Tracing your family history through historical records can be exciting – but getting started can also be overwhelming.

In the second of a series of collaborative events, join specialists from The National Archives, Ancestors Unknown and Lewisham Heritage at the Migration Museum for a day-long event exploring family histories and migration.

From practical hands-on sessions to creative workshops and inspiring talks, the day will be suitable for all ages and will include advice from local and national organisations.

The programme includes:

Migration Family Histories Workshop – hosted by The National Archives
12.30pm – 1.15pm and 1.30pm – 2.15pm
Free – book via Eventbrite

Are you interested in charting your family history but don’t know how to begin? Are you curious to explore decades-old histories and find out how archival records may help your research?

Specialists from The National Archives will lead a workshop exploring routes through family history online resources, Ancestry and Find my Past. Learn about record-keeping in the UK pre-1960 and how to navigate records of arrival, residence, and occupation. For those who are starting on their family history journey, this session will feature an overview of 20th century migration, and explore the long history of migration in the UK. There will be an opportunity to start some family history searches with support from specialists and look at a reproduction of a passenger list from the 1940s.

Please be aware numbers are limited and booking via Eventbrite is necessary to guarantee a place and avoid disappointment. Book your free place here.

Talk: Exploring Migration and Ancestry with Paul Crooks
2.45pm – 4.30pm
Free – book via Eventbrite

We are delighted to welcome Paul Crooks, a pioneer in African Caribbean genealogy research, who will talk about his journey tracing his own family history from London to his ancestors captured on the West African coast and enslaved on a Jamaican sugar plantation six generations ago. Book your free place for this talk here.

Uncovering Your Family’s Migration Story – with Dana Saxon
11.30am – 12.15pm
Free – book via Eventbrite

Join Dana Saxon, founder of Ancestors unKnown for this interactive family workshop exploring the significance of knowing your ancestors’ history, even when it may seem too mysterious or impossible to trace. Sign up to learn about the value of understanding your heritage and how it connects us to our past, present, and future. The workshop will include interactive activities and discussions that will inspire participants of all ages. You will think through the power in discovering your personal history, overcoming obstacles families may face as well as the importance of storytelling in uncovering family histories. 

This is a unique opportunity to connect with your roots and gain a deeper understanding of your heritage! Spaces are limited so please book your tickets here.

The workshop is suitable for those ages 8 and over and anyone aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Lewisham Heritage Pop-Up
All day
Free – drop-in

Lewisham Heritage is Lewisham Council’s archive and local history service, and is responsible for collecting, preserving, and making available the history and heritage of the London Borough of Lewisham and its communities.

Members of the team will be available to answer questions about researching your family or local history in Lewisham, and to guide you on what resources can be accessed in the Heritage Reading Room. The Heritage Reading Room is currently located at Catford Library.

We will also have local images and books for you to look at and take away.

Stories in Focus mini-tour of All Our Stories
1.15pm – 1.30pm 

Join us for an All Our Stories mini tour with our volunteer Amanda. Discover the story behind Amanda’s own treasured keepsakes which feature in our exhibition and how these help her preserve her family’s history.

About the National Archives

The National Archives is the official archive and publisher for UK central government, and for England and Wales, based in Kew, Richmond. The archive collects and secures the future of the government record, both digital and physical, to preserve it for generations to come, and to make it as accessible as possible to the public. The archive offers research guidance and leads the archive sector in England and Wales. Find out more at nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Main image: Photo – Elzbieta Piekacz
To me, to you: Photo – Goldsmiths, University of London
Lewisham Heritage: Photo – Lewisham Heritage