SHARING YOUR VIEWS
Yourletters
HAVE YOUR SAY
Memories, mysteries, and a 1,000 word family history successfully accomplished
Beating pandemic restrictions
While it might be tempting to go to ground during the pandemic, Nuneaton & North Warwickshire Family History Society (NNWFHS) has been trying to reach new members while keeping current members involved and helped with their research. This is how we are accomplishing this.
The society’s Facebook page is popular. One committee member has embarked on a series of walks recorded on her mobile phone which are featured on the site. What gems she comes across!
A discussion forum was introduced for members via the society’s website: there are discussions on all manner of family history topics…and more!
In addition to the traditional quarterly magazine, the society has introduced a monthly digital newsletter which is organised by a group of three members. It is packed with hints, tips, ideas, problems that need solving, upcoming events…in fact absolutely anything to do with family history. It replaces the chatter over a cuppa that takes place at ‘real’ meetings!
The monthly speaker meetings are now 'virtual' with superb presentations – some of which the society could not have for a physical meeting due to travel distances.
NNWFHS is a relatively small society and, like all local societies, is run by a group of volunteers. But if this small group can organise so much, then surely others who are not already doing so, could do similarly. To participate in the family history societies relevant to you and your research areas look at the list at www. familyhistoryfederation.com
Joining one of the many FHS gives you access to a wealth of local knowledge built on years of experience. Join, and enjoy the friendship, fun and…well, you never know what until you take part!
NNWFHS covers the northern part of the old shire county of Warwick which experienced high levels of migration over the centuries. The society welcomes all who live in the area regardless of where their research lies, along with those who are researching forebears who passed through the area. See www.nnwfhs. org for more information or visit Facebook.com/nnwfhs.
The society also has a 'shop' and joining information at NNWFHS on www.parishchest.com
The Team at NNWFHS
Editor: Thank you for sharing your inspiring ideas – your enthusiasm leaps off the page. Well done finding these silver linings out of what has been a testing year. If anyone else would like to share news of how they are helping family history flourish, drop us a line.
Memories of a ‘Brit Brat’
Chris Paton’s article on genealogy and identity in the December edition of Family Tree really struck a chord with me as there are several similarities in my life experiences to those Chris has had.
Like Chris, I spent my first few months of has confirmed my feeling of being my life near the Faslane naval base in Scotland although in my case I was born in Helensburgh because my mother’s family were farmers on the Gareloch. But my father was also connected to the armed services, working for the Ministry of Defence so I moved around from place to place; London, Dorset, Yorkshire and Singapore where I was a ‘Brit Brat’ attending a British Army School shortly before the British withdrawal from the Far East.