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Volunteer and jobs

January 5, 2024

Hidden in Plain Site?

No, it’s not a spelling mistake – it’s next Monday’s Bristol Group meeting! Mia Bennett will be looking at free online sources that are often overlooked in preference for the main commercial websites. This talk gives ideas of where else you could go to expand your hunt for your ancestors’ life stories. The talk is online and begins at 7.30pm (on Monday 8th January) 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.
January 2, 2024

Happy New Year!

Please note that our Research Room is closed until Wednesday 10th January 2024. Also, because the archives are closed, it will only be open on the second Saturday of the month for the time being. Best wishes for a Happy New Year to you all!
December 12, 2023

Are you interested in being our new Journal Editor?

The role involves the preparation of articles, letters and other submissions into a format suitable for publication as the Society’s quarterly Journal. It isn’t necessary to be located in the Bristol area. If you enjoy communicating with members and seeing a project come to fruition, this will prove to be a very interesting and rewarding role. For further details, please contact our Secretary, Clare Hayward at secretary@bafhs.org.uk. Finally, please continue to submit your letters, articles and snippets for the next edition of the Journal to: editor@bafhs.org.uk We look forward to hearing from you!
December 10, 2023

Bristol Archives – change of opening hours

The archives are now closed on Tuesdays as well as Mondays, but open as usual from Wednesday-Friday. They are hoping to reinstate Tuesday opening in early 2024, but from January they will be open on the second Saturday of the month only. Find out more – Opening times | Bristol Archives (bristolmuseums.org.uk)

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

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.