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Find out more about your ancestors

Radio Bristol family history day

From 10am to 4pm come along to take part in BBC Radio Bristol's family history day. On offer will be displays, talks and written information to take away.

Talks:

 Shirley Hodgson: ‘How to begin tracing your ancestors’. Who am I and how do I start to find out about my family history? Shirley will show you the first steps to take to successfully explore your family history.

Using some of her own experiences she will outline the pitfalls experienced by beginners and introduce you to some of the records you will use in your research. Those who have taken the first tentative steps may also find useful tips.

Bob Lawrence: 'Using the internet for family historians' Bob will introduce the principal internet sites for English family history, and explain their features and their limitations.

David Judd: 'Photographs and photographic evidence in support of your family history with sources of information'

David Gardiner & Wendy Thompson explain how to use the census. Advanced Family history searches – how to go even further with your investigations

Pat Hase: ‘The Shadow of the Workhouse’.

Finding an ancestor who spent some time in a workhouse in the 19th Century can be an upsetting business. Who were in workhouses? Why? What was life like as an inmate? Some questions answered with reference to Workhouse records, case studies and personal family history research.

Other events taking place on the day:

Displays are taking place in the canteen area where you can browse and get guidance from the experts on hand. There will be software, books, census and binders available to purchase.

The café bar in the mezzanine area of the canteen will be open to buy tea, coffee and sandwiches.

The City of Bristol College family history tutor, Isobel Spriggs will be giving tuition in small groups for people who aren’t familiar with using computers.

Come along to the City of Bristol College's College Green Centre on St George's Road in Bristol between 10am and 4pm on 11 February, 2006.

If you want to further your investigations, or can't come along to the day, why not visit Bristol Central Library. The faciltiy is open seven days a week to the public where it is free to look at various materials for tracing family history. 

The library can provide access to the census - which is free to view - microfiche of surname indexes for Bristol, village index for Avon and directories for Bristol and other parts of the country. 

Staff can also recommend websites to use.

Each quarter the library holds its own a family history day - the next will be on 7 March, and staff will be on hand to help with your investigations.