Recently, in Nightingale Lane, South West London a family history workshop that provided something for everyone, from beginners to the more experienced was run. It taught how to begin your family history journey and how to use the resources that are available.
Presentations were given by Brother and Sister Curley, Sister Sharon Tomlin and Sister Christine Reid from the London FamilySearch Centre, currently located at the National Archives, Kew, London.
Two ancestry sites were used during the workshop, FamilySearch, and Geneanet.
One participant, Brother Nathan Gauge-Klein, had been searching for a German ancestor who had moved to England in the 19th century for a while and it was becoming a frustrating task to find him. However, through the workshop, it helped him email a connection in Germany and he then gladly received information that led him further to discover his German ancestors.
For those exploring their African/Caribbean ancestry or connections to the Caribbean, Sister Sharon Tomlin began her presentation with a very interesting, historical overview of the inhabitants of some of the Caribbean Islands. She then highlighted additional sources to FamilySearch from which important records can be found. This was also a practical session benefiting others, including, Sister Christina Chan.
Sister Chan found details of her husband on the passenger list of the ship on which he travelled to England, including a photograph of the ship. This is something she will be able to add to her family tree. I think it is fair to say everyone was excited to see this especially as it showed what can be achieved with patience and perseverance.
The organisers, Karen Adams, Sophia Alexis and Helen Mohammed, did a tremendous job in organising the event.