And on Saturday the organisation’s Patron, Ian Maitland the Earl of Lauderdale, officially opened the new premises on Overhaugh Street.

During his address the 18th Earl of Lauderdale, who has a history degree from Oxford, praised the work of BFHS.

He said: “A professor once told me that you are only a historian if you work from original documents – the people at Borders Family History Society do just that.

“You look at the gravestones, the archives and the documents and find out about people. It is so exciting when you can see how your own people were involved in a period of history – it brings that history alive.” The Earl, who is the Hereditary Flag-Bearer for Scotland and Chief of the Clan Maitland, reminded Saturday’s opening party of his own past.

He added: “The Maitlands were first recorded in Yorkshire in 1138 – by 1200 we were in Kelso taking people’s money. We were dastardly lawyers back then.

“By 1250 we were in Lauderdale where we have remained ever since.” For close to 30 years the Borders Family History Society has been recording, digging and researching all over the region.

They have helped hundreds of ex-pats dig up their roots.

And they have uncovered countless threads and characters who have helped shape the Scottish Borders that we know today.

Bill Stewart from Ayton, who is the Society’s membership secretary, was instrumental in helping the move to Overhaugh Street. And he was deservedly praised for organising the refurbishment of the offices, which include research rooms, a small museum and exhibition area, a meeting room, kitchen and toilets – all with disabled access.

Chairman Peter Munro revealed that research classes could soon take place at the new premises.

He said: “I hope that we will be able to organise courses in family history and computing at some point in the near future.

“When we moved into Old Gala House 16 years ago it was a big step for us – this is an even bigger step.

“A lot of people deserve a lot of thanks – without the support of the people who buy our publications we would never have been able to afford these wonderful premises.” The Borders Family History Society offices on Overhaugh Street will initially be open for three days each week.

An exhibition on World War One has been carefully arranged, which features photos, diaries, postcards and several special displays into regiments and individuals connected with the Borders.

Amongst the many stories is one on Willie Smith – the world-famous Bee Man.

After fighting in the Somme, Smith returned to his native Peeblesshire and was employed as a chauffeur for Walkerburn mill-owner David Ballantyne.

But he is best known for inventing the Smith Hive while keeping bees at the Ice House on Glen Estate.

Also on the recently decorated walls of the BFHS offices are pictorial-biographies of hundreds of young men from the Borders who didn’t return from the Great War.