Family history is about much more than names, dates, and family trees. By exploring the communities, streets, workplaces, and neighbourhoods that shaped your ancestors' lives, you can gain a richer understanding of who they were and the world they lived in.
Delivered by Jen Baldwin, genealogist and research specialist at Findmypast, this engaging introduction to family and local history will show how records such as censuses, parish registers, newspapers, directories, maps, and photographs can transform fragments of information into vivid stories of everyday life. Whether your ancestors were factory workers, shopkeepers, labourers, teachers, or tradespeople, local history can help bring their amazing stories to life.
You'll discover:
- How to use historical records to uncover family stories
- Why local history provides valuable context for understanding ancestors' lives
- What censuses, parish records, and newspapers can reveal about ordinary people
- How occupations, homes, schools, and communities shaped past generations
- Tips and tricks for starting or growing your family tree
- Ways to move beyond names and dates to build a deeper connection with your past
Packed with inspirational case studies and practical advice, this session will help you see historical records in a new light and give you the confidence to begin exploring the everyday histories hidden within your own family story. Who knows what you'll uncover?
**Event link will be available here when the festival begins**
Timings
Available anytime
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
