In the first of these two sessions we will examine and discuss the many challenges inherent to genealogical research in this region, and the  possibilities for addressing and overcoming them. The second session will focus in more detail on the process of researching ancestors in Poland and Hungary,  including issues to consider when starting out; how to go about identifying which archives in which country to approach; ensuring access to available documents; limitations etc

The sessions will be ideally suited to those embarking on such research for the first time or having made a start, but left feeling daunted.

About the tutors: Madeleine Dickens is a professionally qualified genealogist (AGRA registered) with many years’ experience of research in the UK and other countries. Milla Rabjohns has been resident in the UK for many years and has a passionate interest in genealogical research, particularly in her native country -  Poland.

Saturday, 14 January from 2-5pm, cost £17.50/£14.00 SoG Members. Must be pre-booked, through our secure website or by telephone: 0250 7553 3290. Do you have a question? email the events department.

The Society of Genealogists is delighted to announce the publication of My Ancestor Settled in the British West Indies by John Titford, FSG. This book is a comprehensive guide to the location and use of records of British ancestors who moved to the British West Indies, and also Bermuda, British Guiana (Guyana) and British Honduras (Belize). Organized in an easy to use, territory by territory format, John Titford’s book will guide you through the records available, and also warn you of the pitfalls which may lay along the way in researching this fascinating subject. John Titford is a professional genealogist, freelance writer and lecturer and was elected a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists in 2004. My Ancestor Settled in the British West Indies is available from the Society’s bookshop and online at www.sog.org.uk, price £9.99. As ever, members of the Society receive a 10% discount on Society publications.

The Society’s December Book of the Month will make a lovely Christmas present for anyone interested in family and social history, or  indeed anybody with an interest in the history of fashion. How to get the most from Family Pictures by Jayne Shrimpton is a beautifully illustrated guide to dating family photographs, paintings, drawings and silhouettes from the late 18th to mid-20th centuries. Jayne Shrimpton has over 20 years experience in dating and analysing family pictures, so if you’ve been wondering when those mysterious family photographs may possibly date from, this is the book for you. How to get the most from Family Pictures is available with a discount of 20% off the retail price throughout December, and the offer is availabe to Society of Genealogists members in addition to their existing members discount. You can buy our book of the month, along with the full range Society of Genealogists publications, in our bookshop at 14 Charterhouse Buildings, and online at www.sog.org.uk.

Offer ends 31/12/11 and does not appy to trade orders.

The Society of Genealogists is delighted to make My Ancestor was a Royal Marine by Ken Divall available as our first ebook. The ebook is now available to download for Kindle users through Amazon, price £5.69, or $9.14 if you are in the USA. There will be further Society of Genealogists ebooks made available in the coming months, and we’ll keep you informed as and when these become available.

November is a time of remembrance, when many people’s thoughts turn to their military ancestors and the Society of Genealogists is offering My Ancestor was in the British Army by Michael and Christopher Watts as our book of the month for November. Members and non-members alike can enjoy a 20% discount on the price of this comprehensive guide to British Army records during November. This book is an aid to family historians tracing ancestors who served in the British Army from 1660 up until World War Two. Members can take advantage of this offer in addition to their existing member’s discount, but unfortunately the offer is not available on trade orders. My Ancestor was in the British Army is available from the Society of Genealogists bookshop and online at www.sog.org.uk

Offer ends 30/11/11