Anglo-Italian Family History Society

Events

All of the events we have planned are to be held at London venues on the basis that we have a majority of members from London and the south east, and that many people have other reasons to visit the capital. We also try to host the events at locations where it is possible to combine attendance at the meeting with family history research, to make the trip worthwhile. However, if there is sufficient interest, we are keen hold regional meetings or attend regional family history fairs, particularly in Manchester, Scotland and South Wales. If you would be willing to help organise a meeting in your region, please contact the Chair.

Little Italy Exhibition at Holborn Library

3rd June - 27th September 2008

Holborn Library

The exhibition opened on 3 June 2008 with a reception, hosted by the Chief Librarian which was attended by many people including the Mayor of Camden.the exhibition will run until 27 September 2008.

The opening ceremony was performed by a member of the Italian Consulate. Father Carmelo di Giovanni gave a short speech. Olive Basani read some extracts from her recently completed book about Clerkenwell. Verusca Calabria, the oral historian of immigrant Italians, said how pleased she was at coming to visit the exhibition.

There was a splendid buffet provided by……, a plentiful selection of drinks with delicious ice cream to follow.

A tour of the photographs and mementos was enjoyed by all, groups formed around each topic as stories and memories were recounted by those who remembered some of the incidents. Photographs and programmes of the ‘Italian Procession’ were studied.  Several people said they would be returning to look closer as there was so much to take in !

There will be two talks in connection with the exhibition:-

  • 'Little Italy', the Italian Quarter in Holborn
    Tudor Allen, Senior Archivist, Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre
    Monday 21st July, 3pm
  • 'The True Teacher of Our Age' Giuseppe Mazzini and his London Circle
    Kevin Brown, Trust Archivist at St. Mary's Hospital
    Friday 1st August

‘”Little Italy”’, the story of London’s Italian quarter’ by Tudor Allen will be published in July 2008, price 5.99.

It is hoped that the exhibition will be at the Italian Procession.

Surrey Social

Saturday 13th September, 12pm-3pm

June Spong's House

June Spong has kindly invited members of the Society to her home in Dorking for lunch and a chat. Kay Lorenzato has sent invitations to members living in the Dorking area, but everyone is welcome to attend. If you would like to come along please contact Kay on 01208-423 0757 or by e-mail at 106054.1371@compuserve.com.  Please get in touch as we need to know the numbers attending, and we can also send you a map.

West Country Chinwag

Saturday 4th October 12pm-3pm

Venue TBC

We will meet for lunch and a chat at a venue in the Taunton area. We will write to members in the West Country nearer the time and, again, all members are invited to come along. Further details will be announced on the website, or phone Aubrey Knowles on 01278-733874.

Liverpool Family History Fair

Saturday 1st November, 10am - 4pm

St. George's Hall, Liverpool

This event, held in the very heart of the city, is part of Liverpool's European Capital of Culture celebrations. All North West family history associations will be present. Admission is £2 with an additional £2 fee for admission to 3 lectures, one of which will be by Dr. Nick Barratt, consultant to the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are. 

If you live in this part of the world, or fancy a drive up from somewhere further, this is a one time opportunity to get in touch with fellow Anglo-Italians at our stand whose ancestors settled in this area in the late 19th and early 20th century. You might even meet some long lost cugini.

Internment and P.O.W. Camps

Saturday 8th November, 2pm

Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Exhibition Road, South Kensington

Entrance Fee £5

We have been fortunate in persuading Dr. Roger Thomas of English Heritage to talk to us. He compiled a definitive list of all the WW II camps in England which was published in 2003. While his main interest was in the buildings, I have found that he has a wealth of knowledge about the operation of the camps, and knows of a wide range of sources of information about them. This should be a fascinating meeting if you have a relative who was in a camp, or would like to find out more about them. For further information phone Aubrey Knowles on 01278-733874.