Join us for a full and fascinating day dedicated to uncovering the rich legacy of the Huguenots in Britain and looking at 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.

• 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:

  • Digitised Huguenot church registers

  • Consistorial minutes

  • The Royal Bounty archive, a goldmine for name-rich genealogical data

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: Huguenot 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?

• Connect with specialists in Huguenot family history

• Gain practical tools and insider knowledge for your research

• Learn how to access exclusive digitised records and archives

• 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 200^th anniversary of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes; provided by The Huguenot Library, this image is part of the picture library.

*Travel from Society of Genealogists to Aldgate East station takes approximately 30 minutes, a 5 minute walk and one bus.