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We meet monthly 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 meetings of any of our 13 active groups. All groups meet in the evening with the exception of the Afternoon Group – see page via Groups Menu for details.
• Visit their pages via the Groups Menu to see their monthly programme of talks, news and articles.  Contact a Group Organiser using the form at the bottom of each Group’s 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.

Why go to a HGS Group meeting?

If you are curious, then check out this article https://www.hgs-familyhistory.com/2018/03/why-go-to-an-hgs-group-meeting/

HGS Group Locations

Click on a pin for the address and directions.

 

HGS Family History Group and Society Events for the next 3 months

• June 27, 2018 - Basingstoke Group: Death Records - Jane Fox

  The death records talk has some basic research records / methods but the focus of the talk is how we can use records which relate to someone’s death to inform us about their lives and extend our family history research.

• June 28, 2018 - Fareham Group: Members' only visit to Titchfield with Andrew Negus

  This is a DAYTIME visit.

• July 2, 2018 - Romsey Group: Village life in the 1940’s and 1950’s – John Pitman

  John’s talks are not simply well-researched; much of the information he shares is from his own life experiences. This particular topic is seen through his eyes as a child in those times, living on a large estate in Hampshire. He likes his audience to have a good time so he includes a good deal of humour; therefore, you can be sure there will be much to laugh about!

• July 9, 2018 - Alton Group: Members’ Evening: Problems and Successes
• July 11, 2018 - Gosport Group: Voyages from the Past – Simon Wills
• July 12, 2018 - Andover Group: Cabinet of Curiosities - Charles Kaye
• July 12, 2018 - Fleet & Farnborough Group: Employment Records - Colin Moretti

  Colin will discuss possible ways to discover what our ancestors did for a living then outline information that might be found for a range of occupations, including some of the more difficult ones. For those of our forebears who were in rural trades or employed by small businesses in towns and cities it will not be possible to find detailed records (these are quite rare) but in many cases it is still possible to better understand what their job entailed.

• July 13, 2018 - New Milton & Christchurch Group: The memorials in St. Mark’s church - Audrey Brinsford & John Heighes

  The stories behind the names of the commemorated.

• July 16, 2018 - Southampton Group: Members’ Evening - 5 minute talks
• July 18, 2018 - Ringwood Group: A HGS Project at The Meeting House
• July 25, 2018 - Basingstoke Group: Members’ Presentations: The story behind a photograph, postcard or letter

  Do you have a photograph, postcard or letter that tells a story? Time to share.

• July 26, 2018 - Fareham Group: Employment Records - Colin Moretti

  Colin will discuss possible ways to discover what our ancestors did for a living then outline information that might be found for a range of occupations, including some of the more difficult ones. For those of our forebears who were in rural trades or employed by small businesses in towns and cities it will not be possible to find detailed records (these are quite rare) but in many cases it is still possible to better understand what their job entailed.

• August 6, 2018 - Romsey Group: *** Summer Break - No Meeting ***
• August 8, 2018 - Gosport Group: *** Summer Break - No Meeting ***
• August 10, 2018 - New Milton & Christchurch Group: Members’ Evening - I can’t find it anywhere!

  A chance to help one another.

• August 13, 2018 - Alton Group: *** Summer Break - No Meeting ***
• August 15, 2018 - Ringwood Group: Skittles Night – Members only
• August 20, 2018 - Southampton Group: Animals in WW1 - Tony Babb
• August 22, 2018 - Basingstoke Group: Pre 1841 census sources - Speaker: Ian Waller

  Throughout history officialdom has created lists of people on a regular basis. The pre 1841 census returns, Posse Comitatus, tax lists, rate books, etc. which have existed since time immemorial identify our ancestors in specific places and are a great help in locating family events. This talk looks at a variety of records available to find you ancestors.

• August 23, 2018 - Fareham Group: Members’ Evening: What did your ancestor do?

  A follow up to last month's meeting on employment records. Did they help you find more information? Any interesting occupations found?

• September 3, 2018 - Portsmouth Group: Writing your Family History - Chris Lightfooot

  Tips and advice on how to start developing stories based on your family history research.

• September 10, 2018 - Romsey Group: Members’ Evening - My Indispensable Book + HGS Bookstall (Note: this is the second Monday of the month)

  Members are asked to bring along a book which they have found useful or indispensable in their research and tell the Group why they wouldn’t be without it. In connection with this theme, Chris Pavey will be bringing along the HGS Bookstall and Members will have the opportunity to browse and buy.

• September 10, 2018 - Alton Group: Members’ Evening: Problems and Successes
• September 12, 2018 - Gosport Group: Priddy’s People – Daniel Ball
• September 13, 2018 - Andover Group: Breaking down Brickwalls - Ian Waller
• September 13, 2018 - Fleet & Farnborough Group: Portsmouth: Harlots, Dung & Glory - Andrew Negus, Historian and Blue Badge Guide

  Our second instalment of a history of the Port from early times to Nelson’s times.

• September 14, 2018 - New Milton & Christchurch Group: Broadlands - Phoebe Merrick

  The occupants of this famous Romsey house over the centuries.

• September 17, 2018 - Southampton Group: Stroppy Women! Women who shaped the history of Southampton - Cheryl Butler

  History has, by and large, been written by men, but women have still found a way of insinuating themselves, hiding in documents, being visible and invisible at the same time. And usually it is the difficult women, the bossy women, the unquiet women, the stroppy women who really manage to make a mark. This is the story of the remarkable women who helped shaped Southampton's history and national history.

• September 19, 2018 - Ringwood Group: Causes of Death – Simon Wills
• September 26, 2018 - Basingstoke Group: Members’ Presentations / Discussions - Anything you like!

  Any subject, any ancestor, any item, any question.

• September 27, 2018 - Fareham Group: Winchester: Bishops, buildings and bones - Andrew Negus

  The first in a 4-part series of talks on Winchester. Covering the period BC through 1100, we shall see how and why the city grew from a collection of Iron Age huts into the splendid capital of England.

• October 1, 2018 - Romsey Group: Messages from the Front – Margaret Braddock

  Margaret has a collection of over 3,500 postcards from the First World War. She has made a selection which illustrates heroism, humour and everyday activities experienced both in the trenches and on the Home Front. During her presentation she will share her research concerning some of the recipients and senders.

• October 10, 2018 - Gosport Group: Members’ Evening
• October 11, 2018 - Andover Group: Members’ Evening
• October 11, 2018 - Fleet & Farnborough Group: Members’ Evening - What did you find in the newspapers?

  Revealing lives of our ancestors and a glimpse at national and local events through the lens of the community.