Welcome to the Family History Group Web page
The group meets at the Emmaus Centre at 2:00pm on the last Friday of each month JANUARY THROUGH TO NOVEMBER.
The venue has ample parking to accommodate us, either in the smaller car park to the left of the main St. Barnabas Centre or in the large car park in front of the Church, which is opposite the main centre. There is no charge for parking at the Centre.
The Emmaus Centre is the smaller hall adjoining but behind the St Barnabas Centre at St James the Great Church.
Usually we have between 15-20 members at each meeting although the total membership is 40+ ranging from complete beginners through to those with many years experience so there will always be someone who is able to help with your genealogical problems!
We are a very friendly group and would welcome new members to join us on the search for their ancestors.
We also run group visits to Record Offices like The National Archives, London Metropolitan Archives, The Society of Genealogists etc.
For more information, contact the group leaders Barbara or Sue using the e-mail links or phone numbers below.
| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: |
Barbara Jacobs
Tel: 01279 655578
|
| Leader: |
Sue Swan
Tel: 01279 506123
|
| When: | Monthly on Friday afternoons Last Friday of the month, January to November at 2:00pm |
| Venue: | Emmaus Centre |
| Cost: | Each member pays £20 subs for the hire of the hall and to enable us to have good speakers at some of our meetings. Those joining throughout the year pay pro rata. |
2025 Programme
January 31st - Dave Annal - Bringing it up to date: Research in the 20th Century
Tracing our more recent ancestors can often prove more difficult than tracking down those from earlier times. This talk looks at the sources available to us and how we can use them to piece together the stories of our 20th Century ancestors.
Dave Annal is a popular lecturer and is well-known on the family history circuit. In 2019 he was awarded a Fellowship of the Society of Genealogists and in 2022 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He regularly gives talks on a wide range of family history topics. Heis also a respected and successful author. He has written several family history books and is a regular contributor to Family Tree magazine.
February 28th - Barbara Jacobs - Research into her grandfather.
In the second half members are asked to contribute some of the more memorable recollections of their own grandfathers.
March 28th - Karen de Bruyne - Walter Brown, baker’s son from Rickmansworth who became a successful grocer in Tottenham.
Karen is a professional genealogist, with a Post Graduate Certificate in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies and an AGRA Associate. I have over 20 years research experience from around the world, specialising in London families and those who passed through British India and Far East and Dutch Indies. I achieved a certificate in British India Ancestors from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, also a research agent at the British Library, Asia and Africa Reading room for family history. Karen’s talk will tell the story of Walter but will concentrate on the resources she used to develop his history.
April 25th - Simon Fowler – military records - WW1 or WW2 to be decided by members.
Simon Fowler is an experienced researcher with over thirty-five years’ experience in using The National Archives and other archives and libraries in London and Southeast. He specialises in records of the nineteenth and twentieth century, particularly those relating to the armed forces and central government. Simon has written extensively about military and poor law records and is a regular tutor at the Society of Genealogists lecturing on a variety of subjects. He also teaches several courses for Pharos Tutors.
May 30th - Members afternoon
One of our members Jim Hook will lead this meeting. Using Find my Past and some lucky finds to make a match with the Edrich’s. (with a few interesting links to cricket!).
June 27th - Members recollections
Following on from our February meeting we will hear more about our grandparents’ lives. Please let Sue or Barbara know if you wish to contribute ideas so that we can plan the meeting.
July 25th - Visit to Local Studies and Archives in Hertford.
This visit will take place in the morning, car sharing to be arranged. We will look at the resources and collections and have a talk about the conservation of documents.
September 26th - Nick Barratt - Who Do You Think You Are?
How do they make these programmes, a look behind the scenes.
October 31st - Members afternoon
One of our members will lead this session
November 28th - Dave Willett at The Emmaus Centre
Christmas Customs and traditions