Crouch Valley

Family History

As far as access to Family History goes, there has never been a better time than now, the second decade of the 21st century. We have the possibility of finding out about our past ancestors, principally in the comfort of our own homes.

The written records that have been laying in Church chests Universities and Libraries, and County and National record offices have been available to dedicated genealogists that were prepared to spend an enormous amount of time travelling and searching. I have a second cousin that researched one of my family lines in just such a way many years ago. Today even if you prefer not to have a home computer, you will be confronted with them at the previous mentioned resource venues, except of course Churches Chests and most of them are not used now!

It is with the advent of the internet and the digitization of many of these records that has revolutionized the family history scene. However, if you are coming to family history as a beginner the vast amount of resources that are available is very daunting indeed.

We in the Family History Group are willing to help fellow Crouch Valley members get started. We have several hand outs that will guide you on the first steps.

So what do you need to get started? You are almost certainly reading this ‘on line’, and you do need basic understanding of how to enter a web site and save research.

First of all write down anything you already know, the birth/baptism, marriage and death/burial dates of your Parents, and Grandparents, their full names/former names and where they lived. Anything you may know will help, if you do have any certificates that will be a bonus.

What is it possible to achieve? You may just want to go back a short way into the 19th century and not get too involved. Or like me, want to find out as much as possible and write it all up.

It is possible to find some information for free on your home computer, and more on the library computers.

Perhaps the very best way to start is to contact me or a member of the family history group, or come to a meeting. We can arrange a visit to your home to have a chat about Family History. For further information please contact me through the Group Contact page of this web site.

Group contact Colin Martin

For the latest report from the Family History froup please click on Family History Report December 2023

Dates for your Diary
Thu Mar 28th Meetings are in the back upstairs room of the Village Hall from 10.00 till 12.00
Thu Apr 25th Meetings are in the back upstairs room of the Village Hall from 10.00 till 12.00
Thu May 23rd Meetings are in the back upstairs room of the Village Hall from 10.00 till 12.00
Thu Jun 27th Meetings are in the back upstairs room of the Village Hall from 10.00 till 12.00
Thu Jul 25th Meetings are in the back upstairs room of the Village Hall from 10.00 till 12.00
Thu Aug 22nd Meetings are in the back upstairs room of the Village Hall from 10.00 till 12.00
Thu Sep 26th Meetings are in the back upstairs room of the Village Hall from 10.00 till 12.00
Thu Oct 24th Meetings are in the back upstairs room of the Village Hall from 10.00 till 12.00
Thu Nov 28th Meetings are in the back upstairs room of the Village Hall from 10.00 till 12.00
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More Group Pages
Art Appreciation Bird Watching & Wildlife Group
Book Group Computer & Mobile Device Group
Cricket Family History
Games Group Gardening
Going Out Group Jazz Appreciation
Knit & Natter Local History
Maldon & Dist Cluster Group Music Appreciation
Play Reading Strollers
Table Tennis Ten Pin Bowling
Walkers Water Colour Painting
Weekenders Wine Appreciation Group1
Wine Appreciation Group2