Just A Job: Revitalizing Your Family History With Occupational Research
How many hours of your life have you spent working?
Housing, income, leisure time: our occupation has the power to shape so many aspects of our existence – and that wasn’t so different for our ancestors either. Delving into occupational research can offer marvellous insights into an individual’s life story and the choices they made. The jobs of our forebears could shape the houses they lived in, dictate the timing of daily life, and cause potentially fatal maladies. In this session, we’ll harness the power of digital resources and physical archives to expand and strengthen our family history research. We’ll also explore occupational stories from some familiar – and not-so-familiar – jobs to see how the demands and hazards of the workplace influenced workers’ lives, with examples ranging from medieval times through to the Victorian era.
Including historical nuggets to fascinate and delight, attendees will gain valuable insights into bygone trades and an action plan for how to enrich their family history through occupational research.
Free parking.
Free entry for members, non-members are asked to make a £5 donation towards costs.
Date
- Thu 24 Apr 2025
Time
Doors open at 19.15- 19:45 - 21:00
Location
- The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, 280 The Meadway, Tilehurst, Reading, RG30 4PE, Berkshire
Organiser
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Reading Branch - Berkshire FHS
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Email
reading@berksfhs.org.uk
Speaker
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Dr Sophie KayFrom DNA to historical maps, from research methods to historical occupations, Dr. Sophie Kay is a
professional genealogist and geneticist at Khronicle® (www.khronicle.co.uk) who loves all manner of
family history research challenges. She’s the Ancestry and Genealogy Expert for popular archaeology
show, Time Team; the specialist DNA Tutor for the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies;
and teaches courses in historical mapping techniques and research methodology at Pharos Tutors.
She’s also a Member of AGRA, a UK organisation of professional family historians. Sophie also writes
a family history blog, The Parchment Rustler (www.parchmentrustler.com), where she shares tips,
tricks and strategies for making the most of your ancestral research journey.