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May 2021
The Abbey & the Castle – Reading in the Middle Ages
A lot has been said and written about Reading Abbey, but what can looking at the Abbey tell us about Reading during the 400 years it was active? In the second of our 900th anniversary talks, Mike Cooper will look at the relationship between the Abbey and the town, and will also explore the evidence for a castle at Reading. ...
June 2021
June Natter Group
Informal discussion group, topics are chosen by the group on a monthly basis. New attendees always welcome. ...
A stroll through Berkshire’s Graveyards
Berkshire’s churchyards are full of stories. About the individuals who are buried there, the communities in which they lived and the prevailing burial customs and superstitions. They reveal local industry and commerce, the impact of events – both local and national, and of course pandemics and other causes of death. ...
An Introduction to the Industrial Revolution in Britain Course
The Industrial Revolution in Britain changed the world forever, but why did it occur in Britain first? In this five week online course for family historians we will look at why the Industrial Revolution happened in Britain, the experiences of those involved, and how the Industrial Revolution can be researched by family historians seeking to trace and better understand how their ancestors lived and worked during this period of great change. ...
Annual General Meeting
The 46th AGM of Berkshire Family History Society. This is a great opportunity for those of you who haven’t previously been able to attend an AGM, to join this important part of the governance of the society. Meet other members of the society, hear about the society during 2020/2021 and find out the plans ahead. Questions and debate are encouraged. We welcome all members, wherever you may live. ...
House Histories Course
Researching the history of a house can be both exciting and rewarding, revealing fascinating stories of those that lived there before you. This online course will help you reveal people, dates, events and much more using a range of familiar and less familiar sources. ...
1-1 Family History Advice Session – June Sold Out
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 one of our experienced research assistants. ...
Reading Abbey Quarter Walk
In this its 900th anniversary year, our walk will explore the rich history of the Abbey Quarter with abbey guide and expert John Painter. The inner rubble cores of the walls of many of the major buildings of the abbey still stand, together with the restored Abbey Gateway and part of the Hospitium. ...
July 2021
July 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. ...
A Potpourri of Social History Talks – Summer Series
This all series ticket covers all five talks in the summer "Potpourri of Social History" talks series, for the discounted price of four. You may also book each talk individually - see each separate event page. All five talks are on Thursdays, three at 2pm, two at 7.30pm. All talks last about an hour with time for questions and discussion afterwards. ...
Sculls, skiffs and steamers: the history of Salter’s Steamers
Salter’s Steamers (founded in Oxford in 1858 and known for much of its existence as Salter Bros Ltd) did more to popularise pleasure boating on the non-tidal river than any other Thames business. This talk traces the development of the firm and how it grew from a leading racing-boat constructor in Wandsworth to become one of the largest inland boat-builders and passenger boat operators in the country. ...
A changing school experience 1914-1960 Workshop
In this two hour online workshop, discover how English education was transformed between 1914 and 1960 with local history tutor Joan Dils. ...
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Branch Events are open to all, no matter where you live
Yearly Monthly Weekly Daily List
May 2021
Marriage Laws and Customs
Can you marry your first cousin? How do you get married in the USA? What about all those people who go overseas to marry? What happens to your Will when you get married? Why do some Spanish brides wear black when they marry? When are wedding photographs taken in Hong Kong? Why was "Hardwicke's" Marriage Act enacted in 1753. ...
Adoption in England & Wales (Bracknell & Wokingham BAM)
The clues for and reasons leading to adoptions and their extent - the nature and location of available records and the organisations, including Children’s Homes, that created them - the location of adoption files and current adoption agencies - how to find birth parents and adopted children including the process of adoption certificate application. ...
Dating Old Photographs (Windsor BAM)
Many of us have inherited gorgeous family photographs, but do we always know exactly who is in them or when the pictures were taken?
Imagine being able to flesh out your family history by adding contextual photographs from the precise time period you are researching.
We are delighted to welcome professional photographer and photography teacher, Stephen Gill, to teach us how you can tell a story about an old photograph and help date it. ...
How to Lose an Afternoon to a Photograph (Reading BAM)
Have you ever come across a photograph and felt like delving deeper into the contents of it? An innocent picture sent to me requesting more information led to an afternoons internet surfing. Join this talk to find out what can be found in a few short hours using online only sources. ...
June 2021
Organising your research with Evernote
Are your files overflowing? Can't find that vital reference you need? Evernote is possibly the best known tool for note taking, organisation, task management and finding that elusive reference. Phil Isherwood will explain how it works and show practical examples of how he has used it to transform the organisation of his genealogy projects. ...
How we prepare and present our Family History talks
Join us on our journey in putting together another presentation. This is a big topic, and we can only share a little of what we have learnt in the available time. We will talk about selecting and preparing images, the structure of a presentation, the number of ‘slides’ and how much goes on them. And more... ...
Getting the best from FindmyPast
Getting the best from FindmyPast ...
Unusual Occupations
Do you have a bodger ancestor? How about a cordwainer? or a costermonger? All our ancestors had an occupation, paid or unpaid, and some were more unusual, or unusually named, than others. How about sharing an occupation you have found? ...
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