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Research Room
Meetings & Events
October 6, 2026

Quakers at War

Next Monday, 12th October at 7-30pm, there will be a Bristol Group meeting and talk (via Zoom). Our guest speaker, Frances Hurd, will talk about how The Quakers, a pacifist group, have a long history of working in war zones since the 18th century and, in 1947, they were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Find out what drove your Quaker ancestors to offer medical aid and many other forms of practical help to all those caught up in conflict.
September 20, 2026

Crime on Record

Next Monday 28th September at 7-30pm there will be a Bath Group meeting and Talk (via Zoom). Our guest speaker, Gill Blanchard, will be talking about prison, criminal and legal court records. Learn about the differences between Petty Sessions, Quarter Sessions and Assize Courts. If your ancestors were the victims or perpetrators of crime, discover the legal system that they will have encountered.
September 19, 2026

A Date for your Diary

We will be holding our Family and Local History Fair on Saturday 17th April 2027 at the Turnberries Community Centre, Bath Road, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 2BB. 10am to 4pm. Free entry for all. Including Family and Local History groups, Archive Offices, National Organisations and Commercial Exhibitors. Free Family History talk in the afternoon.
September 9, 2026

Hot off the Press

The British Newspaper Archive has added the Bath and Cheltenham Gazette, covering 1854, 1877-1879 and 1889, to its list of titles. Purported to be the General Advertiser for Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and the Principality of Wales. This, and other Archive titles, is available to view free of charge in our Research Room.

Family history for Bath, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

About BAFHS

Founded in 1975, we are a well established Family History Society focussing our activities on Bath, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (the former county of Avon 1974 to 1996) and its constituent predecessor and successor counties. We are also frequently referred to by our initials - BAFHS. The hub of our activities is our Research Room where enthusiastic volunteers give their time for the benefit of the Society.

What we do:

  • Encourage the public study of family history with reference to the historic county of Avon and its successor counties.
  • Publish a quarterly Members' Magazine (available in digital or paper format).
  • Transcribe and publish source material of interest to family historians.
  • Hold regular in-person and online meetings with a programme of illustrated talks and lectures.
  • Operate a Research Room where advice and resources are freely available.
  • Operate this website which is dedicated to family history.
  • Organise outings to places of interest.

Members:

Members are at the heart of our Society. By becoming a member, you will be joining a like-minded group of people who support our work. There is also the opportunity to become actively involved with a wide range of activities - you'd be surprised what it takes to run a modern family history society. It is quick and convenient to join online.