For family historians living in Berkshire and those with Berkshire ancestors
updated Monday, 1st October 2018
The Centre for Heritage and Family History: Changed opening times
From Monday, 1st October, opening days and times at The Centre are:
Monday: 10.30 to 16.00
Tuesday: 10.30 to 16.00 and 18.45 to 21.00
Saturday: 10.30 to 14.30
and the LAST Thursday each month from 10.30 to 16.00
The Centre for Heritage and Family History, (2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading, Berkshire RG1 3BQ) is in the heart of Reading — easy to reach and fully equipped for talks, events, meetings, courses, workshops.
WHEREVER your ancestors came from, research your family history in the Research Zone — with extra computers for your research and volunteers on hand to help. About The Centre
The Centre offers FREE access to:
FINDMYPAST — Search Berkshire Burials now
THE 1939 REGISTER — Vital for 20th century research
THE GENEALOGIST — data you may not find elsewhere
BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE — search 27.7 million newspaper pages from 1700 onwards
ANCESTRY — Search the WORLDWIDE edition
The society can help you in your research in many other ways. And there's lots of helpful information on this website. First, ideas to help you to start your Family History research
More information about this society
October Events
ALL SOCIETY ACTIVITIES taking place in October
Highlights of The Centre's autumn programme
Thursday afternoon talks on the theme of 'The Armistice'
Beginners' course in family history research (starts 12th October)
Three Workshops: Writing up your family history, Military records and Interpreting DNA test results.
Book now for all events in the Autumn quarter
Members' matters
September's Berkshire Family Historian contains your NEW membership card and NEW discount codes for members. Read the magazine online in the Members' Area.
PROSPECTIVE NEW MEMBERS as autumn nights start to draw in, it's the perfect time to resume research — and to JOIN THE SOCIETY
YOUR IRISH FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH
Have you seen the new list of Irish websites in the Members' Area?
Register for the Members' Area NOW
Follow @BerkshireFHS on TWITTER and link up with Berkshire Genealogy on FACEBOOK
Other News and Resources
New York passenger arrivals 1820-1957 Ellis Island website
New Archive Card from April 2019. with 41 participating archives and record offices — registration begins in the New Year.
Explore Your Archive 2018 17th November launch
DNA developments Findmypast has a new partnership with Living DNA, providers of Living DNA, the world's most advanced DNA test. Get the full story
Reading Abbey explore the Abbey Ruins
Irish Genealogy News Claire Santry's blog
The Great Irish Famine online access interactive maps with detailed information on the famine's impacts on 3,000 civil parishes and 1,600 towns across the island. More details
General Register Office: pilot service continues and provides portable document format (PDF) copies of digitised historical birth (1837-1916) and death (1837-1957) records. Learn more
DNA testing For a useful review of tests available for family history research and more about DNA in family history, visit the ISOGG wiki
Publications for Berkshire and elsewhere
Members enjoy discounts when buying society publications (and booking events).
Berkshire Baptisms CD ◊ Content and coverage
Berkshire Marriages CD ◊ Places and dates
Berkshire Burials CD ◊ Content and coverage
See and buy society publications, material for other counties too, at The Centre for Heritage and Family History or visit the online Bookshop
Volunteers are vital to society success
With the society established at The Centre for Heritage and Family History in Reading's Abbey Quarter, it is easier than ever for you to play a part in those activities and tasks with greatest appeal.
Being a volunteer is fun, rewarding, and fulfilling, especially when helping someone to make a real breakthrough in their family history research.
Put your skills and experience to work. Get in touch
updated Monday, 1st October 2018
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