People who want to delve into their family histories – and into the stories behind the houses in which they live – are being offered some top tips from the experts on how to go about it.
Next month, North Yorkshire County Council is staging a major event for amateur historians and family tree researchers at the Harrogate Pavilions.
The Family History Day, organised by the County Record Office, features leading experts in the fields of family and house history research, and some 30 stalls and trade stands run by a wide range of archaeology and history organisations.
County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, Executive Member for Library and Information Services said:
Finding out about your family’s roots can be one of the most interesting and rewarding of all activities.
But knowing how to make the best of the hundreds of diverse sources available to you can be difficult. That’s where the experts and organisations we are gathering together can be a real help and make all the difference.
Visitors to the Fair will have the chance to go behind the scenes of the BBC’s “Restoration Home” show, with the presenter and royal historian Dr Kate Williams. Dr Williams used the resources available at the North Yorkshire County Record Office during her preparation of a programme in the first series of “Restoration Home”, featuring Coulton Mill at Hovingham.
Dr Nick Barratt, from the TV series “Who Do You Think You Are?”, and editor of “Your Family History” magazine, will be on hand to provide tips on researching family and house history.
The Fair will also feature Victorian Magic Lantern Shows by Andrew Gill, which will run throughout the day.
The Fair will be held at the Harrogate Pavilions on Saturday 16 March. Tickets are just £2 each, payable at the door. Ticket-holders are also eligible for half-price admission (£1) to the Antiquarian Book Fair taking place in a neighbouring section of the Pavilions on the same day.
For more information, including details of talks and a full list of stallholders, visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/archives
Places on talks (£5 each) are limited so early booking is recommended: call the County Record Office on 01609 777585 or email archives@northyorks.gov.uk
