This talk is the final of three in the Summer Potpourri online talks series. We are surrounded by elements of industrial archaeology throughout our everyday lives but often take them for granted without realising their significance or the history which surrounds them. This talk shows how artefacts reveal over a timescale of hundreds of years, the development of culture and society through the use of materials and technologies. The talk highlights the pace of change and contrasts items from Victorian times with items from the 1920’s, 30’s, 40’s and latter 20th century and the present day. ...

Informal discussion group, 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.  ...

Do you have Merchant Navy ancestors? Need some advice in how to trace or interpret their records? Our  specialist family history advice sessions are always popular.  They are 1-1, free of cost and available to members and non-members alike. These particular Merchant Navy sessions are online, using Zoom technology - so you can book a session, wherever you live in the world.  You may book a 30 minute slot with our adviser, three 1-1 slots are available in this session. ...

Build your knowledge of Victorian sources in this ten week course which starts 6 October and runs weekly until 8 December. The nineteenth century is a treasure trove of documents relating to the lives of our Victorian forebears. A selection of these sources will be used to provide context and a sense of period, whilst developing our knowledge of what is available from museums, archives, libraries and record offices. During the course we will consider the type of sources available and using a themed approach uncover what life was like in the 19th century, a period that witnessed profound change and development. There will also be an opportunity to apply learning in a small project. ...

This special interest discussion group is aimed at those wanting to get the most out of their DNA results. It is facilitated by international DNA expert, Debbie Kennett. Sessions are held quarterly, but there is no obligation to attend on a regular basis and first time attendees are always welcomed. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and to gain ideas for how you can used your results to solve questions and break down brick walls. ...

This all series ticket covers all three talks in the "Lesser-Known Reading" talks series, for the discounted price of £12.50 (members £10.00). You may also book each talk individually - see each separate event page. All three talks are on Thursdays at 2pm in The Centre for Heritage and Family History, Reading. They last about an hour with time for questions and discussion afterwards. Tea, coffee and cake after the talk is included in the price. ...

This is the first of three talks in the Lesser-Known Reading Talks Series. You may book tickets for individual events or for all three talks in the series for a reduced price.  A layman’s view of some of Reading's Victorian buildings, covering several architects, styles, genres and functions. Discover why you should stop and take a closer look. Our speaker is Terry Dixon who runs popular walking tours of the town. This talk is inspired by his Reading Architecture Walkabout, during which he takes participants on a walk through the many different architectural styles in his wonderful town. If you’re not already proud of these buildings, you will be by the end of the talk. ...

Have you been researching your family tree and would like to write it up as a story but don't know how to start? In the popular workshop, Dr Barry Jerome will help you get started and show you how you can structure it, so that you can write up your family history while still continuing your research.  ...

This workshop is designed for family historians who are researching their relatives who served in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Fleet Air Arm or the Women’s Royal Naval Service in World War Two. We will look at the ranks, roles and divisions of each service, the ships and aeroplanes they served on, and what that meant to the lives of the people who served. This will help researchers gain an understanding of what family relatives were doing during World War Two. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions pertinent to their own research.  ...

This all series ticket covers all three in the Autumn "Potpourri of Social History" talks series, for the discounted price of £12.50 (members £10.00). You may also book each talk individually - see each separate event page. All three talks are on Thursdays at 2pm and last about an hour. Afterwards there will be time for questions and discussion. This is an online talks series using Zoom.  ...