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November 2025
1939 Register Booking closed
Discover how the 1939 Register can help progress your family history.
Forbury Gardens
The Forbury Gardens are a much-loved part of Reading and have been the backdrop to many important events in the town. Now listed as Grade II in the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens they have many hidden stories to tell.
Getting the most out of your Membership Workshop
Are you a relatively new member of the Society? Want to get the most out of your membership? This informal workshop will introduce you to the range of benefits that you have available to you. Questions welcomed. Open only to members of Berkshire Family History Society.
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.
Great War Widows and Emigration
Telling the relatively unknown stories of the plucky women who made new lives overseas after the death of their husbands in the Great War.
A Walk on the River Thames, Pangbourne to Marlow
This talk describes the walk downstream past Reading, Sonning, Wargrave, Henley, Hurley and Bisham to Marlow through water meadows and some of the most beautiful and historic parts of the Thames valley. Bill is a popular speaker to the Society and his journey along the Thames is richly illustrated with images.
Forenames and What They Can Reveal About Ancestors
Alongside traditional forenames that have been used across many generations, birth, marriage and death records reveal that there have always been some parents who selected non-standard names. The talk focusses on the period, c1750 – c1950. It covers the main types of forename that I have identified, including tribute names, commemorative names and localised names. It looks at the inspiration for these names, their rise (and decline), what they may indicate to a historian about social class or wider society, and the effect that an unusual forename might have on the bearer.
The New Poor Law Workshop
Many of our ancestors lives were touched by poverty at some stage. This workshop will both give you context to the New Poor Law of 1834 and help you to understand what documents may be available to further your research, plus how to interpret them.
December 2025
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.Â
Christmas Social & Quiz
Come and join us for a Combined Branches' Christmas Social. It will be a chance to get together, catch up on Society developments and chat to other members of the Society. Â
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.
Christmas Crackers
From Advent to mince pies and mistletoe to yule logs. What are the origins of the traditions that make up our modern Christmas? This presentation by veteran historian Dr Janet Few considers how our ancestors may have observed Christmas in the past.
Quiz, short talks and Q&A’s
An evening of quizzing, presentations, Q&A and refreshments.
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?
January 2026
January 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.Â
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