Where to Start Researching Your Family History

The Folkestone & District Family History Society will be giving free 1-hour introductory sessions. Come and learn where you can start researching your family history - both online and in local archives.

The Society is hosting the event in Folkestone Library - Heritage & Digital Access with the kind permission and support of Kent Libraries.

We will start with a tour of the facilities by a member of staff from Kent Libraries, showing you what material is available for local historical studies. The remainder of the session will be spent with the Folkestone & District Family History Society team, where we will assess the level of experience members of each group have in researching their family tree and offer appropriate advice to help them start or further their studies accordingly.

If you are unable to make the event but would like help in getting started, look out for future events from the Society! Many of the libraries in Kent have local studies collections and they all have free internet access. Additionally, online services such as Ancestry and the British Newspaper Archive can be accessed in their libraries for free - either via their computers or bring your own laptop.

Timings & Tours

Thursday 18 September:

Sessions at 10am, 11:30am and 2:30pm

Location & directions

Folkestone Library - Heritage & Digital Access, 5 Grace Hill, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1HA

Directions:

Folkestone Library - Heritage & Digital Access is on Grace Hill inbetween the Masonic Centre and former Prince Albert pub. From the bus station, leave on the Post Office side and head to the pedestrian precinct. Walk down the precinct to the town hall. Take Rendezvous Street on your right, round to Grace Hill, or use the alleyway beside the town hall, walk down the steps and turn lef From Folkestone Central railway station, walk under the bridge and follow Cheriton Road. Cross at the lights by the roadworks and walk down Guildhall Street to the town hall - continue as above. PLEASE NOTE: This is the temporary library in the former Shepway Youth Hub building, not the currently closed main building on the other side of the road! There are currently roadworks on Shellons Street, so pedestrian access may be limited. We recommend approaching from Rendezvous Street.

Contact on day:

Mark Hourahane

Telephone number:

+447738963660

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please book via TicketSource. Booking is completely free. Should you not be able to attend, please let us know so we can attempt to reallocate your slot. We reserve the right to reassign any booked slots that have not arrived by the specified time on the day.

Booking website:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/folkestonefamilyhistory/where-to-start-researching-your-family-history/e-xodeep

Booking opens:

31 Aug 2025 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

16 Sep 2025 09:00 PM

Accessibility details

The event takes place on the first floor. There is lift access to the floor.

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

8

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

Check out our online channels

Back to results