Genealogy

Meeting Details

What we do

We are a group of like-minded people who enjoy the investigative nature of research and exploring social history. We share our family history, our brick walls, red herrings, and web sites. We provide help in researching the many sources of genealogy information, including:

• Civil Registration and Birth/Marriage/Death Certificates;
• The General Register Office;
• The International Genealogy Index;
• Local Record Offices and Parish Registers;
• Census records;
• Voting registers;
• Family History Societies;
• Magazines and newspapers;
• Trade Directories;
• Monumental Inscriptions (e.g. gravestones);
• Wills and Administration Orders.

We also arrange trips to conferences and to records offices, and have occasional visiting speakers (for which an extra charge applies).

Reports

November 2009
“Wills” was the subject for our November meeting when Ann Knowles introduced us to the information which can be gleaned from old Wills e.g. discovering ‘lost’ members of the family. Another member (who will remain anonymous) was puzzled by a member of the family being barred from any inheritance, and eventually discovered that the said person had served two years in prison, the details of the crime committed not being suitable for the pages of the SLU3A Newsletter!
The September Coffee Morning saw another influx of new members so we start the New Year with a repeat of “World War 1” with Chris Payne and Ken Tulley, showing how much can be learnt from the insignia etc on uniforms in old photographs.
The April meeting is again by Chris showing how to access old Newspapers at the British Library - this is a joint meeting with our Local History Group. Subjects/visits for the other meetings are in the pipeline.

Sheila Morley

June 2009
Many group members have contributed to the meetings resulting in very varied and interesting sessions. The academic year ended in a joint venture with the Local History Group when three members of the Genealogy Group, Hilary Webb, Barbara Bailey and Ann Knowles gave presentations which were very relevant and of interest to both groups.

Carolyn Houghton

March 2009
Our number is increasing, mainly due to a certain television programme! Recently, using the U3A Wifi laptop and projector, we have been able to access genealogy websites with Gill Carrick and Ken Tulley, and old newspapers at the British Library with Chris Payne. On April 9th we have the ever popular “Members’ Interests” – very sociable. May 14th Ann Knowles introduces us to the 1911 Census and on May 27th we have a joint meeting with the Local History Group.
We are missing our Co-ordinator, Stella Booth, who in March was whisked off to Lancaster R.I. to have her appendix removed - we wish her a speedy recovery.

Sheila Morley