Full Events Programme
Welcome to the Berkshire Family History Society events programme. We host one of the UK’s most active genealogy schedules, featuring 180+ events per year, online and face-to-face, including talks, walks, courses, workshops, advice clinics, and expert heritage seminars open to both members and the public.
Next Upcoming Event
October 2026
Oxfordshire FHS Family History Fair
We're looking forward to joining Oxfordshire FHS and other organisations at their Family History Fair on Saturday
Drop In Advice Session
Bring your questions, problems and ‘brickwalls’ … and get some new ideas and advice from members of the Berkshire Family History Society.
Tracing Your WW2 Royal Navy Ancestors
An online workshop for family historians looking to discover the service records, ship logs and histories of their World War Two Royal Navy ancestors.
November 2026
Face-to-Face Family History Advice Clinic Sold Out
Just beginning your family history research and need some advice? Banging your head against a brick wall? Or struggling with some other issues? In this one-to-one session, one of our seasoned advisors will help you make some progress
Tour of Family Research Centre
Join us for a FREE tour of Berkshire Family History Society's new Family Research Centre. Pre-booking required.
November Natter Group
Informal discussion group for members of Berks FHS, facilitated by Chad Hanna and Gillian Stevens. Topics are chosen by the group on a monthly basis. End time varies. Free to attend, but pre-booking required.
Getting the most out of your Membership Workshop
Are you a relatively new member of the Society? Want to get the most out of your membership? This informal workshop will introduce you to the range of benefits that you have available to you. Questions welcomed. Open only to members of Berkshire Family History Society.
Almshouses in West Berkshire: Charity on the Doorstep
This talk will explore the history of almshouses, how they were founded and funded, with local examples.
Drop In Advice Session
Bring your questions, problems and ‘brickwalls’ … and get some new ideas and advice from members of the Berkshire Family History Society.
Writing up Your Family History Sold Out
An in-person workshop for family history researchers wanting to turn their tree into a story, with tips on how to start and structure your work.
Online Family History Advice Clinic
Are you just getting started in family history and wanting guidance as to how to proceed? Or are you stuck at a particular "brick wall" and need some help?
Branches & Breakthroughs: Family History Discussion GroupCancelled
Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or just starting your very first family tree, this evening is designed to encourage open discussion about family history research at all levels.
Pinning Down Your Ancestors
An online workshop for family history researchers looking to locate elusive ancestors using maps, land records, and local history sources.
The Silk Industry in Reading
The silk industry existed in Reading for over 200 years, and employed over 500 people in the early 19th century. Yet nowadays few have heard of it. David will describe the different processes involved in silk production, how the industry in Reading was run, some of the firms involved, and whereabouts they operated.
Wokingham’s Markets and Fairs: from 800 years ago to the present day
The talk starts with the establishment of fairs in the early middle ages. Permission for a market in Wokingham was given by Henry III. Over the years fairs have been added to the calendar and the May Fayre, Summer Festival and Winter Carnival still take place.
Drop In Advice Session
Bring your questions, problems and ‘brickwalls’ … and get some new ideas and advice from members of the Berkshire Family History Society.
Origins of Pub Names
An online branch meeting and talk exploring the history and meanings behind traditional pub names, ideal for local and family history enthusiasts.
A Timeline of Thames Valley History – CANCELLED Sold Out
An online talk for local history enthusiasts exploring Thames Valley heritage, from prehistoric ancestors and Viking battles to modern industries.
Fleshing out the Bones
An online talk for family historians looking to go beyond names and dates to discover their ancestors' occupations, daily lives and social history.
All Saints Church, Maidenhead, Tour
Join our tour guide, Ken Smith, to learn about the history of the grade one neo-gothic church of All Saints on the edge of Maidenhead at Boyne Hill.
December 2026
December Natter Group
Informal discussion group for members of Berks FHS, facilitated by Chad Hanna and Gillian Stevens. Topics are chosen by the group on a monthly basis. End time varies. Free to attend, but pre-booking required.
Tracing Your RAF Ancestors Workshop
Join us for a practical, accessible session that demystifies RAF personnel files, operational records, squadron diaries, casualty reports, medal cards, and more. Whether your ancestor served on the ground or in the air, you'll learn where to find the key documents, how to read them, and what hidden stories they can reveal.
Face-to-Face Family History Advice Clinic Sold Out
Just beginning your family history research and need some advice? Banging your head against a brick wall? Or struggling with some other issues? In this one-to-one session, one of our seasoned advisors will help you make some progress
Tour of Family Research Centre
Join us for a FREE tour of Berkshire Family History Society's new Family Research Centre. Pre-booking required.
Christmas Social & Quiz
Come and join us for a Combined Branches' Christmas Social. It will be a chance to get together, catch up on Society developments and chat to other members of the Society.
Drop In Advice Session
Bring your questions, problems and ‘brickwalls’ … and get some new ideas and advice from members of the Berkshire Family History Society.
Victorians at Christmas
An online talk exploring Victorian festive traditions, ideal for family historians wanting to understand how their ancestors celebrated the season.
January 2027
Face-to-Face Family History Advice Clinic
Just beginning your family history research and need some advice? Banging your head against a brick wall? Or struggling with some other issues? In this one-to-one session, one of our seasoned advisors will help you make some progress
January Natter Group
Informal discussion group for members of Berks FHS, facilitated by Chad Hanna and Gillian Stevens. Topics are chosen by the group on a monthly basis. End time varies. Free to attend, but pre-booking required.
Special Interest DNA Group – January
Want to get the most out of your DNA results? This is a great opportunity to ask questions, gain ideas and share success stories. All levels of expertise with interpreting DNA results are welcome but you should have some basic experience of working with your DNA matches to get the most out of the group.
Create an enduring family tree in YourTrees
Create a comprehensive enduring family tree, that is relevant to the digital generations, and store a copy on YourTrees. The workshop is aimed at those who have already saved versions of their tree(s) on YourTrees, those that are thinking of doing so, or wondering whether they should.
Drop In Advice Session
Bring your questions, problems and ‘brickwalls’ … and get some new ideas and advice from members of the Berkshire Family History Society.
Online Family History Advice Clinic
Are you just getting started in family history and wanting guidance as to how to proceed? Or are you stuck at a particular "brick wall" and need some help?
Family History Discussion
An informal in-person discussion session for family historians of all levels to solve research brick walls, share discoveries and swap advice.
Tour of St Andrew’s, Sonning
An in-person guided church tour exploring over a thousand years of parish history and heritage at St Andrew's Church, Sonning. Pre-booking essential for this small group visit.
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