For family historians living in Berkshire and those with Berkshire ancestors
updated Thursday, 12th October 2017
Latest society news
MORE BERKSHIRE TRANSCRIPTIONS ADDED ON FINDMYPAST
More than 228,000 transcriptions from Berkshire's Baptism, Marriage and Burial registers provided by the society have been added to Findmypast today Find out more
BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY IS ON THE MOVE
These are exciting times for the society. In November, the society moves from Yeomanry House (its base for the past 17 years) into much improved space on the second floor of Reading Central Library.
The computer suite at Yeomanry House remains open for personal research as usual until 4 pm on Thursday, 16th November.Please note that the Library at the Research Centre is now closed until the move is completed
The society expects all facilities to be available once more in central Reading from Tuesday, 5th December.
NEW PREMISES UPDATES The move is expected to be complete before the December Historian reaches members. This website will carry regular updates on progress in the coming weeks.
Members, former members, prospective members. Could you lend a hand with the move? Volunteering can be rewarding for many reasons. A move of this magnitude creates many extra tasks for existing volunteers. Important jobs await willing helpers. Just a few days (not weeks) of your time from next week onwards would be invaluable.
Volunteer(s) also needed to help in setting up, managing and maintaining IT facilities, comprising 6-10 PCs plus peripherals, with internet and network connectivity. The society would welcome someone with experience to set up and maintain MS 2016 server SBS for that network too. If the Thames Valley truly is the UK's 'Silicon Valley', surely there are one or two present or former employees out there who might volunteer to assist the charity?
If you are able to help, pop into Yeomanry House and see us, or drop an email to the society secretary
Members' matters
CURRENT MEMBERS enjoy discounts on society publications, enhanced research services and educational events (where a charge is made). Learn more in the Members' Area. Log in, click on 'Berkshire Family Historian' in the Members' menu, and then the link '2017 - 18 vol 41 with member discount details'
IS YOUR RENEWAL STILL OUTSTANDING? Thanks to everyone who has renewed promptly. For others, we don't want to lose you, in this year of all years. If not renewed — please renew NOW. How to renew
MEMBERS' AREA Log in to obtain your 'live' member discount code, how to use it, and much more. Register to access now
Follow @BerkshireFHS on TWITTER Join Berkshire Genealogy on FACEBOOK
October's meetings and events
Branch meetings resume in ABINGDON, BRACKNELL, NEWBURY, READING, WINDSOR and WOODLEY
October meetings and activities
OUTREACH Society volunteers offer regular family history help and advice (FREE) in libraries at Abingdon, Bracknell, Cippenham, Newbury, Slough (The Curve), Thatcham, Tilehurst and Wokingham — See Calendar
Family History Research Centre
FAMILY HISTORY HELP wherever your ancestors came from awaits your visit to the Research Centre at Yeomanry House in READING. Parking? Is FREE. Access? Is FREE Online resources Are FREE
How to start your Family History research
USE FINDMYPAST — NEW Berkshire parish records added this week. Most but not all, of the society's published Berkshire parish register transcriptions are here Try searching Berkshire Burials now
USE 1939 REGISTER 41 million records from 1939 — dates of birth, single and married names, and more. Some records closed More details
USE THE GENEALOGIST — NEW Somerset and Dorset parish records, also more Criminal and Court records Find out more
USE BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE — 22.1 million digitised pages and more added daily Hants and Berks Gazette newly added — Find your ancestors from the 1700s onwards
USE ANCESTRY — WORLDWIDE edition — NEW Shropshire parish records recently added — Go to website
Friendly help and informed advice on family history research where you need it. The Centre is next to Berkshire Record Office — which holds original records of the Royal County — including those of the Vale of the White Horse and North Berkshire
NEWS for family historians
THE DIGITAL PANOPTICON Trace London convicts in Britain and Australia, 1780-1925 A new, free-to-use website where you can search millions of records from some 50 datasets, relating to the lives of 90,000 convicts from the Old Bailey. Search for life details of individual convicts, explore and visualise data, learn more about crime and criminal justice as experienced by your ancestors. Search The Digital Panopticon now
WELSH TITHE MAPS and apportionments Places of Wales website
MAPS National Library of Scotland has 25 inch OS Maps of England and Wales 1841-1952 Find out more
Irish Genealogy News Great source of information for those with Irish ancestors. Read Claire Santry's blog
Just 5 per cent of The National Archives holdings are available online 66 guides to what's available
Berkshire Protestation Returns 1641/42
DNA testing and genetic genealogy? Keep up with the ISOGG wiki
Publications for Berkshire and elsewhere
Society publications include a wide range of datasets covering the 'old' county of Berkshire. Current members can enjoy a discount when buying these. The society stocks material for some other counties, and a range of local and family history publications, including books, booklets and maps.
NEW 12th Edition Berkshire Burials CD ◊ Content and coverage
Berkshire Baptisms Second Edition CD ◊ Content and coverage
Berkshire Marriages Third Edition CD ◊ Places and dates
Other CD publications — Berkshire Maps, (1881-1887), Berkshire and the (First World) War), Berkshire War Memorials, Berkshire Probate Index, Berkshire Monumental Inscriptions, parish register transcriptions for numerous Berkshire parishes and more.
See and buy at Yeomanry House (card payments accepted) or visit the online Bookshop
Society Projects and Volunteers
New volunteers are always welcome to join the team actively transcribing and publishing records of the old Royal County of Berkshire.
There are lots of roles and tasks involved in running a Family History Society. Do get in touch if you have skills and experience to offer that you think could be valuable to this society. Who to contact
updated Thursday, 12th October 2017
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