Devon Family History Society

Another new speaker announcement. We are excited to reveal that local author and folklore expert @traceynormanauthor.bsky.social will be joining us in October to speak about Devon's Forgotten Witches www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

Online Workshop: One-Place Studies with Helen Shields. 2.30pm - 5.00pm, 21 March 2026, via Zoom. £5 per person. Please note that this workshop will not be recorded. Image: Devon Family History Society logo (a tree, surrounded by the Society's name, in a white circle). Part of a series of 50th birthday online workshops. www.devonfhs.org.uk

On March 21st Helen Shields @helenshields.bsky.social will present an online workshop on #OnePlaceStudies as part of a series of workshops celebrating the 50th birthday of Devon #FamilyHistory Society @devonfhs.bsky.social. Open to non-members and just £5 – book your place! #OnePlaceWednesday

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Note there is a correction to the advertised date and link for Ian Porter's talk The real Mr Selfridge and the History of Shopping which is FRIDAY 16th January 7.30pm. All those on the list for links have been emailed. Apologies for our error.

Another #SpeakerSaturday spotlight, yes, I know it is Sunday, featuring Margaret Roberts & Dave Day. Their presentation, 'A Victorian Aquatic Family: the Beckwiths in conversation' is a little different. Still a few spaces left if for the conference www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

#SpeakerSaturday time to spotlight another of our conference speakers Mark Bayley from @thegenealogist.bsky.social TheGenealogist are sponsoring 3 presentations, including 2 from Mark. Still a few places left for 9-11 October's conference in beautiful Devon www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

Libraries are a key resource for family historians. There is an ongoing consultation re: proposals to drastically cut Devon Libraries opening hours. No need to live in Devon to make your views known just have visited or contacted a Devon library. devonlibraries.commonplace.is/en-GB/propos...

Another #SpeakerSaturday and this week it is Sue Swalwell in the spotlight. Sue’s presentation will be Five Girls in the Attic: glimpses of the childhood of the five female caretakers of the family archive. Still a few conference places left www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

Old family photographs are a vital part of genealogy. They not only show us our ancestors’ faces but also preserve social history, clothing, and context. Find out how to organise, preserve, store, date and identify these precious pictures with our in-depth guide. Link in comments

Looking for something to do in January?

This #SpeakerSaturday we are spotlight Mia Bennett @miagen.bsky.social . Mia is a professional genealogist specialising in DNA and a well-known speaker. Her presentation title is still to be announced but is being sponsored by @thegenealogist.bsky.social

My Elusive Ancestors @pharostutors.bsky.social online course starts Monday, still room for more - Come and find those pesky mobile ancestors. Sledge-hammer at the ready to break down #genealogy brick walls www.pharostutors.com/elusive-ance... #familyhistory

This #SpeakerSaturday we are highlighting Pamela Vass who will be speaking at next year's conference on Reason or Rebellion? Women’s Campaign for the Vote in Devon. Just 20 rooms and 15 day delegate places left www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

#SpeakerSaturday and we are highlighting @joesaunders1.bsky.social

@pharostutors.bsky.social are sponsoring Joe's presentation 'Migration and early modern England'. Remaining conference places are limited, pay a deposit now to secure a place www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

To commemorate Remembrance Sunday, @thegenealogist.bsky.social has released 1,090,293 new Casualty List Records from The First World War, covering the period 8th April 1918 to 4th March 1919, completing their coverage of the War Office Casualty Lists. These are available to Diamond subscribers.

I'm running this beginners' and slow starters #FamilyHistory Course starting next week - still a few spaces suitable for those with English/Welsh ancestry www.devonfhs.org.uk/product/trac... Stage 2 in the New Year

It is still Saturday somewhere in the world so this week's #SpeakerSaturday features local author Liz Shakespeare who will give the Peter Christie Memorial Lecture 'From Exploration to Illumination: using local history to tell stories of the past' Book now www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

Still a few places left on our stage 1 online #FamilyHistory course held on 8 & 22 November. Suitable for all those at or near the start of their #genealogy journey (not just in Devon) Details www.devonfhs.org.uk/product/trac... Tell your friends.

This week's #SpeakerSaturday features Australian genealogist Helen Smith whose presentation at next year's conference will be 'Convicts' Voyages to Freedom'. Still a few places left www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

#SpeakerSaturday again featuring @thepatientgenie.bsky.social Michelle's presentation will be Celebrating Cousins: a case study in DNA and she will also be part of a DNA panel. Less than a year to go book for the conference at www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co... #Genealogy #FamilyHistory

Researching in Devon FREE event Book a spot to watch live. No pre-booking required to view the recording, which will be available in the SoG Member area and on YouTube.

Today at 2pm UK time with @sogorg.bsky.social Free online event Researching in Devon, including a slot about what DFHS can do for you portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1...

This week's #SpeakerSaturday (on Sunday) features genetic genealogist Donna Rutherford, whose topic will be 'Plymouth to New Plymouth: Exploring Settler DNA Connections' Less than a year to go 😀 www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

Researching in Devon FREE event Book a spot to watch live. No pre-booking required to view the recording, which will be available in the SoG Member area and on YouTube.

Coming up on Monday 13 October Free online event about #FamilyHistory research in Devon portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1...

On this day next year over 100 people will be gathering in Bideford for our 50th birthday conference. There is still room for you to join them. www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co... #FamilyHistory #Genealogy

Another #SpeakerSaturday. We were sad that Todd Gray was unable to give his talk to us today. This time next year he will be addressing us at our conference in a specially written talk 'The perils of Devon's History' over the last 50 years. Places filling fast. www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

Due to unavoidable and unexpected circumstances, Todd Gray is unable to give the talk after the AGM today. Janet Few will step in and at 3pm her talk will be 'Fallen Women or Vulnerable Girls?' In the week of International Day of the Girl, this seems particularly appropriate.

#Conference news. With over a year to go we have over 100 delegates booked - just 25 rooms & 20 day delegate places left. Early bird price for day delegates & double/twin rooms will removed in the next few days. Pay your deposit now to avoid disappointment. www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

Time for another #SpeakerSaturday featuring Helen Shields aka Auntie Kate who will be telling tales of her life in a Devon village and this stories of her husbands. www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...

A steady stream of enquiries here at Bridgerule Local History Day - our magic wands seem to be working today with plenty of delighted visitors.

On this #SpeakerSaturday we feature @researchdogsbody.bsky.social & Prof Dave Day with 'A Victorian Aquatic Family: the Beckwiths in conversation' - a presentation with a difference. Join us 9-11 October 2026. 100 attendees who have already booked can't be wrong. www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...