Events Conferences & Zooms

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 probably be Wednesday 29th - Saturday 1st August 2026 but this might change as hotels tend to alter their prices depending on what other events are taking place locally. 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! 

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)