Information on Loughborough

Family history for complete beginners

Posted on 15/09/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

15 September 2009

Family history for complete beginners

The popularity of television programmes such as the BBC’s Who do You Think You Are? has generated a huge interest in family history and encouraged people to start the detective work themselves.

For anyone who has thought about doing it, but doesn’t know how to start, Leicestershire Library Services can help.

Free events for complete beginners will be held around the county over the coming months.

Whether family roots are local or not, these sessions will give the basic information, useful websites and library resources needed to get started with research.

Places are limited and early booking is recommended. The events will take place at:

  • Melton Mowbray Library -  Monday, 19th October from 10am – 1pm .  0116 305 3646
  • Wigston Library- Tuesday, 20th October , 2pm – 5pm.  0116 305 3689
  • Oadby Library – Monday, 26th October, 6pm – 8pm.  0116 305 8763
  • Hinckley Library- Tuesday, 3rd November, 2pm – 5pm.  01455 635106
  • Mkt Harborough Library  - Monday, 9th November, 6pm – 9pm.  0116 305 3627
  • Coalville Library - Tuesday, 17th November, 2pm – 5pm.  0116 305 3565
  • Loughborough Library -  Thursday, 3rd December, 2pm – 5pm.  01509 212985

Ernie White, Cabinet member for Libraries at Leicestershire County Council, 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.”

For those unable to get to an event, libraries can still help.

There are many books and websites giving information on how to do family history - more information is available from library staff or online at www.leics.gov.uk/focusonfamilyhistory

ENDS

Further information is available from Val Plant, Development Librarian, by calling 0116 305 8320, or by emailing: val.plant@leics.gov.uk

Step up your learning with Leicestershire LibrariesBackground notes

Libraries across Leicestershire are seeing an increase in visitors as the UK finds itself in a 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 2008 – 2009

  • 55 libraries
  • 92,378 hours open
  • 3,853,867 visitors
  • 6 Mobile libraries
  • 412 PCs
  • 22,205 DVDs to rent  
  • 728,628 books to borrow