Society Meetings in Detail

Quarterly and Occasional Meetings

1921 Census and Archives Handling Session

26 may 2023, manchester central library, 11.00am

The Society will be presenting a talk on the 1921 census. This talk will cover:

  • How you access the 1921 data set at Manchester Central Library where it is FREE
  • Learn more about the information contained in the 1921 census
    Discover how can you enhance this information and move your findings forward
  • After the presentation there is the chance for questions.

After the talk there is a free drop in handling session looking at Rates Books and Electoral Registers (12:00-2:00) in the Oculus . We will be looking at examples for family historians and local studies researchers with a case study.

Date: 26 May 2023
Day: Friday, 11.00am
Venue: Manchester Central Library
Speaker: Leslie Turner
Booking: Booking on Eventbrite
Cost: Free to all 

Image: mlfhs composite

1939 Register of the Civilian Population

27 May 2023, Manchester Central Library, 10.30am

The Society will be presenting a talk on the 1939 Register.

The 1939 Register was designed to capture the details of every member of the civilian population on a specific date.

In the absence of the 1931 and 1941 Census’ the 1939 Register is a valuable source of information for the family historian. This talk will cover why the register was taken and what it can tell us.

Date: 27 May 2023
Day: Saturday 10.30am
Venue: Manchester Central Library
Speaker: Barry Henshall
Booking: Booking on Eventbrite
Cost: Free to all 

Image: mlfhs composite

Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal, History and Preservation

19 July 2023, Manchester Central Library, 10.30am

We are delighted to welcome Paul Hindle to talk to us again. This time Paul's talk will take us through the history and restoration of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal which, like most canals, fell into disuse some years ago.

The building of the canal would have been a great achievement in its time, involved a huge workforce and probably required some ingenious engineering solutions along the way. Any restoration must have been equally difficult and required considerable funds and many manhours. Join us on this Wednesday morning to hear the full story.

Date: 19 July 2023
Day: Wednesday, 10.30am
Venue: Manchester Central Library
Speaker: Paul Hindle
Booking: Eventrbrite - Booking will open nearer the time
Cost: members - free of charge 
Cost: non-members - £3

Image: supplied by speaker

Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme: A Postcard Heritage

19 July 2023, Manchester Central Library, 1.00pm

Postcard collecting is still a popular hobby or a means of finding out more about a locality, but it is probably rare to receive a postcard through the post. Indeed, we could argue that postcard-news would be old news by time we received it, these days.

However, many of us might have noticed postcards amongst house clearances, and they are just as likely to say 'see you tomorrow' as 'wish you were here'. Some of us might remember when postcard postage was less than letter postage. Michael seems to have a hoard postcards, so join us on this Wednesday afterrnoon to hear all about them.

Date: 19 July 2023
Day: Wednesday, 1.00pm
Venue: Manchester Central Library
Speaker: Michael Billington
Booking: Eventrbrite - Booking will open nearer the time
Cost: members - free of charge 
Cost: non-members - £3

Image: supplied by speaker

Non-members pay £3 per meeting. Some meetings, in particular the summer visit to another venue, may incur additional costs, any such additional costs are paid by all attendees.