North West Kent Family History Society
LightNews LightNews
nwkfhs.bsky.social
North West Kent Family History Society
@nwkfhs.bsky.social
620 followers 930 following 340 posts
We are one of Kent's and the UK's premier Family History Societies - if you want to find out more why not take a look at our website:
https://www.nwkfhs.org.uk
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
nwkfhs.bsky.social
North West Kent Family History Society @nwkfhs.bsky.social · Jun 1
Can you help run our Society? We urgently need to fill a number of volunteer roles within the Society including a Chair, further details can be found on what’s involved below. Please feel free to contact the Society if you are able to help in any way #NWKFHS
nwkfhs.bsky.social
The #NWKFHS Are sad to hear of the passing of Lost Cousins legend Peter Calver. Someone who gave so much to the genealogy community over the years. Condolences to his family and friends at this very sad time
January 23, 2026 at 10:31 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
21 January10.30am Zoom DNA Discussion Group with Laura Lincoln
www.nwkfhs.org.uk/events/branc...
#NWKFHS #Kent #Genealogy
January 19, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Reposted by North West Kent Family History Society
kentarchsoc.bsky.social
Join the CAMEMS study day at the University of Kent on Saturday, 14 February, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are £10 for students, £20 for CAMEMS Friends, and £25 for others. To register, email Jason Mazzocchi at jjm1@kent.ac.uk with "Exploring Kent’s History." Proceeds support postgrad bursaries
January 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Reposted by North West Kent Family History Society
kentarchives.bsky.social
H is for… #Handling

Wearing gloves whilst handling documents reduces manual dexterity and the ability to assess fragility through touch. Unless items are photographic, metallic or toxic, handling archives with clean and dry hands is generally the best practice.

#KAconservationAtoZ
Shown here is a researcher wearing nitrile gloves to correctly handle a 19th century albumen print. The card support affixed to the verso provides no margins, subsequently exposing the edges of the photograph to oils, salts and dirt if handled with bare hands. Unless handling items that are chemically sensitive, metallic, or toxic, the use of gloves is largely performative. Often worn in the 19th and early 20th century by those working in heritage settings and the book trade, gloves traditionally conveyed respect for the items being handled whilst also alluding to their value. Much to the frustration of those working in the contemporary heritage sector, this outdated practice is repeatedly portrayed in the media, subsequently reinforcing the public’s mistaken perception that archives should be handled with gloves. Aside from the few exceptions, we handle documents with clean and dry hands, as gloves reduce manual dexterity and hinder the ability to assess fragility through touch.
January 14, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by North West Kent Family History Society
davelifelines.bsky.social
Did you know that there was formerly a small part of the county of Kent, on the *north* bank of the River Thames?

Two detached parts of the parish of Woolwich (the area is still known as North Woolwich) were subsumed into Greater London in 1965.

#MappyMonday @natlibscot.bsky.social
January 12, 2026 at 1:06 PM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
14 January 7.30pm Zoom Workshop: Beginning Family History with David Cufley
How do you start? Are there new things to learn if you have been doing this for a while?
www.nwkfhs.org.uk/events/branc...
#NWKFHS #Kent #Genealogy
January 12, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Reposted by North West Kent Family History Society
kentarchsoc.bsky.social
A nice start to 2026...the Kent Archaeological Society Bluesky account has hit 500 followers!

Thank you to everyone who has liked, commented and shared our content. Please continue to do so in 2026!

bsky.app/profile/kent...

#Archaeology #History #Heritage #Kent
January 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
14 January 10.30am Library DNA & General Family History Discussion Group with Pam Goddard
www.nwkfhs.org.uk/events/branc...
#NWKFHS #Kent #Genealogy
January 11, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Reposted by North West Kent Family History Society
kentarchsoc.bsky.social
Join us for the 2026 online lecture series starting Thursday, 29th January at 7pm, hosted by KAS with Jason Hulott from Canterbury Medieval Combat. The talk will explore knife violence in 14th-16th century Europe with a focus on Medieval Canterbury.

Joining instructions will be shared soon.
January 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by North West Kent Family History Society
kentarchsoc.bsky.social
First up in our group spotlight is Barham Downs History Society! The Society focuses on the past and present of five key settlements in Kent: Adisham, Barham, Bishopsbourne, Kingston, and Womenswold, including nearby hamlets. The North Downs region is rich one rich in heritage!
Home
Barham Downs History Society
www.barhamdownshistorysociety.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by North West Kent Family History Society
kentarchsoc.bsky.social
Welcome back to our series highlighting local societies in Kent! If your group isn't featured, contact our archivist Craig at craig.campbell@kentarchaeology.org.uk to be included.

Stay tuned for our first group highlight today! #Archaeology #History #LocalSociety #CommunityGroups
January 8, 2026 at 10:01 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
Dartford Branch Talk 10 January Thames Sailing Barges with speaker John Rayment (Please note CHANGE OF DATE - meeting starts at 10.30am
No booking, just turn up.
#NWKFHS #Kent #Genealogy
January 8, 2026 at 9:03 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
Sevenoaks Branch Talk 10 January with speaker Adam Taylor on The Islands of the Medway Estuary - meeting starts 11am
#NWKFHS #Kent #Genealogy
January 7, 2026 at 9:03 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
Zoom Talk: 8 January 7.30pm He's not missing, he is here. Tracing the Missing of the First World War with Mel Donnelly
To Get the Zoom Link
www.nwkfhs.org.uk/events/works...
#NWKFHS #Kent #Genealogy
January 6, 2026 at 9:03 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
Workshops, Special Interest and Discussion Groups - for Members Only
www.nwkfhs.org.uk/events/overv...

There are dozens of Workshops and Discussion Groups via Zoom to cater for members who cannot get to our Library - which is the venue, on Wednesdays, for our in person workshops.
#NWKFHS #Kent
January 5, 2026 at 9:03 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
Special offer from Ancestry which expires on 12th January
12 month subscriptions:
For £58 - Premium membership
For £88 - Worldwide membership
Go to:
www.ancestry.co.uk/c/features
#NWKFHS #Kent #Genealogy
Ancestry | Features
Trees you own
www.ancestry.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Reposted by North West Kent Family History Society
nwkfhs.bsky.social
The membership year for the North West Kent Family History Society runs to 31 December 2026 so now would be a great time for to join. It's only £10 - or £12 for joint members.

www.nwkfhs.org.uk/about/member...
#NWKFHS #Kent #Genealogy
North West Kent Family History Society Membership
Membership is open to anyone, anywhere in the world and you will receive our quarterly journal mailed direct.
www.nwkfhs.org.uk
January 2, 2026 at 11:43 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
7 January 10.30am Zoom Discussion Group with Ann Clarke: Do you feel a bond to any particular ancestors? Do you have favourites?
www.nwkfhs.org.uk/events/branc...
#NWKFHS #Kent #Genealogy
January 4, 2026 at 9:03 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
Take a look at our website to see our extensive programme of events - dozens of in-person and Zoom talks, discussion groups, and workshops running through to the end of 2026.
#NWKFHS #Kent #Genealogy
January 3, 2026 at 9:03 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
The membership year for the North West Kent Family History Society runs to 31 December 2026 so now would be a great time for to join. It's only £10 - or £12 for joint members.

www.nwkfhs.org.uk/about/member...
#NWKFHS #Kent #Genealogy
North West Kent Family History Society Membership
Membership is open to anyone, anywhere in the world and you will receive our quarterly journal mailed direct.
www.nwkfhs.org.uk
January 2, 2026 at 11:43 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
We’re getting in early before the fun begins! Wishing all our #Genealogy friends from around the world a very Happy New Year and here's hoping that we can smash down a few of those Genealogy Brickwalls in 2026!
#NWKFHS #Genealogy #Kent
a greeting card that says wishing you a very happy new year 2026
ALT: a greeting card that says wishing you a very happy new year 2026
media.tenor.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Reposted by North West Kent Family History Society
chiddickstree.bsky.social
28 January 1896. Walter Arnold of East Peckham, Kent, became the first person in the UK to be convicted of speeding. He was doing 8 MPH, which was over the 2 MPH speed limit. He was fined 1 shilling plus costs. He had been caught by a policeman who had given chase on a bicycle.
December 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
Wishing all our #Genealogy friends from around the world a safe and Happy Christmas and here's hoping that we can smash down a few of those Genealogy Brickwalls in 2026!
#NWKFHS #Genealogy #Kent
December 24, 2025 at 11:14 AM
nwkfhs.bsky.social
This time of year, our thoughts turn gratefully to our members and especially the volunteers who make the Society's success possible. We thank you for all that you do and wish you all the best this Christmas - and a happy and above all healthy and peaceful 2026.
#Genealogy #Kent #NWKFHS
December 20, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Reposted by North West Kent Family History Society
kentarchives.bsky.social
✨ Our opening hours this festive season ✨

Following our temporary closure, we look forward to re-opening our Search Room to the public on Tuesday 16th December.

Plan to visit us in the next few weeks? To avoid disappointment, please bear in mind the following dates…
Shown here is a graphic listing Kent Archives' opening hours for December 2025 and January 2026. Key dates to bear in mind include: Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December – Closed Christmas Day, Thursday 25th December – Closed Boxing Day, Friday 26th December – Closed New Year's Eve, Wednesday 31st December – Open until 4pm New Year's Day, Thursday 1st January – Closed We look forward to welcoming you to the Search Room this festive season!
December 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM