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Past Meetings & Events - 2007/8



11 Sep 2007
Mr Ebbett
History Basics & Families

9 Oct 2007
Gregory Holyoake
A Childhood in Post-war Kent

20 Oct 2007
33rd Society AGM
Mrs Audry Gillett
Claims to Fame

13 Nov 2007
Cecil Humphery-Smith
The Roundabout of Family History

11 Dec 2007
Bill Beer
Putting Meat on the Bones

8 Jan 2008
Lt Col Mike Martin
Britain on the Home Front

12 Feb 2008
Lea Oakely
Oxney Court


Kent Family History Society

Deal and District Branch


Tuesday 11th September 2007

Branch member Mr. Ebbett gave us a talk entitled "History Basics and Families"

Tuesday 9th October 2007

For the October meeting we managed to book well-known local author and "Prefab Kid", Gregory Holyoake, to talk to us again about his childhood in post-war Kent.  A popular local speaker, Mr. Holyoake always varies his talk, in which he acts out scenes from his early life.  His memories, and the display of souvenirs from childhood, once again brought back many happy memories of youth to several members, including your webmaster.

Saturday 20th October 2007

Your Chairman, Mr. Alan Makey, the Executive Committee and the Deal & District Branch Committee, welcomed members to the 33rd (2007) AGM of the Kent Family History Society.

Doors opened at 10 am with a welcome tea/coffee and time to catch up with old friends before the morning talk at 11 am.

The speaker for this event was Mrs. Audry Gillett, who gave a talk entitled "Claims to Fame".

A break for lunch around 12 noon - 2 pm gave ample time to sample the food at one of the many local eating places.

The business of the day commenced promptly at 2pm, and concluded with refreshments (tea/coffee) at around 3:30.

Full details will be published in your September Journal.

Tuesday 13th November 2007

November saw the first visit to Deal branch of Cecil R. Humphery-Smith, President of the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (Canterbury) and author of many important books on family history.

The title of his talk was "The Roundabout of Family History."

Tuesday 11th December 2007

Your Webmaster was persuaded to give another talk for our Christmas 2007 party.  My talk this time was entitled "Putting the meat on the bones."  We all seek to create a family tree showing our ancestors but this talk is aimed at trying to encourage you to go much further and produce a family history with as much information as you can find.

The story began several years ago when a wallet containing some letters and photos came to light, revealing a hitherto unknown branch of the family in Pennsylvania.  Research in various civil and military records revealed a great deal about the common ancestor, Samuel Purdy, and a visit to the USA provided some valuable clues.

Members enjoyed some festive refreshments after the talk.

Tuesday 8th January 2008

Our first meeting in 2008 saw the return of Lt. Colonel Mike Martin, whose subject this month was "Britain on the Home Front".  Col. Martin has previously entertained us with talks on Nelson's Navy (13th September 2005) and The Victoria Cross (12th September 2006) and this month's offering was not disappointing!  Colonel Mike livened up what was an extremely informative talk with his usual sprinkling of humorous stories and jokes.

Tuesday 12th February 2008

This month's speaker was Lea Oakely, who regaled us with the history of Oxney Court, near Ringwould, and the people who have made their home there over the centuries.  The house was destroyed by fire many years ago, but the current owners have restored it to its former glory.  However, the chapel is still in ruins, as it has been for a century or more.

A very interesting talk, illustrated with pictures of the house before it was burnt down and before it was restored - casual visitors with cameras are no longer welcomed!

 

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