This year’s Yorkshire Family History Fair was very useful, particularly for picking up a number of maps. These can of course be ordered online, but I like to be able to browse the areas I’m focused on and then make a selection. Thanks to the folk at Chris Makepeace Maps for a very helpful chat on Saturday.

The Genuki calendar of family history fairs – ‘GENEVA‘ – will keep you up to date with fairs and other events in your area, as well as elsewhere in the country where you are researching. Local fairs in places that you do not know well can be very helpful as exhibitors often have specific expertise for that area.

If you are researching in the Greater Manchester area the Open Day and Family History Fair at Victoria Baths may be of interest. Taking place on September 6th this event promises: “A great day out for all the family.  You can explore Victoria Baths, take an optional guided tour and view our history displays. This Open Day features a Local History Fair with a range of stalls from local history groups from around Greater Manchester, workshops and other activities.”

NB If you’re looking for historical maps of an area then browsing those available in your local history library may save you the expense of buying copies yourself. Starting points for the North West include: Manchester and Lancashire at Manchester Central Library, Salford Local History Library, and Lancashire Archives.