PEOPLE from across Oxfordshire will be given the chance to delve into their family trees and focus on their ancestors’ war records.

There will be a free genealogy day at The Marlborough School in Woodstock tomorrow.

Volunteers from Oxfordshire Family History Society, which has organised the event, will be available to help visitors explore their ancestry and staff from the Soldiers of Oxfordshire organisation will give an insight into military history.

Society chairwoman Wendy Archer said the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War in August had inspired more people to look into their family history and she said members of the society could help.

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She said: “We aim to provide friendly and helpful guidance both for others from Oxford and from other parts of the world.

“There are people addicted to the hobby eager to talk about it and offer their help.

“People do come to us and ask for guidance, they find medals and want to know what they are. Everybody has a different question.”

Volunteers will be joined by members of other history societies from across the country who will help people to explore their past.

The event aims to make it easier for people who may not be able to afford to do research or do not have internet access.

Oxfordshire Family History Society member Angie Trueman said: “There will be lots of people there to help who have an interest in ancestry who might not have access to ancestry websites. We can go looking in the archives and help.”

She said even people who may think they have a dull family history should come along as they may be surprised what they find.

She said: “I have been doing it for about six years and I have gone back to the 1700s.

“My family are all agricultural labourers and domestic servants but it puts it in a context.

“I think I have birth certificates and marriage certificates that have a cross because a woman couldn’t write and that isn’t that long ago.

“One part of my family came from the Midlands and they were nail makers.

“It was a really tough life.”

The event runs from 10am to 4pm and is free, with no need to book.

To find out more visit ofhs.org.uk

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