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Volunteer and jobs

June 13, 2025

BAFHS Family History Fair – helpers still needed

As part of our 50th Year celebrations we are holding our Fair on Saturday 13 September at Turnberries Community Centre in Thornbury. To make this a success we need Members to help at the Fair on the Welcome Desk, Book Stall and as general helpers. If you haven’t helped before please consider doing so – we’re a friendly bunch! If you can help on the day please email Paul O’Hanlon on fhfair@bafhs.org.uk
June 11, 2025

AGM & Talk – next Monday. Please note the change of room.

We invite you to join us, in-person only, for our AGM followed by a talk given by Clive Burlton. Clive is an author, social historian and a director of Bristol Books. He will be talking about how he became a speaker at local history and community group events across the Bristol area. The AGM is especially important for the governance of the Society and we hope you will be able to attend. This is a wonderful opportunity to socialise and, at the same time, contribute to the future of our society. Date and time (UK): Monday, 16th June 2025 at 7-30pm (doors open from 7-00pm).Venue & Directions: Room 1, Active Lifestyle Centre, Kennedy Way, Yate, BS37 4DQ.Use the front door then go up the stairs. At the top of the stairs turn left and left again and the room is on the right. The route will be marked. There is a lift to the right of the front door at the end of a short corridor.
June 3, 2025

BAFHS 50th Anniversary Event – deadline approaching!

Don’t forget we’re holding our event for members to celebrate at the Concorde Museum in just over 3 weeks’ time on Saturday 28th June. You have until Thursday 12th June to buy your tickets. Full details in your June journal.
May 15, 2025

PoW80 – Saturday 7th June 2025 in Manchester

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

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.