Berkshire Family History Society

Berkshire Family History Society’s Centre for Heritage and Family History provides one of Reading’s and Berkshire’s best facilities for family and local history research — whether you are searching nationally — or just in Berkshire.

The Centre is open to everyone, free to use and there is free access to online resources.
These include Ancestry (worldwide), Findmypast, the British Newspaper Archive and the Genealogist. Seven networked PCs also provide access to more than 100 pre-loaded datasets, with millions of indexed entries from Berkshire, other parts of the UK, and overseas.

There is also a library containing nearly 5,000 items — a mix of books, CDs and fiche. You can browse or search the library catalogue via the society’s website.

Afternoon Talks and Workshops are frequently hosted at the centre plus there are monthly evening meetings at six branches around the old county of Berkshire – Windsor, Newbury, Abingdon, Woodley, Bracknell and Reading, See website for more information.

The Centre is usually open on Tuesdays 10.30-16.00 and 6.45-9.00, on Wednesdays 10.30-4.00, Thursdays 10.30-4.00 (only last Thursday of the month at the moment) and on Saturdays 10.30-4.00

The Centre is run by volunteers who can offer informed help and advice with your research when needed.

The Centre also hosts a friendly discussion group on the first Tuesday evening each month, from 6.45-9.00, to explore various family history topics and to enjoy tea/coffee and cake.

You will find the Centre on the 2nd Floor of Reading Central Library: address Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ which is in the centre  of town. A couple of streets from the train station and on the route of many local buses

updated 22 May 2018 

This archive entry was last updated on 08/07/2019. Information incorrect or out-of-date?
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