The Hampshire Family Historian | Volume 50 No.1 | June 2023

Local Group Programmes

June 21st September 20th Send in the Gunboat Kevin Patience The true story of the Royal Navy skirmishes on the East African coast against the slave trade in the late 1800s. When Britannia ruled the waves and kept the peace, culminating in the 45 minute bombardment of the Sultans palace at Zanzibar in 1896 that became known as the shortest war in history and a curious Dorset connection. Are you looking for that elusive family history book? Or one on local history? Perhaps we can help – contact Tony at bookstall@hgs-online.org.uk Don`t dismiss what seems to be improbable until you have investigated it. There are transcriptions errors. Use wild cards and advanced search. Details on certificates can give you clues. This is a very good talk for new and old family historians. (March) My Ancestor was a pirate – Sue Paul In the 15th and 16th century pirates were a menace to shipping but every time there was a war the navy was short of men and the press gangs were in operation. The slave trade ships also needed a lot of crew. Displaced mariners would find themselves stranded in foreign ports and the only way home was as a privateer. The main areas were the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean around Madagascar. If found guilty pirates were hung and their bodies left hanging. There were even female pirates. Sue has done a lot of research into this subject and the talk This was a talk about 150 love letters exchanged between David`s parents during WW2. Don Bickerton was born in Liverpool in 1917 and joined the RNLR in June 1940, aged 23. Linda Russell was born in the Isle of Wight in1920 and volunteered for the WAAF in April 1941. The couple met on 1st July 1942 in Haverford West. Through the letters and from a lot of research done by David he has been able to trace his father`s movements during the war. Don returned to Liverpool on 4th July 1945 and ten days later married Linda in Penzance. A very well researched talk with a lot of interesting information. Forthcoming meetings in the Meeting House unless stated otherwise: is very interesting and well worth hearing. (April) Parents at War – David Bickerton At the Meeting House Magnet of the Cod, Ringwood`s connection to Newfoundland and the cod trade Mary Baldwin July 19th The Duke of Monmouth Brian and Jacqueline Sutton TWOgether talks

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