Meetings Programme

All meetings are on Zoom. Those wishing to attend Woolmer Green for the Zoom meeting, this venue will be available from April through to October except during August. Non-members may join the Zoom meeting. See the News page for details. The meetings may change according to circumstances.

All meetings, except in May (see below), start at 2.30pm UK time. Access through Zoom may be booked in at 2.15pm UK time.

 Date  Subject  Speaker
2024  
Jan 27Putting your Ancestors in their Place — Looking at the town/village where your ancestors lived. They did not live in isolation. They need to be considered through investigating the community in which they lived. Janet Few
Feb 24The Wilson and Lacon Monuments at All Saints, Willian, Hertfordshire, an heraldic and genealogical study — A study of the Wilson and Lacon monuments in All Saints, Willian with their associated genealogy and heraldry.Jane Tunesi
Mar 23The Mourning Brooch — Jean Renwick’s illustrated talk reveals years of research behind the first two books in her family saga, The Mourning Brooch, is based upon the lives of Yorkshire people living in the late 19th, early 20th century. If you have a piece of mourning jewellery, bring it to the meeting room and share its story before the talk begins. This meeting is also available at Woolmer GreenJean Renwick.
Apr 27Wills for Family History —From ancient to modern, Local to House, rich or poor, Wills are an all embracing resource not restricted just to family history. A detailed probate record can be full of names, personal information and interests as well as who, did or didn’t get what. They can provide many clues and signposts to additional source material to build up a family tree and extend a research project.Jackie Depelle.
May 25The de Havilland Aircraft Company: Hertfordshire’s Contribution to the Aircraft Industry —This talk looks at the history and achievements of the de Havilland Aircraft Company with reference to its founder, Geoffrey de Havilland. Looking at the work of this remarkable Company until the Hatfield site was closed by British Aerospace in 1994, and we see how 60 years of aviation history is being commemorated in the Company’s old Headquarters building which is now Hatfeld Police Station.Alistar Hodgson
In person.
Jun 29Free Antiquarian Resources on the Internet —Through the internet it is possible to access thousands of antiquarian (i.e. copyright expired) books that can enrich your family history research and provide access to resources and information not available elsewhere. Phil’s talk describes and demonstrates the four main sites for accessing these resources: Google Books, Hathi Trust, Internet Archive and FamilySearch Digital Library, showing the types of resources that can be found and sharing his top recommendations.Phil Isherwood.
Jul 27Leaving No Stone Unturned —MI Recording.John Pearson
In person.
Aug 17No Society meeting.
There is at HALS a special open meeting and help session that HFHS members may attend from 2.00 to 5.00pm		 
Sep 28Researching Ancestors in British India—Some three million Britons lived and served in India during Britain's presence there. From 1600 to 1947, the East India Company and the British controlled Government of India won that country with their armies and governed it with a Civil Service. Britons from all social classes were recruited to run every aspect of social, commercial, political, economic and military life. Many records of these people survive, and this talk will explain these records and where to find them.Valmay Young.
Oct 26William Wilshere: a Hitchin lawyer and his garden—This talk is based on William Wilshere’s Farm and Gardening Memoranda, spanning the years 1809 to 1824, supplemented by information from his cash books, bills and a journal and planting book started by his gardener, James Bowie, in 1812. The talk includes brief biographies of Wilshere’s gardeners, notably James Bowie who in the autumn of 1814 was sent by Sir Joseph Banks on a plant hunting expedition to Brazil.Bridget Howlett
In person
Nov 23Hertford sources—the obvious and the unexpected. 50 years of personal research has uncovered ancestors, both affluent and impoverished, who have inhabited most corners of Hertfordshire and often spread into the adjacent counties and abroad. Projects for other people and organisations have involved using additional sources concerning Country Estates, War Memorials etc.Felicity Brimblecombe
Dec 14Adventures of a Ghost Hunter —Each talk Damien gives is unique and can be tailored to his audience’s particular interests. He would like to know if there are any areas of Hertfordshire of particular interest so he can incorporate true-life stories for those parts of the county into his talk. He’d also be interested to learn about particular aspects of the paranormal that the audience would like to know more about. Much of the material will come from his book Paranormal Hertfordshire. He'll also incorporate some material about Chicksands Priory (in Shefford, Bedfordshire) as his latest book is all about this, the most haunted house in England. Members in the USA may be particularly interested in this site because many American servicemen were based here during the years 1950–1995. Further information is available (including a short film) on his website: Damien O'Dell Damien O’Dell.com.

Venue: Woolmer Green, nr. Knebworth, Herts.

All meetings are held on a Saturday. Times are UK times.

Woolmer Green Village Hall, off Bridge Road, Woolmer Green, SG3 6XA.

The venue will open at 1.30pm.

For Zoom meetings, sign on at 2.15pm.

The speaker will commence at 2.30pm.

Refreshments are available normally about 3.30pm.

The meeting closes at 4.30pm.

Note: The AGM starts at 2pm followed by the speaker at 3pm.

Zoom meetings for the AGM will be advised nearer the time.

 

Visitors are always welcome to come to the Meetings.

 
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