The Hampshire Family Historian | Volume 50 No.3 | Dec 2023

Local Group Programmes

Forthcoming Meetings: All meetings at 7:30pm

December 12th Christmas Festivities No details available for 2024

Contact: Jane Painter Email: fareham@hgs-online.org.uk

Fareham Evening Group Meetings are normally held from 7.15 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Wallington Village Hall, Broadcut, Fareham.

No reports received Forthcoming Meetings:

Janet Few – via Zoom.

Marginalised Ancestors

January 25th 2024

Contact: Email: fleetandfarnborough @hgs-online.org.uk

The group normally meets at the United Reform Church Hall, Kings Rd, Fleet GU51 3AF second Thursday of every month except August at 7.30pm. Fleet & Farnborough Reports by Carol Gomm (July) Paupers, Vagrants & the Welfare State – Jan Smith

Jan gave us a fascinating overview of how the state has dealt with the problem of the poor from medieval times to the dawn of the welfare state and how those same problems still have a resonance today. Using documents and stories she came across during her working life as an archivist, she explained how these can give clues to some of the poorest in society who are usually hidden from view. By taking us through the centuries and the various acts of Parliament she was able to show how attitudes changed, initially hardening before they become more compassionate. The only drawback is that official documents and legislation are not the voice of the poor but that of the overseer or politician. Nevertheless, an understanding of Poor Law is essential to the understanding of our ancestor’s lives and Jan’s talk did exactly that in an informative and very well presented way. (August) Social The treasure trail at Odiham went down well with the 17 members that took part, though I suspect starting it at the Waterwitch pub by the canal may have something to do with it and encouraged a few to come along! We divided into small groups which meant we were able to

150