Essex Society for Family History

24/07/2026

03/07/2026

Posted on behalf of Niko Van Kerckhoven, a local amateur historian from Antwerp Belgium.

I am trying to find pictures of all allied personnel buried in the CWGC plots at Schoonselhof, Antwerp. So far, I have collected 810 of the more than 1500 soldiers buried there, a labour of love. You can see the results of my research here: https://facesofschoonselhof.weebly.com/

One of them, Leading Aircraftsman Gordon Albert Ashby – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve -, died in Antwerp on 16 December 1944. He was the son of Frank Albert Edward Ashby, and of Amy Ashby, of Chelmsford, Essex.

I found this page browsing the internet, and I was hoping that you might be able to help me a little further in my quest, maybe there's a picture of him in the archives or you can trace a family member.

Many thanks in advance for helping me.

Sincerely,

Niko Van Kerckhoven

Showing the pictures of the soldiers buried in the CWGC plots at Schoonselhof, Antwerp, Belgium

17/02/2026

Hoping to see you at Galleywood Heritage Centre on Saturday, 21 February. There is free parking and the food is good, everyone is welcome.

16/02/2026

The following talks are being held by Basildon Borough Heritage Society in tthe Green Room, Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea.

Lecture No. 1- Starting out with Genealogy / Family History.
14 March 2026.1030-1230

Timelines and Documented records.
Skeletons and Cupboards.
Registrations, Certificates and Census.
Service records and other available sources.
What record keeping systems are best?

Lecture No.2- Brickwalls and Rabbit Warrens.
11 April 20261030-1230

Revisiting what I think I know.
The inaccuracies of Census.
Enumerators and Illiteracy.
Other cultures (Religions and Churches).
Records before National Registrations in 1837.

Lecture No. 3 – Live Case Study – Genealogy and Social History
09 May 20261030-1230.

Audience volunteer (or one provided!)
Challenging proof.
Parish or Registration locations.
Documenting proof and social history.
Obtaining copies of Birth, Marriage or Death certificates. (Post 1837)

Lecture No. 4- Evolution of Social History.
06 June 2026 1030-1230.

Time-periods and Eras. (Henry VIII)
Medieval (and still current Legal and Social records).
Parish registers.
Parchment not Paper and Inks.
The Mayflower period and Pilgrim Ships.
Puritanism and Oliver Cromwell.
Transportation.

Lecture No. 5 – History of Genealogy.
04 July 20261030-1230

Saxon names and regions.
Place names, Estate names, Geographical names, Patronymic, Matronymic or Ancestral
names.
Danelaw and the Vikings.
The ’Hundreds’ shire divisions.
The Norman Conquest.
The Industrial Revolution(s).



Lecture No. 6 – The Kings Shilling.
25 July 20261030-1230.

What did you do in the war dad?
Military, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force Records. (Timelines)
Naval Records (Timelines)
London Gazette
Limits of WW1 Records.
Prisoner of War Records.

Topic Lectures
25 April 2026Workhouses1030-1200

Vagrancy and the Idle Poor
Orphans and Apprentices
Inmates and work.
Crime, Punishment and the Treadmill
Houses of Correction.
Essex Union Workhouses and Parishes.

16 May 2026A Walk across the Thames1030-1200

Where was the Thames?
The Area Geology.
Roman Roads and Conquest.
Beacons and Forts.
Causeways and steps.

13 June 2026Kynochtown.1030-1200

Who was George Kynoch?
The Cartridge and Birmingham Small Arms Factory.
Aston Villa Football Club.
The Explosives Factory. (now known as Coryton)
The Light Railway.

11 July 2026Postal Service in the First World War1030-1200
Sub- Headings
King Edward (Bertie) and George V.
Post Office Rifle Battalion. (A lot of Stamp Lickers!)
Letters to and from the Trenches.
Delivery or letters and Parcels to the Front.

01 August 2026London Prisons1030-1200
Sub-Headings.
London’s former Prisons, Bridewells and Compters.
John of Gaunt to the Savoy.
Prison Hulks.
The Tower from the Norman Conquest to the Krays.

19/01/2026

Come and see us at Galleywood Heritage Centre of 21 February, easy parking and as well as excellent Speakers and our Family History Help Desks, the food is very good and reasonable.

05/01/2026

We will be at Chelmsford Library this coming Saturday between 10am and 12 noon to answer any of your Family History questions and help people with their research

01/01/2026

If you are not a member of Essex Society for Family History now is the time to join as you will get 15 months for the price of 12. Join online via ww.esfh.org.uk

21/12/2025

If you joined us at our Step into Christmas Past event last week, you may remember this festive little video!

Our “12 Days of Research” is a light-hearted take on what our Ancestors may have left for us. We’re delighted to share it with you here. You will need sound!

🎥 The full recording of the event will shortly be available on the Essex Society for Family History website for members to enjoy.