Basingstoke HGS Family History Group meet monthly for talks and visits to inspire and help you with your research
Welcome to the Basingstoke Group page. You do not need Hampshire ancestors to attend our meetings, all you need is an interest in family history. Our subjects are varied and aim to assist you with your research wherever your ancestors came from. We give you the opportunity to chat with like- minded researchers who can help and advise you. We cater for all and are a very friendly bunch! We have some extremely knowledgeable members, from those with up to 40 years research experience, to those who have only just started.
Meetings of the Basingstoke HGS group are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except December). We meet at the Roger Morris Community Centre, Eastrop Way from 7:45pm to around 9:30pm. This is a ground floor room with disabled access and toilet. Parking outside the hall,and in the Eastrop Park car park opposite, is free. The main part of our evening concludes around 9:00pm, when refreshments are made available for a small fee and members chat amongst themselves.
Why Join Basingstoke Group
Specialist speakers give talks, and we have participation evenings when members may present and talk about their own research. Please see our Programme of meetings below.
There are tables in the hall including one with magazines and leaflets, and another contains books donated by Members (on both family and local history) that are available to borrow. All leaflets, magazines and loans are free of charge.
We normally produce two monthly Newsletters which are e-mailed to our members reminding them of the date of the next meeting, and including snippets of information about all sorts of family history things!
We also hold a Drop-in Clinic in the Basingstoke Discovery Centre (Library) on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (except August and December) between 10am and 12 noon. Our experienced 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.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You are most welcome to join our meetings as a visitor, or even better, join HGS and become part of a wide Hampshire family history community.
HGS Basingstoke Group Events & Meetings
Meetings of the Basingstoke HGS group are held in-person.
- June 24, 2026, 7:45 pm: Members’ Evening: 10-minute talks by members. So, what have you discovered over the past year or so?
A chance to share your findings and seek help where necessary.
- July 22, 2026, 7:45 pm: The Salonica Campaign - Darren Rolfe
Fought between the French, British, Russian, Italian Greek and Serbian forces against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bulgaria and Germany. This forms a neglected part of the British history of the First World War. It stands alongside The Western Front and Gallipoli
- August 26, 2026, N/A: A Walking Tour of Odiham - Join the group for a tour around the village
Please contact the group for details.
- September 23, 2026, 7:45 pm: Members' Evening: 10-minute Presentations
This is an open forum evening where members get to talk about whatever they wish, ask questions, answer questions, review blocks. Hopefully those with plenty of experience can assist newer members.
- October 28, 2026, 7:45 pm: DNA: Furthering your knowledge into how DNA can assist you to develop your family tree - Donna Rutherford
DNA, the modern tool to help you further your knowledge and assist you to explore new areas of your family history by putting you in touch with long lost relatives and more distant family members. Can be a useful aid to prove your research. Note: This will be a hybrid event where the speaker will talk via Zoom to us within the Roger Morris Centre.
- November 25, 2026, 7:45 pm: Christmas Festivities - Bring your own food and enjoy a talk by James Rowley on 'Christmas Tales'
A speaker about Christmas of course! James Rowley will talk about Christmas traditions give time to listen to his talk and Members anecdotes. Please bring your own food and drink. The kitchen will be closed this evening!
The Group is currently run by committee. They can be contacted using the form on this page.
Find Us Here:
Roger Morris Community Centre
Eastrop Way
Basingstoke
RG21 4QE
Contact Basingstoke Group Organiser
If you would like to know more about the Basingstoke Group and its forthcoming events, then please contact the group using this form.