Herefordshire Genealogy

29/04/2026

Did you know that you don't have to have Herefordshire roots to discover your family history at Herefordshire archives?

We have free access to Ancestry and Findmypast to help start the journey into your history. We also provide one to one Family History advice sessions with a qualified genealogist.

We ae open 10am - 4pm Tuesday to Friday and the 2nd Saturday of every month.

To reserve a computer or to find out more please email archives@herefordshire.gov.uk

29/04/2026

Did you know that the England and Wales Census was usually taken on a Sunday night as it was thought that most people would be at their home then?

From 1861 until 1911, the Census was always taken in April. While originally planned for 24 April 1921, the 1921 census was postponed until June due to industrial unrest and coal strikes. This means that the person you are searching for may be away on holiday on Census night.

To find out more about the England and Wales Census, why not come to our workshop on 18th May at 11am.

The cost is £5 and booking is essential by emailing archives@herefordshire.gov.uk

18/04/2026

Come and hear me talk on 16th May at 11.30am in the Oak room of Hereford Town Hall.

There will be tales of drunkenness, unmarried s*x and the delights of fortune telling horses and talking pigs alongside a look at how the fairs worked and why they went into decline.

The first talk on Hereford History Day on the 16th of May will be Clare O'Grady at 11:30am.

This talk will outline:

How, when and where the fairs worked
The evidence they leave behind
The campaign against the fairs
Registration societies
Why the fairs declined as employment tools
Some of the other attractions provided

Clare is a professional genealogist and qualified tutor with over 15 years professional experience and has been researching her own family tree on and off for over 25 years. She is also a researcher for Herefordshire Archives.
Her roots lie in Herefordshire, Northamptonshire and Sligo.

All three of the talks will be totally free to attend.

18/04/2026

Well the 1926 census is out! the search function is interesting as it doesn't let you search by age but rather than by location. However it does include a search by map. Your search results will show on the map as a heat map, indicating where your search result populations are, within counties and then DEDs. The legend on the left side indicates how many records of your search relate to the heat map.

Remember that like the 1921 England and Wales census the ages listed are by months and years. i almost wet down a rabbit hols as I confused the two!
Pictured is my great grandmother, grandfather and my half uncle in Lord Edward street in Sligo. My grandmother and my aunt are in Kilalla with my great grandmother.

10/04/2026

One of the great talks and events coming up at Herefordshire Archives in the next two months.

10/04/2026

There is exciting news for those with Irish links as the 1926 Irish census will be released online on 18th April. My talk on Irish genealogy has been updated to reflect this and I can't wait to have a good look myself.

The picture is of my great uncle William O'Brien O'Grady who became Father Cornelius of the Passionist Order. He is no.2 and the photo was taken in Enniskillen.

https://herefordshiregenealogy.com/talks/

20/11/2025

Well more evidence today that DNA traits from Ancestry are a load of nonsense as it says my DNA indicates I prefer savoury food to sweet when I always prefer a dessert to a starter and if I could get away with it I would prefer two desserts to having a main course!

20/11/2025

Ian Lewis presents his evocative film
celebrating the great benefactor of Ross-on-Wye. Can we still see his philanthropy at work today?

18/10/2025

Really enjoyed giving my talk on pauper ancestors to the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa they have a great online conference line-up so there is still time to join them. I'm especially looking forward to hearing Peter Higginbotham who I have named the "King of the Workhouse"

Find out about our exciting conference program! Information about each presentation is below. You can download a one-page program summary to have handy.

14/10/2025

Premiere of my new talk at Herefordshire Archives on 7th November at 2pm! Communion dress and veil not guaranteed

Researching Roman Catholics in England and Wales:

It was illegal for everyday Roman Catholics to practise their religion in England and Wales from the Reformation until the end of the 18th Century. Indeed, it was not until Catholic Emancipation in 1829 that Roman Catholics could play a fuller role in public life.

My talk examines the records that came out of the prohibition of the Roman Catholic religion in England and Wales such as pipe rolls, recusancy rolls and the registration of estates as well as later more traditional records such as Baptisms, Marriages and Burials.

Friday 7 November, 2pm at HARC, Fir Tree Lane, Hereford HR2 6LA

Cost £5 Please book in advance at archives@herefordshire.gov.uk

New Talk
Researching Roman Catholics in England and Wales
Friday 7th November at 2pm

It was illegal for everyday Roman Catholics to practice their religion in England and Wales from the Reformation until the end of the 18th Century. Indeed, it was not until Catholic Emancipation in 1829 that Roman Catholics could play a fuller role in public life.

This talk examines the records that came out of the prohibition of the Roman Catholic religion in England and Wales such as pipe rolls, recusancy rolls and the registration of estates as well as later more traditional records such as Baptisms, Marriages and Burials.

Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre,
Fir Tree Lane, Hereford HR2 6LA
Cost £5.00
Booking essential by email: archives@herefordshire.gov.uk or 01432 260750

05/09/2025

A musical evening in Leintwardine in July 1846 promised such delights as:
"When thy bosom heaves a sigh"
"The ruined cocksparrow"
"The rat"
"Billy nuts"

It took place at the Lion hotel, Leintwardine and the performance began at 8pm.

This is one of the playbills held at the British Library that can be viewed on microfilm at HARC (X13).

05/09/2025