Events Conferences & Zooms

We start with a brief history of education and how school models have changed, and

then are given examples of school records, such as log book entries, admission

registers, punishment books, etc from local Archives. It is always interesting to get

feedback from any teachers/former teachers in the audience!

Claire Moores is an independent history researcher with over 20 years experience

of genealogical and local historical research projects, with a particular interest in the

landscape and social history of Cheshire. The particular interest and research into

Mary Dendy Hospital in Great Warford, Claire to be involved as a subject expert in

the BBC programme “Silenced: The Hidden Story of Disabled Britain”, an

achievement she is very proud of, as Claire was able to reveal the stories of many

people who were part of her parish, whose lives had been all but forgotten, and were

very close to her heart.

Next year will be Cumbria Family History Society's Golden Anniversary and in order to celebrate this event, the Society is planning a conference in the north of the County (probably Carlisle) which will also include a Family History Fair comprising of up to 60 stalls representing Local History Societies throughout Cumbria, the Archive Service, Family History Societies representing other Counties and some of the national bodies. The event, over four days, will include talks from both local and national historians. Tickets can be booked for the whole Conference including the fair, day tickets (including lunch and dinner) or individual lectures. Planning has just started and I would like to get 'a feel' for the interest in attending this. A lot of the costs are fixed so the more that attend, the cheaper we can make it per head! It will be around Wednesday 29th - Saturday 1st August 2026. Please indicate if you're interested in attending and state whether it would be for the whole conference, a day or an individual lecture or even just the fair! Many thanks! 

Our AGM will take part during the Conference, and there will be no meeting at Burton in June.

The sources we rely on for our family histories provide information, but the analysis

of that information and formulation into proof requires a structured method. Currently

there is little guidance on this for beginning and intermediate family historians,

especially in the UK. This talk will discuss methodologies, what they are and why

they are useful. It will introduce an effective, easy-to-follow research methodology

and show how it can be used to successfully solve complex cases. You will learn

what a research methodology is, why it’s important, Six Steps to solving difficult

genealogy problems and how to use the Six Steps to be more successful in your

research.

Phil Isherwood is a family history speaker and writer alongside his full-time career in

the software industry. He brings a passion for best-practice methods and innovative

technology to his genealogical research. Phil is a contributor to Family Tree

magazine, a Family History Advisor for Oxfordshire Family History Society and co-

founder of Pro-Am Genies, a networking group for professional and aspiring pro

genealogists.

For rich or poor, most of our Christmas fare today bears little resemblance to what it

was in our ancestor’s day, although some things have been passed down and

changed to meet modern tastes and trends. This talk takes another look at how our

Victorian forebears might have celebrated Christmas and the food they may have

eaten.  The session includes a Christmas Food Quiz.

Mike Coyle is an experienced public speaker. As a College Lecturer, his career and

qualifications include Trade Cookery and Management, to advanced level. Christmas

has always been a special time of year for him and his family, with food at its

centre.

Tracing family histories in small communities often presents the challenge of

distinguishing between individuals with the same name, particularly in closely-knit or

intermarried families. This talk delves into the rich but underutilized resource of

manorial court records and will demonstrate how these records can clarify familial

connections, resolve ambiguities, and provide deeper insights into the social and

economic lives of ancestors. Attendees will gain practical strategies for using

manorial records to reconstruct family trees, unravel complex relationships, and

appreciate the broader historical context in which these families lived.

Sarah Pettyfer is a professional family, house, and local historian based in Surrey.

She holds both the Higher Certificate and Diploma in Genealogy from the Institute of

Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS) and now serves as a tutor for the Higher

Certificate course. She is a Member of the Association of Genealogists and

Researchers in Archives (AGRA), the Register of Qualified Genealogist (RQG) and

Association of Professional Genealogists (APG). With a background as a family law

solicitor, Sarah has a particular expertise in legal records, including deeds, Manorial

court records, and Chancery court proceedings. Though no longer in practice, she

remains a member of the Law Society. Sarah is also the author of Tracing Your

Surrey Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians published by Pen & Sword.

Have you ever wondered if there might be more information out there about some of your ancestors? Have you ever considered what information might be held by public authorities? Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, members of the public are entitled to request information from public authorities. Some public bodies hold information that can be vital to family historians. This talk will look at how you go about requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act, along with case studies looking at the type of information that can be helpful to family historians. It will also address what you can do when things go wrong, such as when you believe a public body hasn’t handled your request correctly. 

Richard Holt is a professional genealogist and runs his own research business, Holt’s Family History Research. Prior to becoming a professional researcher, Richard worked in a number of schools as an Early Years teacher and senior leader. He has a deep-rooted belief that learning is a life-long endeavour. Richard also tutors for Pharos Tutors, teaching their Apprenticeship Records and Victorian Crime and Punishment courses. Richard is a Member of AGRA (the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives) and is on AGRA's Council.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME 

Friday 31 October 

16:30 Registration from 16.30–18.00. 

18:15 Dinner, including tea/coffee – followed by: 

Funny Family History Stories: short items related by CFHS members, hosted by David Sowerby. 

Saturday 1 November 

08:00 Breakfast served from 08.00 for residential delegates. 

10.00 Brockhole 125: a pictorial history of a house and garden. Kevin Grice.

11.00 Morning tea/coffee with biscuits. 

11:30 Mossop and Watson families and their interconnections. Keith Simpson. 12:30 Buffet lunch, including tea/coffee. 

14:00 Beyond the Border: tracing lives between Scotland and Cumbria. Lorna Kinnaird. 

15.30 Workshop on Researching in Scottish Archives: useful tips to make it easier, with Lorna Kinnaird. 

18:15 Dinner, including tea/coffee. 

20.00 Cumbria Film Archive film show. Andrew Leitch and Jim Bownass. 

Sunday 2 November 

08:00 Breakfast served from 08.00 for residential delegates. 

10.00 Irregular Marriages and Runaway Brides: Scandal on the Borders. Lorna Kinnaird 

11.00 Morning tea/coffee with biscuits. 

11:30 Tourists and Turnpikes. Paul Hindle. 

12:30 Sunday lunch and depart. 

CONFERENCE PRICES

Full conference, residential (all rooms are en suite):

Sharing twin room (per person) £265

Single room £324

Full conference, non–residential £138

Rooms at Crooklands are limited so please book as soon as possible.

Bookings must be received by 30 September 2025.

Receipts will be sent by email

Members can also book daily rates by contacting Elizabeth Haworth

(contact details below) for further information

Payment by BACS (HSBC 40-33-05. Account No: 81044966) or by cheque.

A BACS payment is preferred as it incurs no charges for the Society.

You can reserve your place(s) using the online booking form.

Or alternatively for more details, you can download the printable booking form .
You can print it and fill it in, then email a photo/scan to Elizabeth at
crooklands[at]cumbriafhs.com

If any problem, you can enter all your details directly into an email message.

Clare Wilson

During WW2 Men from throughout the Commonwealth & beyond would sign up to serve with the Allied Air Forces. This job would take many of them across the world to fight alongside men from other nations. This being the case tracking down relevant records can often be tricky. During her presentation Clare will tell the story of a crew shot down over France in 1944,showing the sources and documents used to piece their story together. This includes Breakdown of the Air Force & Trades; Where to find Service Records; Squadrons & Stations; Evaders & POWs. Of the crew of 7 men, 2 were killed in action, 1 was captured & the rest evaded capture, hiding out from the Germans until the area was liberated.

Clare is a Professional Genealogist. Born into the RAF Family, through her own Family History Research Clare would discover a WW1 Ace who was awarded a D.C.M., a family member who was shot down over Germany during WW2 whilst serving with Bomber Command.

Members for whom we have up-to-date email addresses will be sent the joining instructions.
Non-members are welcome to attend this meeting, and should request the ZOOM details from london[at]cumbriafhs.com
If you enjoy it, why not join the Society? You will then be informed of all future meetings.

Burton Memorial Hall, Burton-in-Kendal

(in the centre of Burton Village. Post Code LA6 1NA )

9.45 Registration.

10:15 Mike Winstanley, Charity, the Poor Law and Workhouse – when all else failed.

11.15 Morning tea/coffee and biscuits.

11.30 Graham Whalan, The history of amateur musical theatre in the South Lakes

from 1890 to the present day.

12.30 Lunch - sandwiches, cakes, tea/coffee.

13.30 Cumbria FHS Annual General Meeting.

14.00 Ian Tyler, The Drowning of Haweswater.

15.00 Afternoon tea/coffee and biscuits.

15.30 Christopher Tinmouth, A History of Furness Abbey: The Power & the Glory.

16.30 Closing address and depart.

Conference fee: £22 (per person), includes refreshments, lunch and talks. There is

no charge for members attending only the AGM.

If you would like to book a place or places, please either send a sterling cheque

made out to ‘Cumbria Family History Society’ to: Fiona Bishop, 37 Linnet Grove,

Kendal, Cumbria LA9 7RP. Enquiries: publications@cumbriafhs.com. If you require

a receipt, please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope.

Or pay by BACS: Account name: Cumbria Family History Society.

HSBC. Sort code: 40 33 05. Account No: 81044966

Please also give Fiona the following information by post or email:

• Full names for conference badges.

• Your postal address, email address and telephone number.

• Any dietary requirements.

Join us for a day packed with practical tips, expert insights, inspiring talks, and real-life case studies to kickstart (or continue) your journey into military family history.

Featuring guest speakers: 

• William Spencer, formerly of The National Archives, London

• William Bundred, Cumbria Family History Society.

Whether you Are just starting out or looking to dig deeper, discover how to trace the footsteps of those who served.

10am – 4pm, Saturday 14th June 2025

Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, Carlisle Castle

Tickets: Regular £22 | Concession £20

Book online (https://bit.ly/42D0suR)