There was plenty of talk about long-lost cousins and mystery ancestors at Oxfordshire Family History Society open day.

Nearly 1,000 visitors toured a range of stalls at Didcot Civic Hall reflecting the many aspects of genealogy from Goons - members of the Guild of One Name Studies who focus on a particular family name - to history societies from neighbouring counties and town groups.

Oxfordshire County Council's archive services and record office were represented, as well as groups specialising in computer-aided techniques for delving into family histories.

Rebecca Vickers, chairman of the Oxfordshire Society, said: "Our membership of 3,000 worldwide is an indication of the large and growing interest in family history.

She said: "It has been made a great deal easier through the use of the Internet, enabling people to trace their roots without necessarily having to travel extensively to look at parish and other records."

To mark the 25th anniversary of the society, members presented a cheque for £2,000 to Dr Malcolm Graham, head of family history research at the Centre for Oxfordshire Studies.

The money will be used to buy material helpful in studying family histories.

The society holds regular lecture meetings on the fourth Monday of the month at Exeter Hall, Kidlington, at 7pm.

For further details ring 01993 812258.