Charlty Number: NIC100280
Ulster Historical Foundation
Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements
for the financial year ended 31 March 2023

Ulster Historical Foundation
CONTENTS
Pago
Trustees, and Other Information
Trustee5' Report
4-11
Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities
12
Independent Auditor's Report
13- 15
statement of Financial Activities
16
Balance Sheet
17
Notes to the Financial Statements
18-29

Ulster Historical Foundation
TRUSTEES, AND OTHER INFORMATION
Trustees
Prof. Sir George Bain (resigned 28 July 20221
Mr Douglas Bartlett (appointed 27 April 2023)
Mr John Gordon
Ms Mary Harte
Dr Myrtle Hill
Mr John Hunter
Dr Paula O'Hare
Dr Éamon Phoenix (resigned 13 November 20221
Mr Cliff Radcliffe
Mr Alan Skellon
Mr Alan Watson
Chalrperson
Sir Denis Desmond CBE
Pr88Sdent
His Grace the Duke of Abercorn KG
Charlty Numbèr In Northern Ireland
NIC100280
Prln¢lpal Addre88
Bradley Thallon House
44D Belfast Road
Kiltonga Industrial Estat8
Ballyconnell
Newtownards
Co. Down
BT23 44D
Audltor8
Muldoon & Co
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
16 Mount Charles
Belfast
BT7 1NZ
Northern Ireland
Prlnclpal Banker8
AIB NI
11 15 Donegall Sq North
Belfast
BT15GB
Northern Ireland
Sollcltor8
Napier and Sons
1-9 Castle Arcade
High Street
Belfast
BT1 5DF

Ulster Historical Foundation
TRUSTEES, REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 March 2023
The trustees present their Trustees, Report and the audited financial slalemenls for the financial year ended 31 March
2023.
The trustees have adopted the provision of the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended
Practi￿ applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable
in the UK and Republic of Ireland IIFRS 1021 effective 1 January 2015 (Charities SORP IFRS 10211, in preparing the
annual report and finar)cial statements of the charity. The statement of Financial Activi118s (SOFA} shows tha gross
income from all sources.
The charity is a registered charity and although not obliged lo comply with the Statement of Recomm6nded Practice
applicable in tho UK and Republic of Ireland FRS 102, the organisation has implemented ils recommendations where
relevant in these financial statements.
M1881on, Objectlves and Strategy
Ml8slon Statomènt
The Foundation is established for exclusively charitable purposes and is a registered charity with the Charity
Commission for Northern Ireland, NIC100280. The Foundation is presently governed by a trust deed dated 7 October
1998, and a schem6 of incorporation dated 10 May 1999, which establishes the Trustees as a body corporate. The trust
d88d stalés th6 objectives of the Foundation as follows,,
to promote and encourage the public study of family hi510ry. g8n8alogy, heraldry and local and Irish history with
particular ref8r6nce to Ulster,,
to promote the preservation and publication of th8 resultant data., and
to undertake guch other activities as shall be charitable at law.
The principal activities of the Foundation includè publications, lecture tours, family history conferen¢85, 6v8nts and
courses Iherilage acliviliesl, a genealogical research and consullan¢y service, maintenance of a membership society
known ag the Ulster Genealogical and Historical Guild and pay-lo-view and subscriber-only onlinè databases. The
Foundation also delivers regular educational programm8s in the local community and spoaking engagements to the
heritage seelor In UK and Ireland.
The ¢harlty'$ alm8 Includlng thè changes or dlfforence8 It 88ek8 to mako through Its actSvltS08
Ulster Historical Foundation was created to encourage an Interest in the history of thè province of Ulster.. promote
positive image of Northern Ireland ov8r56aS.' Strengthen the links belween Ireland and those of Ulster descent,, broaden
access lo historical documènts and records for Irish gnd S¢ots-Irish génealogy., and to inspire pride In Irish and Ulster
heritage and culture.
Thé Foundation is a highly reputable research and publishing agency. 11 offets extensive knowledge on the sources
available for tracing Irish and Scols-lrish ancestors. servI￿s include online databases of over 2 million historical
records, genealogy and history books, and personal ancestral research. Supporters subscribe lo its Ulster Genealogical
and Historical Guild (the Guild) where users can share research inleresls, enjoy access lo membBr-only databases,
receive annual publications, invitations lo educational and social events, and product discounts.
For many years the output of the Foundation was achieved through research, publications and outreach programmes,
but with the advent of the internet the Foundation began lo make digilised sources available to a wide audience, in
particular through its main web portal.. www.ancestryireland.com,' and various microsites dedicated to specific subjects,
e.g. www.ancestryireland.comlscolsinulsler. It also maintain5 a bookstore ww.booksireland.org.uk. In the pa51 12
years Foundation has worked to make its expertise more easily available to the local community. In addition, for the
past 17 years the charity has worked with partners to develop family history workshop5 for adult learners and Courses
with third lavel institutions {Universily of Ulster. Stranmillis University College and local regional colleges) and a broad
range of community, heritage and historical organisations, as well as working with a series of partners to facilitate
programmes with disadvantaged and socially marginalised groups.
Through its charitable activities the Foundation seeks to Sustain interest in local and family history, to celebrate the
diversity of the cultural heritage in Ulster and to equip the interested, amateur researchers with practical resources and
hands-on archival research experience that will enable them to pursue their own research interests. These courses and
other outreach activities with the local community help to demonstrate the Foundation's public benefit and value by
giving local people access to information and expertise on historical research and also on how to get published.

Ulster Historical Foundation
TRUSTEES, REPORT
for tho financial year ended 31 March 2023
Objectives
The charity's maln obJectlvo$ and strategles for achieving its objectlve5 for tho year
The charity's key objective in 2022-23 was to restore its range of setwices as the remaining Covid restrictions on
PRONI'S service were removed and lo try to continue to ensure the organisation is self-financing. Group visits lo PRONI
became possible from late spring 2022, and access for individual researchers had returned to practically 'normal' some
months before that. The broader global and economic factors including the war in Ukraine (Feb. 2022} and ils
implications, including the cost of living crisis impacted on the operation of the charity's activities, relarding discretionary
spending by potential customers and clients, reducing donations and causing the ¢o$ls of production, for example book
publishing. which was a major part of the organisalion's work in this year. lo increase quite dramatically.
The Foundation seek5 to pursue a business-orientated business plan wilhoul undgrmining ils charitable objectiv63 or
by diluting the quality of the work for which il enjoys an international repulalion, il pays clos8 hged to the needs of the
core market which it serves. In recent years the charity also sought lo improve income generated through donations in
support of its charitable activities. Some fundraising did lake place, including a second 'Giving Tuesday. campaign
which is held on the first Tuosday after Thanksgiving each year. In this year the Foundation could restor8 Ils public
outreach activities, with a large number of engagements delivered during the year. These and the general advice that
th8 charity gives lo individuals and groups help lo demonslrale thé g8n6ral aims and objectives of the charity in respect
of its public benefit role.
Strategy
Tho ¢harlty'$ 8tratogles for achSevlng Its 8tated obJoctlve8
In line with ils stral6gy th8 organisation has continued lo publish 8P8cialisl works of an historical nature on aspècts of
Ulster history,, offers a genealogical research and historical consultancy service to individual and or9anisational clients.,
and has developed the range of resources available to ils Guild members Ilhe Ulster Genealogical and Historical Guild),
including the further development of ils research library. The oharily provided remoté access to digilised resources,. and
offers guidance and advice on how to begin research. The outreach programmes locally le.g. university and college
extra-mural classes, local events and programmes in the members, library) and further afield {e.g. North American
lecture tours) end p9rticipalion al family history fairs within the UK and Ireland returned lo a level of activity similar lo
pre-pandemic levels.
The Foundation's ch8ritable status is in rècognllion of the educational valve of its publications, historical research and
outreach provision. In that sense its trading activities are also part of it5 charitable activities, whi¢h Contribute to ils
overall slated objectives. The strategy in recent years had been to increasè and diversify the publication product rang8
lo derive greater financial return from the sale of th8se products. An emphasis on income generation across the
Foundation's core activities has also been a f8atur8 of the strategy. The charity was able lo host three family history
conferences and courses during the year, the first since 2019, and online virtual courses are now part of the regular
offering- mostly provided during winter months. Moreover, the availability of online historic births, deaths and marriages
{acrosS the island of Ir8landl, performed reasonably well during 2022-23, with income comparable lo the previous year.
External competitors continue to take a significant slice of business in an already crowded market. These organisalions
have significantly greater resources and operate on a global scale, they therefore continue lo make the trading
environment difficult. Some historical consultancy projects with local groups and authorities in Northern Ireland wer8
completed, though at a reduced level compared to the period before the pandemic. With PRONI reopening fully in late
spring of 2022. as mentioned, the Foundation's in-person programmes could return, with three events held during the
year. In addition, another overseas lecture lo North America tour took place in March 2023, though as an indication that
society has not returned fully to 'normal', the 'Brilish Institute, program planned lor October 2022 went ahead as a virtual
event, not in-person, because of practical difficulties in holding the evenl in the Family History Library in Sall Lake City
due to ongoing restrictions there.
Detall8 of the 8lgnlflcant actlvltles that contrlbute to the achlevement of statod obJe¢tlves
The core activities undertaken by the Foundation. which also generate a significant PTOPOrtion of the Foundation's
revenue, contribute to the stated objectives of the charity. The Foundation published seven new titles in 2022-23
(compared lo five in 2022-231 on a range of topics relating to the history of Ulster, as well as producing a number of
reprints of old ti￿eS and some volumes of the Ordnance Sutvey Memoirs, mostly via digital print on demand.
The Foundation received 45 registrations for full ancestral reports plus 8 follow-on commissions for additional research,
and prepared a further 36 specific research genealogical assessments for which clients paid an initial fee. In addition,
it registered some 15 'Z' files - specific and limited p￿eCeS of research for clients a category of research introduced to
reflect the changing needs of research clients. In addition. 37 one-to-one consultations (many, though not all, provided
virtually via Zoom) were undertaken for clients. Client research oould be offered again without the encumbrances or the
restrictions that were in place in the previous two financial years given that PRONI had removed all reslriclions in late
spring 2022. The charity tried to fulfil its public benefit role during the year by making its expertise ac￿Ssible virtually

Ulster Historical Foundation
TRUSTEES. REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 March 2023
or via its website, and its local public engagement came back strongly in this year with a significant number of talks and
presentations delivered for local societies, groups and heritage events, most of these were in-person, though some
w8re virtuallhybrid events, reflecting a return lo something closer to 'normal' compared to the past years.
The Foundation maintains a database of interests of the Ulster diaspora through subscribers lo the Guild, with a regisl8r
of 1,333 subscribers al the end of the financial year. Another lecture tours in North America was held with 12 events
being delivered on a Ihree-week itinerary in March 2023. In addition, two virtual events for North American hosts were
delivered in February 2023 and a third after year end in May 2023. As said, in-person conforgnces and courses could
return in this year and three were held. Another recorded online course was offered in winter 2022123 and again there
was good take up by individuals of that facility. These activities each in their turn, conlfibute directly lo the achievement
of the staled objectives of the Foundation.
Volunteer8
The Foundation has offered placements for more than ￿entY years to volunteers placed by various organisalions such
as New Horizons, Mencap, the Cedar Foundation, and the NOW Group. The Foundation offers volunteers placements
by providing in-person work experience at the offices and also offers individuals the possibility of working remotely from
home. A successful funding application was made lo Awards for All for a new sorver and laptops to better facililale
remote working for interest8d parties. The volunteers have contributed in a meaningful way to the activities of the
Foundation over the years and the ¢harity seeks to offer placements again as it had done before the pandemic.
Structure, Govèrnanca and Managomont
Structure
The Foundation can appoint up lo 14 truste8s who m88t quarterly. The Bo8rd appoint a chairman and vice-chaimian
gnnually at the Annual General Meeting. There are 81s0 honorary position5 of President (The Duke of Abercorn KG),
and Vice-President (The Lord O'Neilll, The Executive Director is appointed by the Trustees lo manage the operations
of the Foundation including the production of business and strategic plans and the preparation of the annual financial
slatemenls.
Trusl6es are recruited by selection via advertlS8ments placed on th6 Foundation's website and with bodies such as the
Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action INICVA} as well as networking. Applicants are invited lo submit an
expression of interest outlining their skills and experience. Applications are considered by the Trustees and
appointments made following the deliberations of the Trustees based on pre-determined criteria.
Governance
New trustees have an initial méèting with the Chairman and are provided with briéfing material which normally
includ8s'.
a copy of the Ulster Historical Foundation ('UHF'I constitution, scheme ol incorporation and charity registration
documentation.,
copi8s of minutes from previous meetings of the Trustees.,
copies of Ulster Historical Foundation's 50th anniversary booklet (published May 200718nd A Vision Realised
{produced in the mid-90sl, both of which give a very useful synopsis of the early history of the Foundation, and.,
opies of the previous annual report, the business plan and subsequent updates.
In accordance with the Constitution, the trustees retire by rolalion and being eligible, off8r th6mselves for re-election.
The Trustees appoint sub-commillee5 dealing with finance, resources and governance issues. and publications. These
sub committees oversee the direction of the Foundation as well as collaboration with external bodies.
The Foundation is a member of, or signed up to, NICVA, the Irish Family History Foundation, the Fundraising Regulator,
the Federation of Small Businesses IFSBI and some othor trade affiliated bodies, however these neiworks have no
impact on the operating policies of the charity.
In the year ended 2007 the Foundation created a dormant company, Ulster Historical Enterprises Limited IUHELI. Its
intended use was to undertake certain commercial activities to enable the charity to pursue more effectively its charitable
objectives. UHEL is a limited company with shares. the sole shareholder being the Ulsler Historical Foundation. The
company is currently dormant having not yet traded. The dormant subsidiary has not been consolidated as there were
no transactions during the year or in the preceding year.

Ulster Historical Foundation
TRUSTEES. REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 March 2023
Governance and Risk Management
The Finance and Resources Committee {' FRC ') considers issues relating to corporate governance to ensure that th8
Foundation follows best practice.
The FRC has reviewed the major risks and in addition to the obvious risks of financing and damage or destruction to
the office and its contents, a further major risk is the potential abuse and breach of copyright of di9ilal material published
online, and cyber-attacks on businesses generally which have increased significantly in re￿nI years. The Trustees are
mindful of this possibility, and online system5 have been developed with security of the data as the primary cor)cern.
The levels of risk from commercial competitors in potential breaches of copyright are considered regularly at committee
and Board level, and the Trustees have from to lime to lime asserted their right to protect information belonging to the
organisation and will continue lo do so when the need arises.
Rovlèw of Actlvltlos, Achlevemonts and Performance
Publlcatlons
During the year the Foundation published seven new titles, including.. Scotch-lrish Migration to Charleston during the
Colonial Period by E.R.R. Gre8n, (Apr. 22).. Northern Ireland 1921-2021.. Centenary Historic31 Perspectives edited by
Nic Dhaibheid, Coleman and Bew (June 221,. Lough Neagh,, An Atlas of the Natural, Built and Cultural Heritage, edited
by Burke, Campbell and Roulslon (July 221,. Through the Salerooms.. Art Auotions in Belfast. 1807-1888 by Eileen Black
(Nov. 221., Desmonds.. Fashioning the Future of Garment Manufacturing by Jonathan Hamill (Dec. 221,. The Maxwells
of Finnebrogue and the gentry of Co. Down, c. 16104. 1960.. a r@sid6nl and responsible élile by A.P.W. Malcomson
(Mar. 23, bul launched in Downpalrick in May 23}., and Alexander Robb and the Making of British Columbia,, the life and
letters home of an Ulster Scots pioneer by B. R.D. While (Mar. 23, bul launched in PRONI in June 231. In addition, the
Foundation reprinted via short run digital printing a small number of out of print titles, including sever81 volumes of th8
Ordnance Survey Memoirs.
Income from publications for the year decreased from ££98,706 to £71,485 for 2022-23, a reduction of £27,221. Thls
significant drop can be related lo the huge increase in the cost of living, the impact on consumer confidence, buying
power and discretionary spending. 11 was also exac8rbaled further by the steep rise in costs for ma16rials and
freighupostage. Simply pul in some cases the postage lo send a certain book title to a customer in the USA ¢o$t more
Ihgn the purchase price of the book. Consequently, business-to-cuslomer sales declined and it was g further reflection
that as society returned to 'normal' and peop16 resumed their preferr8d pastimes el¢, they b8came 8V8n more 18SS
inclined lo buy and read books than they had done in 2020-21.
Expenditure on publications stood at £91,279 compared to £59,891 for 2021-22 an increase of £31,388. This is an
example of several 'bird5 coming home to roost, al the same lime. Of the seven new titles produced in thè y6ar fiv8
were hardback full colour productions, and four of those five were very large and complex productions (The Maxwells
of Finnebrogue running 10 672 pagesl. which were timely and expensive lo produce. In most cases the income had
been received in g prior year 2020-21 and 2021-22, but most of the expgndilufe especially the ¢ostly design and
printing were incurred in this financial yèar. The timelinè of a large publication can be difficult lo predict accurately. so
il is perhaps unfortunate that all were produced during the year. However, that loo was in some ways unavoidable as
production had been held up for various reasons due lo the pandemic and lockdowns in the calendar years 2020 and
2021.
Grants, sponsorshlp and donatlons
Grants, sponsorship and donations received during the year lotalled £45,760 compared to £142.480 in 2021-22, of
which £35,071 was received into reslricled funds designated for specific projec15. This year marked a return to grants
and donations on a level more comparable to pre-pandemic norms. With no financial support from government received
during the year, a significant proportion of the donorlgranl income was given in respect of publication projects, including..
£7,990 towards The Maxwells of Finnebrogue,. £5,000 towards a reprint and new edition of Irish Catholic Experience.,
£5,856 towards Through the Salerooms,, and £3.269 towards four other lilles. That said, £9,960 was received from the
Lottery fund's Awards for All to purchase a new network server and related hardware and laptop computèrs,. and £1,231
from a number of private donors lo help create a volunteer and library suite.
Genoalogl¢al and research servlces
Revenue from all genealogical and research services stood at £237,513 compared to £186,708 in 2021-22, an incr8as6
of £50,805. AS mentioned in the annual report for the previous financial year the Public Record Office of Northern
Ireland, aside from a small window where il opened under a very restricted system in autumn of 2020, was closed from
March 2020 until June 2021, when il reopened lo the public but with an appointment system and still quite reslricled
compared to before the pandemic. It remained closed for group visits for the rest of thg calendar year 2021. As a resull
of the reopening, income from search fees showed a slight recover, increasing from £19,522 last year to £22,733 in
2022-23, a rise of£3,211. Income from Research Consultancy decreased from £21,637 in 2021-22 to £12,199, a decline
of £9,438. Given that historical consultancy projects nearly always rely on third party funding, and in some cases the
Foundation has to tender for projects in open competition, income from this nominal is prone to fluctuate from yoar to
year.

Ulster Historical Foundation
TRUSTEES, REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 March 2023
Income from sales of online birth. marriage and death records declined slightly to £69,811 from £72.282 in 2021-22, a
reduction of £2,471.
Costs of research setvices increased from £34,697 in 2021-22 10 £50,402, a rise of £15,705. This is partly explained
by the lecture tour costs of £10,619 (compared lo £5,480 for the previous y&arl, reflecting a more complex itinerary for
March 23, two speakers being in Notth America in person and the increased costs ol shipping materials for the tour.
There was also £4,766 of direct Cost incurred in relation lo historical consultancy projects.
Gulld
Income from Guild services decreased from £50,471 in 2021-22 to £43,554, a decline of £6,g17. Related expendituré
on Guild activities stood al £16,667 compared lo £18,405 last year, a small drop of £1,738. This is due lo the reduction
in the total number of members, and thus a reduced mailing of ar)nual membership packs. and also the second year
since introducing a digital vgrsion of the Directory of Irish Family History Research, where members could opt for a
digital-only subscription and thus forgo a top-up fee to receive a hard copy by post.
The number of paid up subscrlbers al thè end of the current financial year was 1,333 compared to 1,485 in 2021-2218
decrease of 1521, of which 789 paid an annugl subscription {new or renewing) in the year. The number of members for
calendar year January lo Detember 2022 stood at 1,359. The total number of five-year members in the financial y8ar
was 27812021.. 2981 There were 266 life members lincluding honorary), with 20 new life membersjoining in the financial
year12021.' +fourl. The decline in Guild subscriptions - annual and five-year members - is indicative of the pressures
charities and businesses faced as the cost of living crisis bit hard in the autumn 012022 and pgople have continued to
tighten their financial bells. Secondly, 8 number of long-standing members have either passed away or have lak8n the
decision to allow their membership to lapsè due to age.
Conferences, Courses and Classes
After 2.5 years of a hiatus the Foundation was able lo host in-person family history ¢onferenc6s and courses as PRONI
allowed group visits lo take place again. Three events were held.. a Jun6 conference, an October research program and
8lso in Juné the charity devised a tour for a group visiting from New York City. As a result, income rose to £66,454
against £14,043 for last year (which was income generated for a recorded virtual course held during the winter months},
an increase of £52.411. A significant numb8r of the regislrgnts for Jun6 and October wero individuals who had been
deferring sinc6 2020 or 2021 and thus they had already paid Ih6ir deposit or conference fee in full prior to this year,
meaning total income wa5 reduc8d on what il might otherwise have been. Howevèr, it did mean that the potential liability
of refunding registrants was much reduced at year end as a result. The income for the year would also include
regislralions rec8ived before March 2023 for programmes taking place in September and October 2023. Direct costs
related to these events stood al £14,241 for the year, where, understandably, there was no direct exp8nditure incurred
in 2021-22 as no in-person evénts were held.
Prior lo Ihe June conference, US genealogist and tour guide, Donna Moughly, brought a group lo use thè Foundation's
research library on 17 May 2022, the first group to visit the offices al Killonga since the charity moved in back in March
2020- thè result of course of tha disruption caused by thè pandemic.
Al year end the Foundation was still potentially liable to refund a further approx. £6,821 in deposits paid for th8 Cancelled
programmes in 2020, 2021. Most registrants ar6 willing to be patient and have in some cases deferred again themselves
to a future year.
Outward pmmotlon
A lecture lour took place in March 2023 with Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt delivering programmes in the following
locations.. Post Falls ID,. Boston MA., Fairfield CT, New York City, Michigan City IN,. Independence MO., Madison Wl.,
Louisville KY., Pitlsburgh PA,. Leesburg VA.. Jackson Purchase KY., Ottawa ON. In addition, two virtual one-day events
were held in February 2023 for Philadelphia PA and Vancouver BC. A third was delivered after the main lecture tour for
W.l.S.E. in Denver CO in May 23.
Income from the lour was approx. £25,697 for speaker fees, book sales consultations and Guild subscriptions and other
items (speakers, fees. contribution lo costs and advertising generated £12,485 of the totall. Direct expenditure was
£13,443, giving a gross surplus of £12,254. This of course does not include staff time involved in delivering the
programmes. Long experience has shown that the tours generate further business in terms of research commissions,
membership subscriptions, conference and course bookings, book sales and Gan lead lo further invitations to speak
overseas. While difficult lo quantify, given that it might bg several years before someone who allended a program
commissions research or registers for a conference, the addition21 income gonerated as a result of these activities is
an important factor in undertaking them. They also h8lp to project a positive image of the OTganisation overseas and
hèlps the charity to publicise and promote its activities and public benefit role.
Local community engagement
This year saw a return to activities more typical to the pre-pandemic norms. During the year the Research Director, Dr
William Rou15ton, undertook the following local engagements.. delivery of a 5-week course tilled 'The Story of Ulster.

Ulster Historical Foundation
TRUSTEES. REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 March 2023
1600-1800= A Social. Economic and Religious History of the Province over Two Centuries. in the village of Cullybackey,
Co. Anlrim {April-May 22},' East Donegal Family History Festival, including conducting a lour of the historic graveyard
at Taughboyne- and d81ivering a talk on early emigration from North-west Ulster to America at an evening devoted lo
the theme of migration {Aug. 22}., virtual presentation with Dave Miller to the Appleton Irish Fest. Appleton Wl117 Sep.
221 delivery of a 4-week course called 'A Riv8r Valley in Co Tyrone.. an exploration of the natural, built and cultural
heritage of the River Slrule landscape, for the Mellon Centre for Migration {O¢t.-Nov. 221,. online lecture on the '1718
Migration, for Libraries Nl (5 Ocl. 22},' lecture on 'Researching farming families, to Randalslown Historical Society16
Ocl. 221,. lecture on churchyards and cemeteries in and around the historic town of Carrickfergus in Carrickfergus Town
Hall (g Nov. 22},' online lecture on 'of Scottish burial and commemoration practices in sevenleenlh-cenlury Ireland, to
the Church Monuments Society112 Nov. 22}., presentation on A.G. Lecky's book Roots of Presbyterianism in Donegal
in Raphoe (24 Nov. 221., talk al the unveiling of an Ulster History Circle blue plaque lo William Slarrat at strabane Library
125 Nov. 22) talk on 'Researchin9 farming families. lo the Ballymena Family Hislory Society {26 Jan. 23).. online talk on
Scollish migration to Ulsler to Scottish Interest Group of the Ontario Genealogical Society18 Feb. 231., online talk on
'Researching farming ancestors, to the Irish Community Archive Nelwork19 Feb. 231., lecture on 'Records and Roots..
people and the land in north-west Ulster, at the Twenly-Firsl Annual Irish Migration Studies Lecture hosted by the Mellon
Centre for Migration Studies {11 Feb. 231 and a talk on Ulster and Scotland lo Ballymena Probus Club {27 Mar. 23).
Following the success of the online genealogy course delivered by Gillian Hunt in 2021, thè Lurgan Townscapes Project
and the Friends of the Shankill Graveyard in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, asked the Foundation lo devise and deliver another
course on tracing Irish ancestors in the countries lo which they emigrated. Gillian and Fintan Mullan were the hosts for
this innovative five-week long virtual course bringing in the expertise of the Foundation's contacts outside of the island
of Ireland, including.. Great Britain {Chris Palon)., USA (Dave Miller},' Canad8 (Melanie McLennanl and Australia (Dr
Perry Mclnlyrel. Once again, and because il was virtual and the subject matter related to thrèe continents, an
international audience participated in the course.
Gillian and Finlan also jointly delivered their second 'Brilish Inslilule, hosted by International Society for British
Genealogy and Family History IISBGFHI. from 10-14 Ocl. 22. 88fore the pandemic this annual event was a week-long,
In-person course held in Salt Lake City UT. Having had to cancel in 2020, and then go virtual in 2021, the organisers
hoped that they might be able to return lo an in-person event for October 2022, il was not to be.lt became obvious in
April of the year Ihal there were too many practical issues lo overcome and so il was delivered virtually.
Gillian delivered a genealogy course for Ulster Rugby which ran from February to April 2023. Separately Finlan Mullan
gave a virtual prosenlalion to tho Genealogy Collective of five Long Island public libraries in New York slato11 Apr. 231;
spok& in a virtual session about the history and work of Ulster Historical Foundation lo the Twènly-Third Ulsler-American
Heritage Symposium held in Johnson City, TN {21 June 221., presented a virtual lectur8 to W.l.S.E. based in Denver
CO as promotion and publicity for the full day virtual event scheduled lo with this society for May 2023., and launched
the annual Lecale Review journal for the Lecale & Downe Historical Society in the St Patrick's Cenlre, Downpatrick {27
Oct. 221.
A number of book collections were donated during the year to the Foundation's Research Library. These were appraised
by Mr Fonsie Mealy of Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers, Casllecomer, Co. Kilkenny and resulted in a gain on the revaluation
of heritage assets of £15,600. This gain is shown on the Statement of Financial Activities {SOFA} on page 16.
There were two change to the Board of Trustees during the financial year 2022-23. Prof. Sir George Bain retired from
the board on 28 July 2022, and the staff and trustees wer8 shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely death of Dr
Éamon Phoenix on 13 Nov8mber 2023. Tho organisalion would also like lo pay tribute lo Baroness May Blood who had
retired from the board in January 2021, and who passed away on 21 October 2023 just a few weeks before Éamon.
Douglas Bartlell became a trustee after the financial year-end, on 27 April 2023.
Flnanclal Rovlew
The year to 31 March 2023, resulted in a deficit of £58,452 compared lo a surplus of £35,912 in the year ended 31
March 2022. This was the first full financial year following the pandemic wilhoul any government assistance and as Iho
Foundation sought lo return to its full range of seNices and income generating aclivilies.
By far the most significant factor in the year-end posilion was the very significant direct expenditure and related staff
lime and organisalional resources absorbed by the publishing activities. As indicated above in Publications Ipage 71, of
the seven tilles produced five were complex and large full-colour hardback publications. They were expensive lo
produce and lime demanding to deliver. And as indicated in the trustees reports for prior years the income had been
received in 2020-21 and 2021-22 bul the vasl bulk of the costs were incurred in this financial year.
At year end the Foundation was potentially still liable for £6,821 in possible refunds for conference registrants who had
signed up for programmes in 2020 and 2021 that had to be cancelled.
At 31 March 2023 the charity owed £44.909 in respect of Ihe Bounce Back Loan, having repaid £5,091 plus interest by
year end.

Ulster Historical Foundation
TRUSTEES. REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 March 2023
The charity, like m05t other organisalions, also faced steep increases in certain running costs. not least gas, electricity
as the cost of living crisis bil evermore deep in autumn 2022. In addition, material costs for publishing increased, as did
associated freight costs and postage costs for sending customer orders also rose significant. As the general public was
cutting back on discretionary spending, a reduction in income across book sales, membership subscriptions, purchases
of BMDS was experienced. These various factors fed into the difficult environment that led to Ihe year-end position.
Given that many aspects of the macro environment impacting on trading and running costs have not dissipated it is
likely the financial year ahead will present challenges for the organi5ation.
Results and Divldands
Al the end of the financial year the charity has assets of £612,17112022 - £649.621) and liabilities of £132,045 {2022
£111,048). The net assets of thè charity have decreased by £154,451).
R980rve8 P081tlon and Poll¢y
The Trustees have reviewed the level of free r8serves Ilhal is those funds not tied up in tangible fixed assets or restricted
fundsl. The Trustees have decided that, in principle, the Foundation should aim to build up and retain sufficient monies
8$ a strategic resBfv6. to the equivalent of approximately 12 months of running costs for the organisation. For the yèar
2022-23, this would equate to a figure of approximately £356.178 in unreslricled funds.
In so doing, this is balanced against the on-going demands placed on th8 organigation, as il exists in a self-sustgining
business mod81. The actual free reserves al the 31 March 2023 were £413,242 which represents approximal6ly 14
months of aclivilies. It is important that the Foundation tries lo build on these fr88 reseNes lo maintain thè 12 month
pèriod $6t by the Trustees. The policy will be reviewed annu811y.
Plan8 for the future
Thé Trusloes, main objective is lo secure thè longer-lerm financial viability of the organisation. In 2022 il was possible
to restore the Foundation's in-person genealogy conferences and coursès, and three events were held during the year.
The organisglion seeks to continue to allracl overseas visitors lo its programmes held in Belfast as well as partlClP81ion
on the virtual online genealogy courses offered through the winter months.
The development of the n8w webslle which made significant progress during 2022-23 should help to not only publicise
and facilitate new elements to the in-pergon Courses, bul provide a more robust platform and improved visitor experienc8
for individuals taking part in online cours85. The aim is to launch the new website in 2023-24
In tandem with the rebuild of the website the organisation will continu8 lo focus on orealing digital resources for members
and users which gathered pace in the second half of th8 financial year under review and which will continue into the
new financial year.
In autumn 2022 the Foundation sècured a project with the Diocese of Down and Connor lo digltise and transcribe the
old registers of burials. ele, for Belfast Milltown Cemetery. That project commenced in the last quarter of the year and
will continue through 2023-24. Work will also continue on Catholic church registers for the period 1900 up to 1930.
A revièw of the Foundation's business activities and strategy is planned for th& first quarter of the n8w financial year,
with a report lo be presented lo a futuré meeting of the Iruslees.
Cornpllance wlth Sector-wldo Leglslatlon and Standards
The charity engages pro-actively with legislation. standards and codes which ar8 developed for the sector. Ulster
Historical Foundation subscribes lo and is compliant with the following..
The Charities SORP IFRS 102)
Golng Concern
The Trustees have reviewed their business plan, forecasts and the level of reserve5 held by the Foundation. After
making enquiries. the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Foundation has adequate resources to continue
in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue lo adopt the going concern basis in
pr&paring the annual report and financial statements.
Publ1¢ Bonoflt
Acknowledgement of the Foundation's public benefit role was confirmed with the award of charity registration in August
2014. Passing the public benefit lesl for each objective ol the charity was a crucial part of the exercise to gain registered
charity status. Recognition of the Foundation's public benefit gives the Trustees confidènce that its work is valued by,
and of value to, the wider community in Northern Ireland.
Through ils various means of outreach (within Ihe British Isles and further afield} the Foundation demonstrates the
benefit of ils service lo the general public. The public can visit ils offices, 9'.00am to 5.'OOpm Monday lo Friday, to make
enquiries, ask for general advice and pick up free resources or useful materials. Appointments for in-person as well as
10

Ulster Historical Foundation
TRUSTEES, REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 March 2023
virtual consultations can be made via the office. The Foundation makes available many reSoUr￿S online free of charge.
including how-to guides, free indexes to records, case studies of research techniques, and free e-Books. and they
continued to be available during the year.
The Foundation's staff deal with general and specific queries from the public by telephone. email, and in-person visits
to the office. This year also saw a return to local speaking engagements to pre.pandemic levels of activities. During the
year staff were busy. often at weekends and evenings {i.e. usually out ol office hours), and contributed lo the
proceedings of local history societies and interest groups {see Local Community Engagement above for details). Staff
undertook a USA leoture tour., delivered a virtual week-long course for the British Inslilule (usually held in -person in
Salt Lake City). Vvhile some engagements were virtual or hybrid (not least those delivered for overseas organisalionsl,
the vast majority of local activities were in-person events.
The Foundation's offices have free onsite parking and direct access lo an Ulslerbus roule making it accessible to the
general public. for locals and visitors alike. The research library is available for staff and members, though curious
members of the public are always given free access lo the facility should they make contact, The library can be used to
host a range of frga events, advisory session5 and book launches which are all open to the g8neral public.
The Foundation gives advice and asslslance lo under- and post-graduate students Ilo whom it often also provides non-
r8muneraled internships) and authors with advice on how to publish their project. whether or not il is with the Foundation.
11 does similarly with those undertaking locallcommunily-based research projects. In addition, the Foundation
accommodates academic and non-academic resear¢hers, giving thém access to the databases, research library and
èxpèrtise, in nearly all casès without charge.
The Senior stsff gSv8 of their time on the boards of other organisalions, including.. the Irish Famlly History Foundallon,
the Northern Ireland Publications Resource, PRONI'S Users, Forum, the Presbyterian Historical Society and the Belfast
Natural History and Philosophical Society. General advicé is regularly offered to local history groups and individuals
seeking lo publish or deliver a herilag8-relaled project in their area, regardless of whelh8r thé FoUndat￿on is the
publisher or d81ivery agent. Oigitgl resources on the Foundation's websites. free or otherwisè, are aooessiblè to the
public.
Approved by thè Board of Tru8tee8 on
and 819ned on Its behalf by:
Slr Denls Desmond CBE
Chalrper8on
11

Ulster Historical Foundation
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES
for the financial year ended 31 March 2023
The truste8s are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial
year which give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial Position of the charity as al the financial year
end date and of the surplus or deliGII of the charity and olhenNise comply with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland} 2008.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required lo..
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.,
observo the methods and principles in the Charities SORP
make judgements and accounting 051imales that are reasonable and prudent.,
slate whether the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting stsndards,
identity those standards, and note the effect and the reasons for any material departure from those standards.. and
prepare the fi'nancial statements on the going concern basis unless il is inappropriate lo presume that the charity
will continue in operation.
The trustees confirm that they have Complied with th8 above requirements in preparing the financial statements.
Thé trustees are responsiblè for keeping adequate accounting records that are suffi'cient lo show and explain the
charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy al any lime the financial position of thé charity. They ar8
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and
detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Board of Tru8tee8 on
and 8lgnod on Its behalf by:
Slr Den18 Do8mond CBE
Chalrporson
12