Talks and Workshops
I offer a range of talks and classes and am prepared to travel to you in order to present them. You may wish to get a group together in your locality and hire me to come and talk to you about your chosen subject, or you may be a business and require a family history talk for an event you are organising. Whatever your needs just let me know and I will see what I can arrange and give you a quotation. My fees for talks and lecturing start at £60 plus travelling expenses, although I can occasionally do a talk for less in certain circumstances. Don't be afraid to ask!
I also give talks to schools on subjects such as "Understanding Churches" and "Making a Family Tree". Please contact me with details of the age range and number in your class and I will provide further details.
A small sample of my talks are listed below. If you would like to view the full listing please visit the
- Do You Know Who You Are Yet? Short talk on why family history has become so popular in recent years.
- Beginning Your Family History day workshop or weekly/monthly sessions.
- Intermediate Family History day workshop or weekly/monthly sessions.
- Using 19th Century Census Records
- Using Parish Registers the next step after civil registration records.
- Parish Chest Records some of the most colourful but underused records. Especially useful for pre 1837 research.
- Records of Death why you must not overlook them and how to use them in conjunction with other records. Covers inquest records, newspaper reports and obituaries, memorial inscriptions death certificates and burial registers.
- The GRO Index The General Register Office index is one of the main tools for research back until 1837 but just how reliable is it?
- Family History Online a look at the choice of websites to get you started.
- Good Research Techniques what you should know if you dont want to kick yourself later!
- Maps for Family History
If you can't see what you are looking for I am always open to suggestions for new talks, so do get in touch!
Forthcoming Family History Talks
Below are listed forthcoming family history talks or half day courses I am giving or taking part in between now and the end of January. Unless otherwise stated talks cost a few pounds (pay on the day) and are open to members and non members of the various societies.
Subject: Tracing Your Ancestors Through Death Records
Venue: Rudgwick Family History Group,Horsham, Sussex RH12 3JJ (on the A281)
Time: 7.30 pm
Subject: Researching Your Family History
Venue: St George's Church, Ivychurch, Romney Marsh, Kent TN29 0AL
Time: 2.30 pm
Entrance is free with a retiring collection in aid of church funds
Subject: How Far Did Your Ancestor Travel?
Venue: Kent Family History Society,Frindsbury Parish Hall, Church Green, Frindsbury, Rochester, ME2 4HY
Time: 2.30 pm
Subject: Good Research Techniques
Venue: Society of Genealogists, Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London, EC1M 7BA
Time: 2 pm
Tickets can be purchased via http://www.sog.org.uk/events/calendar.shtml
Date: Wednesday 10 April 2013
Date: Saturday 13 April 2013
Date: Thursday 25 April 2013
Date: Saturday 27 April 2013. Half day course
You may also wish to consider talks given by Melanie Gibson-Barton. Melanie's talks are based on a Belgium theme and include 'Flanders Fields', a talk that brings to life both the well known and the less well known First World War sites in a themed way that will appeal to 'all elements of the audience.' Details of Melanie's talks can be found at Melanie Gibson-Barton