This is a sub-group of the Hebden Bridge Local History Society and was formed in 2008 because of the growing number of members who are undertaking their own research.

At about the same time, Calderdale Family History Society suggested the possibility of an upper valley group and they have been involved in our initial formation.

The aim of the group is to promote and assist the study of genealogy and family history, the prime interest being the study of people and where they live. We hope to do this by offering members an opportunity to meet like-minded people locally and to share their interests, resources and experience.

The group is still in its early stages and I am hoping that its role and format will evolve as we find out what our members want from it. We now have about 30 members and new enquiries are arriving daily. It is certainly a promising start. Membership is included in the History Society Membership, which is currently £12 a year.

Nearly half the enquiries have been from people who wish to begin their research and so our first meetings have been a series of workshops for beginners. These have proved very popular. These monthly sessions are currently held on Thursday and Saturday afternoons. The Saturday afternoon sessions are now an open event for any members to pop in. More experienced members are always needed at these sessions to help the beginners or you are welcome to come to discuss your own research with others.

Sessions are held in the Local History Society Archive Room at the Birchcliffe Centre. (Please come to the side door on Saturdays.)  We have access to computers and hope soon to have membership of Ancestry.com for members to use.

Calderdale Family History Society have a research room which is presently at Brighouse Library. Membership of that society is needed to use the room.

We are now hoping to introduce some evening meetings for a get together when members can gather information and have a chance to discuss their own research. Future activities could include workshops highlighting research method, talks by visiting speakers, visits to archive centres and places of interest and eventually we hope to undertake some local history research projects.

We are compiling a Member’s Interests list which, when published, will enable all to cross reference for family names.

We look forward to meeting you at some of our events. If you would like any information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards
Barbara Atack
ataxjb@btinternet.com