Posted by Phyllis on Tuesday, December 24, 2019
The Society of Genealogists has just issued these extended research programmes that may be of interest.
Family History Getaway – Family History Research before 1837 (15-19 June 2020)
Join us at the Society of Genealogists for a Family History Getaway Week. The Society is hosting a five-day programme in its Library in London to help you to find your ancestors before 1837 and even back to the 1600s. Fifteen workshops and talks, a chance to research the records we hold, expert help when you need it and lunch every day included in the cost.
It’s a bit difficult to accurately identify our ancestors once we start exploring before census and civil registration. Some of us may think that if our ordinary family lived regular, uneventful lives there’s not that much to know. But we’d be so wrong. Every one of our ancestors contributed to, and helped to build, the world we live in today. ‘Just’ agricultural labourers - they were part of the agricultural revolution with new crops and new ways of farming. Labourers in one of the cities – the new machinery moved them from working at home to working in harsh, unpleasant mills or factories. Joined the Navy or the Army – then they served in the regiments that built an Empire. And while all this was happening, those same ordinary people were beginning to ask for new rights – to vote or to own land – and develop new beliefs – religious freedoms or equality.
This Getaway Week focuses on helping you find information and available records so that you can build a picture of your earlier ‘ordinary’ ancestors’ lives. For a full agenda of all the events in the week, view our full programme on the bookings page
Aims and objectives
To look at the sources that are available to research your family before 1837.
To know where to find records and how to use them.
Overall, to begin to build a picture of what it was like to live and work earlier centuries, fitting it all into the context of Britain’s history and social issues.
Carry out your own research, using the books, documents and records in our Library and Catalogue, with expert help when you need it.
Who should attend
You will gain the most benefit from the Getaway Week if you have already researched your family using the civil registration and census records in England and Wales.
Cost
Full cost for 5 days of talks, workshops, lunch, and access to our Library, cost 260.00/208.00 SoG Members
With tutors Else Churchill, Patric Dickinson, Gill Draper, Alec Tritton, Michael Gandy and Charlie Mead
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Family History Getaway: DNA through Case Studies (8-10 September 2020)
Spend 3 full days learning more about how DNA can help you build your family tree. Attend workshops that focus on the types of DNA tests and how to use the tests to progress your family history search.
Most of the important scientific discoveries in the last 100 years are only understood and managed by scientists, academics or industry. Using DNA tests really is different. Every one of us can take part in a very popular way to understand more about ourselves and where we came from. It’s essential that you understand what is being tested and how best to manage the results.
With Karen Cummings, Geoff Swinfield, Amelia Bennett and Else Churchill, cost 220.00/176.00 SoG members.
We are currently organising this 3-day programme. To register your interest and be sent a full class schedule when completed, email the events department.
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Evening Skills Courses:
Evening classes can be a great way to study genealogy. Away from all the other pressures of life for two hours, you can focus on how to find your ancestors and flesh out your family’s history. You’ll spend time with other people in the class that share your interests and are as keen as you are to learn new skills. Wanting to know about our own family’s history is a very natural feeling. Understanding what shaped our ancestors’ lives makes history come alive and helps us see our place in it. Most of us enjoy meeting and learning from expert genealogists and we find others’ ancestry almost as fascinating as our own.
The Society of Genealogists offer Family History Skills for anyone that is interested in genealogy and wants to explore their family history. In a carefully, well rounded curriculum, our tutors introduce the records that count and help you use them effectively.
The Family History Skills evening course has two stages:
• Stage 1 (30 April to 23 July) covers fundamental records, search techniques and standards.
• Stage 2 (10 September to 3 Dec) covers the records and techniques that professional genealogists use to take their research further
Who should attend the Stage 1 series of classes?
There are no specific requirements or special knowledge needed for you to attend Stage 1. The classes are ideal for people wanting to be better at building their family tree. You can expect an entertaining and enjoyable experience. Stage 1 introduces all the basic records and teaches you how to use them.
Who should attend the Stage 2 series of classes?
Stage 2 is designed for those who have attended Stage 1, or already have some experience of genealogical research and are familiar with the basic records (General Registration, the censuses, directories, parish registers and wills).
Some success in tracing your family but want to be better?
These classes move you forward. Learn about a range of records that are available and, more importantly, learn the best ways to use them.
Considering becoming a professional genealogist? These classes are an excellent way to build on your knowledge. Learn the standards required of genealogists and the essential techniques for searching and analysis.
Time and place
Thursday evenings, 6 to 8 pm, for 13 weeks each, at the Society of Genealogists premises.
Modules and further information can be found on the bookings page of our website
Cost: 225.00/180.00 SoG members.
