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Family tree help for complete beginners

Posted on 20/01/2009

Community Services

19 January 2009

Family tree help for complete beginners

Leicestershire County Council’s libraries are running a series of events for family history novices to learn how to get started.

The free events will be held across the county during February and March.

Whether people have local family roots or not, these sessions will give basic information, show useful websites and direct people to relevant library resources.

Ernie White, Cabinet member for Community Services, said:  “These events, which we hold twice a year, are extremely popular and are often over-subscribed.  

“People who have taken part have said how pleased they are with all the interesting and helpful information and advice given and say the event has given them the confidence, motivation and encouragement to start researching their family history.”

Places on the sessions are limited and booking is necessary.

Sessions will be held on:

Date Location Time Contact Number Thursday 19 February Coalville Library 2.00 to 5.00pm 0116 305 3565 Tuesday 24 February Oadby Library 6.00 to 9.00pm 0116 305 8763 Thursday 5 March Hinckley Library 10.00am to 1.00pm 01455 635106 Friday 13 March Wigston Library 10.00am to 1.00pm 0116 305 3689 Monday 16 March Market Harborough Library 6.00 to 9.00pm 0116 305 3627 Friday 20 March Loughborough Library 2.00 to 5.00pm 01509 212985 Friday 27 March Melton Mowbray Library 10.00am to 1.00pm 0116 305 3646

For people who are unable to get to an event, libraries can still help. There are many books and websites giving information on how to research family history. More information is available from library staff or on-line at: www.leics.gov.uk/focusonfamilyhistory

Notes for Editors:

Further information is available from Val Plant, Learning Development Librarian, 0116 267 8020/8000,  vplant@leics.gov.uk

Photo opportunity the session is divided into four activities. Photographer should arrive at least an hour into the session for more varied photo shots.

Background notes

Libraries across Leicestershire are seeing an increase in visitors as the UK finds itself in a ‘credit crunch’ and possibly heads into recession. Traditionally, people turn to public libraries during hard economic times - for cheaper entertainment, to help with employment, for free access to computers and to help them save money and be ‘greener’ by borrowing free books rather than buying.

Leicestershire Libraries have seen vast improvements recently as part of the £8 million transformation programme and staff are inviting the public to step into their local library to discover all the up to date services and facilities available for no or little cost.

Visitors will be supported by libraries over the coming months in their health, wellbeing, career prospects, lifestyle and general enjoyment by:

• Stepping up to savings and improving finances a free internet service where all the consumer price comparison and information websites are available, there are free books to borrow and you can have a cheap night in with a DVD that you can keep for a week
• Stepping Up to success and improving job prospects with free newspapers, free internet facilities and a large choice of titles for all sorts of learning and development
• Stepping Out - alone or with friends and family to free events ’’
• Stepping Into the library’s welcoming surroundings where you can read all the latest best sellers for free and get up to date DVDs and audiobooks.
• Stepping Up to a challenge - train your brain with crosswords, Sudoku and general knowledge quizzes.

Details of library developments can be found on www.leics.gov.uk/libraries

Details of events can be found on www.leics.gov.uk/events

Facts and figures about Leicestershire Libraries for 2007 2008

• 55 libraries
• 91,858 hours open
• 3,410,133 visitors
• 6 Mobile libraries
• 412 PCs
• 22,753 DVDs to rent  
• 712,026 books to borrow