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
Windows PC Users
The Windows PC Discussion Group, previously known as the Computer Club , meets regularly at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month - on Zoom.
Its key objectives are to:
- Provide a forum where computer-using members can exchange views
- Keep ourselves up-to-date with the latest genealogical software and techniques
- Present alternative programs and computing methods
- Discuss computer administration and good-practice
- Untangle and learn to use new databases
Informality is the order of the day and members are actively encouraged to bring along their current technical problems. Chances are that somebody will have an answer, but if not we have been known to spend big chunks of the meeting finding out!
Meetings and topics are seldom pre-arranged very far ahead. Our general practice is to discuss new websites, members’ own current problems, or generally educating members on getting the best from their computers. We are here to help and learn from each other! The proposed subject of each meeting is usually announced the week before, by email to the group members .
The Group is led by a small committee and meetings are 'chaired' by a committee member each month.
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 !
Research Centre Open
The Brierley Business Centre is situated on Mirion Street, with free on-site parking and some disabled parking spaces. The Research Centre occupies Units 3 and 4 on the ground floor. Press the doorbell button for FHSC on the left-hand side of the main entrance doorway, one of our volunteers will come to the door and let you in, or you may be simply 'buzzed' in.
FREE access to Ancestry, FindMyPast, British Newspaper Archive and The Genealogist
An extensive library of books and the Crewe Collection (formerly Crewe and District Local History Archives)
We would normally ask that you book if you are travelling any distance so that we can be sure that you have the equipment, resources and volunteer available to you. Please contact Margaret Spate with requests for either day on adding "Research Centre" in the subject line.
For full details of our holdings, please see the Crewe Research Centre Library Holdings lists in the Public Library.
We look forward to welcoming both current and new members to the Crewe Research Centre, not forgetting any new volunteers.
MAC Users
From September 2026 the MAC Users Discussion Group will meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 19:30pm,
(PLEASE NOTE THAT THE AUGUST MEETING IS ON MONDAY 17th starting at 2pm )
The group is led by John Reed and is the perfect place to discuss any issues or share your hints and tips and learn from other members about all things MAC related. Thinking of swapping to a MAC then there is no better way to find out more.
Joint meetings with the Windows/PC users group will be held every few months
Research Centre Open
The Brierley Business Centre is situated on Mirion Street, with free on-site parking and some disabled parking spaces. The Research Centre occupies Units 3 and 4 on the ground floor. Press the doorbell button for FHSC on the left-hand side of the main entrance doorway, one of our volunteers will come to the door and let you in, or you may be simply 'buzzed' in.
FREE access to Ancestry, FindMyPast, British Newspaper Archive and The Genealogist
An extensive library of books and the Crewe Collection (formerly Crewe and District Local History Archives)
We would normally ask that you book if you are travelling any distance so that we can be sure that you have the equipment, resources and volunteer available to you. Please contact Margaret Spate with requests for either day on adding "Research Centre" in the subject line.
For full details of our holdings, please see the Crewe Research Centre Library Holdings lists in the Public Library.
We look forward to welcoming both current and new members to the Crewe Research Centre, not forgetting any new volunteers.
MAC Users
From September 2026 the MAC Users Discussion Group meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 19:30pm,
(PLEASE NOTE THAT THE AUGUST MEETING IS ON MONDAY 17th starting at 2pm )
The group is led by John Reed and is the perfect place to discuss any issues or share your hints and tips and learn from other members about all things MAC related. Thinking of swapping to a MAC then there is no better way to find out more.
Joint meetings with the Windows/PC users group will be held every few months
Family Historian
The Family Historian Users Group provides support and tips for using Family Historian software. Led by Peter Rowley members are welcome to chat about their experiences of using the software and to discuss any problems etc that other members of the group may be able to help out with