Events Conferences & Zooms

Topic: London Branch  Victorian Hiring Fairs  

Clare O'Grady

Time: Apr 26, 2025 01:30 PM London for 2pm start

Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82621097276?pwd=WH7InatzgAhlIbAYKq0ylQ2EPiBNIZ.1

   Meeting ID: 826 2109 7276   Passcode: 366141 

An important time of the year for any rural community, the Hiring, Mop or Statute Fair reached its peak popularity in the 19th Century as a way to seek and to provide employment. This talk will outline: How, when and where the fairs worked; The evidence they leave behind; The campaign against the fairs; Registration societies; Why the fairs declined as employment tools; Some of the other attractions provided.

Clare is a professional genealogist and qualified tutor with over 10 years professional experience. She has an MSc in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic studies from the University of Strathclyde and is a member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists and an associate member of AGRA.

Non-members are welcome to attend this meeting. If you enjoy it, why not join the Society? You will then be informed of all future meetings.

Provisional Programme - to be announced

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.

Non-members are welcome to attend this meeting. If you enjoy it, why not join the Society? You will then be informed of all future meetings.