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May 13, 2025

My Life as a Professional Researcher

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.
May 9, 2025

Local History Day: Transport through the ages

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.
May 7, 2025

Arnos Vale: Past, Present and Future – in person!

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!
May 6, 2025

Research Room – Saturday opening ends!

It is with regret that we announce that with immediate effect, we are no longer able to open the Research Room on Saturdays as Bristol Archives have reduced their opening hours. We would like to thank Anne Adams for her commitment to running the Saturday morning sessions – she is very much appreciated.

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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.