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Research Room
Meetings & Events
September 20, 2024

Discover your Family History in the Bath Record Office

A Bath Group talk by Anne Buchanan on Monday 23 September, 7-30pm. Computers and databases can only tell you so much. Archives and Local Studies collections are full of documents and ephemera that can help you fill in some of your family history background. This talk will introduce you to the type of material you might find in an archive, and suggestions on how to find it. This talk is online and available to members only (joining details sent by email).
September 3, 2024

From Brycgstow to Bristol in 45 Bridges

Our opening Bristol Group meeting of the season will be in-person, on Monday 9 September, 7.30pm at BAWA. Each one of Bristol’s bridges has a fascinating story which is woven intimately into the 1,000-year history of the city and Jeff Lucas, from Bristol Civic Society, will be telling us about them.
August 23, 2024

Farleigh Castle & Bath in 1824

Our friends at Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution are celebrating their bicentenary with a talk on Friday 26 September – “Literary, lively, learned: Farleigh Castle & Bath in 1824” by Dr Mary Redmayne. This may be of interest as it derives from carrying out research into family from New Zealand which is where Mary is based. Find out more on their website.
August 20, 2024

Heritage Open Day – Research Room & Bristol Archives

To mark National Heritage Day, BAFHS in the Research Room will be joining the Archives for the Heritage Open Day on Saturday 7 September from 10am to 4pm. Bristol Archives are opening their strongrooms to free tours so you can find out more about their work. All welcome!

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.