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to WHAT WE DO Family History Group
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The Family
History Group meets on the first and third Thursdays of
the month during the Autumn and Spring terms in the computer room
at Brookside Primary School, High Lane. We have the
use of 18 computers with internet
access, an essential tool for the genealogist. A
fiche reader is available and we are building up a resource folder of
additional information.Our meetings are part general discussion and part computer based. While a basic knowledge of computers is useful it is not essential. Assistance will be provided on an individual basis, if required.
Topics are varied and include Civil Registration, interpreting census information and Parish records. We are happy to add extra topics of general interest on request. You will also be shown how to access and search useful genealogy web sites.
Tracing your family history can be a slow process, with a number of brick walls on the way. Perseverance often pays great dividends. After many hours of fruitless searching the moment you find your ancestor in the wrong place,or under a corruption of the surname, gives an enormous sense of satisfaction.
Apart from the usual dodgy marriages (and non marriages!) and
families where the youngest child is actually a grandchild, members have explored sources of WW1 military service and army medical records, including medals awarded, one found a cousin who died in a prisoner of war camp. Another member started with a photograph of
a gravestone and a picture of herself and now has several files of information, tracing one family line back into the 18th century. A further member’s great grandfather married, had 7 children, his wife died, he then married her younger sister and had 3 more children! How would you record that on a family tree? Come along and we
will help you with this or any other problems.
We are hoping to start a new course in September. It will be aimed at new members but genealogists who wish to gain more experience will be more than welcome. We will publish our programme and dates nearer the time. The U3A requires us to cover our costs which include room hire. We do get this at a preferential rate but, to ensure we meet our commitments, we prefer members to pre-book and pay for a term in advance.
If you have any questions about the group or would like more information please contact:
Pat Christopher, Sue Harlin, Jean Drinkwater