A special evening for family historians is planned for Tuesday, June 3, between 7pm and 9pm. Tickets are £5 and must be booked in advance.

"Interest in family history has taken off since the BBC began its Who Do You Think You Are? programmes in which well-known personalities are shown delving into their family secrets," said a county council spokesman.

Evenings were planned in response to requests from the public.

The first was attended by 600 people, showing how much demand there was for expert advice and guidance.

In June, the session will focus on how to research military and probate records.

The record office received more than 12,000 inquiries a year about service in the first world war alone, and Army records were one of the most frequently-consulted categories for genealogy.

Wills and probate inventories could provide fascinating detail on the lives of our ancestors and take their story back through the centuries.

The evening will also include a special presentation by a member of the record office conservation staff on how to look after family records – documents and photographs – to ensure their preservation for future generations.

To book tickets, email or telephone 01243 753602.



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