Meetings of the Society

The status as of July 2022 is that we always hold a meeting at St. John's, Isleworth, and the meeting can always be joined via Zoom. For some of the meetings the speaker will be in the room at St. John's, for others the speaker will give their talk from home. See Date & Type in the programme below for the type of meeting.

The timing of the meetings at St. John's is: Doors open from 7pm; most people there by 7:30; meeting proper starts at 7:45 with a few announcements and then the talk.

The St. John's Centre, Isleworth

The Zoom process

The Zoom process continues to be that attendees must first register (once) using the Start Zoom link, and then when the meeting starts they should use the link again to join the actual meeting.

To be sure that you are reminded of the meeting on the day of the meeting it is recommended that you send an email to the Secretary requesting that you receive invitations to each meeting until further notice.

On meeting days the Zoom meeting will be open from 7:30 pm. Select the Start Zoom link as before, where the information you previously entered will be recalled, together with the link to actually join the meeting. Select that and you will be joined. The meeting proper will start at about 7:45 pm when the chairman will make any announcements, and take any general questions from members. The talk will begin shortly after, and with questions is scheduled to last for one hour, after which the meeting will close. Enjoy it all from the comfort of your home, or at the St. John's Centre. Non-members are welcome to our meetings.

Since October 2021 we have been recording the talks from our Zoom meetings providing the speaker has consented, so that any member who could not attend the actual meeting may none-the-less at least play back the talk itself. To see and hear the last recorded talk, please go to the Meetings Playback page.

The common link for attending our Zoom meetings

This is the common link which takes you to meeting registration and then to the meeting itself, for all meetings: Start Zoom.

This is the current programme:

Date & Type Title & Synopsis Speaker
21 March 2024
Zoom meeting, speaker is at St. John's
The AGM, and Brentford Gas.
The coal gas industry created technical innovation, improved lighting and raised living standards for the poor. It took over Brentford's Victorian river front but has now completely disappeared.
David Shailes
18 April 2024
Zoom meeting, speaker is remote
Dating and Identifying Family History Photographs.

Ann will provide a step-by-step strategy that will help you to estimate the date a photo was taken. Important clues to look out for will be highlighted and useful resources will be discussed.
Ann Larkham
16 May 2024
Zoom meeting, speaker is remote
The Frost Fairs.

A 1000 years of famous winters when rivers including the mighty Thames froze and remarkable events took place on the ice.
Ian Currie
19 Sept 2024
Zoom meeting, speaker is remote
Using DNA for Family History Research.

This talk looks at some of the methods and techniques you can use when working with your DNA results. In addition, little tips will be given along with a few practical examples to help you visualise what you need to do to progress your family history research.
Mia Bennett

Reciprocal arrangements with Hillingdon FHS and East Surrey FHS

With Zoom meetings now proving very popular with FHS members we have made an open invitation to members of Hillingdon FHS and East Surrey FHS to freely join any of our Zoom meetings, and both societies have reciprocated.

To see Hillingdon's talks programme follow this link. If you wish to attend any of their meetings please send an email to Enquiries@hfhs.org.uk expressing your interest, and they will gladly put you on their list of invitees to attend future talks.

To see East Surrey's events programme, including their meetings, see this link.




Society news

Notice Board

The Notice Board was last updated on 28th January 2024.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is on Thursday 21st March 2024. This will be a hybrid Zoom meeting with the speaker being at St. John's Centre. It's the AGM followed by David Shailes giving a talk on 'Brentford Gas'.

Next Fair

Our next family history fair is the Family History Show - London at Kempton Park Racecourse on Saturday 5th October 2024.


Previous news


Recent updates

9-March-2024

Digitised journals now go back to 1982, all fully indexed.

8-March-2024

The Last Accounts page has been updated to show the Society's signed 2023 accounts.

8-March-2024

The Society's Safeguarding Policy has been updated.

8-March-2024

Committee minutes for January 2024 added to Members Area.

26-February-2024

Digitised journals now go back to 1983, all fully indexed.

16-February-2024

New image (and tip) of the month.

8-January-2024

A brochure advertising the 43rd West London Local History Conference is added to our Sponsored Events page.


Previous updates


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A Member of the Federation of Family History Societies. Registered Charity No. 291906