You may be someone who wants to know how to begin research into your family history. Or you have started to research your roots and need to know where to go next. Whatever your experience, there is something for you at this event - wherever your ancestors came from. It's not just about Berkshire.

You can get one-to-one help and advice from members of the Berkshire Family History Society and find out just what is available for you at the Society's Research Centre in Reading. Staff from the Berkshire Record Office can tell you about national records of England & Wales that you can consult there. They can also explain the many key documents that you will only be able to see by making visits to archives and record offices. And historians from the Wokingham History Group can provide you with perspectives on past people, buildings, places and events, particularly those relating to the town and surrounding area.

If you have 'dropped in' to a previous Wokingham event, you will know that a series of short, informal teaching sessions runs during the day. On 10th May the programme looks like this:

 

10.30am - 11.15am	Copy certificates - what will they tell you?
11.45am - 12.30pm	How to start your family history research
1.00pm - 1.45pm	Making sense of a census
2.15pm - 3.00pm	How to start your family history research

 

You will be able to book your place on one (or more) of these sessions at the event. Bear in mind that familiarity with the internet may help you to get more from certain sessions, for there will be some 'hands on' involvement. (If necessary, bring a friend who has internet searching skills.)

One theme that runs throughout the day is that of making connections. Successful family history researchers often make the links between seemingly fragmentary bits of detail - it is all a question of knowing all that documents can tell you and what to look out for. Despite the impression that some TV programmes give, family history research is not always quite so 'straightforward' when you try to do it yourself.

You can also benefit and learn from displays and 'how to do' demonstrations and pick up a few free charts and materials. You can browse the bookstall for a range of books on family history, CDs (from the latest Berkshire Burial Index (6th Edition) to Wokingham monumental inscriptions), maps and publications of particular local interest.

And you can consult Wokingham Library's extensive family history and local studies sections, try out your own internet searches (with expert help at hand should you need it) on the library's computer terminals or use one of the microfiche and microfilm readers.

Why not drop in and see what's happening on Saturday 10th May any time from 10.00am onwards? Should you need to contact the library beforehand, the number to call is (0118) 978 1368.

Monthly Family History 'Surgeries'

If you are unable to make it on Saturday 10th May, you may like to know that members of the Bracknell & Wokingham Branch of the Society are at the library to provide research advice on the last Tuesday afternoon every month from 2.00pm until 5.00pm. They would be pleased to see you if you care to call in.

Forthcoming 'surgery' dates for your diary:
Tuesday 25th March
Tuesday 29th April
Tuesday 27th May
Tuesday 24th June