York Family History Society

14/08/2026

Yesterday we received a message through the website from a person in Canada who is looking for help in researching the Lamb family. Unfortunately they have not given their name or a contact email address. If you see this message, please email [email protected] and we will try to help you.

11/08/2026

Romantics, Mystics & Revolutionaries
3rd September 2026
Doors 7pm, show starts 7.30pm
41 Monkgate, York YO31 7PB
Tickets £10-15, available here (plus booking fee)
A spoken word show about rebellion and imagination. The 1800s Romantic movement began as a rebellion: against empire, industry, and the mechanisation of the soul. Yorkshire became the epicentre of its rebellion. This storytelling show fuses history with music, comedy, and poetry. Witness a spellbinding history of riot, repression, and psychedelic experimentation. As we face this age of despair, find out what we can learn from past dreams of freedom and renewal. Expect enchantment, resistance and wild imagination.
“Remembering, reviving, and re-enacting the Romantics. We were all very moved.”
— Alfoxton House (home of William Wordsworth)

07/08/2026

Our August talk, 'The Fall of Newstead' is now available on the members YouTube Channel. The link is in our Facebook Group and will shortly be available in the members area of the website.
From the leafy echelons of respectable Selby society to a fashionable life in the City of York - Tee from The Dead Sleuth shares the poignant tale of the architect of his own misfortune in her presentation of 'The Fall of Newstead'.

06/08/2026

Borthwick - Friday 7th August.
Please note that due to building works, our volunteers will be on site from 1pm tomorrow rather than 10am.

01/08/2026

Happy Yorkshire Day everyone, to celebrate, we wanted to share this exciting news!

As you may recall, our partnership with two of York's major archives began as an initial 6-month trial to gauge demand for the facilities. Thanks to the enthusiastic response from our members, we are delighted to report that both partnerships have now been extended indefinitely.

To support this growth, we have more volunteers stepping up to assist with your research, and we will soon have additional PCs available on site. A huge thank you to Barbara, Chris, David, Duncan, Helen, Judy, Kate, Paul, Richard, Steve, Yvonne, and Zena for their dedication in making this initiative such a success.

What’s Available at Each Location?

On-site guidance: Society volunteers available to answer queries and help navigate records.
Free digital access: Full access to Ancestry, Findmypast, and the British Newspaper Archive.
Reference materials: An extensive collection of local and family history books.

Locations & Times

Explore York Archive
When: Every Monday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: Library Square, Museum St, York, YO1 7DS (Family History Room, 1st Floor)

Borthwick Institute for Archives
When: Every Friday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: University of York, University Rd, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD (The Microform Room)

Please come along, make use of the facilities, and share your discoveries with fellow members!

31/07/2026

August 2026 meeting

Our next talk will be on Wednesday 5th August from our own Tee Bylo: 'The Fall of Newstead'. From the leafy echelons of respectable Selby society to a fashionable life in the City of York - Tee from The Dead Sleuth shares the poignant tale of the architect of his own misfortune in her presentation of 'The Fall of Newstead'.

7.00pm for 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you can attend in person, we are at the Quaker Friends Meeting House, White Rose Avenue, New Earswick, YORK YO32 4AD. Cup of tea included!

We will be on Zoom from 7.15, details have been emailed to all members.

The talk will be available on our YouTube channel later in the month.

30/07/2026

Notice of Price Increase: Buy Before 1st August!
After keeping our prices fixed for many years, our download prices will be increasing on 1st August.
This is your last chance to buy at our current lower prices!
🛒 Browse the shop now:

York Family History Society

30/07/2026

Please note that our on site session at the Borthwick Institute for Archives tomorrow, 31st July is cancelled due to building works. We hope to resume sessions there on Friday 7th August. Our session at Explore York Libraries and Archives on Monday 3rd August will take place from 10am as normal.