HGS Family History Groups
Although most HGS group meetings are in-person meetings, some are held via Zoom, so please do check to see the type of meeting.
For meetings that are held via Zoom only, please contact the appropriate Group Organiser no later than 24 hours prior to the talk to be added to the invitation list. Remember to include your membership number or indicate if you are a guest.
If you plan on travelling to an in-person meeting where you are not already on the Group Organiser’s contact list, we suggest that you contact the Group Organiser to let them know: this way, if the meeting is cancelled (e.g. due to speaker unavailability) they will be able to let you know, saving you an unnecessary trip.
We meet regularly to share, learn, exchange ideas and information, as well as to help us each further explore our family history projects. Why not come along and see for yourself?
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- You can attend the meetings of any of our 9 active Hampshire-based groups.
- The International Group meetings are held every two months via Zoom: these meetings are on alternate months to the National Group meetings.
- The National Group meetings are held every two months via Zoom: these meeting are on alternate months to the International Group meetings.
- Visit a Group’s page (via the menu on the right) to see their programme of talks, news and articles. Contact a Group Organiser using the form at the bottom of their Group page.
- Come and meet like-minded people. HGS Group Meetings are free to members and prospective members.
- They are a good way to gain some new insights on how to further explore your family history.
- Whether you are a beginner or an expert, with a family from within or outside of Hampshire, you will always be welcome and find someone who has something new and interesting to share.
HGS Group Locations
Click on a pin for the address and directions.
HGS Family History Group and Society Events for the next 3 months
To attend a Zoom talk offered by any of the groups, please contact the appropriate group organiser no later than 24 hours prior to the talk. Please include your membership number or indicate if you are a guest.
- August 3, 2024 - International Group: [BST] The Rise and Demise of Union Workhouses - Sally Gardiner
This talk covers the pre-history of the workhouse system from the 16th Century, describes its structure and life within Union workhouses through to their demise in the early 20th Century.
- August 13, 2024 - Fair Oak Group: Guided Walk – South Stoneham & Mansbridge - Eric Reed
- August 14, 2024 - Gosport Group: ** No meeting in August **
- August 21, 2024 - Ringwood Group: Cream tea in the afternoon - time/venue to be decided
- August 28, 2024 - Basingstoke Group: Members’ Evening - Historic Houses Around Basingstoke
- September 4, 2024 - National Group: Annoying Ancestors - Gay Evans
This is an anecdotal tale of what to look for, and the pitfalls to avoid, when researching your family. We consider how our ancestors can unknowingly be annoying as they put obstacles in our way.
- September 10, 2024 - Basingstoke Group: Basingstoke Discovery Centre Library - Drop-in Clinic
Experienced HGS volunteers are on hand to offer help and advice on all things family history related and have the use of Ancestry and Findmypast during the sessions.
- September 10, 2024 - Fair Oak Group: Strangers and Aliens: French Nick, Mrs Read the Saracen and Mrs Holmes’s Blackamoor - Cheryl Butler
- September 11, 2024 - Gosport Group: My Eminent Ancestor - Laurie Page
- September 12, 2024 - Fleet & Farnborough Group: Railway Work, Life & Death - Mike Esbester
As part of a project with the National Railway Museum this talk will look at accidents to railway workers from the 1880s until 1939.
- September 18, 2024 - Ringwood Group: Members' Evening - What did your family do in WW2?
- September 19, 2024 - Winchester Group: Lost, Stolen or Strayed - Sue Ellis
- September 25, 2024 - Basingstoke Group: Keep it in the Family - Heather Wylde
- October 2, 2024 - International Group: [BST] Beyond Parish Registers: Tracing your Anglican Ancestors - Dr Nicholas Dixon
The majority of the English population belonged to the Church of England from the Reformation until recent times. However, discussions of the role of religion in family history tend to focus on membership of smaller nonconformist denominations. Hence genealogists can overlook the many ways in which ancestors might have participated in Anglican activity beyond the basic facts of being baptised, married or buried according to Anglican rites. This talk will discuss the varieties of Anglican commitment over the centuries, including confirmation, receiving communion, Anglican schooling, Anglican societies and parochial ministry. It will also offer advice on finding records of such activities in county and diocesan record offices as well as online resources.
- October 8, 2024 - Basingstoke Group: Basingstoke Discovery Centre Library - Drop-in Clinic
Experienced HGS volunteers are on hand to offer help and advice on all things family history related and have the use of Ancestry and Findmypast during the sessions.
- October 8, 2024 - Fair Oak Group: Members’ Evening
- October 9, 2024 - Gosport Group: Victoria Crosses of The Royal Hampshire Regiment - Nick Saunders
- October 10, 2024 - Fleet & Farnborough Group: The Work Of Thomas Cowell, Stained Glass Artist – Mary McLaren
An insight into the career of Thomas Cowell, son of a Soho bootmaker.
- October 16, 2024 - Ringwood Group: Record keeping for family historians - Ian Waller - via Zoom
- October 17, 2024 - Winchester Group: The Future of Genealogy - Nick Barratt - via Zoom
- October 23, 2024 - Basingstoke Group: Victorian Pharmacy: Kill or Cure - Judy Hill via Zoom
- November 6, 2024 - National Group: Writing Your Family's History - Jane Gulliford Lowes
It's never been easier to research your family history. There's a wealth of genealogy websites out there, as well as online access to national archives and databases. Most towns and villages have local and family history groups where ideas can be shared and research skills honed. But what do you actually DO with all of the information when you've collated it? Is it all stuffed in a file or in notebooks, or perhaps locked into a private family tree account on an ancestry website? Jane will give you tips and advice on how to actually build the information into a readable and fascinating family narrative, packed with historical details, and set into its proper historical context. She'll also give you suggestions on how to present your family story on paper, online, and even in an e-book, so that it can be shared and treasured by other family members.
- November 12, 2024 - Alton Group: Basingstoke Discovery Centre Library - Drop-in Clinic
Experienced HGS volunteers are on hand to offer help and advice on all things family history related and have the use of Ancestry and Findmypast during the sessions.
- November 12, 2024 - Basingstoke Group: Basingstoke Discovery Centre Library - Drop-in Clinic
Experienced HGS volunteers are on hand to offer help and advice on all things family history related and have the use of Ancestry and Findmypast during the sessions.
- November 12, 2024 - Fair Oak Group: Building Spitfires Without a Factory - Alan Matlock
- November 13, 2024 - Gosport Group: Sacrifice and Remembrance - Jeremy Prescott
- November 14, 2024 - Fleet & Farnborough Group: Allsorts! – A cornucopia of discovery and research by members
- November 20, 2024 - Ringwood Group: Stroppy Women - Cheryl Butler: - via Zoom
History is written by men,this is the story of feisty women hidden in documents from the middle ages to the present day.
- November 21, 2024 - Winchester Group: Tracing your House History - Gillian Blanchard - via Zoom
- November 27, 2024 - Basingstoke Group: Members’ Evening - Christmas Festivities
- December 7, 2024 - International Group: [GMT] Christmas food and drink through the ages - Simon & Silvia Fowler
Enjoy this entertaining talk which will prove that everything you knew about seasonal food and drink is probably wrong!
- December 10, 2024 - Fair Oak Group: Christmas Festivities
- December 11, 2024 - Gosport Group: Members' Evening - Christmas Festivities
- December 12, 2024 - Winchester Group: Christmas Festivities
- December 18, 2024 - Ringwood Group: Christmas Quiz and Festivities in the afternoon