Peak District Family History Conference
6 September 2025

The Peak District Family History Conference for 2025 will be, once again, held at the Palace Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire on the 6th September 2025.

Despite significant increases in costs, we have managed to keep the ticket price at £30 which includes a light lunch and entry into the Prize Draw.

This year the Conference has been organised in partnership with the Family History Federation and we warmly welcome all members of Family History Societies who wish to attend the conference.

Please scroll down this page for more information about the conference.

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Speakers

Debbie Bradley

Debbie has been a professional genealogist and speaker for over 10 years and has a Postgraduate Certificate from the University of Strathclyde. Debbie is a member of AGRA

Progressing Your Family History

Karen Evans

Karen is currently a writer for Family Tree Magazine on all things genealogical. She has also written two ‘Grim Almanac’ books for the History Press.

Unlocking the secrets of DNA testing

Steve Gill

50 years qualified professional photographer and qualified photography teacher and awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society

Photographic Restoration and Conservation

Peter Threlfall & Judith Beastall

Peter and Judith have, jointly, over three decades of experience in local, family and military research

Researching a War Memorial

Exhibitors

The current confirmed list of exhibitors is listed below, with more to be announced.

Military and Family Geneaology

Military & Family Geneaology was formed by Peter Threlfall and Judith Beastall as a natural extension of their interests and hobbies. They jointly have over three decades worth of experience in local, family and military historical research. They have extensive experience in researching the Great War and Boer War.

Maps

Chris Makepeace regularly runs a book stall at Family and Local History book fairs, stocking Alan Godfrey OS Maps and some of Chris’s own works.

Family History Federation

The Federation of Family History Societies promotes interest in researching family history and encourages membership of member societies.

Manchester & Lancashire FHS

Manchester and Lancashire FHS is a busy, active society with over a hundred volunteers working on transcription and similar projects. Formed in 1964, and now based in Manchester Central Library, it is one of the largest family history societies in the country.

Nottinghamshire FHS

Representatives of the Nottinghamshire Family History Society

Family & Community Historical Research Society

A society to promote and communicate research in family and community history, with a particular emphasis on the contribution of locally based micro-studies, especially through collaborative research.

Programme

From 08:30 Registration & refreshments

09:30 – 09:45 Welcome address – Geoff Tideswell, Chairperson

09:45 – 10:45 Peter Threlfall and Judith Beastall – Researching a War Memorial

10:45 - 10:55 Q&A

10:55 – 11:30 Comfort break & refreshments

11:30 – 12:30 Karen Evans – Unlocking the secrets of DNA Testing

12:30 - 12:40 Q&A

12:40 – 14:00 Lunch

13:30 - Geoff Tideswell - Did you know about..........

14:00 – 15:00 Steve Gill - Photographic Restoration and Conservation

15:00 - 15:10 Q&A

15:10 – 15:45 Comfort break & refreshments

15:45 – 16:45 Debbie Bradley - Progressing Your Family History

16:45 - 16:55 Q&A

16:55 – 17:00 Summary session

17:00 – 17:30 Last chance to view exhibitor stands

Car Parking

Car Parking at The Palace Hotel cannot be guaranteed nor reserved. However if you do manage to park there it is important that you enter your car's registration number into the terminal on their reception desk or you will receive a fine.

Blue Badge Holders may park or drop off at the hotel.

Alternative car parking can be found on the side streets around the hotel or you could use one of Buxton's Public Car Parks, details can be found at https://www.highpeak.gov.uk/article/859/Buxton-car-parks

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Fancy A Weekend Away?

Why not incorporate our Conference into a weekend in Buxton and the Peak District.

We have negotiated the following room rates with the Palace Hotel for those attending our conference :-

Single Occupancy - BB £78 or DBB £93

Double Occupancy - BB £106 or DBB £136

To book your room call the Central Reservations on 08712 210253. Please tell the member of staff who answers the phone, that your booking is for the Palace Hotel, Buxton and that it is in connection with the U3A Family History Conference on the 6th September 2025.

Peak District Family History Conference 6 September 2025