Events

"Unpacking The Hold"

Join Bridget Hanley, Senior Archivist at Suffolk Archives who will talk about their new

Archives and Heritage Centre called The Hold on the Ipswich Waterfront.  She will

explore a bit about the concept, architectural and environmental design,

construction and journey to opening. She will discuss the historical interpretation

throughout the building and the hopes to engage more people than ever in

Suffolk’s archival heritage. She will also showcase the types of material

The Hold allows them store, collect and preserve for posterity including some

local Felixstowe examples.

"My Life in International Athletics and the many Personalities Met."

Annual General Meeting.

"Humour and Genealogy"

A native of Hackney, London, Chris studied modern languages at

Nottingham University in the early 1970s, before embarking on a

40-year-career in Banking. Prior to his ‘retirement’, Chris’s interest in family history

was sparked by a request from his father to find his biological parents.

Chris describes genealogy as an all-consuming passion upon which he now spends

most of his waking hours, leaving his wife to joke that she is a ‘genealogy widow’.

Chris is a graduate of the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies,

Canterbury, where he feels privileged to be  a course tutor. He also runs a

family history research and education business (www.chance-encounters.co.uk)

from his home in Suffolk, specialising in East Anglia and Heraldry.

In addition, he is chairman of  the Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group

and promotes the study of family history at every opportunity.

Chris Broom

"The Crystal Palace and The Great 1851 Exhibition."

An illustrated talk telling the amazing story of the building, what was displayed,

and the people who organised the world’s first international exhibition.

"Turbulence to Tranquility, The History of Dunwich Heath."

An illustrated talk about the extraordinary tales of people and events from the

18th Century to today. How the heath has changed. From the days of smuggling

to Coastguards then on to the dramatic events during WW1 and WW2.

The Heath was certainly not always the quiet and peaceful place that it is today.

"Exploring Suffolk by Bus-Pass"

There are few corners of Suffolk (and neighbouring counties) that can't be reached

by bus. Those of us fortunate enough to have our bus-pass can use it to plan expeditions

and days out. This talk, liberally illustrated with Suffolk views, shows how you

can do it.

Pip Wright

"Solving Genealogy Brick Walls using DNA."

This talk uses an example from my own family history where I have progressed a

brickwall using DNA alongside traditional genealogy research. The path to solving

this brickwall had a number of surprises along the way with forgeries, quick

marriages, criminal ancestors and often more questions than answers.

In telling the story, methods and tools for using DNA to break down brickwalls

are provided. A handout will be provided alongside the talk.