Fabulous talk last night at our first event of 2026. The atmosphere was buzzing with loads of new visitors after our relaunch. Check out our website for our 2026 talks. @wyorksarchives @UoYBorthwick @OnePlaceStudies @GuildOneName @federationfhs.bsky.social

We are delighted to annouce that @yorkfhs.bsky.social are now at York Explore! Every Monday 10am-4pm in the Family History Room, first floor York Explore.  Always wanted to discover your family history but didn’t know where to start?  Having challenges with your research and need further advice?

Our talk this month is ‘Christmas at Home’ from the Yorkshire Dialect Society. December 3rd 7:30 at the Quaker Hall New Earswick. Mince pies optional extra! @federationfhs.bsky.social @balhnews.bsky.social @clemhallhistory.bsky.social @ypsyork.bsky.social @cecs-york.bsky.social

Our latest talk is the ominous sounding ‘Coroners Case Files’ from the York area with @TheDeadSleuth. A true Victorian melodrama not for the faint hearted! Wednesday at New Earswick Quaker Hall 7:30pm. @BALHNews @FederationFHS @clemhallhistory

The power of nature - Ingleton waterfall walk 4 and a half miles walking in a wondrous and slightly terrifying landscape.

Our new book about Micklegate is out this week, packed with stories, facts, photos and memories. Details and stockists at www.clementshallhistorygroup.org.uk/blog/mickleg... @balhnews.bsky.social @yorkfhs.bsky.social

Lover of fish paste? Chichester is the natural home of crab pate’ and Shippams potted meat factory.

Wonderful visit to West Sussex archives yesterday then fab curry in Chichester. Today visit to Fishbourne Roman Palace - incredible place - real grapes growing on vines outside. 😳 @deadsleuth.com @balhnews.bsky.social @federationfhs.bsky.social @uoyborthwick.bsky.social

I wrote a 6000 word article on water supply in Regency York the other day. Ladybird books summed it all up in 17 simple lines. Genius!

Our next talk is about the Acomb Lunatic Asylum scandal which inspired ‘The Woman in White’. Wednesday August 6th 7:30 on person or on zoom or on YouTube. See website for membership details. £3 entry fee to cover costs. Usual venue. It’s gonna be amaaazing! @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social

Our very own David Rigby will be telling this story of his ancestor. High stakes on the Knavesmire". A family history story involving: the first lady jockey, high stakes gambling, court cases, imprisonment, infidelity, and death by poisoning. All against the background of Regency York.

Our next talk on Wednesday July 2nd at 7:30!

Our 50th celebration festival of family and local history on Saturday June 28th at Acomb Parish Hall will be opened by our favourite DJ Jonathan Cowap! Loads of societies from across the UK attending too! Great day planned. @federationfhs.bsky.social @ypsyork.bsky.social @balhnews.bsky.social

Ever wondered why many of our ancient churches are still standing? The one you see here (St Crux) has been demolished. Our talk at the Friends Meeting House in New Earswick on Wednesday 4th June will explain it all. See you around 7:30pm! @cecs-york.bsky.social @ypsyork.bsky.social #churchhistory

You will all recall the naval battle of Flamborough Head in 1779 - the only time the Americans tried to invade us during the American War of Independence. John Paul Jones was Scottish by the way! Not even his real name. Countess of Scarborough a leased warship defended our northern shores. #navy

Did you know water used to be supplied to houses and streets in wooden pipes? Elm was the material of choice as it didn’t rot. All the elms have gone now though… @balhnews.bsky.social @cecs-york.bsky.social @ypsyork.bsky.social @snexplores.bsky.social

A beautiful day in a very quiet place. A memorial to the fallen of the Boer War and of all subsequent wars. Selby cemetery.

Looking forward to my first face to face meeting with Yorkshire family history groups as Chairman, at Selby Abbey 10:30 June 21st. Hope you can all attend. Thankyou for arranging it Jen c/o Selby FHS. @doncasterdistfhs.bsky.social www.yorkgroup.org.uk @hdfhs.bsky.social

Fabulous day yesterday in sunny Islington with two amazing presentations by Dr Sophie Kay and Martin McDowell on DNA and genealogy. The Federation is a superb organisation and I would urge all local and family history societies to join or be affiliated. Thankyou Debbie. @federationfhs.bsky.social

One of our members, David Rigby, was a guest on BBC Radio York as part of the VE day commemorations. You can hear him from 10.20 talking about his research into the WW2 veterans in his family. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... @david-rigby.bsky for more information.

Great night - full house for this one but you can catch it on YouTube if you’re a member. Some distant Oglesby relatives in the audience too. @ypsyork.bsky.social @oneplacestudies.bsky.social @onenameonly.bsky.social @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social

Today's #OccupationOfTheDay is…COKE INSPECTOR: At a gas works, a worker who "investigates complaints from customers as to quantity and quality of coke supplied." Dict Occup'l Terms (1927) 📷 Selling Coke at the Gas Works (Tidmarsh, 1893-4) c/o M'cr Art Gallery

Can’t wait for this one. It’s got everything - the big scandal of the 1870s in York. Wednesday May 7th at New Earswick Quaker meeting house 7:30 pm

A few months ago we were celebrating 300 followers. Now we’ve just passed 500 and we’re really grateful! Come and see us at our 50th Anniversary celebration in June. See below. Loads of stalls from loads of Societies with tons of freebies. Free parking too!

Can’t wait for this one. It’s got everything - the big scandal of the 1870s in York. Wednesday May 7th at New Earswick Quaker meeting house 7:30 pm

Big celebration this June for all local and family historians. @federationfhs.bsky.social @uoyborthwick.bsky.social @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social @ypsyork.bsky.social @cecs-york.bsky.social @yorkuniversity.bsky.social

Some lovely feedback from a talk that one of our society members gave recently: "From Stillingfleet WI We had a fantastic speaker at our March meeting. David Rigby @DavidRigby5 If you’d like a talk for your society or group please contact us via our email or direct message.

Does anyone remember Doomwatch?

Check out our latest @yorkfhs.bsky.social article in Local History News. A tale of Regency York and a touch of the gothic with a story of wild beasts roaming the northern moors. Believe it! @cecs-york.bsky.social @ypsyork.bsky.social @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social

Hope you enjoy your copy of The Historian this month. Steve has made a contribution to the debate about the old and new poor laws in his beloved St Maurice’s parish in York, known as the Groves now. @uoyborthwick.bsky.social @cecs-york.bsky.social @ypsyork.bsky.social

Great talk to open our @yorkfhs.bsky.social 2025 season by Sue Gough. ‘My family in print’ fascinating and thorough research! @balhnews.bsky.social @lbflyawayhome.bsky.social @federationfhs.bsky.social @uoyborthwick.bsky.social @yesterdaysprint.bsky.social

Enjoyed my trip out to Selby today to give a talk on the wonders of the 1939 Register at the Town Hall. Had a little wander over to the Abbey afterwards too - beautiful @balh @uoyborthwick.bsky.social #genealogy #selby @familyhistory @findmypast

It's 179 years since John Torrington, stoker on HMS Terror, died on board his ship at Beechey Island in Nunavut. This is the most legible of the three #FranklinExpedition gravemarkers now under the loving care of the Government of Nunavut’s Heritage Collections at Gatineau, QC.

We totally agree Alison

Thanks to the 1,600 people and organisations who responded to the UK Ministry of Justice’s proposals on the retention of wills. Good news: The UK Government has determined not to proceed with any reforms that involve the destruction of original wills Read in full here: www.gov.uk/government/c...

Our Research Room opens on 7th January for the first time in 2025. Just in time for the 1921 census to be available on Ancestry! What will you find? Please book a slot in advance. [email protected]"

Above the clouds at Kilburn White Horse - a beautiful sunny day - grim and foggy below in the Vale of York

My mom and daughter were both delighted with my latest article on researching your family history - well they would be wouldn’t they? 😊

The loss of local landmarks was the biggest regret of Birminghams redevelopment. This pub was demolished

Me and my mate stumbled on this while he was looking to downsize in the countryside of Shropshire. I’m not sure he’s going to move in though. No garage.

Starting to love AI 🤔😊

Thrilled to see the lost map of 1822 York discovered in the Borthwick vaults! This photo shows the wood and iron water pipes layout around St Sampsons Square in red alongside the new Gas pipes in black. Attracted a lot of attention then and now! Fights between rival gas companies ensued.

Shrewsbury Market Hall 1596 #WindowsOnWednesday

Interesting warning to the people of Manchester and Salford the day before Peterloo. 60,000 people declined the recommendation. #peterloo #regency #reform #politics

Sometimes Parish registers give a lot more than you’d expect This parish clerk noted the high winds destroying buildings and plantations in 1778 and 1829 (bottom of the page) @balhnews.bsky.social #parishclerk

Latest edition of Heritage Hunters just published. The real story of the Museum Gardens - great gift for Christmas! Absolutely free. Contact York Family History Society by email if you would like a copy. [email protected]