7 May 2008
Uncover your roots at Guildhall Library
Guildhall Library staff will be encouraging people to use its
extensive free resources to find out more about their family
history during a talk at the Library later this month.
The event, Starting your family history at Guildhall Library,
from 1.00 – 2.00pm on Tuesday 20 May, will show people how they can
use the Library’s wide-ranging collection of records to trace their
roots, and will explain how to use four key sources of information:
civil registration records, census returns, parish registers and
wills.
The talk is aimed at introducing family historians to relevant
sources at Guildhall Library and will concentrate on England
(including the City of London) and Wales. Everyone is welcome,
whether or not they have previously researched their family history
or are absolute beginners to the subject.
The Library’s collection of trade directories is one of the best
in the country and can be used to trace businesses and provide
background history on ancestors’ towns and villages. London livery
company records, school records and fire insurance registers will
also be examined. Those researching British ancestors who
lived abroad may uncover useful information about them in the
Library’s records of Anglican Churches in Europe.
Val Hart, Assistant Librarian at Guildhall Library, says: “The
success of TV programmes, such as “Who do you think you are?”, has
opened people’s eyes to new ways of finding out more about their
ancestors. It can be quite a revelation to discover how
great-great-great-grandparents lived and worked, and we’re hoping
that people will come and find out how we can help them do
that.”
Starting your family history at Guildhall Library is free, but
spaces are strictly limited, so advance booking is essential. Call
020 7332 1863 or 1862 for more information and/or to reserve a
place.
Ends
Notes for editors
The City of London provides local government services for the
Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of Britain, and is
committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the business
City as the world's leading international financial and business
centre through its policies and services. Its responsibilities also
extend far beyond the City boundaries and include management of the
Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, 10,000
acres of open space including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest,
three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port
Health Authority.
Press contact
Andrew Buckingham, Press Officer, City of London, 020 7332 1452
or mob: 07795 333060
Email
andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk