Family Story Research

29/06/2024

The medieval Poultry Cross (originally one of four) - still standing in modern Salisbury.

Dating from 1307, the Poultry Cross is the sole survivor of the four original market crosses that once stood in Salisbury, Wiltshire. The others included the Cheese Cross, located in what is now the Cheesemarket area, Barnard's Cross for livestock at the junction of Barnard Street and Culver Street, and another cross that marked the market for wool and yarn near the War Memorial at the east end of the present Market Place

20/06/2024

Follow in the footsteps of Athelstan - the first king of the English - on the Athelstan Pilgrimage Way, launching on 30 June at Malmesbury Abbey.

https://www.facebook.com/athelstanpilgrimway/

A walking and cycling route linking all 36 rural churches in the North Wiltshire Mission Area.

06/06/2024

Wiltshire Family History Society day on 15th June in Swindon. A good opportunity to learn about your ancestors living in and around Wiltshire - and pick up some more books!

SAVE THE DATE!!!
WFHS looks forward to welcoming you to Swindon for our Family History Day. Details are on the below poster. If you are interested and have any questions then please do not hesitate to message us.
Bristol & Avon Family History Society, Oxfordshire Family History Society - OFHS, Oxfordshire Family History, Gloucestershire Family History Society, Romany and Traveller Family History Society (RTFHS), Swindon Local Studies, Swindon Advertiser, Bristol.Live, Berkshire Live, Gloucestershire Live, Who Do You Think You Are, @

18/04/2024

Did you know that Swindon was a market town long before the railways arrived? The 1626 Swindon Market and Fairs charter (with the Great Seal of Charles I) is currently on display in the Local Studies library. More information here: https://grants.fnl.org.uk/letters-patent-issued-charles-i-under-great-seal

Last year we were thrilled to display Swindon’s Market & Fair Charter from 1626. It has been so well looked after by our colleagues at Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre that the seal is still attached by the original cord!

16/04/2024

Visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the HMS Warrior. Once the most powerful ship in Victoria’s Royal Navy - wrought-iron hull, powered by sail and steam.

Beside the 1930’s Boathouse 4 and in front of modern Portsmouth.

16/04/2024

Castle Combe in Wiltshire. The prettiest village in England - often featured in TV dramas!

Castle Combe, often called 'the prettiest village in England,' pictured then and now.

Castle Combe strictly bans any modern attachments to the exterior of the houses, including TV dishes.

03/01/2024

This is a fascinating demonstration of an old farming practice and a chance to find out about Salisbury water meadows - 27 Jan and 10 Feb this year.

Twice a year the famous water meadows in Harnham are drowned, a centuries old technique to flood the meadows next to Salisbury Cathedral. This traditional process is carried out by the Chief Drowner, wearing a bowler hat and clutching an antique drowning tool, followed by a crowd of curious locals.....

31/12/2023

31/12/2023

First foot forward - the Scottish Hogmany tradition

“Sober-minded, devout, and reflective people usually like to mark the transition from one year to the next by prayer and consecration…others of a less serious type of mind…watch the hands of the clock steal round to the midnight hour, hear the bells ring out the old; ring in the new, wish each...

30/12/2023

Eighty years ago, 150 people living in Imber, Salisbury Plain were asked to move out so that the village could be turned into a military training area. The residents never returned to their homes. Access is granted a few times a year; and services are held in the Grade-I listed church.

Families of former inhabitants of Imber attend a carol service in memory of the village.

26/12/2023

Happy St Stephen’s Day

Happy Saint Stephen's Day

24/12/2023

‘Prepare for the creature comforts of those near and dear to us, so as to meet old Christmas with a happy face, a contented mind, and a full larder.’ Timeless advice from Mrs Beeton. Merry Christmas everyone!