Bringing your family history and heritage together
updated Wednesday, 21st August 2019
News and Events...
The society aims to provide you with products, services and an inspirational and exciting programme of events and activities whether you are a member or a visitor.
Latest news
New membership year Started 1st July (runs to 30th June 2020). Members enjoy savings on society publications, on event bookings and on subscriptions to online genealogy services.
It's the right time for you to join the society (and renew — essential — if you have not yet done so) Find out more
The Trustees thank those many members who renewed promptly. Timely renewal saves volunteer time and reduces society costs. If you haven't renewed yet, renew today — don't lose your benefits.
Who Do You Think You Are? Episode Six features Paul Merton BBC 1 9.00 pm 26th August
Events at The Centre for Heritage and Family History
In the last quarter of 2019, the theme moves to 'Institutions'. This photograph neatly captures two of the topics that feature — Reading Abbey and Reading Gaol.
"Reading Gaol" by Spicygreenginger licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Booking is open NOW for events from September to December. Always book in advance to be sure of your place. These are public events, open to all. Highlights:
- Thursday afternoon talks — superb speakers, meet old friends and make new ones, and enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake. The current Summer series features 'Shops and Businesses' . From October onwards, the theme moves to 'Institutions'
- Next talk — Thursday, 22nd August Jack of Newbury with Dr David Peacock In Tudor times, Jack of Newbury produced cloth on an industrial scale, earning great wealth and high status. Truth and fiction intertwine in the story of this figure who was of national significance. Book now
- Course — Basic Latin for family historians Thursdays in September FULLY BOOKED
- Workshops — Next one Parish Registers on Saturday, 28th September Book now
- Family History for Beginners — Course starts on 9th October Book now
- Heritage walks and tours Places on tours and walks sell out quickly Book for the October 27th walk
View all the summer quarter's events Opens as a PDF in new window
View events for the October-December quarter Opens as a PDF in new window
Branch meetings and local events
The society has six branches that meet monthly during most of the year in Abingdon, Bracknell, Newbury, Reading, Windsor and Woodley.
Branch meetings resume from September. Visitors are always welcome at society meetings.
Coming in September Heritage Open Days 2019, and a host of events in Berkshire and across the rest of the country. The society is welcoming visitors to The Centre over six Open Days in September. Full details here
Discover your ancestors at The Centre
The Centre for Heritage and Family History
Research Zone opening times:
Monday: 11.00 to 16.00 (not Bank Holidays)
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) — easy to reach and fully set up for talks, events, meetings, courses, workshops.
In the Zone
WHEREVER your ancestors came from, this is the place to research your family history — with volunteers on hand to help and advise you. About The Centre
FREE access to:
FINDMYPAST — Search Berkshire Baptisms now
THE 1939 REGISTER — Key 20th century records
THE GENEALOGIST — with Charles Booth Poverty Maps of London just added to Map Explorer data you may not find elsewhere
BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE — 33.3 million digitised newspaper pages from 1700 onwards. Includes 32,000+ editions of seven Berkshire papers (1770-1999) Search newspapers now
ANCESTRY — Search the WORLDWIDE records
The society can help your research in so many ways — more helpful information here How to get started
Members' matters
MORE SAVINGS Current members (2019/20) now enjoy useful savings in three key areas. Discover more in the Members' Area.
NEW MEMBERS Looking to uncover the real family history? Find your ancestors — and JOIN THE SOCIETY
MEMBERS YET TO RENEW Renewals for 2019/2020 are now well overdue (unless you took up the extended offer from April 2019 or later). Download your renewal form or Renew online now
Looking for your Scottish ancestors? Check out the weblists. And discover the best Irish websites for your research too. Just two of 250 useful items in the Members' Area. Not registered? Do it now
Gift Memberships will be back soon.
Follow @BerkshireFHS on TWITTER and link up with Berkshire Genealogy on FACEBOOK
More News and Resources
Irish Civil Registration additions. You can now search online for births (1864-1918), marriages (1864-1943) and deaths (1878-1968) at Irish Genealogy.
Irish Genealogy News Claire Santry's blog
National Archives of Ireland — new website design Learn more
DNA testing For more about DNA in family history, visit the ISOGG wiki
New Archive Card launch details awaited. Latest details
Great Migration Parish Map American Ancestors has a new web mapping app showing last known (English and Welsh) parishes of confirmed emigrants to New England from 1620 to 1640. Find the eight people who in 1638 left Caversham. More details
New York passenger arrivals 1820-1957 Ellis Island website
Publications for Berkshire and elsewhere
County-wide CDs:
Berkshire Baptisms ◊ Content and coverage
NEW 4th Edition Berkshire Marriages ◊ Places and dates
Berkshire Burials ◊ Content and coverage
NEW Kintbury Parish Registers CD Buy
Members enjoy valuable savings on society publications and when booking their own place for an event
Buy publications (some for other counties too) at The Centre for Heritage and Family History or visit the online Bookshop
Volunteers are vital
Unpaid volunteers run every aspect of society operations.
New volunteers are always welcome. With The Centre for Heritage and Family History now set up in Reading's Abbey Quarter, it has never been easier to make a real difference by volunteering (whether at The Centre or working from home). There are roles for everyone, whatever your expertise, interests and experience.
Being a volunteer is fun, socially and personally rewarding, and fulfilling. Give a little, gain a lot — Come and chat with us - or send an email
updated Wednesday, 21st August 2019
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