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Volunteer and jobs

April 6, 2026

Life on the Ocean Waves – Mariners

On Monday 13th April at 7-30pm there will be a Bristol Group meeting and talk when Dr Nicholas Dixon will reveal how he reconstructed the careers of two of his ancestors who were merchant sea captains during the 18th century. There will also be advice about tracing maritime ancestors throughout Britain before and after the Merchant Seaman Act of 1835. This is an online meeting for members. To join, please visit our website: bafhs.org.uk/support/join
February 6, 2026

An afternoon with Family Tree Maker

On Wednesday 15th April at 1-30pm, we will be sharing a FREE event with Family Tree Maker when the company will be giving a presentation and hands-on training session of this well known genealogical research product. This is a FREE event and all are welcome. See our Meetings & Events page for full details.
February 2, 2026

Researching and writing the Mourning Brooch Saga

Next Monday, 9th February, there will be a Bristol Group meeting when Jean Renwick will reveal how, after inheriting a mourning brooch from her godmother, she turned her family saga into a story. This is an online meeting for members. To join, please visit our website: bafhs.org.uk/support/join

Where your journey begins...
What will you discover?

Founded in 1975, we are a well established Family History Society focussing our activities on Bath, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (the former county of Avon 1974 to 1996) and its constituent predecessor and successor counties. We are also frequently referred to by our initials - BAFHS. The hub of our activities is our Research Room where enthusiastic volunteers give their time for the benefit of the Society.

What we do:

  • Encourage the public study of family history with reference to the historic county of Avon and its successor counties.
  • Publish a quarterly Members' Magazine (available in digital or paper format).
  • Transcribe and publish source material of interest to family historians.
  • Hold regular in-person and online meetings with a programme of illustrated talks and lectures.
  • Operate a Research Room where advice and resources are freely available.
  • Operate this website which is dedicated to family history.
  • Organise outings to places of interest.

Members:

Members are at the heart of our Society. By becoming a member, you will be joining a like-minded group of people who support our work. There is also the opportunity to become actively involved with a wide range of activities - you'd be surprised what it takes to run a modern family history society. It is quick and convenient to join online.