Family & Social History
Purpose: We are a small, friendly group who help each other to research our family history and social aspects, using various resources including online archives. Occasionally, we visit the Burgess Hill U3A Genealogy group, who meet the week before, to hear one of their speakers so we may decide to use that, in lieu of our meeting. Contact hhdu3a email.
We meet on the 1st Friday in the month, from 2pm to 4pm. In the summer months, we often have a 2.30pm start.
Venue: The Green Room* at the rear of the Adastra Hall, Hassocks. (There is a hall hire fee we pay every 3 months). Follow r.h. side path round to side door with ramp.
Future dates: Fridays at 2pm in the Green Room
NB. *In Spring 2024, we will be relocated due to building work., Main Hall for Friday 3rd May ) back to the new Green Room for 7th June and on 5th July in the Adastra Main Hall. There is no change in costs.
Next Meeting: Friday 5th April 2024 in the Committee Room(by the main entrance). Topic: Welcome to new members and advice. National Charities. Everyone has chosen a charity to investigate for discussion. The Red Cross, NSPCC are free.
Beginners please bring family papers ( or copies) such as birth, marriage and death certificates plus a note book and pen.
_Click on the coloured text to open the document and then you can download it.
-Personal Software to store your records on your laptop. Family Historian (British owned £50 plus) and Family Tree Maker ( Ukranian owned - £60 plus)
- Getting Started in my Search The BBC has free record sheets to download plus advice. Google BBC Genealogy, it will take you to the History section.
- Free Research Services (1) and FRS (2) available online.
- Buying a BDM (Birth, Death or Marriage) certificate? Use the official website at gro.gov.uk as others will charge extra as commission!
- Adoption search information. Note these are only available from 1926.
- Using the Census and Electoral Rolls.
- Marriage Records and Marriage Rules -who can marry whom.
- Burials, Death Registration and Wills.
- Parish Records (1)and Parish (2), Poor Laws, Criminal & Asylum Research.
- Overseas Research and India Office.
- Ag Labs Agricultural Labourer Research sheets.
- Sources for Military Records from WW1 & 2 and WW2 Research.
If no link is shown please ask the leader for a copy of that document.
- The WSCC Library Service's Local History website www.westsussexpast.co.uk has local research available plus 12 local newspapers. They also provide free hourly access to Ancestry & Find My Past to library members including the 1921 census.
- Searching for a Will? Use the government .gov.uk site. Information on using the probate site is here.
a) A copy of the My Genealogical Will to Preserve My Family History form can be downloaded from the link on this page.
b) Using GEDCOM Files advice document to transfer family tree details between software programmes.
c.) Help is available with an individual's genealogical problems from Jean's daughter. Just ask.
d.)Old London Street Names, can be found at :
www.maps.the hunthouse.com/Streets/New to Old Abolished London Street Names.htm
d.)Marilyn & Monica have CDs of records for the parishes of Keymer & Clayton.