Bristol & Avon
Family History Society

The Prisoners of War Museum is holding a one-day conference to commemorate and remember the liberation of allied prisoners of World War II and the sacrifice they made. The event will provide a place for relatives, researchers and interested parties to come together, share stories, gather new information, and make connections around common experience, as well as learn from expert speakers about the life and sacrifices the POWs endured. For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pow80-80th-anniversary-event-of-the-liberation-of-wwii-prisoners-of-war-tickets-938621350727

Join us next Monday (19 May) for the Bath Group talk given by Susan Moore. Susan has been a professional genealogist and researcher for over 40 years. She has experience on all types of records, but specialises in Chancery records. Over the years she has completed a wide variety of project for clients, including family history, the histories of manors, houses, villages, businesses and literary figures. In her talk she will be giving us an insight into her working life and the importance of looking at local history for family historians. The talk is online and begins at 7.30pm and is available to members only (joining details sent by email). If you are not a member you can join BAFHS. Just visit https://bafhs.org.uk/support/join and enjoy this and many other talks and benefits of being a member.

Avon Local History & Archaeology and Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society are organising a local history day on Saturday 31 May 2025 from 9.30am to 4.30pm at at Little Stoke Community Hall, Little Stoke Lane, Little Stoke, Bristol BS34 6HR. Talks will cover Roman roads, inland waterways, trams, buses, trains and the Whitchurch Airport. Speakers booked include Hon Ald Bev Knott, Steve Grudgings, Peter Davey (to be delivered by Prof Brian Vincent), Mike Walker, Gerry Nichols and Clive Burlton. BAFHS will be in attendance.

Please join us for our next Bristol Group meeting (on Monday 12 May at 7.30pm). This will be in-person at the Leslie Harris Suite, Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton, Bristol BS34 7PS. Janine Marriott, Public Engagement Manager at Arnos Vale, will explore the history of the cemetery’s development, its rise and fall and subsequent saving. The talk also explains how the cemetery is now run, for everyone for ever. It finishes with some fascinating stories of people remembered on the site. Please note: The Leslie Harris Suite is upstairs – disabled access is via a stair lift. Members and non-members are all are welcome to attend!