FHSC Seminars: What DIDN'T you do in the Great War, Daddy? with Sheila Jones
Sheila Jones, the Honorary Secretary of FHSC, will be talking about Conscientious Objectors in the First World War. Exploring the history of Conscientious Objectors (COs) provides a fascinating look at the struggle between individual conscience and state demands. Sheila's presentation on Conscientious Objectors during the First World War explores the experiences of men who refused conscription following the 1916 Military Service Act. Her talk covers their moral, religious, or political motives, the hostile tribunals they faced, and the harsh conditions of imprisonment they endured and draws on some individual cases, including a number from Cheshire. A fascinating and sometimes heartbreaking topic.
This event is also open to non-members, with fee of £5. Registration opens on 1st August when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Non-members will be required to create a free FHSC account and complete the payment details. Registration will close on 17th August.
The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.
If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.
PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT RECORD SEMINAR TALKS
FHSC Seminars: Fact from Fiction: what the great 19th century novels can tell us about our ancestors? with David Annal
Family History Through the Eyes of Great Novelists! Have you ever wondered what the great novelists of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries can teach us about our ancestors?
Join us as Dave Annal takes a fascinating exploration of family history hidden within the pages of some of Britain's best-loved novels. Drawing on the works of authors including Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, George Eliot, Emily Brontë, and Wilkie Collins, Dave reveals how fiction can provide remarkable insights into the lives, experiences, and challenges faced by our ancestors. Using extracts covering subjects such as family relationships, birth, baptism, marriage, work, education, travel, and family research, Dave demonstrates how novelists can help us understand the social realities behind the records we use every day. Along the way, we encounter family trees, agricultural labourers, Victorian city streets, and even a Dickens character who could be described as one of the earliest family historians.
The talk concludes with a piece of advice from Great Expectations that every genealogist should remember: "Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There is no better rule." Whether you are a lover of classic literature, an enthusiastic family historian, or simply curious about how fiction can illuminate the past, this promises to be a thought-provoking and enjoyable presentation.
This event is also open to non-members, with fee of £5. Registration opens on 1st November when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Non-members will be required to create a free FHSC account and complete the payment details. Registration will close on 16th November.
The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.
If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.
PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT RECORD SEMINAR TALKS
🎄 FHSC Christmas Quiz – A Festive Evening of Family History Fun! 🎄
Join us for our annual FHSC Christmas Quiz, a relaxed and enjoyable evening packed with festive cheer, friendly competition, and the occasional genealogical challenge!
Whether you're a seasoned family historian, a quiz enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun way to spend an evening with fellow members, there's something for everyone. Don't worry if you don't know all the answers, the quiz is all about taking part, sharing a few laughs, and enjoying the company of friends old and new.
As in previous years, we'll be using Zoom breakout rooms, giving everyone the chance to work together in small teams. It's a wonderful way to meet fellow members from across Cheshire and beyond, combine your knowledge, and enjoy plenty of conversation along the way. Many members tell us that the team discussions are just as much fun as the quiz itself!
We'll be mixing Christmas trivia, family history questions, general knowledge, and a few surprises along the way. Teams will be organised on the night, so all you need to do is join us and we'll take care of the rest.
So put on your favourite Christmas jumper, pour yourself a seasonal drink, and join us for what has become one of the highlights of the FHSC calendar.
Good company, plenty of laughs, a chance to make new friends, and absolutely no homework required!
This event is for FHSC members only. Registration opens on 1st December when the red ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the top left of this page, just click on that button, you will also receive an email confirmation. Registration will close on 14th December.
The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded to all registrants the day before the talk.
If you run into any difficulties with this, then please contact us on the dedicated seminar email address – The Seminar series is co-ordinated by Margaret Spate, Jean Laidlaw and Margaret Roberts and ALL correspondence, queries etc should be sent to the dedicated email address.
Open Forum - Discussion on Strange or unusual tools used by our Ancestors
Bring along strange or unusual tools / objects your family or ancesters used.
Lets see if we can all work out what the items were used for !
Chester and Area
The August FHSC Cheshire Research Buddies topic of the month is Chester and area - Do you have ancestors in the area, or are you researching a local family and want some help, perhaps on the other hand you live in the locality and could offer help with photographing gravestones or buildings. This is the chance for members to help each other, I'm sure there are many members out there with knowledge of the area that they could share.
You will need to register to attend, to do so please click on the 'Register [Individual]' button above on the left and process your registration, you will receive an email confirmation and the zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded the morning of the helpdesk meeting.
If you run into any difficulties with this then please contact Margaret Roberts on
NOTE that registration closes at 10am on the morning of the meeting.and the zoom links will be forwarded once registration is closed
Please login to register for this event
Echoes of a lost village: remembering the Polish heritage of Penley
Presented by Rebecca Griffithss, a third-generation descendant of Polish-Welsh heritage, is Project Manager for Polish Heritage Penley.
During the Second World War, the small village of Penley, situated between Whitchurch and Wrexham, became home to a remarkable community with a unique story.
Cheshire Historic Houses
The Historic Houses Cheshire is a talk by Tony Bostock about the historic houses that was once known as Seed Pot Gentility'
This talk looks at some of the historic houses and their Treasures
The Buildings of Richard Harding Watt by Stephen Smith.
Talk by Stephen Smith entitled 'The Buildings of Richard Harding Watt'
The talk is about the buildings and life of Richard Harding Watt, particularly the Italianate buildings in Knutsford.