*** Although most HGS groups have resumed in-person meetings, some are continuing to run meetings via Zoom, and others are running hybrid meetings [a mixture of in-person and Zoom], so please do check to see the type of meeting. 

For hybrid meetings or those 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?

• • You can attend the meetings of any of our 10 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.

• February 1, 2023 - International Group: The Mayflower Connection - Helen Baggott - via Zoom

  This talk focuses on a group of postcards sent in the UK and in America in the early 1900s that help share the story of The Mayflower. By illustrating the talk with postcards associated with The Mayflower, and sharing the stories of the people who sent and received them, this talk offers more than the re-telling of the voyage and early years in America. Some of the postcards connect to other events of international importance, including the War of Independence and the American Civil War – reinforcing the idea that history has no boundaries. The talk also explains the research – using genealogy – that connects the postcards to American and UK history.

• February 6, 2023 - Romsey Group: Conserving Your Family Archive - Sue Gibbons - via Zoom
• February 8, 2023 - Gosport Group: My ancestor was on the 1939 register - Well, they should have been! - John Hanson - via Zoom
• February 9, 2023 - Andover Group: How to get the most out of Family Search - Sharon Hintze - via Zoom
• February 9, 2023 - Fleet & Farnborough Group: The Inland Revenue Survey 1910-1915 - Gill Blanchard - via Zoom
• February 13, 2023 - Alton Group: Members’ Evening - Annual Review and Problems and Successes
• February 14, 2023 - Fair Oak Group: Exploring Your Ancestors’ Parish Church & Churchyard - Celia Heritage - via Zoom
• February 15, 2023 - Ringwood Group: Overcoming brickwalls - Chris Boom - via Zoom
• February 16, 2023 - Winchester Group: Women, The Home and Spanish Flu in WW1 - Ian Porter - via Zoom
• February 22, 2023 - Basingstoke Group: Members’ Evening: My Favourite Ancestor
• February 23, 2023 - Fareham Evening Group: Mind the gaps! understanding and improving your online searches - Dave Annal - via Zoom

  The major genealogical websites provide easy access to many of the most useful records for family history research. The way that the material is arranged gives us the impression that the various databases are comprehensive. But are they? This talk will look at examples of missing registers and explain why the websites’ hints and suggestions might be pointing you in the wrong direction.

• March 1, 2023 - National Group: The 6 Bobbies of Appleshaw - Lorraine Whale - via Zoom
• March 6, 2023 - Romsey Group: Members’ Meeting – Methods of researching and how to record and store the research

  How do we use the Internet to find info? – tricks and traps! Do we still use traditional methods; i.e. visit record offices and archives?

• March 8, 2023 - Gosport Group: Members’ Evening
• March 9, 2023 - Andover Group: Members’ Evening: Bring an interesting item
• March 13, 2023 - Alton Group: Members’ Evening
• March 14, 2023 - Fair Oak Group: Members’ Evening
• March 15, 2023 - Ringwood Group: My Ancestor was a Pirate - Sue Paul - via Zoom

  Pirates of the Caribbean - the sequel!

• March 16, 2023 - Winchester Group: When Harry met Dotty: the Dangers of DNA - Nick Barratt - via Zoom
• March 22, 2023 - Basingstoke Group: Members’ Evening: Parish Chest – hands-on with a range of examples
• April 1, 2023 - International Group: Ideas for researching Non-Conformist ancestors - Jackie Depelle - via Zoom

  Many of our ancestors favoured a wide range of different denominations. Watch for signposts, discover where can we might find their records and see what will they tell us.

• April 3, 2023 - Romsey Group: The Titanic: what happened after the ship sank – Ian Porter
• April 10, 2023 - Alton Group: Easter Monday - No meeting
• April 11, 2023 - Fair Oak Group: Chandlers Ford Brickworks - Jim Beckett
• April 12, 2023 - Gosport Group: Condoms, Sponges and Syringes: The 19th Century Radical Pioneers of Family Planning - Bob Forder
• April 13, 2023 - Andover Group: The Hatcher Brothers - Richard Backhouse
• April 19, 2023 - Ringwood Group: Parents at War - David Bickerton - via Zoom

  The story about the letters David's parents wrote to each other during WW2.

• April 20, 2023 - Winchester Group: Portsmouth - Harlots, Dung & Glory - Andrew Negus
• April 26, 2023 - Basingstoke Group: Women, The Home & Spanish Flu in the Great War - Ian Porter
• May 2, 2023 - Romsey Group: Members’ Meeting – Q&A help session: Can we help? (note this is a TUESDAY)
• May 3, 2023 - National Group: The use of local history to family history - Joe Saunders - via Zoom

  Local history is invaluable to family history. It provides us with the context to understand our ancestors' lives, adding a richness to our family trees while also enabling us to better find and understand them within the records. This talk outlines the value of local history to family historians, many of whom are already local historians in many senses. It also provides an introduction to local history for those just starting or looking to develop their exploration. While considering England broadly it will contain Hampshire-specific information.

• May 8, 2023 - Alton Group: Members’ Evening
• May 9, 2023 - Fair Oak Group: What the Butler Saw - John Pitman
• May 10, 2023 - Gosport Group: Life as a Dockyard Matey - Rob Clark
• May 11, 2023 - Andover Group: Members’ Evening: Brick walls