Learn how to navigate our Facebook groups, pages, and members' forum to solve your research puzzles and connect with fellow Berkshire genealogists.
If you have an interest in historic Berkshire or a particular family, location, industry or transport system within it, you'll almost certainly want to attend this Fair. It is online, free to attend and brings together experts from across the historic county. There are two sessions 10 - 12 noon, and 2 - 3pm. You can attend either or both sessions.
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. Topic for May is a continuation from April - yet more discoveries such as a visit to an archive, a new ancestor, more info about a known ancestor, learning about a new topic (such as AI) and so on. End time varies. Free to attend, but pre-booking required.
Discover the history of the former Berkshire County Asylum
Thomas Willats, from a notable Berkshire family, faced extensive legal disputes and financial difficulties. Despite owning Kidmore End estate, he endured 17 years in debtor’s prison amid multiple Chancery cases, family inheritance conflicts and controversial associations with Ely Stott. His extensive correspondence and legal records reveal both personal and financial struggles.
Bring your questions, problems and ‘brickwalls’ … and get some new ideas and advice from members of the Berkshire Family History Society.
Berkshire Family History Society works to meet the needs of those researching their ancestry across the UK and overseas – as well as those looking for former relatives in historic Berkshire. You do not need to be a member to benefit.
The society offers:
Research Zone in central Reading that is free to use and open to all
Free access at The Centre for Heritage and Family History to online resources like FindMyPast, the 1939 Register, The Genealogist, the British Newspaper Archive and Ancestry (the worldwide edition)
Regular free help and advice sessions
Meetings in Abingdon, Bracknell, Newbury, Reading and Windsor; and a virtual Computer Branch which meets online. All meetings are open to everyone
Community forum – informed answers to research queries and advice from experienced researchers
Members’ Area with data and other information not readily accessible elsewhere
Indexes and transcriptions of Berkshire’s historic records on CD — parish registers, probate documents, monumental inscriptions, maps, First World War history and more
Quarterly magazine, the Berkshire Family Historian, for members
a chance to join in project work, recording, transcribing and helping to preserve records
Links to the research experience, advice and support of members worldwide
