*** 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 discuss the opportunity 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.

• September 28, 2022 - Basingstoke Group: Members' Evening: 1921 Census
• October 3, 2022 - Romsey Group: Members’ Meeting - our own DNA Experiences
• October 5, 2022 - International Group: Stuart Southampton – Mayflower, Civil War and The Great Plague - Andy Skinner

  This talk focuses on Southampton in the Stuart era by examining the sailing of the Mayflower, the impact of the Civil War and the catastrophe of the Great Plague.

• October 11, 2022 - Fair Oak Group: Vagrants, Paupers … and the Welfare State - Jan Smith
• October 12, 2022 - Gosport Group: My Grandmother’s Birthday Book - Fiona Ranger
• October 13, 2022 - Fleet & Farnborough Group: Member's Talk
• October 13, 2022 - Andover Group: Members’ Evening
• October 19, 2022 - Ringwood Group: Posted in the Past - Helen Baggott
• October 20, 2022 - Winchester Group: Members' Evening - Tell us your Stories
• October 26, 2022 - Basingstoke Group: What Makes a Marriage? - Rules and Records: Antony Marr (Hybrid Meeting)
• October 27, 2022 - Fareham Evening Group: Victorian Crime, Police and Criminals - Antony Marr - via Zoom
• November 2, 2022 - National Group: A-Z of Family History - Janet Few

  When tracing a family tree, the temptation is to use the more well-known sources; those which are available on-line via the major data providers. In this presentation, the author of the classic handbook Family Historian’s Enquire Within introduces a variety of less well-known sources, that can be used to enhance and extend a pedigree or provide valuable context for the lives the family. The original records, databases and online records discussed will range from Absent Voters’ Lists and Asylum Records, through Farm Surveys and Hearth Tax Records, to Valuation Office Records and ideas for inspiring young people to take an interest in genealogy. The aim is to make the audience aware of sources covering the seventeenth to twentieth centuries and point to ways to find out more. There should be something new for everyone.

• November 7, 2022 - Romsey Group: Family History on the Internet – Ian Waller - via Zoom
• November 8, 2022 - Fair Oak Group: The Royal Hampshire Regiment 1702-1992 - Ian Taylor
• November 9, 2022 - Gosport Group: The training of SOE agents at Beaulieu - Nick Saunders
• November 10, 2022 - Fleet & Farnborough Group: Christmas food and drink through the ages - Simon Fowler

  An entertaining talk which will prove that everything you knew about seasonal food and drink is probably wrong!

• November 10, 2022 - Andover Group: The 1939 Register – Peter de Dulin
• November 16, 2022 - Ringwood Group: Searching for Dora - Les Mitcheson
• November 17, 2022 - Winchester Group: Parish Registers - Colin Moretti
• November 23, 2022 - Basingstoke Group: Christmas Festivities
• November 24, 2022 - Fareham Evening Group: TBD
• December 3, 2022 - International Group: The Burning Time: Witchcraft in the 17th century - Janet Few

  In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a wave of witchcraft accusations swept Europe and North America, creating an era that became known as ‘The Burning Time’. Few of our ancestors were directly involved in witchcraft trials, either as the accused or the accuser, but all of our sixteenth and seventeenth century forbears lived in a world where there was an underlying belief in and fear of, witchcraft. In order to understand those ancestors, we need to be aware that ‘villagers were constantly engaged in contending with, or discussing, witches.’ (MacFarlane, Alan Witchcraft in Tudor and Stuart England: a regional and comparative study 1970 Routledge p.113). This was a climate in which mass hysteria could easily tip the balance and create an atmosphere where our ancestors and their neighbours would become caught up in witchcraft fever. Learn about this era and the sources that we can use to find more.

• December 5, 2022 - Romsey Group: The Dark Side of Christmas - Kay Lovell
• December 8, 2022 - Fleet & Farnborough Group: Christmas Festivities
• December 8, 2022 - Andover Group: Christmas Meeting – Weyhill Hall only
• December 13, 2022 - Fair Oak Group: Christmas Social
• December 14, 2022 - Gosport Group: Christmas Festivities
• December 21, 2022 - Ringwood Group: Christmas Festivities
• December 22, 2022 - Fareham Evening Group: ** No meeting in December - Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!
• December 28, 2022 - Basingstoke Group: ** No meeting in December - Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!
• January 26, 2023 - Fareham Evening Group: What Makes a Marriage ? – Rules & Records - Antony Marr - via Zoom