History of The Society 50 Golden Years

The following accounts of the history of the first 25 years are extracted from the excellent Milennium Booklet produced by Barbara Smith

Early Days

The most appropriate opening must surely be a quote from Margaret Russell, who has been the Society's Secretary from the beginning:

"The Society was founded in a very simple manner. Cumbrian exiles like myself who had met from time to time in my home asked me to start a Cumbrian F.H.S. On 29th September 1976 I travelled to Carlisle and met the late Alan Brocklebank and the late Rev. Benjamin Simpson. Over coffee we agreed to found the Society and decided on a subscription of £2 for single membership and £3 for family. We paid ours and took £7 to the bank and opened an account in the name of the Cumbria F.H.S. and so this Society was born." 

Before this, contact with fellow Cumbrians both home and overseas, who were interested in their family and local history, had been made through the Readers Letters page in the Cumbria magazine (sister to The Dalesman). Soon after the launch of the Society, the following letter appeared in the December magazine (1976) with the heading

For Genealogists.
"We feel that a number of readers of CUMBRIA will be interested in the newly formed Cumbria Migrants Family History Society which will link together and help amateur genealogists both in the U.K. and overseas who are researching families of Cumbria. Further information may be obtained in receipt of an S.A.E. or postage token if overseas, from Mrs. M.M. Russell, (Hon. Sec.) Ulpha, 32, Granada Rd, Denton, Manchester." 

Following that first informal meeting a committee was soon formed. Officials were: - 

Mr. C. Roy Hudleston, President, Mr. A.F.Brocklebank, Chairman, Mrs. M.M. Russell, Secretary, The Rev. B.S.W. Simpson, Treasurer, Miss J.R. Geldart, Newsletter Editor, Mr. R.H. Postlethwaite, Pedigree Referral Organiser and Mrs. J. Bowes, Mrs. D.I. Cowley and Mr. J. (Fred) Hughes Council Members. The Right Hon. The Earl of Lonsdale kindly accepted the invitation to become the Society's Patron.

Newsletters and Membership 

The first edition of the Society's quarterly Newsletter, consisting of some 16 pages, was published in November 1976, capably edited by Miss Ruth Geldart who successfully continued with this very important role, until her death in May 1984, producing 31 editions. A feature of the newsletters which has been continued from the beginning is the interesting variety of illustrations provided by members for the front cover, these have ranged from hand drawn sketches to prints and latterly photographs. 

On the first page was a welcoming letter from the Chairman Mr. A.F.Brocklebank, whose comment about our secretary was as pertinent then as it is today. 

"I cannot conclude without saying how much we are indebted to Mrs. Russell for all she has done, in particular to gain wide publicity for our Society". (Now, twenty-three years later, our esteemed secretary must be one of the best known and well liked personalities in the field of Family History. Her selfless devotion to our Society, the time, effort and personal representations she has made, both here and abroad on behalf of the Cumbria Family History Society have ensured the excellent reputation that we are so proud of today)". 

The membership list of 51 in that first newsletter revealed some familiar names. 

Mrs. M.M.Russell, Mr. & Mrs. A.F. Brocklebank, The Rev. B.S. Wignall Simpson, Mr. & Mrs. D.J. Bowes, Mr. R.H.Postlethwaite, Mrs. D.I.Cowley, Miss R. Geldart, Mr & Mrs. C. Roy Huddleston, Mr. T. Cockerill, Dr. T.G. Fahy, Mr. Daniel Hay (Former Librarian at Whitehaven Library, under whose leadership the Cumberland Pacquet Newspaper was indexed) and Mr. O.B. Lewis (known as 'Mr. Mounsey' for his tremendous knowledge of that family). 

Of the 51 members listed, three were organisations - Whitehaven Library, The Lancashire Record Office and The Mossop Family Foundation of Philadelphia, U.S.A. Two other members were from America, one from Canada and one from New Zealand. Sixteen lived in Cumbria and the remainder came from various other counties. Of the first 100 members to join the Society, 14 have maintained continuous membership. 

At the end of the first year there were 207 members. By the 10th year some 1,900 had joined, (some had left, of course). Today new members receive a number in excess of 5,000, though the total number of members currently subscribing is approximately 1,880. 

By sheer co-incidence the one thousandth member to join was Mrs. P. Batson of Queensland, Australia and the 5,000th Mrs. P. Wright of Victoria was also from Australia, 

The cost of membership remains one of the cheapest in the Federation, having only risen from £2 to £6 in twenty-three years! 

For at least ten years, the Newsletter was typed, photocopied and taken to Mrs. Russell's home where a team of volunteers met to collate, staple, package, label and take them to the Post Office. A note in an early newsletter stated. that the purchase of an electric stapler in 1978 was a welcome aid! (Prior to this they were using a Bambi stapler!!) 

Nowadays the task is somewhat easier as the publisher does the collating and stapling. A volunteer team continues to meet once a quarter at Mrs. Russell's to do the packing and labelling. Due to the large number of Newsletters for posting, a van comes to collect them. The late lunch, provided by Margaret when all has been dispatched, is more than a reward for the work involved! 

The Newsletter soon began to expand. More pages, (though this has to be limited due to postal rates) more information and a great variety of topics. As early as NL2 (Feb 1977) our President was urging members to transcribe churchyard memorials. He went on to say that other products to which we ought to turn our attention are the transcribing of entries in family bibles and of the genealogical information on samplers. He also noted that Kendal Library had the microfilms of the 1841, 51, 61 & 71 census for Westmorland and Furness. Whereas for Cumberland, the only available census, was the 1841 at Carlisle Record Office. He concluded his article by saying "I hope that as the membership of our Society grows, and our finances improve, we might consider buying a microfilm of at least the 1851 census returns for Cumberland. I make this suggestion for I fear that at present the cost of microfilms is not likely to be available from public funds.' He could not have imagined then the amount of census material that would be transcribed and indexed by members. 

In 1993 the Society were delighted to accept from Mr. Tony Birtwisle, a beautifully designed Logo, featuring Lakeland scenery and the distinctive head of a Herdwick sheep. This now familiar Logo, which appears on the front of the Newsletters and other publications, is also available as an enamel badge. 

Publications and Census 

In 1978 the Society published the first Members' Interest Directory, prepared by Mr. R.H. Postlethwaite (and family, his thirteen-year-old daughter being the typist!) the Pedigree Referral Organiser. (He has produced five more since!) This was to be the first of many publications, which have been enthusiastically received by members and proved a good source of revenue for the Society. The second publication, Strays List No.1 (1979) was produced, as were the following four lists (1980, 83, 85 & 88), by Council Member and Strays Co-ordinator, the late Jim Richardson and his wife Marjorie. These publications, it must be remembered, were produced before computers were in common use and information was stored in large numbers of either card index files or shoeboxes! 

Later, a specialised Strays Index compiled by Mr. P.B. Park from the 1851 census was published, which listed some 9,000 Cumbrians living in the Liverpool area. 

In 1984 the Society began the mammoth task of co-ordinating the transcribing, indexing and publishing of the 1851 census for Cumbria, the majority of the work being done voluntarily by members. This project is now approximately 80% complete. However, in 1988 a National Project to do the same for the 1881 census for the whole country was announced. The completed work to be computerised by the Genealogical Society of Utah, (who also made microfilms of the census available to transcribers, enabling them to work at home) to produce a comprehensive index similar to the I.G.I. Society members rose to the challenge and six and a half years later our Society's census co-ordinator, Dr. Keith Chisholm was able to announce in the Feb 1995 Newsletter that the Cumbrian portion was complete. Of course this was done at the expense of our own project for the 1851, but the importance of completing the countrywide index was recognised and everyone now has the benefit of the results. 

To date the Society has produced over seventy publications, three of which are out of print. An immense debt of gratitude is owed to those members who have freely given many hours of their time to transcribe, index, check, type and produce these volumes, which, not only provide easy access to information, but help to preserve the original archives. (A special mention must be made of Council member Mr. Neville Ramsden who has spent countless hours transcribing a wide variety of documents as well as producing computerised indexes to valuable works such as the Copeland Wills). 

The cash sales of Society publications 1984 - 1998 was £60,665. If the average price per book is £3 this equals 20,221 sales in fourteen years. A most impressive total. 

Donations 

In 1982 the following appeared in N.L.22 

"In response to many of you asking if we could show our appreciation for the help given at the County Record offices by helping them in any way, we approached Mr. Jones the County Archivist, who said they were in need of money to repair two registers, Arthuret, which has been in a fire, and Cleator Moor which, to quote Mr. Jones, is "like lace". Both are repairable and both date back to the 16thc. The Council decided to use the profit from the International Conference together with a generous donation from Col. Wilford and made a donation of £125" 

Since then the Society has donated money to various enterprises connected with family history, the current total being £3,499. The majority of the money has gone to the Cumbria Archive Service to assist with the purchasing of various items such as copies of the Castlerigg & Derwentwater Manorial records, Microfiche readers and the Civil Registration Indexes. 

Meetings, Conferences & Excursions 

From the beginning excursions have been popular. The first one in June 1977 was a sixty- six mile tour of some of Cumbria's most magnificent scenery, stopping for talks on Cumbrian Historical Interests. The highlight of this tour was a visit to Askham Hall, the home of our Society's Patron Lord Lonsdale, who welcomed members with coffee and a short talk about his family. Fittingly this invitation was repeated to celebrate the Society's 21st birthday. 

Whilst the outstanding local scenery and a wide variety of places of historical interest provided plenty of scope for excursions, it was undoubtedly the knowledge of the excursion leaders, particularly the late Mr. C. Roy Hudleston and Mr. J. (Fred) Hughes which made them so interesting. Places visited included Graythwaite Hall and Lower Graythwaite Hall, Shaw End (which was disastrously burned down in 1983), Thurnham Hall, Catterlen Hall, Hutton John and many Cumbrian churches. Excursions now form an integral part of Society Conferences, rather than being a separate event. 

The first A.G.M. of the Society, held on Saturday the 1st October 1977 at Lancaster University was attended by some 50 members. Guest speaker was Dr. Colin Rogers. President, Mr. C. Roy Hudleston called upon our 'indefatigable Secretary' to give her report, briefly reviewing the first successful year in the life of the C.F.H.S. from a meeting of three in a café in Carlisle, to over 200 members. 

In the early days of the Society events were mostly of one day's duration, an excursion, a seminar or the A.G.M. In June 1978 the first weekend seminar was held at a venue popular today as it was then Rydal Hall, former home of the Fleming family, a most appropriate meeting place! 

The programme for that weekend shows the high standards the Society set from the beginning, which have been maintained: - Lecture topics were

• "Pitfalls & Problems" Mr. C. Roy Hudleston, 

• "The function of the Record Office" Miss S.J.MacPherson, 

• "Manners & Customs of Cumbria" Mr. J. Hughes. 

• "The role of Newspapers in Family History" Mr. C. Roy Hudleston. 

• "The Postlethwaites of Lowick Bridge" by Mr. Reg Postlethwaite 

• "The Lewthwaite family" by Mr. T. Cockerill. 

After dinner on the Saturday Mr. Hughes give an illustrated talk on the place names of Cumbria, followed by a competition on Cumbrian Towns & Villages, which was won by Mr. Harold Culling, (well known as President of the Liverpool Society) who boasts no Cumbrian blood! But he and his wife Joyce are considered 'family'. The final lecture of the weekend was "Old Time Cumbrian Parsons" by Mr. C. Roy Hudleston.

One of the highlights of this first weekend seminar was the chance to see the Fleming Family Tree, the story of which was in N.L. No. 5. Mr. John Fleming, of Ulpha, Vice President of our Society from 1977 - 1987 was a descendant of the family at Rydal Hall, and it must have given him great satisfaction and pleasure to display his magnificent 'tree' at his ancestors' home. The story, very briefly, is that whilst working in Burma, he was confined to the house due to a rebellion. He occupied his time by instructing a Chinese carpenter to make an outsize drawing board to hold a large roll of paper, on which he drew his family tree in pencil. The Chinese carpenter cut seventy eight small shields from some spare oak and then carved the Flemings (and the families they married into) coats of arms on them. Amazingly, all this survived the journey home, more amazingly, the Chinese carpenter could speak no English, neither could Mr. Fleming speak Chinese! 

Following this highly successful and enjoyable weekend, a message from the President appeared in the Feb 1979 Newsletter establishing what was to become a Society institution. 

"I am writing what follows largely, though by no means entirely, for our kin and our friends across the sea. This is because they will need longer to make their plans to come to England in 1981, the year of our International Congress. It was our Secretary, true to form, who conceived the splendid idea of holding such a Congress, and I need hardly add that as soon as she put forward the notion we all responded with great enthusiasm and I sincerely hope that you will all be as enthusiastic as we are". 

A total of 15 overseas members came. Nine were from various parts of Canada, two from California, three from Australia and one from France. So successful was this conference that the Council decided to make it a regular event, to be held every third year. This year's event, the seventh, was attended by members from America and Australia. 

One of the most memorable of the Internationals must surely be the 2nd in 1984. On the Wednesday delegates travelled to the ancient Moot Hall in Keswick, to participate in the enacting of a Manorial Court. This was scripted and staged by David Bowcock, Assistant Archivist at Carlisle, with the parts of jury, plaintiffs, bailiff etc. taken by members. The occasion attracted the attention of BBC Television (Look North) and Radio 4. This unusual and illuminating experience was followed by a traditional Cumbrian meal also in the Moot Hall. 

The first Inter-national was held at Lancaster University as it was difficult to find a suitable venue in Cumbria. However, by the time of the second the Charlotte Mason College at Ambleside was able to accommodate us. This proved to be a popular choice, being ideally situated in the heart of the Lake 

District. A total of five Internationals were held there, until ever increasing costs prompted a move to Newton Rigg near Penrith this year. 

Meetings had been held at the home of Mrs. Russell since before the Society was properly formed and still continues today. In 1980 informal ones in other members' homes and in some Cumbrian libraries and Record offices began to be advertised in the Newsletter. Soon regular meetings were established at Ulverston, Barrow, Milnthorpe, Whitehaven, Workington, Carlisle, Kendal and Penrith, most of which continue today. 

By 1985 membership was widespread and in July the first Cumbria F.H.S. meeting at the Society of Genealogists in London was organised by Council Member, later to become one of our Society's Vice Presidents and a Fellow of the S.O.G., Peter Park. It gave our Secretary Mrs. Russell the opportunity to meet members in the South of England, helping those unable to travel north, a feeling of belonging to our Society. These meetings have recently been combined with those of the Lancashire Family History & Heraldry Society, due to other societies following our lead. This became such a popular venue that there just weren't enough Saturdays in the year to accommodate everyone! 

Weekend and One Day Conferences are a regular feature in the Society's annual calendar of events. Many past events have been truly memorable, one being the 14th A.G.M. in 1990 which was held in the Great Hall at Appleby Castle, former home of Lady Anne Clifford. This particular year being the 400th Anniversary of her birth. 

A popular venue is the Crooklands Hotel near Kendal, where we are always assured of a warm welcome and good food! A recent addition to the list of 'must go there again' places, is the Chase Hotel in Whitehaven. A one-day conference there last April was so enjoyable it was promptly booked on the spot for the following year. We are fortunate that Cumbria is such an interesting and beautiful County. Over the years the Society has held meetings in, and arranged visits to, a wide variety of places. According to our Treasurer Mr.Hartley there have been 62 events in 17 different venues. 

Officials and Council Members 

The Society has been fortunate and privileged in having officials and council members who gave (and continue to give) their time and expertise to ensure the Society flourishes and maintains the high standards set in the beginning, which it is so well known for. The work that is involved is not always understood or evident to members and I would like to give a brief outline of what is expected. 

Council meetings are held at least four times a year. Usually at the Crooklands Hotel on a Sunday afternoon. This was chosen as a reasonablycentral location for people who at present, come from as far afield as Manchester, Haslingden, Burnley, Clitheroe, Penrith, 

Carlisle, Workington, Egremont, Seascale, Kendal, Ulverston and London. Occasionally meetings are held following or during a Conference e.g. the A.G.M. 

The fact that subscriptions are maintained at a relatively low level, is due to the fact that no Council Member or Official acts in a paid capacity. In fact, the only expenses paid are to the Secretary for telephone, postal costs and to enable her to attend Federation and other meetings that involve or promote our Society. Recently, the Council discussed the claiming of travelling expenses for attendance at meetings in view of the long distances and cost of petrol. 

In addition to attendance at meetings there are numerous other functions undertaken by the Council, for example, the organising of events. Our conscientious Conference Organiser Mrs. Arnison, spends many hours seeking suitable venues and negotiating costs. She also ensures the smooth running of each event, (no mean feat!!) arranges transport for outings, having previously visited the places, and assists the Secretary in finding and booking lecturers too. 

At least six Council members are responsible for, or assist with, the organisation of the local meetings at London, Carlisle, Kendal, Workington, Whitehaven & Ulverston. 

I dare not start to try and explain what our Secretary does. Suffice it to say that were she being paid a reasonable wage for the hours she works, she would be a very wealthy lady! 

Roles such as Treasurer, Editor etc. are fairly self-explanatory, but carry a heavy responsibility. In addition, Messrs. Hartley, Spencer and Postlethwaite, also accompany our Secretary to various Family History Fairs. Again, a hard day's work lugging boxes of publications from the car park to the stall, often standing most of the day and then having to clear away and drive home. 

A great deal of work is involved in the production of publications from the initial approval for funding; through to preparation for printing, collection and storage of finished products. 

Cumbrian Archivists, Librarians and Staff 

From the beginning the Society has been privileged to enjoy good relationships with the County Archivists and their staff. Members always appreciate the knowledgeable, friendly advice and help given in the searchrooms and listening to the many interesting, informative lectures at meetings and conferences. 

When the Society was formed Bruce Jones was the County Archivist, based at Carlisle. Both he and his deputy Sheila MacPherson, based at Kendal, (who became his successor and later became the Society's President, following the death of Mr. C. Roy Hudleston) were extremely supportive of our Society. This happy situation continues today. The present County Archivist Jim Grisenthwaite, who rose through the ranks, so to speak, was well acquainted with our Society; having had his arm gently twisted on many occasions to give lectures at numerous society meetings and conferences. As indeed have some of his colleagues, especially David Bowcock who entered into the spirit of the occasion at the Societies 21st Birthday Celebrations when guests were invited to come dressed as their favourite ancestor. The fact that David appeared in Arabian garb, left me slightly puzzled, I am sure he had an explanation, which, unfortunately, I cannot remember now! 

The long awaited opening of the new Record Office in Whitehaven on the 27th August 1996 came after many years of tough negotiations at a time when money for such projects was difficult to find. The fact that it was ever opened at all, is a tribute to Miss MacPherson and Jim Grisenthwaite, without whose persistence (aided by our Secretary) the whole thing may well have been abandoned. 

Of course there are many more staff who are (or were) employed at the four branches of the Archives Department, than I have mentioned. From my own experience I would like to say how friendly and helpful they are, and I frequently hear other members saying the same at conferences. One other person, now retired, deserving a mention is Jeremy Godwin who frequently enlivens the newsletter with his contributions. The Society is always grateful to them for their magnificent support. 

Likewise, staff at the Local Studies sections of Cumbrian Libraries have also been a big help to members. Census Returns, old newspapers, photograph collections and rare books kept at the libraries meant that members were frequent visitors. Especially in places such as Whitehaven, which was, before the opening of the New Record Office, the most important source of information in the area and whose staff provided that wonderful index to the local newspaper, The Cumberland Pacquet. 

Various libraries have also been the venue for local group meetings of Society members, the use of which they have been very grateful for. 

Recently Kendal Library opened a new, extended local studies section, which is most impressive. 

In October 1985, some sixty members and friends gathered at the Rampsbeck Hotel on the banks of Lake Ullswater, to honour Mr. C. Roy Hudleston's eightieth birthday and the retirement of Mr. Bruce Jones. It was a memorable occasion, toasts were proposed by Mr. J. (Fred) Hughes and Mr. Lance Thwaites, both former chairmen of the Society.  

Overseas Travel 

Although our secretary, Mrs. Russell, had long ago begun travelling to various parts of the country representing our Society at Federation and other meetings. In the Spring of 1986 she and fellow member Mrs. Kath Hayhurst embarked on a tour of California and Canada. The trip stemmed from a suggestion by Anne Christian of La Jolla, (whom some members may remember meeting at the early Internationals) that Mrs Russell might like to visit her and speak at a seminar in San Diego. So, partly to promote the Society and partly to meet the many members whom they had become friendly with through Family History correspondence, the trip was planned. 

After spending four days with Anne and a day trip to Mexico, the places they visited were; El Cerrito, Oakland, San Francisco, Tacoma and Yalima (where Mrs. Hayhurst met members of the Longmire One Name Society, of which she is a member and delighted them with a slide show of Troutbeck!). Then over the border to Vancouver to meet relatives and old neighbours. Next was Edmonton, reached by a train journey through the Rockies. Here our secretary appeared on television and took part in a radio phone-in. After relaxing for two days at North Battleford another long train journey through the vast expanses of Saskatchewan brought them to Winnipeg and another seminar. The final stop was Toronto with a visit to Niagara Falls as the finale. (A full report of this trip appears in the Aug. '86 Newsletter). 

Mrs. Russell, accompanied by her cousin, set off on another overseas tour, in November 1994. This time to New Zealand, visiting both the north and south islands, meeting relatives and members. The journey home was via Fiji and California, where Anne Christian and her husband once again welcomed her. The timing was most appropriate, as she was able to share Thanksgiving dinner with them. 

Memorable Milestones 

The Society's 10th Birthday was celebrated with a weekend seminar and the A.G.M. at The George Hotel, Penrith in October 1986. "A coaching inn modernised to provide late twentieth century comfort but retaining enough of its old self for an imaginative guest to hear echoes of the footsteps of Jacobites and Hanoverians along the corridors". The tenth anniversary dinner was held in the eighteenth century ballroom with its minstrel gallery. "This was followed by a racy speech from the guest speaker Charles Arnison, the latest of his family to serve in the administration of justice in Penrith over several generations." It was an enjoyable and memorable weekend our correspondent A.A.B., whom I have quoted above, reports. 

A 21st birthday is always special and our excellent Conference Organiser Mrs. Janet Arnison, assisted by Mrs. Russell certainly produced a magnificent programme. It was held at the Crooklands Hotel in October 1997. There were some first class lectures, but the outstanding event was the excursion on the Saturday afternoon when Lord Lonsdale met members at Lowther Church where he and the Rector spoke about its history. From there we made our way across the fields to the ruins of Lowther Castle where his Lordship gave a very interesting talk about his family and the castle before leading the way to his home, where once again members enjoyed excellent hospitality, provided personally by Lady Lonsdale and her staff. The Society is indeed fortunate to have such a supportive Patron. 

In the evening members certainly ensured that the Society's 21st was something to remember by dressing as their favourite ancestor and what a fantastic array of costumes there were.  

The following June saw another 21st birthday celebration at Crooklands. This time it was that of The North West Group of Family History Societies, which was hosted by our Society. About eighty delegates enjoyed good company, good food and excellent lectures, especially listening to Mr. Harold Culling, President of Liverpool and S. W. Lancashire F.H.S.talking about the history of the Group. At the end of the day Mr. Culling and Mrs. Russell cut a birthday cake made especially for the occasion. 

After the event, the following letter was received from David Lambert, President of the Federation of Family History Societies: - 

To: Eddie Gullick, Esq., Secretary, North West Group 

Dear Eddie, 

A brief note to congratulate the North West Member societies on celebrating their 21st Anniversary at the Conference yesterday, hosted by the Cumbria FHS. It was particularly appropriate that they did so since Margaret is I think the only surviving Officer from the early days of the formation of the 

group. It was good to see many old friends and particularly to see the Cullings and to hear from Harold the origins of the formation of the Group, which is itself the oldest such Group in the Federation; in my opinion it is also the most successful and active. You and the Group might be interested to learn of the following: 

1. Two of the FFHS Vice-Presidents are from this area (Elizabeth Simpson and Pauline Litton) 

2. George Pelling was of course the third at the time of his death but before then he had been Chairman on two separate occasions. 

3. You hosted the first joint Annual Conference which of course have been held each year ever since. 4. You hosted the first ever joint F.H. Fair (also the most popular after the S.O.G.) 

5. The Cheshire Societies hosted the first ever JOINT National Conference at which the Federation had its national Meetings (Crewe this year) 

6. You were the first to admit a One Name Society; the Metcalfe Society 

7. You were the first to produce a joint Society Members Interest Booklet; i.e. the combined Directory. 8. As far as I know your societies were the first to open their own rooms/library; e.g. Manchester and the old named Rossendale Society. 

9. You were the first to have a Society who made a deliberate attempt to form a close relationship with the County Record Office in their area; I am thinking here of Cumbria. Others have followed their example the latest being the ties between FHS of Cheshire and the Cheshire Record office. 

10. You were the first so far as I am aware to make substantial donations to Record offices and Local Studies Sections out of the surplus of income from the Stockport Fairs. 

11. Other past or current officers of the FFHS have been or are members of Societies in the Group e.g. Eric Frankcom (Treasurer and now Publishing Managing Director), Derek Way (Treasurer), Brian Slater (Treasurer), Brenda Smith (Assistant Administrator) and myself. 

A pretty substantial list I think you will agree. I am sure I could add to the list but will not on this occasion do so! 

Please will you circulate this letter to all the Member Societies with my good wishes to the Group for the Next 21 years. 

Kind Regards, 

Yours Sincerely, 

David Lambert, CHAIRMAN. 

Personalities Past and Present 

It is without doubt that the Society owes a great deal to two Founder members, the late C.Roy Hudleston and Mr. J (Fred) Hughes. These two gentlemen, so knowledgeable in local and family history, gave generously of their time and expertise, to both the Society as a whole and to individual members. Their leadership was vitally important in setting the Society on its feet and provided strong foundations upon which the Society has continued to build. 

Lance Thwaytes, whose legal training was extremely beneficial to the Society, became Chairman after Mr Hughes (1980-85). On his resignation Mrs. Russell paid him the following tribute in her Annual Report at the A.G.M. "I would like to thank him personally for all his help and kindness to me during his term of office. I will remember it for two things, one his quiet manner which has so often quelled my nerves, and secondly his pipe. At conferences when I needed him and could not see him, I just followed the trail of smoke!" 

Another personality, was the late George Percival. Always the life and soul of any gatherings, his passing left a gap at Society Conferences that has never been filled. His unique sense of humour is so evident in these few paragraphs taken from his report on the 1991 A.G.M. (N.L. 62. Feb. 1992 p.6/7). 

"The choice of Crooklands Hotel for the October Weekend Seminar was, like draught Guinness, pure genius. Convenient, comfortable, clean, consummate cookery and cheerful Counter Staff. Congrats to the 'Seek and find' team........ A.G.M. started promptly at 2.30p.m. business progressed apace. No protesting share-holders here, no boring stuff about Chairman's salary increase! Warm approval of the work of the Council, satisfaction at financial report. Condolences on losses of respected members........... 

To the 'au revoir' lunch, the main course being 'Nostalgia in a piquant sauce'.
Announcements, words of appreciation and sincere thanks. And so:
The tumult and the shouting dies,
The captains and the Kings depart And we are left with large supplies Of cold blancmange and rhubarb tart' 

After Kipling 

Footnote: Our Secretary as usual arranged with the Met. Office for kindly autumnal weather." 

Personal Memories and Quotes 

Margaret Russell: "The most gratifying thing about our Society is the warmth and friendship which have grown between members through either meetings or correspondence, and the help so readily given to fellow members, making us what I had always hoped for, a real FAMILY Society" 

Harold O. Spencer: "Rydal Hall May 1982. A beautiful day and our speaker Dr.Marshall was persuaded to give his lecture "Cumbrian Surnames" with us all sitting on the lawn outside the house. 

J. 'Fred' Hughes: "I am delighted to learn that the Society is considering marking the Millennium with a special publication. I do hope the finished volume pays a glorious tribute to Margaret. Without her there would have been no Society." 

John J. Hartley: "Apart from being a great source of information on things Cumbrian through its meetings, members and publications, I always think of it as a really friendly society". 

Valerie Minns: "My C.F.H.S. membership dates back to the beginnings of the Society and has proved to be of inestimable value in researching my Cumbrian ancestors. It is rather nice that my membership number is only 54 and that I have a complete set of the ninety three newsletters. Since the C.F.H.S. started, I have corresponded with a considerable number of members both in the U.K. and abroad. Many have become long standing penfriends and as several have proved to be related to me, we enjoy keeping in touch with ur family news, not only of our ancestors, but also of our present day families". 

Kath. Hayhurst: "I joined the C.F.H.S. in Nov. 1978 after attending a "Trace Your Ancestors' class at Milnthorpe Secondary School - now Dallam School. A group of us held meetings regularly afterwards, from 1980 1996 called Milnthorpe Family History Group, most of them in C.F.H.S. The Kendal branch - C.F.H.S. meetings began in Feb. 1996 and we still meet quarterley in Stricklandgate House. I joined the C.F.H.S. Council in Oct 1990. Over the years I have helped with transcribing the 1851 and 1881 census, organised the Monumental Inscription copying at Burton-in-Kendal Church and helped with several others. Prepared an exhibition at the annual Dallam Summer School on C.F.H.S. & local family trees, from their first year - 1992. Taken members on historical walks round Troutbeck, Burton-in-Kendal and Hutton Roof and helped with others. Despite my address (2 Station Lane, Burton, Carnforth, Lancs) I live in Cumbria and was born in Westmorland!" 

Neville J. Arnold: "The Society has been particularly lucky in its officers. I remember especially, as many others must do, the late C.Roy Hudleston, a real gentleman and most erudite. I remember particularly an occasion when he took a group of members round some of the old haunts of the Hudleston family. We are very lucky in having such a hard-working Secretary as Mrs. Russell. I heard that a few years ago she was taken ill at the Stockport Family History Fair, and carried off to hospital. She soon bounced back, and is still serving us. She reminds one of Tennyson's famous brook". 

L. Cecil Jarman: "My reason for joining the C.F.H.S. in November 1980 was to meet people from whom one could learn and with whom one could discuss matters of common interest. In September 1985 I was invited to become Chairman of the Society which I was pleased to accept. My first duty as Chairman on the Sunday following the A.G.M. was to chair the luncheon at the Rampsbeck Hotel, Ullswater, in honour of our President, C.Roy Hudleston on his 80th birthday and attended by more than 60 people. We owe a great deal to Roy.. The next six years was a period I thoroughly enjoyed. The team led by Margaret Russell gave me unstinted support. However, old age was creeping on and after six years I handed on the baton". 

Of course this booklet just would not be complete without a tribute to our Secretary, who has been the founder and mainstay of this Society. Without her foresight, enthusiasm, dedication and leadership we would not be where we are today. 

She must be the longest serving secretary in the whole Federation of Family History Societies. I could write much more in her praise and indeed fill many pages with tributes from far and wide and not only from fellow members, but she has forbidden me to do so. I can only finish, as I began, with a quote from her. 

"Whilst it is not possible to mention all members, everyone plays their part, even if only by paying their subscription.
For without you there would be no Society" 

The foregoing was written in 2000.
Please help us to bring it up to date with memories and anecdotes from the last 25 years, and above all with photos from Society events.