Next Upcoming Event
Yearly Monthly Weekly Daily List
December 2022
Online Family History Advice Clinic
Are you just getting started in family history and wanting guidance as to how to proceed? Or are you stuck at a particular "brick wall" and need some help? ...
December Natter Group
Informal discussion group, facilitated by Chad Hanna and Gillian Stevens. Topics are chosen by the group on a monthly basis. This month - Family Traditions. End time varies. Free to attend, but pre-booking required. ...
Reading’s First World War Hospitals
Reading was one of the largest war hospital complexes during the First World War. It was based on Battle Hospital as War Hospital No. 1 and a number of schools and larger houses were taken over to accommodate the wounded. The main war hospitals were run by the military but many of the auxiliary hospitals were run by the Red Cross. The first war hospital opened in 1914 and the last one closed in 1920. This is their story. ...
The Murder of Alfred Oliver
The murder of Reading tobacconist Alfred Oliver, in Cross Street in 1929, remains unsolved to this day. Several witnesses saw a man near the shop at the time of the murder and later identified him as Philip Yale Drew, an American-born actor performing at Reading’s County Theatre. The ensuing Coroner’s Inquest, at which Drew was subjected to intensive questioning, divided opinion and attracted considerable crowds and controversy. Find out more in this fascinating talk by David Downs. ...
January 2023
Create an enduring family tree in YourTrees
This workshop has been developed to help you create a comprehensive enduring family tree, that is relevant to the digital generations, for you to store a copy of on YourTrees. It is aimed at those who have already saved versions of their tree(s) on YourTrees, those that are thinking of doing so, or wondering whether they should. ...
First World War Social History Talks Series
This all series ticket covers all three talks in the "First World War 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. They last about an hour with time for questions and discussion afterwards. ...
Britain’s Railways in World War One
This quarter, we have not just one but two talks on aspects of the railways in World War One. This first talk will explore how conscription impacted Britain's railway companies and how the role of women on the railway changed during World War One. Discover how the railway companies contributed to essential war work. How they used their massive manufacturing capacity to support the army. Plus, how they contributed to the development of new technology used in the field. We will examine how government control impacted upon the railways during the war years and the legacy it left for post war Britain. ...
Face-to-Face Family History Advice Clinic
Just beginning your family history research and need some advice? Baffled by so many competing research websites? Banging your head against a brick wall? Or struggling with some other issues? In this one-to-one session, one of our seasoned advisors will help you make some progress ...
WW1 Royal Flying Corps Records Workshop
The Great War of 1914-18 saw the first use of aircraft in warfare and the British Royal Flying Corps playing an important role throughout. In this workshop, we will look at what the Royal Flying Corps was and how it related to the Royal Naval Air Service prior to the amalgamation of the two into the RAF in 1918. We will investigate how the family historian can discover what their relative did in the RFC, their experiences, their aircraft, what records may be available and where to find them. ...
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 (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. ...
Five Generations at the Fairmile Hospital
If the term ‘lunatic asylum’ sends shivers of dread down your spine, be ready to adjust your perceptions. Consider the alternatives and try to understand that the Victorian asylum system was a well-founded effort to tackle mental illness head-on through compassion, diligent care and research. No mental institution was ever entirely sweetness and harmony, but these places made possible valuable and largely unrecognised advances in mental health care. Ian Wheeler’s illustrated talk examines Fair Mile’s foundation, growth and methods through the eyes of ten of its former employees, all members of his family, spanning well over a century. ...
Tour of St Mary’s Church, Reading
The society's visits and walks are always very popular and this one takes us to St Mary’s (the Minster) Church, which has a rich history. It may date back as far as the 7th century when tradition has St Birinus forming a small chapel on the site. Enjoy a guided tour of this important building and learn about its history and the notable families of Reading associated with it. Don’t forget to check out the 150-year-old Indian Bean Tree in the churchyard, one of a number of significant trees planted there. The tour includes refreshments at St Mary’s. ...
No event found!
Yearly Monthly Weekly Daily List
November 2022
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. ...
RMS Titanic Made In the Midlands
The story of the ill-fated liner Titanic is one that has been told and retold countless times it is hard to imagine that there could be any new stories or twists to the tale. Yet Titanic's strong connection with the Midlands is one such story that is not so well known. The ship may have been built in Belfast, registered in Liverpool and sailed from Southampton, but over 70 per cent of her interiors came from the Midlands. ...
December 2022
Quiz Night & Social
Join us for our Annual Christmas Quiz and social evening.
Once ...
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. ...
Short talks and quiz
Join us for an informal, face to face, evening of entertainment, personal stories and a quiz to test those brain cells. ...
Online Christmas Genealogy Social
Forget about all the things you need to do before the big day. Relax, bring your own seasonal hat! mince pie and your preferred beverage!
...
January 2023
Irish Ancestry Research
Were all the Irish records destroyed in the “Troubles”? Linda Hammond will show you how to exploit the remaining records to find your Irish ancestors. ...
Lest We Forget
A First World War Mystery - Or is the jury still out? Hear the stories of two family members who died in the First World War. With the aid of Regimental War Diaries, our speaker uncovered an intriguing mystery and an unforeseen coincidence. ...
2023 Anniversaries and Royal Family Quizzes
Come and enjoy our annual quiz afternoon. Join others and play as a team to test your knowledge on the anniversaries in 2023 and on the Royal Family. This will also give you a chance to catch up with fellow members after the Christmas break. ...
Heroes of Woodley Airfield
Join us to learn about some famous names associated with Woodley airfield. ...
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. ...
February 2023
Historical Research Using British Newspapers
Join with Denise as she covers the various steps involved in locating newspaper information about an ancestor and placing it in the context of the time. The talk is based primarily on the British Newspaper Archive. ...
No event found!