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Portsmouth HGS Family History Group meet Monthly to Inspire and Help with your Research

Welcome to the Portsmouth Group page.  This friendly and welcoming  group meets at 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start on the first Monday of the month (except January and August) in ‘The Links’, Cosham Baptist Church, Havant Road, Cosham, Portsmouth.

Our members come from all over the Portsmouth area and we are always pleased to welcome visitors and new members. Parking is available at the church, on the roads opposite, in the car park next to the church (50p an hour at all times), or 50 yards down the road behind the Red Lion pub (free after 6pm).  On arrival at the church, go through the main entrance and ‘The Links’ is the meeting room on the left.

Why Join Portsmouth Group?

Joining your local group provides an opportunity to meet other people who share the same enthusiasm for family history and to share skills and expertise. It’s also an opportunity to help others break down ‘brick walls’ in their research and to get assistance with your own. The talks, workshops, and social events also provide a great opportunity to extend knowledge and have fun!

If you have any articles that you would like included on our group page then please contact us, we would be delighted to receive them!

The Group meetings are either a talk from a speaker on a family history related subject, or a Members’ Evening, usually arranged around members interests or request for a particular topic. The meeting is preceded by tea/coffee and biscuits, giving the opportunity for members to chat with each other and the speaker.

HGS Portsmouth Group Events & Meetings

• May 7, 2019, 7:00 pm: Members' Evening - What were your ancestors doing in 1819/1919?’ (Please note the meeting is on Tuesday.)

  Bring along your research, stories, family trees, mementoes, photos (for 1919) and we will discuss how the history of the day may have influenced our ancestors lives.

• June 3, 2019, 7:00 pm: Tracing my German Ancestors – Paul Pinhorne

  The presentation explains why Paul reignited his interest in his mother's ancestors. He will show and explain the type of records he was able to locate and will run through the information presented, and their sources. The presentation also shows many photographs of relatives and locations, and includes a short transcribing exercise.

• August 5, 2019, 7:00 pm: Summer Break - No meeting
• September 2, 2019, 7:00 pm: The French Church: Responses to Immigration in the sixteenth century - Cheryl Butler

  The history of the chapel of St Julien and the lives of the Walloon and Huguenot refugees who fled persecution to find a welcome in Southampton …. Or did they?

• October 7, 2019, 7:00 pm: Heads of households, alternatives to the census - Colin Moretti
• November 4, 2019, 7:00 pm: Family History Quiz, Family History Miscellaneous, Society Pop-up Bookshop

  An opportunity to test your knowledge of your favourite subject! Bring along an interesting fact you have discovered, or a poem that talks about family history, anything that you believe the group will find interesting.

• December 2, 2019, 7:00 pm: Bob France: The Butler’s Christmas (in Victorian Costume), followed by an American Supper

  John Dine, Petworth’s ancient butler, explores how dramatically Christmas changed from his Georgian youth to late Victorian times. Discover how our Christmas traditions developed. Why did Father Christmas change from green to red? Did the Georgians have Christmas trees, presents and turkeys? What were Mumpers and Hodlers? Why was Boxing Day so important? Plenty of insight and amusement - a joyful way to herald the festive season!

Find Us Here:

Cosham Baptist Church – The Links
Havant Rd
Cosham
PO6 2QZ