Preston u3a Family History Group    

Meeting: 4th Wednesday of each month, 2-4pm.

Venue: Northumbria Hall, St Cuthbert's Church centre, Lytham Road, Preston.

Joint Group Leaders: Malcolm Woods (by clicking here) & Andy Luscombe (01772 861062)

Have you ever watched "Who Do You Think You Are?" or similar programmes on TV and wondered about your own family history?

In the Family History group we don't have a team of professional researchers to call on, but we do have friendly and willing "experts" and likeminded devotees who are are always happy to share their experience and provide advice to help your research, and possibly break through the "brick walls" that we all come up against.

Our meetings include regular help sessions, discussions on topics requested by group members, outside speakers and visits to local museums, archives and information centres. 

Why not come and join us? You will be most welcome.

Next meeting:  2pm Wednesday 28 January 

Topic:   Family History Quiz

Our first meeting of 2026 will feature a family history quiz. A light hearted quiz, a bit of fun to start the new year and you might actually learn something useful. Everyone will work in teams, allocated when you arrive, so nobody will be on their own and it's a good way of getting to know other members. The questions will not just be about family history research but family history in its widest sense. So, as in previous quizzes there could also be questions on family sayings, old occupations, memories of growing up as "baby boomers", UK social history etc.

There may be prizes awarded!

We also want to have a discussion about meeting topics and activities for 2026 and use of the Library.

Everyone welcome.

Family History Resources -

Useful Websites (MW)
This is a list of websites I made a few years ago and some members of the group have found it useful. These are websites that I've found particularly useful in my own research. I don't claim the list is up-to-date or complete and the comments are my own opinions.

Previous Topics -

Slides used in previous talks at group meetings (PDF format)

• Back to Basics (how to start research, where to look, tips etc.) (2017)

• Parish Registers (2018)

• Understanding and Using the Census (2018)

• Adoption (2021)

• Disappearing Ancestors - why can't I find them? (2022)

• Emigration (2022)

• Wills & Probate (2020)

• Graveyards & Cemeteries (2021)

• Old occupations

Useful Links -

• Using Lancashire Archives Catalogue  

• Lancs Archives - Church Registers

• Lancs Archives Home Page

Group Library -