This talk will describe aspects of the town’s history by considering some of its, often not well known, plaques, statues, and monuments. Even the better- known memorials have secrets to yield in the tales of their origins.
An online talk for local history enthusiasts exploring Thames Valley heritage, from prehistoric ancestors and Viking battles to modern industries.
This all series ticket covers all three talks in the Autumn "Potpourri of Social History" talks series, for the discounted price of £12.50 (members £10.00).
An in-person guided walkabout for local history enthusiasts exploring the rich medieval heritage of Reading, from Viking invasions to the Abbey.
An in-person, drop-in open day for anyone researching their family history, featuring expert advice and free access to major genealogical databases.
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.
Discover the unique 1819 travel scroll of Speen's Harriet Parry, and learn how Berkshire parish records helped reconstruct her European adventures.
Join us for a FREE tour of Berkshire Family History Society's new Family Research Centre. Pre-booking required.
The Fair Mile Hospital (before 1948 known by a succession of different names) was until relatively recently Berkshire’s county lunatic asylum. Ian Wheeler will take us around the site with a site plan to help visualise the hospital as it once was.
This discussion group is aimed at those wanting to get the most out of their DNA results. It 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.
This all series ticket covers all three talks in the "Houses and Estates" Talks series, for the discounted price of £12.50 (members £10). Alll talks are on Thursdays at 2.30pm at the Abbey Baptist Church in Reading.
This talk is about the history of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and its work today. It will start with how the Commission began, its work during the 1st and 2nd World Wars and concludes with its work today in maintaining and preserving its global historic estate.
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
