The Hampshire Family Historian | Vol.49 No.2 | September 2022

Chairman’s Report

Message from the Chairman

I am pleased to say that Tony Sinclair has taken on the role of Bookstall Manager. As the Shows are starting to occur again, please introduce yourself to him and the ‘Dream Team’.

At the time of putting my message together, in the UK we are experiencing the hottest temperatures on record. We are being told not to travel unless you really need to. However, in Winchester we continue to keep the HGS Research Desk fully manned. Not really a good time to be looking for that elusive grave stone. I know I am always pushing for volunteers, but if you are able to help please let either me or Chris Pavey know. We are looking to open on Wednesdays, so if you are available you know what to do. In June we held our Conference Day and AGM which was attended by our President Dr Nick Barratt and over 100 members at the Macdonald Hotel in Botley. We had three excellent presentations. As we have moved to the Hampshire Record Office, it seemed a great idea to have them attend. Jane Harris and Paula Crompton provided us with an excellent account of the history of the HRO and what the future holds. Whereas many visit the HRO to research family history, that material only accounts for a very small percentage (single figures) of their holdings. Our second speaker was Michael Gandy who gave us his highly amusing and informative talk on Name Lists of the 17th and 18th Century. Our third speaker was Nick Saunders with his talk How to Research Individuals through Military Records. By the time you read this article, we would have confirmed the date and format of next year’s event.

We are still looking for a Minute Secretary to attend 6 Executive and 3 Development Forum meetings per year if you are available. Since our last edition of the Historian we have seen the passing of Sheila Brine. Sheila was secretary, group leader and Open Day organiser for many years and has been missed since she stepped a few years ago. As the society is nearly 50 years old, many of the current Group Organisers and Trustees may not know those that did so much for the Society many years ago. If you know of someone who has passed on and should receive a specific obituary, please let one of the Executive Committee know. Well enjoy the rest of September Historian and ‘Good Hunting’ Paul Pinhorne Chairman

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