Bringing your family history and heritage together
updated Thursday, 11th July 2019
News and Events...
The society aims to provide products, services and an inspirational and exciting programme of events and activities for members and visitors alike.
Latest news
New membership year Started on 1st July and runs to 30th June 2020. Members enjoy savings on society publications, on event bookings and on subscriptions to online genealogy services. Now is a perfect moment to join the society (and for all existing members to renew) Find out more
The Trustees would like to thank all existing members who have renewed promptly for this current membership year. If you are one of the few still to renew, no time like the present!
Who Do You Think You Are? is back on BBC1 Daniel Radcliffe features in the opening programme on 22nd July
Events at The Centre for Heritage and Family History
Booking now for July - September events. Always book in advance to be sure of your place. Events are open to everyone. 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 Summer series features 'Shops and Businesses'
- Next talk — Saturday, 13th July Shops and Businesses: Reading's Print Industry Reading grew to become one of the country's largest 'printing towns'. Discover more of this often overlooked part of Berkshire's history Book now
- Course — Basic Latin for family historians Thursdays in September Book now
- Workshops — Next one Parish Registers on Saturday, 28th September Book now
- Heritage walks and tours Places on tours and walks sell out quickly Book for July and August tours and walks
- DNA interest group meets next on 27th July
View July-September events Opens as a PDF in new window
Branch meetings and local events
The society runs six branches that meet monthly during most of the year in Abingdon, Bracknell, Newbury, Reading, Windsor and Woodley. But most branches take a short break in July and August before meetings resume in September.
Windsor has an interesting meeting and tour at Eton College School Library on 30th July Discover what's happening
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 — data you may not find elsewhere
BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE — over 32 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 FOR MEMBERS With a current membership (2019/20), you can now secure useful savings in three key areas. Find out more in the Members' Area.
NEW MEMBERS Looking to discover the real family history? Find those ancestors — and JOIN THE SOCIETY
CURRENT MEMBERS Renewals are due for 2019/20 — unless you took up the recent extended offer (from April or later). Download your renewal form or Renew online now
Looking for those 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 are not available at present but will be back later in the year.
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 now delayed to August. 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 War Memorials CD, and NEW Berkshire Monumental Inscriptions Volume 3 CD Buy now
Members enjoy valuable savings on society publications and when booking their 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 all aspects of society operations.
With the society flourishing at The Centre for Heritage and Family History in Reading's Abbey Quarter, it is easier than ever for you to volunteer and make a difference. Play a part behind the scenes or take a 'front of house' role with visitors at meetings, events and other activities.
Being a volunteer is fun, it is socially and personally rewarding, and fulfilling. Give a little, gain a lot — Come and chat with us - or send an email
updated Thursday, 11th July 2019
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