All Events

This all series ticket covers all three talks in the "Transport" 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 Transport Talks Series. You may book tickets for individual events or for all three talks in the series for a reduced price.  Historically, Berkshire had a more expansive railway network than it does today. Before the 1970s, the county had a strong railway service, with most places having easy access to a railway station. However, the situation changed significantly in the late 1960s and 1970s when extensive railway cutbacks resulted in the closure of many stations and lines. This talk will delve deeper into the effects of these closures on the county and its inhabitants, as well as the underlying reasons for the discontinuation of lines and stations.

Discover what life was like in a Victorian workhouse. What was expected of inmates? What was their diet? What were the rules governing the workhouse? What records were kept? Where can you now find those records? And, what can they tell researchers? Delve into the life of those unfortunate enough to fall on hard times, fall ill or injured, or simply just get old.

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. First time attendees are always welcomed. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and to gain and share ideas for how you can use your results to solve questions and break down brick walls.

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.

This is a book about a man whose life and death became front-page news throughout the world between the autumn of 1922 and the spring of 1923 when, with his colleague Howard Carter, he discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun and then, shortly afterwards, died.

Hungerford is full of interesting history. The town was laid out as a new town in the 13th century, and the heart of the town retains its mediaeval roots. Many of the High Street buildings are timber framed, but a number were modernised during the hey-day of the coaching era, which brought so much prosperity to the town. This guided walk, with Dr Hugh Pihlens, will cover the history of the town, key buildings in the High Street, Church Street and The Croft, before ending in Bridge Street.

Increase your chances of success with a family historian’s core resource. Better understand what parish registers can provide for you. Including where to find them, how Church of England and non-conformist registers differ, and how to interpret them. Discover some of the hidden codes which can appear in registers and what they tell us. We will also look at the benefits and potential pitfalls of Bishops Transcripts, transcriptions and indexes. Pre-booking is required so that the meeting link can be emailed to you. 

An evening designed to encourage open discussion about family history research.

This all series ticket covers all three talks in the Summer "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. 

This is the first of three talks in the Autumn Potpourri Talks Series. You may book tickets for individual events or for all three talks in the series for a reduced price.  We are all very familiar with the concept of Afternoon Tea as a very agreeable social event. Before this mini-meal was conceived in the 1840s the role of tea was very different and this talk explains the social and legal changes which had to take place during the 17th and 18th centuries before tea took its place as Britain’s national drink.