Walking With Your Ancestors: Mapping Strategies for Genealogists.
A joint event with Shropshire Family History Society.
This session will look at three practical mapping methods for family history:
Ancestral Walks
Concentric Survey
Outlier Method
plus practical tips for sourcing and using historical maps
It will last between 90-100 minutes, with a break and time for questions afterwards.
A fantastic opportunity to learn more about maps and how to use them in your family history research
This event is for members only and registration is open, please click on the ‘Register [Individual]’ button above, you will receive an email confirmation. Registration will close on 11 June and the Zoom links will be forwarded on the morning of 12 June, the day before the session
Evidence Analysis: Proving What You Think You Know by Linda Hammond
How many of the “facts” in your family tree are truly proven - and how many are just educated guesses? In genealogy, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of assumptions: a family story that must be true, an “obvious” connection that fits neatly, or a record that seems reliable at first glance. But without careful evidence analysis, we risk building a house of cards.This talk introduces you to the tools and methods that turn uncertain clues into sound conclusions. You’ll learn the difference between information, evidence, and proof; how to distinguish direct, indirect, and even negative evidence; and why the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is your best safeguard against errors. Through clear examples, we’ll explore how to handle conflicting sources, weigh reliability, and avoid common misconceptions about records. You’ll also discover practical tools - like evidence tables and research logs - that make analysis manageable and effective. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned researcher, this talk will sharpen your detective skills, boost your confidence, and help you move from “I think” to “I know” in your family history research.
This event is also open to non-members, with fee of £5. Registration opens on 1st July when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Non-members will be required to create a free FHSC account and complete the payment details. Registration will close on 15 June.
The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.
If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.
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PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT RECORD SEMINAR TALKS
The Traditional Festivals of Britain by Ronald Hutton
Together with Devon Family history Society, FHSC is delighted to welcome Professor Ronald Hutton to the Seminar Series. Prof Hutton is an expert in historical paganism, folklore, and modern paganism and it is on that subject that he will be talking. Hutton will explore the history of British festivals from the earliest written records to the present day, covering a wide range of traditions including May Day, Midsummer, Hallowe'en, and the twelve days of Christmas. This is certain to be an excellent talk.
This event is also open to non-members, with fee of £5. Registration opens on 1st July when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Non-members will be required to create a free FHSC account and complete the payment details. Registration will close on 13 July.
The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.
If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.
PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT RECORD SEMINAR TALKS
FHSC Seminars: What DIDN'T you do in the Great War, Daddy? with Sheila Jones
Sheila Jones, the Honorary Secretary of FHSC, will be talking about Conscientious Objectors in the First World War. Exploring the history of Conscientious Objectors (COs) provides a fascinating look at the struggle between individual conscience and state demands. Sheila's presentation on Conscientious Objectors during the First World War explores the experiences of men who refused conscription following the 1916 Military Service Act. Her talk covers their moral, religious, or political motives, the hostile tribunals they faced, and the harsh conditions of imprisonment they endured and draws on some individual cases, including a number from Cheshire. A fascinating and sometimes heartbreaking topic.
This event is also open to non-members, with fee of £5. Registration opens on 1st August when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Non-members will be required to create a free FHSC account and complete the payment details. Registration will close on 17th August.
The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.
If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.
PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT RECORD SEMINAR TALKS
These Isles Peoples History of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales by Brian Groom
Brian Groom best selling author of Northener's reveals a colourful and often contested history of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales
This talk is based on his best selling book These Isles - Peoples History
This is an inventive new look at the entwinded histories of British and Irish nations and the people who call them home
Windows PC Users
The Windows PC Discussion Group, previously known as the Computer Club , meets regularly at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month - on Zoom.
Its key objectives are to:
- Provide a forum where computer-using members can exchange views
- Keep ourselves up-to-date with the latest genealogical software and techniques
- Present alternative programs and computing methods
- Discuss computer administration and good-practice
- Untangle and learn to use new databases
Informality is the order of the day and members are actively encouraged to bring along their current technical problems. Chances are that somebody will have an answer, but if not we have been known to spend big chunks of the meeting finding out!
Meetings and topics are seldom pre-arranged very far ahead. Our general practice is to discuss new websites, members’ own current problems, or generally educating members on getting the best from their computers. We are here to help and learn from each other! The proposed subject of each meeting is usually announced the week before, by email to the group members .
The Group is led by a small committee and meetings are 'chaired' by a committee member each month.
Research Centre Open
The Brierley Business Centre is situated on Mirion Street, with free on-site parking and some disabled parking spaces. The Research Centre occupies Units 3 and 4 on the ground floor. Press the doorbell button for FHSC on the left-hand side of the main entrance doorway, one of our volunteers will come to the door and let you in, or you may be simply 'buzzed' in.
FREE access to Ancestry, FindMyPast, British Newspaper Archive and The Genealogist
An extensive library of books and the Crewe Collection (formerly Crewe and District Local History Archives)
We would normally ask that you book if you are travelling any distance so that we can be sure that you have the equipment, resources and volunteer available to you. Please contact Margaret Spate with requests for either day on adding "Research Centre" in the subject line.
For full details of our holdings, please see the Crewe Research Centre Library Holdings lists in the Public Library.
We look forward to welcoming both current and new members to the Crewe Research Centre, not forgetting any new volunteers.
MAC Users
The MAC Users Discussion Group meets on the third Monday of the month at 2pm. The group is led by John Reed and is the perfect place to discuss any issues or share your hints and tips and learn from other members about all things MAC related. Thinking of swapping to a MAC then there is no better way to find out more.
Pills, Potions & Poisons: a Nantwich Apothecary's Tale: Helen Cooke
The origins and roles of apothecaries are introduced by Helen, followed by a study of a 17th century Nantwich apothecary, Raphe Walley. Walley's interesting family history is discussed briefly. Many insights into the medicines and ingredients in his shop in Town Square were uncovered following the discovery of the probate inventory of its contents. The talk explores some of the remedies he would have supplied, and how efficacious, or otherwise, they would have been.
Entrance fees: £2.00 for Members £3.00 for Non-members