In January, due to the snow, we had to cancel one of our help sessions but to coincide with National Libraries Day of Saturday Feb 9th we will be running an additional session - so that will be three opportunities during February for you to visit Weston-super-Mare Library between 2.00pm and 3.30pm on Saturdays to attempt to break down those brick walls or to get help interpreting what you have already discovered. The visit to Kew will go ahead on Feb 19th but there are still places available. Don't miss this opportunity to visit the National Archives. The coach will pick up in Weston and Clevedon with more details under forthcoming events. During the afternoon on Feb 19th from 2.00pm - 3.00pm there is a free event at the National Archives - more details here A missing war memorial first inspired a quest to discover club members who fell in the Great War. 85 names have now been identified. Some remarkable stories paint a miniature portrait of the whole war - every service, arm, theatre and front - through their experiences. Stephen Cooper tells of the research that led to his book.
The Society's January talk by our own member Dave Milner turned out to be extremely interesting with his personal experiences of being contacted by an "Heir Hunter" and how his family dealt with the estate of his intestate cousin. We are all much better informed now and hopefully all our members now realise the need to write a will. While dealing with what is now termed "end of life" matters - someone mentioned the Deceased Online site to me at the last meeting - you might also find it useful - initial searching is free. It is good for London records and is worth looking at for recent deaths. It has been encouraging to see an increased useage of the Research Forum. However it does look as if it is being used more by new members than by those who have been researching for some time - does that mean you have all the answers? In which case you might have some suggestions which could help newer members! It is open to everyone to answer the queries. With regard to the Research Forum - it would make it a little easier to read if surnames were entered in upper case type - that makes the surname more obvious to casual readers. We do want to make your membership worthwhile so please avail yourself of this facility. We have a full list of speakers for 2013 and at the end of February we will welcome Clive Burlton. Weston Mercury reviewed his book From Trenches to Trams which you can read here . I found the book to be absorbing and so fully researched that I'm sure you will find the talk stimulating. Looking forward to March and our AGM. I will be standing down as Chair - I have served the society as Secretary and Chair for a great many years - at least 15 - and our constitution wisely does not allow for continuous service. At the end of our financial year we will also need a new Treasurer as Shirley will be giving up at Christmas - this means that there is time between the AGM and the end of the year for someone to work alongside Shirley in order that the changeover is seamless. With the increase in our membership it really should not be impossible to fill both positions and if you would like to volunteer to fulfill either of the roles or could recommend someone else please feel free to have a chat with any of the committee or contact the Secretary, Brian Airey. | 
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