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Meetings & Events
June 20, 2025

Bristol Archives – change in opening hours

From July 2025 Bristol Archives will no longer be open on Fridays. Their new opening hours will be Tuesday to Thursday, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Our Research Room will be open as normal, Wednesday 10 to 1 and Thursday 1 to 4.
June 18, 2025

How to do House History

We invite you to join us next Monday 23rd June for our Bath Group meeting when Richard Meunier, Records Office Manager, will be talking about house and building records held in the Bath Record Office. Records can vary enormously from house to house and the talk will include property deeds, plans, photographs, records of occupants and maps. The talk is online only and begins at 7.30pm. The link will be emailed to members.
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.

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.