I'd love to join an FHS but .... [Archive]

Fidgetsmum

12-05-2008, 11:39 AM

I'm not going to 'name names', but some 4 years ago I went along as a guest to an FHS meeting with a view to joining and, apart from an extremely interesting and informative talk, I can honestly say it was one of the most unpleasant evenings I've spent.

Three people actually managed to speak to me, one was extremely pleasant and welcoming, eager to find out what stage I was at and we quickly established a common interest in a particular location. Of the other two, one completely lost interest when it became apparent that I didn't have certificates or copies of authenticated documents tracing my family back to the Anglo Saxons and the third, after saying hello and a brief conversation, turned to his friend and, as they walked away, said 'Oh great! Another one who doesn't know anything about anything.'

Needless to say when later, the Membership Secretary handed me a form and asked for £15, I graciously declined and haven't had the nerve to go back again.

Please tell me they're not all the same and, is it really worth joining when I won't be able to attend the meetings and thus not have the pleasure of listening to the expert talks?

Ladkyis

12-05-2008, 2:28 PM

In every Family history Society there are members who are there to learn and to share and there are members who have joined for the express purpose of getting everything they can for the least amount of money and then bu******g off to plunder somewhere else.

Fortunately most societies only have a few plunderers. Most members want to learn more about the area their ancestors lived and what those lives were like. These members also want everyone else to share their enthusiasm for family history. I would have written a short note to the secretary of that society explaining why you didn't join. It might have given them a reason why their membership numbers are falling LOL.
It is unfortunate that you had to meet a couple of plunderers - they might also have been the class show offs too, not pretty!
I always recommend that people join the society close to where they live, even if they don't have ancestors in that area because the talks are usually informative and it is always possible to learn something.
Most societies are friendly, just one or two members forget that they were new to the society once upon a time.

Peter_uk_can

12-05-2008, 3:02 PM

A few weeks back I went to Winnipeg's main library and plundered a huge amount of information. Not content with one raid, I later visited the museum and came away with a wealth of free info.

Free to me, but put together at a huge cost by people with slightly more foresight.

No apologies for putting folks noses out of joint but I am fed up of hearing the bleatings of FH Societies.

Anyone interested in our own genealogy, collected over hundred's of hours, maybe thousands and at a cost of which I care little ?

It can been all seen for free at

www.members.shaw.ca/psmail

v.wells

12-05-2008, 3:23 PM

:)Your site is still as fabulous and I was even more amazed in the amount of history and information you have accumulated and is as factual/true as can possibly be. I have seen your site before but this time I went a little deeper. You should be very proud.

v.wells

12-05-2008, 3:33 PM

"Needless to say when later, the Membership Secretary handed me a form and asked for £15, I graciously declined and haven't had the nerve to go back again.

Please tell me they're not all the same and, is it really worth joining when I won't be able to attend the meetings and thus not have the pleasure of listening to the expert talks?"

Fidgetsmum

I would have to join 3 or 4 FHS and as they all want money I can't do it, especially when I am in Canada and would be unable to attend meetings. Yes they need money to operate and it helps generate grants for developing larger things.

There is always a few rude people in every group, but I think the benefits outweigh that if you live close by and will take away new insights into researching should you attend.

And my rule is "if you don't like the way you are treated, don't be a doormat"! Just my opinion.:D

Peter Goodey

12-05-2008, 5:06 PM

I graciously declined

I think you were quite right. If it's not going to be a sociable occasion, what's the point? You can learn from books or online sources what you might pick up from talks. It's just more fun if you're learning with friends.

Fidgetsmum

13-05-2008, 8:45 AM

I'd still like to join one and perhaps I didn't make it clear originally, that it wasn't the fact that there was a membership fee which put me off, of course I'd expected to pay, but I wasn't prepared to pay to join something where (those particular) people were so rude.

As for being a 'plunderer' - I suppose it would be fair to put myself in that category. I've done quite a bit of research but none of it would have been possible without the help of a great army of unseen people. Someone had to compile those millions of index cards, CDs and microfiche, someone has to collate and work in the archives office, the library, transcribe census forms (E and OA!), write the books, maintain the websites and, of course, the people here who so willingly help others. So yes, I guess I've 'plundered' along with the best of them, but surely the more I learn in the course of this plundering the more information I could use to help someone else who's stuck.

The point is, if I joined my local FHS, work commitments would mean I'd only be able to attend meetings occasionally, so I'd be in danger of looking as though I only turned up when it suited me and (as Ladkyis so graphically put it) then b******d orf!

Peter is right, the information is freely available elsewhere and of course it would be more fun to learn with friends - it's just that the FHS I went to was sadly, neither fun nor friendly. Perhaps I'll give it another go after all ... one day.

Sue Mackay

13-05-2008, 9:06 AM

Joining your local society can be good if you have time to go to meetings and/or get involved in the transcription/indexing/checking of records which most societies do (much of this work can be done at home these days).

However, don't forget that most county FH societies have a quarterly journal which contains articles specific to research in that county, and also a Help Wanted section where your query is likely to be read by the very people most qualified to answer it. It is usually the societies with the best journals that hang on to their out of county members. Indeed, if you hit a brick wall, try writing an article about it for the FHS journal, outlining all the avenues you have tried and what your dilemmas are. I did this once in the Essex journal and two years later someone read it in a library in Canada and contacted me with the missing bit of info that got me back to the 17th century!!

Geoffers

13-05-2008, 9:17 AM

However, don't forget that most county FH societies have a quarterly journal which contains articles specific to research in that county, and also a Help Wanted section where your query is likely to be read by the very people most qualified to answer it.

..........and a list of surname interests as well, so you might pick out someone following the same family line. I'm a member of one society, which is 150 miles from where I live - I don't get to meetings, but its magazine is a way of keeping in touch.

Peter Goodey

13-05-2008, 9:23 AM

BeeE586

13-05-2008, 11:33 AM

Almost all of what has been written is true of one Society or another - some good, some bad; some friendly some not and on the whole I think I have been lucky over the thirty odd years that I have been researching in meeting only the friendly sort. I still belong to three and must agree with what has been said about the value of the quarterly journal and the lists of Members' Interests now that I can no longer attend meetings.

From reading posts on the Forum it is obvious that not everything is to be found on the net. BMD's and census OK, but anything earlier you need registers, wills and other documents and very many have been transcribed and published by Societies, and it is often funds from these sales that help to keep the Societies running and continuing with the work that they do.

My suggestion would be to find the websites of societies in your areas of interest and see what they have to offer, then perhaps contact them with brief details of your own findings and see how you go. It may be that you have information that would be valuable to another member. Some do publish lists of members' interests on their sites which could also be useful.

Take the plunge - I don't think you would regret it

Eileen

Ladkyis

13-05-2008, 11:49 AM

The plunderers usually complain about the quality of transcription while they are plundering. They also TUT loudly if the particular records that they want to search haven't yet been transcribed and then mutter darkly that "I suppose I'll have to go to the record office because none of this is on the internet you know!"

people who join to learn more are a different type of researcher. They might not have the time to transcribe but they are always ready to learn and to help others as well.

99% of the people in FH societies are great. They want to learn they want to help and they love to talk to new people just incase they are related.

I have no ancestors where I live but I have been a member of the local society for 15 years now because this is one of the ways I can pay back all the help I have received from all over the world. The other way is to be a part of this forum and try to help a bit on here.

This forum is exactly what an online FH Society should be like.

BeeE586

13-05-2008, 11:55 AM

This forum is exactly what an online FH Society should be like.

Very true.

Eileen

mandychap17@hot

15-05-2008, 12:15 PM

Sue Mackay

15-05-2008, 12:32 PM

I have joined this society but dont know what help I can get from them. Can I request that someone looks up a marriage record at St Gladys Church in Bargoed or information on people who lived there.
Thanks
Mandy

Glamorgan FHS do free lookups for members in their published indexes of parish registers etc, print free requests for help/information in their quarterly journal, and run an internet mailing list for members. Send me a private message if you need more details.

janbooth

15-05-2008, 1:02 PM

My experiences have been totally different to that of yours Fidget. Everywhere we have visited researching our various family histories be it Record Offices, local Family History Societies, Churches, Churchyards and LDS Family History Centres we have been welcomed, helped and (when we were very green and new) pointed in the correct direction!! I'd like to think your experience is definitely the exception rather than the rule, so please don't let it put you off. I have also made many new friends, who are researching the same families as myself, due to Forums and Mailing Lists and let's face it all of us are plunderers to some extent. I hope if you do eventually decide to join a different Society your experience will also be completely different!!

Janet

mandychap17@hot

29-06-2008, 11:29 PM

Thanks very much for your reply. I am trying to find my partners family. His Grandfather was John Gough who married Emily Roberts at St Gladwys in Bargoed in 1912. His father was George James Gough. Apart from the marriage and the address of Park Place Bargoed I cannot find any more info. No birth or death date although the marriage certificate says he was 25 years old in 1912. I wrote to the church but didnt get any reply.
Any help would be very much appreciated

Thanks again
Mandy

Feen

18-07-2008, 8:39 PM

Hello Fidgetsmum, what a pity about the rude unfriendly people... you did say one person was very nice and interesting though..... is it worth speaking to the folks who run this society about your experience, and maybe reconsidering your decision not to join?

I'm very new to family history research and I do hope I don't provoke unfriendly reactions. I've just applied to join the East Ayrshire Family History Society, as that's where the ancestors I'm interested in originated. I'm also keen to see if there are any distant relatives of mine in the area who might have some info... and of course I may have some that would be of interest to them too - if indeed, they turn out to exist AND have an interest in family history!

Does anyone on here have experience of this particular FHS?

Feen

:)

SBSFamilyhistory

18-07-2008, 9:41 PM

ash33au

19-07-2008, 2:41 AM

I was actually given a holiday by our State Library in 1995 after I had the audacity to complain. I found that the old people pushed me out of the way a lot and made comments about me not belonging in the Genie room because I was young (20yo) and had no right to be researching my ancestry. I also found that i would wait at the help desk forever without being served, yet an old person would walk right up, push past me and get served. When I left a complaint notice in the suggestion box, I got an abusive phone call and a 3 month holiday. That was back in the microfiche days and it was a small little room.

Now it's much bigger and a lot more accessible. I've found the staff there are great - particulalrly the male staff who go out of their way to help me. I've also found 50/50 spread of friendly helpful researchers and those who still don't think I belong there - especially as I almost always take my 2yo son in his pram. Someone actually made the comment that he shouldn't be there to which I replied "It's his family I'm researching..." which actually hit the spot because a few other fellows congratulated me on taking an interest in my family history and for standing my ground.

The PRO is also a favourite place of mine these days. The staff are excellent and help out no matter what. One lady offered to show me some easier ways to do broader searches and offered to go through a microfilm for me whilst I was looking at the computer.

HOWEVER the best place I have found in all my years of researching is this very forum :D
Christine, Doug and Michael are always quick to help out - particularly Christine who has nearly all the answers that I'm looking for.

Chisel

28-07-2008, 6:14 AM

ash33au, at the risk of getting told off.....I would hope that if you take a child into a research area it is quiet.
Researching and thinking is hard enough with the general background noise without being disturbed by a child that is bored or fellow researchers chatting about their weekend.
We are tolerent of our own children but not others. Perhaps you need to look from their perspective.
Yes I am a parent and hopefully always considered others right to enjoy the enviroment eg. restaurants cafe's etc.
I also go out of my way to help others, young or old.

ash33au

28-07-2008, 8:26 AM

He's surprisingly quiet Chisel. Has been going to the library with me all his life and knows what to do

Chisel

28-07-2008, 9:35 AM

Then nobody has anything to complain about :D
I'll also add then we have all been newbies at some stage so tolerance to those starting out is a given

ash33au

28-07-2008, 11:36 AM

I actually had a good time there today in between the crashing and freezing computers, had some good conversations with fellow researchers.

duke eddie

27-07-2009, 5:37 AM

I am from the states, and I have had a very hard time getting someone to help me with my research also from a FHS. Once they heard that I was tring to go by a family story, and that I was tring to find out how to go about finding the things needed to prove or disprove the story, and they all of a sudden was not interested in helping, or would refer me to someone else. I am on a limited budget and obviously I am not in the uk, and would need help getting the documentation that I need.

I have ran into the same thing in the states also. They will take down your information then call a few days later and say that they were not able to find anything, or they would say that it was something that I would have to hire a researcher for. Lazy just plain lazy, these people are.

Does anyone know any good ones out there that will help, I would really be greatful for the tips. Thank you

aland

27-07-2009, 6:03 AM

Welcome to the forum duke eddie, why not try posting the names and areas of research on the relevant boards, there are plenty of knowledgeable people and all levels of experience here, good luck.

Aland

NFurniss

21-08-2009, 11:56 PM

You can get involved in transcription without joining an FHS. For example FreeBMD, FreeReg, FreeCen and have the added warm glow of knowing that the fruits of your labours are going to be made available totally free of charge.

I had better not raise the attitude of certain FHS towards thse sorts of projects.

OK! I shall. And I aim my remarks not just at one FHS but at the grand daddy of them all.

I did several thousand transcriptions for the Berkshire Society thinking that the results would be freely available at no cost. Imagine my surprise when at the end of the project, I was charged £5 for vouchers to have a three day slot to look up at most ten pages of the stuff I had transposed gratis. I have not renewed my subscription to any of the four societies I was earlier supporting. Societies should not be run as commercial enterprises. That also applies to other charities. The salaried staff take them over and feather their own nests.

Jade26

22-08-2009, 1:17 AM

.......Now it's much bigger and a lot more accessible. I've found the staff there are great - particulalrly the male staff who go out of their way to help me. I've also found 50/50 spread of friendly helpful researchers and those who still don't think I belong there - especially as I almost always take my 2yo son in his pram. Someone actually made the comment that he shouldn't be there to which I replied "It's his family I'm researching..." which actually hit the spot because a few other fellows congratulated me on taking an interest in my family history and for standing my ground.....

Ash, I've only been to our State Library genealogical section once and that was about two years ago. When I arrived there was only one rather curt staff member on duty who disappeared immediately after showing me to a computer that wasn't working.

I waited at the help desk for over half an hour, but it remained unattended, so I ended up wandering around until I found the microfiche drawers and a vacant reader. The moment I opened one of the drawers and started searching for a particular fiche an old fellow (about my age) obviously wanting to access the same drawer came up and stood behind me tut-tutting and tapping his foot.

Considering I had driven over three hundred kilometres just to visit the State Library it was a very disappointing and intimidating experience. I have now given myself a permanent voluntary holiday from that particular venue.

As for some of us oldies frowning upon young people researching their family history, what on earth makes them tick? We should be encouraging not discouraging the young 'uns. Keep on taking your two year old son with you. Three of my grand sons aged 11 and 9 are keenly interested in their family history and that's because I have been talking to them about it since they were toddlers.

Trish.

Jade26

22-08-2009, 1:57 AM

... Please tell me they're not all the same and, is it really worth joining when I won't be able to attend the meetings and thus not have the pleasure of listening to the expert talks?

No Fidgetsmum they are not all the same, but in my experience some of them, especially in the smaller towns, are a bit of a "closed shop" with the same old members attending for years and very little new blood coming in.

Many years ago when I was just starting out, I decided to join the local FHS. The few members I managed to strike up a conversation with were not interested as soon as they realised that I was a newcomer to town with no family roots in the area. I stuck it out for a few more months until I realised that I had nothing of interest to offer them, nor they for me.

Soon after that I became a member of the State Family History Society in our capital city. Because I live over 300 kilometres away, I couldn't attend meetings but every now and then I was able to make the drive to use their very extensive library. Every quarter I received their magazine which was packed full of hints, wonderful articles by experts and members queries. It was through one of these queries that I got my first viable lead on my father's family in Scotland.

So yes it is worth joining a FHS. However nowadays this forum is my FHS. The members are friendly and I have never posted a query that has not had a response. I don't have to travel long distances anymore and there is such a wealth of knowledge amongst the forum members that I can get answers on almost any subject, and the "Funny Side of Life" usually provides me with a good laugh to start each day.

Cheers - Trish|biggrin|

MarkJ

22-08-2009, 2:08 AM

OK! I shall. And I aim my remarks not just at one FHS but at the grand daddy of them all.

I did several thousand transcriptions for the Berkshire Society thinking that the results would be freely available at no cost. Imagine my surprise when at the end of the project, I was charged £5 for vouchers to have a three day slot to look up at most ten pages of the stuff I had transposed gratis. I have not renewed my subscription to any of the four societies I was earlier supporting. Societies should not be run as commercial enterprises. That also applies to other charities. The salaried staff take them over and feather their own nests.

Were these transcriptions from something of yours, or using something provided by the FHS in question?
If your own stuff, why not simply place them online yourself?

Like you, I have had issues with a FHS becoming a commercial outfit. Some stuff I donated was still held by a FHS when they decided to sign up with a commercial outfit - but we were given the option to remove our data if we disagreed - and I did.
I now place all transcriptions I make under a Creative Commons licence. I specifically choose to use a licence which permits free use as long as it is non-commercial and ideally, anyone using the transcripts is supposed to acknowledge where they got it from. This prevents anyone from profiting from the transcripts - i.e they can't be added to a cd for example without my express permission (and nobody has asked as yet - and it is unlikely I would give permission for commercial use).

Mark

NFurniss

22-08-2009, 8:46 AM

Were these transcriptions from something of yours, or using something provided by the FHS in question?

I now place all transcriptions I make under a Creative Commons licence.
Mark

Thanks Mark. They material was neither mine nor the society's. I twas owned by the ONS.
Census Material.

I did much the same when I volunteered to do some transcribing for Leicestershire. They refused to accept the copyright condition, telling me that they had not come across anyone who was so mean as to suggest that the copyright should not be assigned to the honourable society. Here again the copyright owner of the original material was the ONS. I returned the material they had sent me at my own expense.

There is no need these days for photocopying, and postal costs. A digital camera, and an e-mail attachment puts image material very quickly into the hands of a transcriber. But that transcriber owns the transcription copyright and should not sign her rights away. The society is getting far more benefit for its members than the transcriber is for herself.
ps. When I say herself I really mean himself.

raineshoe

03-09-2009, 7:40 PM

Have to say I've just seen this and some years ago went along to my local family history society with a view to joining, I was in my 20's at the time, to be told by one member

"oh I don't think we will have anything of interest for you".

Now how was he to know what I was interested in or otherwise??? As it happens I have always had an interest in social history and family history.

I decided to stick the evening out, but didn't find the group particularly friendly so needless to say never went back and haven't bothered since with the FHS. Once was enough|banghead|

I have to say though found this board very informative and helpful and although now in my 40's notice there are younger members on here who appear to be treated equally - keep up the good work :D

As for the FHS well enough said |snore|

Nicolina

03-09-2009, 9:24 PM

I've only ever belonged to one FHS and it wasn't a huge success. Once they'd got my money the friendliness disappeared. Needless to say I never re-newed my membership.
One think you could do is check with your local Library or Council, to see is they run any courses etc. Or just let B-G Forums help, there are loads of knowledgeable on here. (and it's free)

benny1982

03-09-2009, 9:39 PM

I am a member of the Sussex FHS. They have a good collection of parish registers although I am still awaiting the release of the main parish where my ancestors lived. |banghead|

Jan1954

03-09-2009, 9:47 PM

The thing with Family History Societies is that you can belong even if you are not local. As Ben has said, he belongs to the Sussex FHS, although he lives in Norfolk.

I belong to the Cambridgeshire FHS (http://www.parishchest.com/shop/index.php?cmd=listlinkeditems&cat=D2149&breadcrumb=Societies+%26+Groups:Cambridgeshire+FHS ) and, although I have yet to attend a meeting, I have found their publications to be excellent and their resources invaluable. However, I also bump into them at the Family History Fairs (http://www.parishchest.com/shop/events.php) that I attend with Parish Chest and Brit-Gen. :D

raineshoe

04-09-2009, 12:26 PM

I doubt I will ever attempt to join one again and I think there are other ways of getting the information just as well through other means. Other areas of family history I have found people and staff in record offices most helpful and nice.

Its a shame that there seems to be quite a bit of unhappiness regarding the friendliness of FHS members etc which has put people off. The FHS need people to exist and to transcribe stuff etc. If they keep alienating the public they will fall by the wayside and any good work will be undone.

Jane Gee

04-09-2009, 6:49 PM

I have always joined the local FHS for the areas of interest 7 in all I even have managed a couple of AGMs but have never attended monthly meetings for any of them where my ancestors came from I once went to an agm where there was a point of order that went on and on and on until someone managed to save us all and we managed to move on. I have never been to another AGM since!
Many of these societies wouldnt exist without the dedication/time and effort of individuals who do this unpaid. I have read many times that people helping to run these societies do so at the detriment of their own research.
Dont forget besides the fhs always check out what local history societies there are, these can be goldmines of information and I have had some great help and advice over the years.
Perhaps the expression "theres nowt so queer as folk" applied to that particular night and it wasnt a true representation of the society.
Best Wishes
Jane

kathmcg

18-09-2009, 8:59 PM

v.wells

18-09-2009, 9:34 PM

I joined the FHS in Sussex, where one side of my family are from. I don't live in the area but it seemed the most sensible one to join. They have a quarterly mag which I have contributed to, and a good website, and volunteers who'll transcribe wills for you etc. If you've had a bad experience in one FHS I'd consider contacting another, in an area your family are associated with.

Very good idea kathmcg :) I need to email the contact here in Alberta for the Kent FHS - hopefully I can order CD's from her rather than wait on UK or I'll be charged more for the privilege.

Jan1954

18-09-2009, 9:38 PM

I need to email the contact here in Alberta for the Kent FHS - hopefully I can order CD's from her rather than wait on UK or I'll be charged more for the privilege. |scold| Kent FHS CDs are available from Parish Chest (http://www.parishchest.com/shop/index.php?cmd=listlinkeditems&cat=D4487&breadcrumb=Societies+%26+Groups:Kent+FHS). ;)

v.wells

18-09-2009, 9:42 PM

|scold| Kent FHS CDs are available from Parish Chest (http://www.parishchest.com/shop/index.php?cmd=listlinkeditems&cat=D4487&breadcrumb=Societies+%26+Groups:Kent+FHS). ;)

I know, but I will still have to get a membership to access all the stuff they have on the site. I am after the Hadlow cemetery records - all that are buried there and the NBI is too expensive and I don't think covers Hadlow.

Diamond

22-09-2009, 7:47 PM

I used to teach at the Primary School in Hadlow, I live about 6 miles away, want me to go there for you and photograph a headstone? Ruth

v.wells

22-09-2009, 9:28 PM

I used to teach at the Primary School in Hadlow, I live about 6 miles away, want me to go there for you and photograph a headstone? Ruth

That would be lovely but I don't know where they are located since Hadlow council/cemetery office is very good at not responding to my inquiry or courteous enough to direct me to who would help. I know where my grandmother is buried but there is no stone. The only way I got a reply to my first inquiry was to resend it to the main council fellow. The surname I am interested is Wells and the lady did say there were a few there at Hadlow Cemetery. I suppose I shall have to email again and inquire. Thanks Ruth :)

James Corps

07-11-2009, 4:03 PM

I suppose people speak as they find re subject of FHS.

I am new to family research and have met some charming people. Thus encouraged I attended the Gateshead Fair and joined the Cleveland Society then and there. I had intended to join after Christmas when I would have more time for meetings and maybe making a contribution other than just membership fee. I was not expecting anything until I had put in an appearance, so imagine my delight when an envelope containg future programme plus past journals arrived. They were very interesting and has given me more of an insight to the workings of an FHS. |wave|

benny1982

08-11-2009, 8:07 PM

Hi

As I said, the Sussex FHG is brilliant. It has many records for the county although I am still awaiting the transcription of the Slaugham ones. |soapbox|

But I have bought several CD roms of other villages where my Sussex ancestors lived. For anyone with Sussex ancestors who hasn't joined the Sussex FHG I would reccommend it.

Ben

Ditch

01-01-2010, 10:59 PM

Hmm. What to say? This whole Board has been catching my eye for ages now. Having finally popped in here, I didn't know which Thread I might respond to. Indeed, reading through even just a couple of them has taken some time.

I'm a bit of a Serial Joiner of FHS's myself. And, with that, I almost typed " Have I never learned yet? " But, thinking about it, that would be an at least partially untrue thing to say. Or would give a partially wrong impression.

See; I reckon it's more ~ or as much ~ me that's at fault here. I suspect I'm going about things a bit wrong in the first place.

What I do; I join a FHS for a county where I have a history of dead rellies. In this case then I'll actually fess up and name names, just to give a better example. The Pond's of Dorset. With them in mind, I joined the Dorset FHS.

I seem to recall they have a way where by one can submit ones pedigree's. There are quite a few Pond Pedigrees held by them. Now it all starts to fall apart: Do they charge for a look at others Ped's? Dunno. Honestly can't remember. But, I'm sure some nominal charge is in order. They have to send this stuff out to us.

But, I never got round to testing that water. Too busy. And that's how come I never have got round to sending them my own Pond stuff. Just too busy. Even busy adding new stuff to my Ponds ~ which will surely make my stuff more valuable to others ..... When / if I ever get round to dotting and crossing and sending it in. Maybe when I'm a little less busy |banghead|

And so, with my collating and presenting that Magnum Opus Pondii on a back burner, off I go and join that other society, covering elsewhere, where another load of my lot sprung from. And I get their Journals. And I sort of 'promise' myself I'll actually read one more thoroughly, one day. And they gather dust. Then they get filed. And I join another damn FHS .....:o

Frankly? The net result of all this joining has really been about Zero, for me. But, I feel very uneasy about having a pop at any of them. The irony is that I'm just too busy, working away myself here, to even sit down and try to absorb what sterling services these outfits may be able to offer me.

But, again; As a brand new member, I always feel I Daren't ask if anyone could check something out in the local records for me. They'd think I was a scrounger; Just joined up and looking for favours |blush|

Dunno. I just don't know!

Pam Downes

01-01-2010, 11:43 PM

Frankly? The net result of all this joining has really been about Zero, for me. But, I feel very uneasy about having a pop at any of them. The irony is that I'm just too busy, working away myself here, to even sit down and try to absorb what sterling services these outfits may be able to offer me.
Hi Ditch,
Yes, it's really not the fault of the FHS if you don't make time to find out what research help they could give you. :)
I know Norfolk FHS offer 6 free look-ups per year. Lincolnshire FHS ask for a nominal amount which basically covers the cost of printing and postage, but you can ask for any number of look-ups.
You should also check out the publications of the FHS. Their indexes can save you many hours of research. :)

But, again; As a brand new member, I always feel I Daren't ask if anyone could check something out in the local records for me. They'd think I was a scrounger; Just joined up and looking for favours |blush|

Dunno. I just don't know!
It's highly unlikely the local FHS will check out records in the Record Office for you. Though (if they offer the facility) they will check their own indexes and records they hold. For a nominal fee you should then be able to ask the Records Office to send you a copy of, say, a baptism entry in a parish register, as you will know all the details of the entry.
Pam

v.wells

01-01-2010, 11:45 PM

Ditch - ask your questions - we all scrounge for help sometimes and that is what we are here for. We all share here and freely too! |hug|

Pam Downes

02-01-2010, 1:01 AM

But, again; As a brand new member, I always feel I Daren't ask if anyone could check something out in the local records for me. They'd think I was a scrounger; Just joined up and looking for favours |blush|

Dunno. I just don't know!

Sorry, Ditch, I read that as relating to asking a FHS to check items at the Record Office. |doh||dunce2| and |oopsredfa

But I think Vanessa got it right when she assumed that you meant asking BG members for look-ups. Don't be afraid to ask.
And as you live in Eire, you could perhaps repay any favours by doing look-ups in your local area. :)
Pam

delphine

16-01-2010, 11:49 AM

Just to add to the debate. I'm in Devon with no Devon ancestors. I joined the local FHS on the recommendation of the late Don Steele who was teaching at an evening class on FH. What this gives me is access to their Resource Centre & library, which used to be invaluable for GRO fiche before they were on line and now has computer access. Volunteers at the Centre are also very helpful. I go to meetings, but do not expect to chat - I go to hear speakers.
For my own ancestors, I belong to East of London, where my interests are on their website, and, after publishing something in their Journal, I had helpful contacts; London Westminster & N Mid, whose journal deals exceptionally well with enquiries; Fife - which is very serious & dry! - but whence I have had helpful Members Interest contacts; Buckinghamshire which has a wonderful system of lending out deposited material to members by post and will produce transcripts of e.g. all instances of a given name in a set of PRs for a nominal charge. However I resigned from Suffolk (cutting off nose to spite face) as I objected to a comment in their Journal re civil partnerships. Different societies, different experiences - ask yourself if your expectations match what they say they provide? And bear in mind that the officers give their time (in UK at least). Some FHSs are quite small with many members living outside their area. Rant stops!

Ms Tarfgi

27-01-2010, 4:10 PM

I belong to two FHS. I once went to a meeting at the local branch of the local society (easy to work out which!) and not one person spoke more than a sentence or two to me, despite my best efforts! I'm an averagely sociable sort of person, but there were obviously several cliques where people just carried on with last meeting's conversations and didn't want to bother with a new member! I did find the talk interesting but never went to another meeting.

However I still think it well worth continuing my membership, as staff at that society's resource centre are very helpful and the journals of both societies are very interesting and usually a good read even if they have not been of direct relevance to my searches. Researchers have answered queries that I've had published, having obviously gone to quite a lot of trouble on my behalf.

On balance well worth the annual subs.

Flossy

04-02-2010, 11:14 PM

My experience has been similar to Ms Targi - I've joined and attended a few meetings of my local FHS where most of my ancestors lived and also been met with stony silence. The few committee people I met have been welcoming but were obviously busy and needed to be elsewhere; members who knew eachother were not interested in welcoming an outsider. It is a very large group so I thought I might make some headway but after a few visits I gave up & don't go to meetings anymore. I still value the quarterly magazine & have found lots of interest in there, so will continue with my membership. I guess part of the problem is that I was alone - somebody else with you might help to ease the integration, I don't know.

delphine

07-02-2010, 11:45 AM

I really am intrigued to know what people want/expect from FHS Group Meetings. I go alone, and rarely speak to anyone - though if I volunteered for the tea rota/washing up I guess I might engage with more people. If there's an evening class in your area, you may meet people and discuss issues, but Family History is essentially a solitary, slightly obsessive occupation, often undertaken by very shy people. My local FHS runs helpdesks at Devon Record Office, which are another source of friendly assistance, and has groups working on projects - I've often found, as an incomer to this area, that volunteering gets one 'in' (ex-playgroup sec, ex-PTA sec, ex-League of Friends sec etc.).
Years ago when groups went out to record MIs together they may have become friends, but there are few such now, most projects being computer-based. I'm rambling again!

Ms Tarfgi

07-02-2010, 12:18 PM

I Family History is essentially a solitary, slightly obsessive occupation, often undertaken by very shy people.!

I agree that one's research is a solitary occupation, unless you're lucky enough to have found a relative who is researching the same ancestors as you, but as I mentioned above, the other members who were at the meeting I attended were far from shy, chatting so animatedly amongst themselves that they didn't have time to talk to this newcomer |sad1|. In fact I noted that some meetings didn't have a speaker, they were just for socialising with like-minded people! I assume they didn't just sit around looking at the floor |biggrin|

Koops

07-02-2010, 2:41 PM

ozwendy

14-02-2012, 11:52 PM

Hi
I live in Australia, but was born in England, so all my family history is there. Is there any point in me joining a society? I have seen that some have online databases, would I be able to access these? My main thought was that I plan to travel to England next year and could possibly visit the society then, but if you belong to one are they affiliated, thus giving you access to others or to a central database. Would it be worth joining?

Pam Downes

15-02-2012, 3:00 AM

There can be advantages to joining an FHS, especially if they have online databases which are only accessible by members.
I belong to two FHS and they both issue a magazine four times a year. In each magazine issue they list 'member's interests' and I expect all the FHS do a similar thing so you could (like me!) suddenly find yourself a new cousin or two. :smile5:

However any FHS publication, e.g. a marriage index, can be bought by any member of the public, and can be very cost-effective in terms of time saved. They can also save you money, e.g. if there are no marriages for a John Smith in parish xyz, then you know that you don't have to order in that parish PR at the LDS FHC.

I know of one FHS that is affiliated to a couple of smaller more local Societies, but not to the extent that their databases are merged.
A lot of your research can actually be done in Australia (even to searching PRs if you visit your local LDS Family History Centre), and I would suggest that you do as much of the 'basic' stuff first so that when you come to England you can visit the county Record Office/Archives (who are not the same as a FHS) and look for the more obscure documents.

Pam

Ladkyis

15-02-2012, 9:12 AM

FHsocieties have the advantage of local knowledge. Not just parish registers but the local villages and the street names in the towns. They will usually have a few local members who know lots of local history and can tell you why your ancestors moved to that place or even why they moved away from a place.
It is well worth joining because, as Pam says you get the journal 3 or 4 times a year that has articles about local places and people and those essential members interests. The Journal will also tell you the addresses to write to for the various services the society provides to its members and a brief description of those services. If you let them know in advance that you will be visiting I am sure they will try to ensure you meet some of the members.
There is a Federation of Family History Societies but each society is separate and membership of one society does not entitle you to membership of all. take a look at the Federation website at
www.
ffhs.co.uk
everything you need to know about FH societies in the UK

Peter Goodey

15-02-2012, 9:36 AM

Would it be worth joining?

Probably not but assess what you need and how you can get hold of it. Don't sign up for anything unless you're sure what you can get out of it.

MalcolmAusten

15-02-2012, 11:04 AM

There is a Federation of Family History Societies but each society is separate and membership of one society does not entitle you to membership of all. take a look at the Federation website at
www.
ffhs.co.uk
everything you need to know about FH societies in the UK
Please note the FFHS web site is
www.
ffhs.org.uk - the .co.uk site is that of the FFHS Services Co which handles commercial project, sales, that cannot (for technical/legal reasons) be handled by the charity.

= Malcolm =