Research Room
Meetings & Events

Become a member

Join today

Volunteer and jobs

Discover more
April 3, 2024

Do you have British Raj Family History?

We invite you to join us on Monday 8 April for the Bristol Group meeting when Jenny Mallin delivers a fascinating insight into five generations of her family who lived during the days of the British Raj in India. We will learn about their lives on the Railways, Telegraph and in the Military as well as their lifestyles. The meeting is online, starting at 7.30pm. The link will be sent to members by email.
March 20, 2024

Adding Social History to your Family Tree

Next Monday we will be welcoming Dr Penny Walters for a session on adding social history to your family history research. Discover how the stories of ordinary individuals intertwine with larger historical events, and learn valuable techniques for writing compelling narratives about your ancestors. This 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.
March 5, 2024

Brush up your newspaper research skills!

Next Monday’s Bristol Group talk is “Getting the Best From Newspaper Websites”. Much useful information can be found in the local newspapers of the time that can shed light on the life events of our ancestors and their achievements or failures. The talk will explore what is out there in this underused resource and explore ideas on how to find those elusive ancestors. Our speaker is John Hanson, a family history lecturer with nearly 25 years’ experience; he is a member of the Guild of One-Name Studies and a former Trustee of the Society of Genealogists. 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 at https://bafhs.org.uk/support/join.
March 5, 2024

Trip to Richard III and Bosworth

Please be aware that booking for the Outing to Bosworth, Leicester Cathedral & Richard III Memorial Centre on 11 April is now closed.

Where your journey begins...
What will you discover?

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.