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December 2021
The history of Greyfriars Church, Reading
Greyfriars Church, in Reading, started life as part of a larger Franciscan friary church, within a complex of other buildings – a chapter house, cloister, dormitory and others. When the friary was closed down under Henry VIII, the nave survived. It was subsequently used, in turn, as Reading’s town hall, a poor house, barracks in the civil war, and a prison until it eventually reopened as a parish church in 1863, restored and enlarged. This well-illustrated talk covers its rich and varied history from the arrival of the first friars in the town, to the present day redevelopment of the site. ...
December 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. ...
January 2022
Transport Social History Talks Series
This all series ticket covers all three in the "Transport 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 in The Centre for Heritage and Family History, Reading, and last about an hour. Afterwards there will be time for questions and discussion afterwards. ...
The Dunkirk Evacuation: Reading Railway’s pivotal role
The Dunkirk evacuation, code-named Operation Dynamo, is one of the most well-known operations in World War Two. During it, over 338,000 Allied soldiers were evacuated from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk in May and June 1940. The involvement of the little ships, as they came to be known, is well known. Yet in contrast relatively little mention is made of the vast logistical effort needed to transport these men once they had landed on British soil. In this talk, Paul will explain the pivotal role which Reading Railways played in the evacuation. And also the enormous effort which went into this little known operation. ...
DNA Special Interest Group – January
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. ...
1-1 Family History Advice Session – January
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. ...
Getting more out of Ancestry and Findmypast Workshop
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. ...
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. ...
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Yearly Monthly Weekly Daily List
November 2021
Twentieth Century Family History
We often neglect the twentieth century as being ‘not really history’ but there is plenty to be discovered about individuals and the communities in which they lived between 1901 and 1952. Twentieth century research brings with it the difficulties of larger and more mobile populations as well as records that are closed to view, so here are some sources that can help you to bring those more recent ancestors to life. ...
December 2021
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. ...
Christmas Quiz Night
A time to socialise with other local members and test your knowledge with our Christmas Quiz. ...
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. ...
Short talks and quiz (F2F)
Join us for an informal evening of entertainment, personal stories and a quiz to test those brain cells. Branch members will be sharing their stories of personal triumphs and tribulations and introducing us to some of their ancestors ...
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. ...
Free family history advice
Free family history advice from a member of Berkshire Family History Society. ...
January 2022
Where there’s a will there’s usually an argument
A useful talk explaining and interpreting our ancestors' wills and inventories. ...
Drop In Advice Session
Bring your questions, problems and ‘brickwalls’ … and get some ...
1-1 Family History Advice Session – January
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 new 1921 Census
The launch of the 1921 Census for England and Wales takes place 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. ...
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. ...
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