Join us for a full and fascinating day dedicated to uncovering the rich legacy of the Huguenots in Britain and how to trace your Huguenot ancestors. Whether you're just beginning your family history journey or a seasoned researcher, Discover Your Huguenot Heritage Day offers a rare opportunity to explore specialist resources and expert insights.
Morning at the SoG Library: Talks & Resources
The day begins at the Society of Genealogists’ Library, where our expert speakers will guide you through the extensive resources available for researching Huguenot ancestry:
- Barbara Julien, will take us through the captivating history of the Huguenot Library and its collections. Discover the legacy of the Huguenot community and the Society dedicated to preserving it.
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Micol Barengo, Librarian of the Huguenot Library, will offer a detailed presentation on the library’s holdings—designed specifically with the family historian in mind. Key sources will be highlighted including:
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Digitised Huguenot church registers
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Consistorial minutes
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The Royal Bounty archive, a goldmine for name-rich genealogical data
Micol will also provide a demonstration of the Huguenot Library’s electronic resources, showcasing how to search for specific names and access digitised publications and microfiches—tools available exclusively to Huguenot Society members.
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Afternoon: Walking Tour – The Huguenots of Spitalfields
After a break for lunch (not included), we reconvene at Aldgate East Tube Station for a guided walk with Paul Baker, a City of London guide and local historian.
Spitalfields has been a refuge for centuries, perhaps most notably for French Huguenots fleeing persecution in late 17th-century France. There they worked as silk-weavers, amongst other trades, producing goods of exquisite quality. We'll explore the Huguenots, as well as other waves of immigration such as Jews and Bengalis. And we'll also look at the general history of this endlessly fascinating area in the East End.
BONUS: Hugenot Resources at the SoG
After the event you will receive access to a recorded talk by Else Churchill, on the SoG’s own collections relevant to Huguenot research. Learn how to navigate our archives and special collections to uncover hidden threads in your family story.
Why Attend?
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Connect with specialists in Huguenot family history
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Gain practical tools and insider knowledge for your research
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Learn how to access exclusive digitised records and archives
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Walk the very streets where your ancestors may have lived and worked
Spaces are limited—book your place today and unlock the stories of your Huguenot ancestors.
Image: 'Huguenots landing at Dover’, from the 1885 Graphic commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes; provided by The Huguenot Library, this image is part of the picture library.
Programme details
| Talks & Resources with Barbara Julien and Micol Barengo | In Person | 24/10/2025 | 11:00 - 13:00 | |
| Walk: The Huguenots of Spitalfields | In Person | 24/10/2025 | 14:30 - 16:30 |
About the Walk Guide
Paul Baker
Paul Baker qualified as a City of London guide in 2003. As well as conducting walks in the City and the West End, he has been leading walks in Barnet since 2004. Paul also has a broad repertoire of walks outside the borough, in central, north, east, south and west London and beyond.
About the Speaker
Micol Barengo
Micol Barengo has been the Librarian at the Huguenot Library since 2012, having previously worked at Dr Williams’s Library and the Institute of Historical Research. As the only member of staff, she manages the day to day running of the library, reader access and collection development. She has also overseen the microfiche digitisation project of the Royal Bounty archive and its cataloguing system. Since 2019, she organises workshops for Fellows of the Huguenot Society and members of the public.
About the Speaker
Barbara Julien
Barbara Julien is a former teacher of French. She joined The Huguenot Society in 1999, serving as Hon Secretary 2004-9, and inaugurating the Society’s stand at London’s genealogy fairs in 2005. Since 2009 she has chaired the Huguenot Library and Archive committee. In 2015 the Society published as Quarto Series 62 her work on the Huguenot community at Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex, 1683-1763. During her tenure as the Society’s President, 2019-2022, she set up and continues to edit the Society’s Blog. Her presidential paper on the London Huguenot Friendly Society of Poitou and the Loudunois, 1714-1812, was published in the 2022 Journal.
About the Speaker
Else Churchill
Else Churchill is the Genealogist at the Society of Genealogists in London. Formerly a professional genealogical librarian and researcher, Else has worked for the SoG since 1994. She is the Society’s subject lead, working across the organisation and runs the publishing programme. She was the recipient of the IHGS Julian Bickersteth Memorial Medal in 2023 for her exemplary contribution to family history studies.
24/10/2025
11:00 - 16:30
Society of Genealogists
A full and fascinating IN-PERSON day. This event will not be recorded.