Talks

Feedback from a recent talk: As usual, I found your talk to be a mine of useful information and potential leads, so thanks for condensing all of this information in such a helpful way.

My talks include:

Researching Your Pauper Ancestors

At some point in their lives, many of our ancestors would have been in receipt in some form of poor relief, either from the parish or from a Poor Law Union.  This talks discusses the records that you can use to find out more, especially:

  • Accounts of the Overseer of the Poor
  • Settlement records
  • Vagrancy examinations and passes
  • Pauper apprenticeships
  • Workhouses pre and post 1834
  • Pauper migration

Discover your Irish Roots

An introduction to the main sources of information available to start your Irish family history

Explore the Parish Chest: beyond the registers

Discover the wide range of records created by the parish and how they can help you research your family including:

  • Churchwardens’ accounts
  • Vestry Minutes
  • Settlement examinations and certificates
  • Bastardy records
  • Vagrancy examinations and passes

Researching your Rural Ancestors

Until well into the 19th century, England and Wales was predominantly rural in nature. As a result, most of us will find our roots in the English and Welsh countryside. But where can we find out more about the lives that our rural ancestors led?  

This talk will introduce you to some of the main sources for rural life including 

  • Official reports
  • Estate records
  • Labour/wage books
  • Manorial surveys and rentals
  • Tithe records
  • Enclosure records
  • Records produced by unions and societies

The Victorian Hiring Fair

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

An Introduction to Family History

A talk on how to get started and the main sources of genealogical information for England and Wales.