me in the direction of stories about the area.

“Maybe they have memorabilia or photographs that they would like included,” he added.

The launch of the Fountain Family Trail is due to take place during the Maiden City Festival 2012 from Wednesday, August 8 to Friday, August 10, in the Thiepval Gallery, George Street. Everyone is welcome.