Berwick 900 Family History Day - Saturday 16th April 2016 at Berwick-upon-Tweed

Please note that this has been superseded by Berwick 900 Family History Day - Saturday 16th April 2016 at Berwick-upon-Tweed - Revised Programme.

Building on the success of the Berwick 900 Family History Festival held on 3rd and 4th October last year, we’re holding a Family History Day from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 16th April 2016 at Berwick Guildhall, Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Map.

Like last year, it’s free and there will be exhibitors, talks, displays about the research carried out, talks, one to one family history surgeries where you can find out how to start your family history or overcome a problem.

There’ll be activities for kids and their parents, and the opportunity to see the Burgon family tree – bring along your research, birth and marriage certificates and see if you’re connected.

Exhibitors
Berwick Freemasons Lodge
Borders Family History Society
Lothians Family History Society
North East War Memorials
Northumberland Archives
Northumberland & Durham Family History Society
Scottish Borders Council Archives (Hawick Heritage Hub)
All the exhibitors are keen to help you with your family history.

Provisional Talks Programme
10am Northumberland & Durham Family History Society
11am Ralph Homes – My Weird & Wonderful Family
12 noon Linda Bankier – The Berwick 900 Our Families Project
1pm Fred Kennington – Cross-Border Marriages
2pm Bill Stewart - A Century of Boatbuilders
3pm Peter Munro – Scottish Borders Poor Law Records

Family History Surgeries
20 minutes with a specific expert in a quiet room to discuss your family history problem or interest.

Surgeries are currently available starting at 10.30, 11.00, 11.30, 12.00, 12.30, 13,00, 13.30, 14.00, 14.30, 15.00.
Book your preferred starting time now by email to

Please state brief details of your problem or interest, whether it’s English or Scottish and preferred time slot and provide your landline phone number.

The Great Performing Rope - a Free Film, Cake and Conversation, 18 February at 4.30 pm, The Maltings, Berwick

Last October, the Great Performing Rope occupied the streets of Berwick creating a 900 metre long route through the town centre carrying the personal stories, memories and hopes of the people of Berwick and its visitors.

Here's an opportunity to see a film screening documenting the event, hear the stories of some of the people who took part and helped to make it happen.

You'll hear Katie Doherty’s popular new sea shanty for Berwick “All hands to the Rope”.

It's at The Maltings Theatre & Cinema, Eastern Lane, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1AJ at 4.30 pm on 18 February. Map.

They’ll be serving tea and cake afterwards and hope you'll stay on for an informal discussion to explore what could happen next to the stories on the rope.

They have an idea for another project for Berwick-upon-Tweed and would love to hear your thoughts, contributions and ideas.

The film features work by artists Carl Von Weiler, Julia Barton, Kate Doherty and Dan Fox as well as local school children; several community and youth groups; and local musicians Electric Penelope, Sammy Read and the Golden Square Singers, who all helped to bring the Great Performing Rope to life!

The Great Performing Rope was co-produced by November Club and Culture Creative in association with artist Carl von Weiler and was presented as part of Berwick 900.

The event is free. Book now !