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

Local Group Programmes

go at our own pace depending on our walking and clue solving abilities. Some could not resist a stop for coffee half way round (about nine of us piled into the Fountains Mall café at some point) while others clearly had more stamina and managed to wait until they got back to the finish at the pub where the walk had started. Luckily it was not hot and only a brief, light shower dampened the proceedings for a short time. While it started off simple enough, the clues soon became a bit more cryptic and you really needed to look up, down and all around. A fun way to have a walk and give it focus. (September) Out of Sight, Out of Mind? – Julian Pooley Using case papers held at the Surrey History Centre, Julian showed us how the care of the mentally ill and mentally handicapped differed between the private, charitable and state institutions as well as how it changed over time from the 18th century. Though this talk was based on Surrey records he explained how patients could come from anywhere in the country if they were admitted to one of the many private or charitable asylums, and even in the Surrey County asylums built in the second half of the 19th century. He gave examples of Hampshire residents who had been sent from Hampshire workhouses. He finished with the problems the centre had faced in preserving these records after the closure of the asylums in the 1990s, many of which had been poorly stored with little regard to either patient confidentiality or preservation. In some instances, such was the turnover of staff, no one even knew where they were kept. But having been rescued from destruction they now form a fascinating and detailed account of patients’ lives – some of whom may be your ancestors and their family members! Forthcoming Meetings:

Christmas Party & Member’s Evening – From Post To Person

December 1st

Sentiments in Silk Neil Littleales (via Zoom) A study of silk postcards, their manufacture, and the part they played in WW1. Nick Barratt (via Zoom) A review of protest and democracy through the centuries covering the sources in which our ancestors may appear. Jane Lewis (via Zoom) Based on a village on the Surrey/Hants border this talk looks at the changes to agricultural life from the 2nd half of the 19th century up to WW1 and explains the sources available to discover the hidden lives of ag labs. A March Through Time Life & Labour in a Country Village

January 11th

February 8th

March 14th

Are you looking for that elusive family history book? Or one on local history? Perhaps we can help – contact Fiona at bookstall@hgs-online.org.uk

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