The Family History Society of Cheshire

Chester Group run a family history help desk at the Library at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester CH1 2AR, from 10 am to 12 noon on Tuesdays which is open to everyone looking for help with their family history.

If you are a newcomer to family history or are looking for some local knowledge or have run up against a brickwall or would like some help on a computing or internet aspect of family history, just ask. There is always somebody who would be pleased to help

Gay Oliver will be at Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre on the first and third Tuesdays of each month there to help anyone on a one-to-one basis either to start your family history or to solve queries between 2.00pm and 4.00pm

Please ring them on 01613424242 to make an appointment or contact Gay via:  

Linda Hammond is a professional genealogist and member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists. She has been active in genealogy for over 35 years as both a researcher and a lecturer. She is a member of the University of Strathclyde genealogy course faculty, where she works as a tutor for their Masters program.

How many of the “facts” in your family tree are truly proven - and how many are just educated guesses? In genealogy, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of assumptions: a family story that must be true, an “obvious” connection that fits neatly, or a record that seems reliable at first glance. But without careful evidence analysis, we risk building a house of cards.This talk introduces you to the tools and methods that turn uncertain clues into sound conclusions. You’ll learn the difference between information, evidence, and proof; how to distinguish direct, indirect, and even negative evidence; and why the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is your best safeguard against errors. Through clear examples, we’ll explore how to handle conflicting sources, weigh reliability, and avoid common misconceptions about records. You’ll also discover practical tools - like evidence tables and research logs - that make analysis manageable and effective. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned researcher, this talk will sharpen your detective skills, boost your confidence, and help you move from “I think” to “I know” in your family history research.

This event is for members only and registration opens on 1st June, when the ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the bottom left of the Event details on the FHSC website for you to click and then process your registration, you will receive an email confirmation. Registration will close on 15th June

The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded 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

Run by local FHSC members this is weekly helpdesk held at the Wallasey Central Reference Library, EarlstonRd, Wallasey CH45 5DX every Friday between 10am and 1pm 

Step free access is available via a ramp and internal lift and all are welcome

Chester Group run a family history help desk at the Library at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester CH1 2AR, from 10 am to 12 noon on Tuesdays which is open to everyone looking for help with their family history.

If you are a newcomer to family history or are looking for some local knowledge or have run up against a brickwall or would like some help on a computing or internet aspect of family history, just ask. There is always somebody who would be pleased to help

Run by local FHSC members this is weekly helpdesk held at the Wallasey Central Reference Library, EarlstonRd, Wallasey CH45 5DX every Friday between 10am and 1pm 

Step free access is available via a ramp and internal lift and all are welcome

Together with Devon Family history Society, FHSC is delighted to welcome Professor Ronald Hutton to the Seminar Series. Prof Hutton has written over a dozen books and has appeared on numerous television and radio programmes from Ghosthunters and the Edward Farm to the Secrets of Great British Castles. Specialising in Early Modern Britain, Prof Hutton is an expert in historical paganism, folklore, and modern paganism and it is on that subject that he will be talking. Hutton will explore the history of British festivals from the earliest written records to the present day, covering a wide range of traditions including May Day, Midsummer, Hallowe'en, and the twelve days of Christmas. This is certain to be an excellent talk.

This event is for members only and registration opens on 1st July, when the ‘Register [Individual]’ button will show on the bottom left of the Event details on the FHSC website for you to click and then process your registration, you will receive an email confirmation. Registration will close on 13 July.

The zoom links/meeting protocol will be forwarded 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