Meetings

Most of us will have agricultural labourers in our ancestry. This talk discusses their lives and the wealth of records which enable us to piece those lives together. The fact that they existed means that documentary evidence exists. A welcome return of Ian Waller to Bletchley for this talk. 

 All are welcome to attend the meeting at The Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley at 7.30. Wednesday 2nd October  2024

A year ago,(was it that long?) a young lady gave us an interesting talk on the Women’s Land Army. Those present may remember the costume dummy and the large display of photographs and documents. Helen returns next Wednesday. She says:  ‘My illustrated talk brings to life the fascinating story of the ‘Tank Banks’ that travelled the country during the Great War. Tanks, banks and souvenirs, marvel at Ole Bill, Nelson Drake, Egbert and Iron Ration!’  All are welcome to attend the meeting at The Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley at 7.30. Wednesday 5th June  2024

Focusing on chair making from the 18thC onwards, this talk will take you from beech woods to ‘bodgers’, from chair turners to chair manufacturers. Chair making became a industry in the Chiltern Hills due to nearby beech woods and transport to both London and Oxford. Initially a woodland craft, chair making became popular in High Wycombe in the early 19thC.  All are welcome to attend the meeting at The Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley at 7.30. Wednesday 5th June  2024

Pre 1600, research is an entirely different ‘ball game’ with many records existing that can be useful although the familiar ones had not even commenced. Many of the early records are underused and many family historians consider their research can go no further when parish registers stop. This talk helps family historians see what is available.  All are welcome to attend the meeting at The Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley at 7.30. Wednesday 5th June  2024

Members are encouraged to participate in giving a short talk about their family research. Rex Watson will discuss the research to discover his foster son's family. A story involving Germany, art and 20th Century newspaper research.  All are welcome to attend the meeting at The Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley at 7.30. Wednesday 5th June  2024

The Victorians had a preoccupation with death which is hard for us to understand. Many churchyards being full, the opening of new cemeteries changed Victorian attitudes to death and mourning and gave rise to an incredible growth in the funeral industry. Kevin Varty sets out to explain this in his talk.  All are welcome to attend the meeting at The Methodist Church Hall, Queensway, Bletchley at 7.30. Wednesday 3th April 2024