Dorset Family History Events
Introduction
The Society holds a least two meetings in most months. These are the Monthly Meetings and the Computer Group.
Event details are shown on the Calendar. Changes and special events are also included on the Current News page.
We attend Fairs organised by other Family History Societies or local community events.
Coach trips from the local area, to the National Archives at Kew can be booked via Laguna Travel. See our coach trips page for other trips of interest to family historians.
See our Education pages for information about workshop activities.
View our Terms and Conditions for paid events.
Monthly Meetings
Meetings, featuring expert speakers, are held on the third Tuesday of each month (not August or December) either in person or on Zoom. In some months we may offer an additional Zoom meeting with a guest speaker. Non-Members are welcome to attend.
In person meetings are held at our research centre Treetops, Suite 5, Stanley House, 3 Fleets Lane, Poole, BH15 3AJ.
Starting at 7.30 pm (unless otherwise stated). Doors open at 7.00 pm.
Admission (including refreshments): £3.00 payable at the door. Booking in advance is not necessary.
See the Calendar for the programme of planned meetings.
Some meetings are held online on Zoom, which means we can welcome people who are not local to the Poole area. Society Members who have consented to receive information by e-mail will find a meeting invitation link, and how to pay the £3 admission, in the E-News sent around the end of the month. A copy E-News is also available in the Password Protected Members’ Area.
Those who do not receive E-News, or who are not Society Members, are welcome to join zoom meetings and should Contact Us (select Liaison in the dropdown list) to request an invitation link at least 6 hours before the meeting.
Unfortunately, we are unable to share face to face meetings held at Treetops on Zoom.
Directions to Treetops can be found on our homepage (Treetops Centre). Limited parking on site is permitted for evening meetings only. Car park users should be aware that CCTV is in operation and fire exists must be kept clear. Blue badge holders (only) should contact us prior to the meeting to request reservation of a space.
Computer Group
Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month (except January and August) on Zoom.
We are a group who meet once a month with the aims of:
- Helping each other with problems – members/non-members, beginners or experts
- Sharing information on any aspect of computer based genealogy
If you are interested, please join us
See the Calendar for details of the next meeting.
There is a small charge of £3 per person for each meeting, which can be made via our shop. Society Members who have consented to receive information by e-mail will find a meeting invitation link, and how to pay the £3 admission, in the monthly E-News sent around the end of the month. A copy of E-News is also available in the Password Protected Members’ Area.
Those who do not receive E-News, or who are not Society Members should Contact Us (select Liaison from the dropdown list) to request an invitation link at least 6 hours before the meeting is due to start.
We are always looking for subject ideas for discussion. Please contact Liaison (as above) with your ideas.
Coach Trips
Trip to Highgate Cemetery
Laguna Travel offer a day trip to Highgate Cemetery, which several of our local members have told us would be of interest to them. You will have some free time in Highgate Village for lunch. Then head over to the cemetery for a guided walk around this iconic burial ground famed for its Victorian architecture and for being the final resting place for notable figures including Karl Marx, George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans), George Michael, Douglas Adams, Malcolm McLaren, Patrick Caulfield, Christina Rossetti, Lucian Freud, and Alexander Litvinenko, among many others. See the Laguna website for the next planned date and more information. Book direct with them. Bookings will be subject to Laguna’s terms and conditions.
The National Archives – Kew
Family Historians who are interested in making a trip to The National Archives can book direct with local travel company Laguna Travel.
Laguna visits Kew Gardens on a fairly regular basis and have agreed with Dorset FHS that they will make a drop off at TNA for those who wish to visit the archives. Bookings can be made direct with Laguna by telephone (01202 767022) quoting “Treetops” and requesting a DNA drop off.
Pick up points are Poole Lighthouse, Parkstone St John’s, John Lewis Branksome, Westbourne and Bournemouth bus station. All bookings are made directly with Laguna and you will be subject to Laguna’s terms and conditions.
Coach transport only cost is £22 (correct as at March 2025) . Planned dates can be found on the Laguna website
Visits to the National Archives (TNA)
We would recommend that you refer to TNA’s website, search their catalogue and plan your research needs BEFORE visiting.
NB Reader ticket requirements
Although TNA allow access to filmed or fiched documents and use of computers without a reader’s ticket, a reader’s ticket is always required to look at original documents/access the Documents Reading Room.
To get a readers ticket, take two forms of identity with you – one with your address and one with your signature. Originals only – copies are not accepted.
NB – The British Library & the London Metropolitan Archives also require readers’ tickets, should you visit there anytime.
Trips to other record offices: Some people have asked about trips to nearby record offices. As there would not be enough demand to arrange a trip, we are happy to put people in touch with each other, to make their own personal arrangements. Select Coach Trips on the form at Contact Us
Fairs and Community Events
Dorset FHS is often invited to attend other Family History Society, local community events, or at family history drop in sessions at local Libraries. Details can be found on the Calendar, or News. We also feature our attendance on our Facebook and X posts.
Helpers at events are always welcome, either living locally to the event or willing to travel with the lead DFHS volunteer. If you can help, please use ‘Enquiries’ on the Contact Us page. Experience is not important as there is always guidance on hand. Time is given for helpers to visit other stalls, which are always of interest.
A full list of UK Family History Fairs, events and activities can be found on the online calendar of GENEVA (GENealogical EVents and Activities) which is run on behalf of GENUKI and the Family History Federation.
Please check dates prior to visits in case of change.
Family History Day – South West Really Useful Family History Show
We are very excited to announce that we will be hosting a Really Useful Family History Show in 2027. Visit the event on our calendar regularly – we will update the details as they are confirmed. Save the Date 24 April 2027.
FREE ENTRY • FREE ADVICE • ALL WELCOME
A full day dedicated to exploring YOUR family history, discovering new resources, and meeting experts from across the region.
