People are invited to explore their family history with help from the county council’s archives and heritage service.
The service makes digitised records available via FindMyPast, a leading genealogy website that specialises in historical records from the UK and Ireland.
Users can build and search family trees, access birth, marriage and death records, census data, military records and more via the database. A range of online resources is also available through a Staffordshire library card.
Staff and volunteers will be on hand during February and March to help people with their research. The free drop-in sessions will take place at both the Staffordshire History Centre in Stafford and the History Access Point in Lichfield Library on selected Tuesday mornings.
Hayley Coles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said:
"Exploring your family tree and history can be a lot of fun and a deeply rewarding experience and you never know what you’ll find out.
“Our staff and volunteers are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, making the journey of discovery both enjoyable and enlightening. By visiting, you’ll be guided through the process with plenty of helpful tips. Or, if you would prefer to do it on your own, the history centre is the perfect place.
“The FindMyPast website is also a real treasure trove of information that lets people discover their own histories.”
Staff have pulled together some of their top tips for tracing the family tree:
- Start with Basic Information: Enter names, dates and locations to begin your search.
- Use Filters: Narrow down results by selecting specific record types or geographical areas.
- Explore Different Record Categories: Look into census records, military records and newspapers for more detailed information.
The Staffordshire History Centre, located on Eastgate Street in Stafford, is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm, and is free to visit. The centre includes a research room, educational spaces, historical collections and a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. The centre was partly funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund with a grant of £4.8 million.
People can find out more on the Staffordshire History Centre website, including a dedicated webpage on the Lichfield History Access Point. Sessions are advertised on the history centre events page.
