Over the past two weeks or so ballymoneyancestry.com has been issuing e-mail notifications to members of the impending need to re-new their membership of the site to allow them to continue to participate in the Ancestry Forum and to receive the regular e-zines produced.

This is an automated request and is a default function of the Forum software, which we were not aware, was built into the system. However we have been able to override the need for existing members to re-new their membership with the result that if you receive such an e-mail from us you can disregard it, your membership will not cease.

Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this e-mail may have caused you. We trust that it has not detracted in any way from your enjoyment in or value of using the site. Should you have any queries, comments or problems please do not hesitate to get in contact with us at feedback@ballymoneyancestry.com

As promised ballymoneyancestry.com now includes a database of suitably qualified and experienced researchers who can provide a bespoke research service for those requiring significant and detailed research to be carried out. The details of those listed can be viewed at www.ballymoneyancestry.com/ancestry-links.aspx.

As explained below ballymoneyancestry.com is neither commending or recommending these researchers; their details are being provided for information purposes only.

However it is expected that many users may be considering contracting the services of such researchers and the site would be interested to hear of your experiences and the successes achieved from using professional researchers to source information for you. Comments can be forwarded to feedback@ballymoneyancestry.com.

The Council has announced that Ballymoney Museum, based at the Town Hall in Townhead Street, will close on 1st September to enable the Interpretative Fit Out of the exhibition galleries etc, a £400,000 project, towards which the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £300,000. Works are expected to be complete by Spring 2009.

Haley Sharpe Design, Leicester, has been commissioned by Council to develop the schematic design and they have been working closely with Councillors and Council Officers for the past year to firm up their design proposals. These are now at an advanced stage and Council is ready to tender the work to enable the fit out to take place over the next six months.

When the Museum opens its doors again, visitors will be able to experience two new permanent exhibitions telling the Story of Ballymoney and the Story of Road Racing as well as a series of temporary exhibitions. A new Local History Resource Area will provide the opportunity to explore the stories of the people, places, genealogy and the history of the Ballymoney Borough.