For family historians who live in Berkshire... and for those researching Berkshire ancestors
page reviewed and revised Saturday19th July 2014
Who Do You Think You Are? returns to BBC One
Look out for 10 new episodes and a one-off special later this summer. Details
Saturday, 18th October A major one-day conference for all researchers Top speakers—expert advice desks—displays from national and local organisations. Have you booked yet—to ensure your first-choice session preferences? Programme outline
supported by Berkshire Record Office and findmypast
19th July 1917 After his proclamation of 17th June, King George V confers British peerages on the Teck and Battenberg families
20th July 1921 British composer and conductor Sir Edward Elgar opens the Gramophone Company's first HMV (His Master's Voice) retail store in London’s Oxford Street
21st July 1904 King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra open the Elan Valley dams and a 118 km pipeline that secures a clean water supply for the city of Birmingham
22nd July 1903 In distinct claret and cream livery, the first electric tramcars of Reading Corporation Tramways enter service as the Mayoress switches on power for a first trip along Oxford Road, back to Wokingham Road and ending in Broad Street
23rd July 1914 With Germany's support, the ambassador of the Austro-Hungarian Empire delivers an unacceptable ultimatum to the Serbian foreign ministry, expecting to force a brief military conflict that will crush Serbia before the rest of Europe—particularly Serbia's ally, Russia—has time to react
24th July 1914 As Serbia turns to Russia, the Russian council of ministers acts to defy Austro-German expectations that Russia will back down, ordering four military districts to prepare for mobilization
25th July 1909 French aviator Louis Blériot makes the first flight in a heavier than air machine across the English Channel, securing the Daily Mail's £1,000 prize
26th July 1913 On completing the Great Suffrage Pilgrimage, an estimated 50,000 women from the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies converge on Hyde Park in London for a rally in support of 'Votes for Women'
20th Century Calendar - see more
3rd August: Halton House & Trenchard Museum—Booking is now closed
16th August: Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
supported by Berkshire Record Office and findmypast
Is your 2014/15 Membership renewal overdue?
Register for Members' Area Data samples in the Members' Area
TELFORD, TIPPERARY, even TILEHURST...
WHEREVER your ancestors came from...find them at the society's Research Centre in Reading—Berkshire's foremost facility for family history research. Open to everyone. And offering FOUR key online resources
findmypast - the society's Berkshire Baptisms, Marriages and Burials transcriptions are online among 25 million new British Isles records added recently
British Newspaper Archive - 8.3 million pages, 259 old UK newspaper titles, including the Berkshire Chronicle, Reading Mercury and Windsor & Eton Express
Origins - National Wills Index + NEW Kent Will extracts and Northamptonshire Hearth Tax abstracts (Origins is now part of findmypast)
Ancestry search WORLDWIDE resources—not just UK
Browse library catalogue Search the catalogue
The Centre is in Reading, next to Berkshire Record Office—home of original records of the Royal County—including those of Vale of the White Horse and North Berkshire. FREE on-site parking
NEW Look out for details of a new discussion group starting from September
How the society can help your research
Is your surname listed here? Benefits of membership
Join the society Starting your research
Explore the Royal County of Berkshire
Saturday 26th July—Buckinghamshire FHS Open Day
Tuesday 29th July—drop-in advice at Wokingham library
Meetings - all family historians welcome
Branches meet in Abingdon, Bracknell, Newbury, Reading, Windsor and Woodley—see Main Menu and calendar for details. In July, visits often replace meetings Here's what's happening in July
Berkshire family and local history publications
Berkshire Maps CD OS 1881-1887 ◊ 51 maps, gazetteer and index
Berkshire Baptisms CD ◊ Details of content and coverage
Berkshire Marriages CD ◊ Places and dates
Berkshire Burials CD ◊ Places and dates
Berkshire Probate Index CD 1480-1857 ◊ What wills can tell you
An Historical Atlas of Berkshire ◊ read a review
All CDs and publications available at the Research Centre
Make records of the pre-1974 Royal County of Berkshire more accessible for more people
Quality is key. Who wants unreliable information? Or details that can't be searched intelligently?
Berkshire Family History Society does not publish unchecked material. Almost all Berkshire FHS CDs are fully browsable and searchable, unlike those from some other societies. The projects team needs more people willing to check transcriptions against original records which are held at Berkshire Record Office in Reading. And it would be good to hear from you if you have experience in assembling and building data CDs.
Why not join in and help? Find out what's involved
page reviewed and revised Saturday 19th July 2014
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