Welcome to AVSFHG

Our aim is to promote the study of family history in East Suffolk in particular and to provide support and help for those wishing to trace their family history outside the area. We cater not only for those who wish to research their local family history but also for those now living in Suffolk whose ancestors were from out of the county.

We meet on the second Monday of each month (no meeting in August) in the United Reformed Church Hall, Chapel Road, Saxmundham, starting at 7:30 pm. See our Programme Page for details.

Admission is £1.50 for members, £2.50 for visitors. Tea, coffee, and biscuits are included. Visitors are always most welcome.

Experienced family history researchers are at most meetings to offer research advice.

BBC The Great British Story
May 20th 2012, Ickworth House, Park and Gardens, Bury St Edmunds

Complementing a new television series for BBC Two, this event at Ickworth House, in partnership with the National Trust, will explore local history, surnames, place names, oral history and archaeology. You'll also be shown you how to interpret and preserve your own artefacts and memorabilia.

It's a free event, there will be discussions with a panel of experts, and an opportunity to tour the house.

For details see the BBC Great British Story, Ickworth.

Aldringham Baptist Burial Ground - MI Survey - Progress Report 6 May 2012

I am pleased to report that with some reasonably fine weather and a good team of recorders, we successfully managed to complete the recording of the monumental inscriptions at Aldringham yesterday (Saturday). Unfortunately, the first recording session on Friday, 27th April was hampered by frequent showers, but even so, we were able to complete nearly half of the memorials on that occasion. It was very satisfying, therefore, to be able to complete the whole task in just two full days. That now leaves us with the task of drawing up the final plans and inputting all the information and photographs into a software programme which may take some months to complete. At least the first stage of the project has been completed.

From my initial calculations, it seems that we have recorded the inscriptions on over 160 memorials at Aldringham, including those on the plaques and memorials set into the external walls of the former chapel building, which is now a private residence known as The Oratory. Quite apart from the enjoyment of taking part in the Aldringham project on both days, we had a lovely surprise yesterday when the owners of The Oratory kindly invited us (grubby hands and all!) into their home for some light refreshment and a chat about the work that we were doing there. The kindness and interest shown by them was very much appreciated by the volunteers taking part.

The work being done by our Group was also witnessed by a number of hikers on their route through the Common, many of whom showed interest in what we were doing and stopped for a brief chat.

My personal thanks go to all those who have taken part in the project so far.

John Peters(Co-ordinator)
Tel: 01728 604678