Our aim is to promote the study of family history in East
Suffolk in particular and to provide support and help for those
wishing to trace their family history outside the area.
We cater not only for those who wish to research their local
family history but also for those now living in Suffolk whose
ancestors were from out of the county.
In 2010, meetings will normally be held on the second
Tuesday of each month (no meeting in August) in the United Reformed
Church Hall, Chapel Road, Saxmundham, starting at 7:30 pm, but
please confirm before traveling any distance.
Admission is £1.50 for members, £2.00 for visitors. Tea, coffee,
and biscuits are included. Visitors are always most welcome.
Some speakers give out literature related to their talk or have
books for sale.
Experienced family history researchers are at most meetings to
help you with your family history research.
For further details contact: -
Barrie Skelcher (Chairman) 01728 830463
Nigel Turner (Secretary) 01502 718019
John Martin (Treasurer) 01473 727545
Terry Davis (Membership Secretary) 01728 830113
Drop-In Centre
The Group runs an informal family history "Drop-In Centre" in
Leiston. This is housed in the Old Council Room of the Leiston
Council Offices in Old Post Office Square, Main Street, opposite
the Long Shop Museum. There is convenient public parking (including
disabled parking) immediately outside.
The Drop-In Centre is open to the general public, and provides
free access to a variety of family history advice and reference
material. It is normally open on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each
month, from 10 am to 12 noon.
Would-be visitors are advised to check on availability of the
room before making any special journeys.
St. Mary's Church, Benhall, Monumental
Inscriptions
As part of its on-going programme of recording the inscriptions
on gravestones in local churchyards for the benefit of those
researching their family history, the Group is currently working on
the delightful churchyard at Benhall, part of which is a designated
Conservation Area.
The Group became involved in this work following a suggestion by
a prominent local resident, on the basis that it would be organised
as a community project; and one in which any person living in the
locality could participate on a voluntary basis, under the guidance
of Group members.
The preliminary work on surveying and recording the memorials at
Benhall was begun in October of last year by a small team of
volunteers from the Group, when the first small section of the
churchyard was completed. However, by far the greater part of the
churchyard has yet to be tackled and it is hoped to resume work as
soon as the warmer weather arrives.
If you think you would like to help with this and/or any future
projects and, at the same time, meet new friends in this
interesting and worthwhile activity, please call the co-ordinator
of the project, John Peters, on (01728) 604678 who will explain
what is involved.
No previous experience is required and you will not be expected
to work alone.