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January 2022
Getting more out of Ancestry and Findmypast Workshop Last Few Tickets
Ancestry and Findmypast (FMP) are two of the most popular websites for family historians - but are you getting the most out of them? Boost your chances of success with this informative workshop by Tony Wright. ...
A Potpourri of Social History Talks – Winter Series
This all series ticket covers all three in the winter "Potpourri of Social History" talks series, for the discounted price of £12.50 (Berkshire Family History Society 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 with time for questions and discussion afterwards. This is an online talks series using Zoom (link provided when you book). ...
Georgian Reading
The origins of this talk date back to 2018 and a Reading Civic Society tour of Bath. After the visit, long standing member Professor John Missenden was seized by not only how important the buildings of Bath are but that Reading has many great Georgian buildings too which we, and the Council, do not value in the same way so they are hidden in clear sight. He decided to develop a presentation about Reading, Berkshire’s Bath Spa and this has now developed into this talk for Berkshire Family History Society. ...
February 2022
February Natter Group
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 is required. ...
Beginning your Family History
Are you looking to start researching your family history and don’t know where to begin? This talk covers the basic information you will need to get started, including what you need to know before you begin and where to look for information. It will also include basic pitfalls to avoid and some of the problems you may encounter along the way. ...
Smith’s Coaches of Reading
Smith’s Coaches of Reading, with their distinctively coloured blue and orange vehicles, were an integral part of the local scene for six decades, as well as being seen all over the county on excursions, tours and seasonal coastal expresses. This is the story of how the enterprise developed from a single charabanc to become the largest privately-owned coaching firm in Southern England. Our speaker, Paul Lacey, is the author of the comprehensively researched “Smith’s Coaches of Reading 1922-1979”. ...
World War Two RAF Records Workshop
Ancestors who served with the RAF during the Second World War? Discover the records which may be available, where they might be found as well as how to interpret them. Plus recruitment, training, roles, aircraft and what happened if they became a prisoner of war. ...
Tour of Holy Trinity Church, Reading
Holy Trinity Church stands on the Oxford Road in Reading, about 500 metres west of the town centre. It is grade II listed. It was built in 1826 as a proprietary chapel, to the designs of local architect Edward Garbett. Inside, the church is full of architectural treasures, including a chancel screen by Augustus Pugin and a high altar designed by Martin Travers. Below, lies its crypt with burial vaults dating back to the earliest years of the building's use. Churchwarden Ron Cutting will lead this tour, explaining the history of the church and some of its more prominent parishioners. The tour will include a visit to the crypt. ...
Researching German Ancestry Workshop
In this practical online workshop, James Thornber will be sharing hints and tips to help you discover your own German heritage. The workshop will cover topics such as: a brief history of Germany, some useful German websites and how to tackle some of the trickier aspects of uncovering more recent German family members. ...
1-1 Family History Advice Session – February
Are you just getting started in family history and wanting guidance as to how to proceed? Stuck at a particular brick wall and need some help? Why not book a free 1-1 advice session with our experienced research assistants. ...
The History of Yeomanry House, Reading
Sitting at the junction of Coley Avenue, Castle Hill, Bath Road and Tilehurst Road, and hidden by trees, Yeomanry House is perhaps a little ignored in comparison to the other big houses in the area. Until recently, it was home to Berkshire Family History Society and the Berkshire Register Office, but what of its past, and where does its name come from? ...
March 2022
March Natter Group
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. ...
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Yearly Monthly Weekly Daily List
January 2022
The new 1921 Census Sold Out
The1921 Census for England and Wales was launched on 6th January 2022. Our speaker, Mary McKee from Findmypast, managed part of this process and is in a good position to explain more about it. ...
Free family history advice
Did you make a start on your family tree during the lockdowns? Have you always wanted to research your family but are not sure how to start? Whether you are just beginning, or you have become stuck on your family tree, you can get free, one-to-one help from a member of Berkshire Family History Society's Newbury branch. ...
‘Milkmaids, Munitions Workers, Milliners and Match Girls: women at work’
A look at women's occupations of the past and how to find out more about them. ...
The new 1921 Census
Our Findmypast speaker will explain and answer questions on the census background and how we can gain access to the 38 million lives who are recorded within. This will be the last census release for at least 30 years, as the 1931 census was destroyed by fire, and the 1941 census was cancelled because of the Second World War. ...
Posted in the Past
Join us for an illustrated trip into the lives of people who wrote or received postcards sent in the early 20th century. Helen uses genealogical skills to reveal the true stories behind postcards sent in the early years of the 20th century, and shares these tales with an illustrated talk. A 10 year old servant living in Bath, a soldier who died in the First World War, and even a man who helped prepare Lord Kitchener’s last meal,are all connected through postcards. ...
Free family history advice
Did you make a start on your family tree during the lockdowns? Have you always wanted to research your family but are not sure how to start? Whether you are just beginningor you have become stuck on your family tree, you can get free, one-to-one help from a member of Berkshire Family History Society's Newbury branch. ...
February 2022
West Berkshire War Memorials
Phil Wood is the acknowledged local expert on our war memorials. The War Memorials Trust interested him in the the state of repair of local memorials. That then developed into a website containing photographs and transcriptions from the vast majority of West Berkshire's war memorials. As an added bonus Phil has found detailed information on many of the names inscribed on the memorials. He will update us on his research. ...
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. For ALL family historians wherever your ancestors came from. ...
Charles Booth’s Poverty Maps of London
A guide to searching Charles Booth's Poverty Maps online showing how your London ancestors and relatives lived at the end of the 19th century. ...
1-1 Family History Advice Session – February
Are you just getting started in family history and wanting guidance as to how to proceed? Stuck at a particular brick wall and need some help? Why not book a free 1-1 advice session with our experienced research assistants. ...
Wills for Family History
Perhaps the third most useful source after certificates and census, wills are a personal insight into relationships and possessions. Find indexes and associated records, order copies and read the documents. ...
Tips and Tricks for online searches
Do you have problems getting the most from your online searches? Join us for tips and tricks to get the most from the more common websites. ...
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