The new Family History Centre, at the city's Central Library, brings together the services of the Dundee registrar's office, city archivist, the local history library and the burials administration section.
Local musician and songwriter Michael Marra performed the opening ceremony yesterday and was presented with his own family tree, which dates back seven generations to the middle of the 18th century.
This portrait of Michael's grandmother, Bridget Keating, photographed when she was a young woman was found whilst researching his family tree.
A spokesman for the local authority said: "More than a decade ago Dundee City Council was the first local authority in Scotland to introduce a family history service, when the genealogy unit at the city's registrar's office established an informal partnership with the city archivist, the local history library and the burials administration section. Qualified staff from Dundee registrar's office will be available to offer advice and to undertake research, provide a family tree and a comprehensive report detailing each entry that is traced."
In most cases the registrar will be able to trace each branch of a family back to the late 17th century and issue authenticated certificates of any Scottish birth, death, civil partnership or marriage record.
Extract from article appearing in Aberdeen Press and Journal
