Philippa Jarvis introduces a thriving Yorkshire family history group that covers a wide geographical area and has members across the country and further afield
Where are we?
We are in the heart of Yorkshire – the prettiest part of the North York Moors; centred around the thriving market towns of Malton, Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering; with many substantial villages such as Hutton-le-hole, Thornton Dale and Hovingham, which is where our research centre is now based. The red line on the map below shows our boundary.
Who are we?
A thriving group of family history enthusiasts, set up in 2005. To date we have about 400 members from all around the world. You don’t have to live in Ryedale to belong and we don’t all speak in broad Yorkshire accents, but we will always offer you a warm Yorkshire welcome and if you call in at the research room there could be a cup of Yorkshire tea, or coffee if you prefer.
What do we offer?
1. Our research room is open at Hovingham Village Hall every Thursday from 10am to 3pm. One-to-one research sessions can be booked in advance, or just pop in and meet our researchers. Whether you can get into the research room or would rather contact us by other means, we can research any of your ancestors for you from anywhere in the world. We also have access to parish records, archives of Yorkshire wills, local war memorials, church records and graveyards. We have a military history specialist amongst our membership and have a wealth of research experience gained over many years.
2. We also have ‘Virtual Hovingham’ via Zoom:
Thursday 10am – 12noon; Mondays 7pm – 9 pm chat and a 20-minute genealogy teaching session hosted by one of our Canadian members; plus a DNA discussion group, Wednesday 7.30 – 9pm. All sessions encourage research questions, along with lively chat and information. Contact our membership secretary for a link to these sessions.
