Are you researching Quaker ancestors—or wondering whether your family tree might contain a hidden connection to the Society of Friends?
If so, our upcoming webinar, “Quaker Family History and Records,” offers a fascinating opportunity to discover more about Quaker history, culture and the wealth of records available to family historians.
Quakerism has a distinctive history stretching back to the 17th century, and its communities have left behind a remarkable range of records. These sources can provide valuable clues about the lives, families and experiences of our ancestors, sometimes allowing researchers to trace family connections across several centuries. This engaging presentation will begin with a brief introduction to the history of Quakerism in the British Isles, providing essential background for anyone new to researching Quaker ancestors. We will also explore some of the characteristics of Quaker culture and explain why an understanding of the Society of Friends can be so helpful when interpreting historical records.
The main focus of the webinar will be the wide variety of Quaker sources available to family historians. For anyone accustomed to working with parish registers, census returns and civil registration, Quaker records can open up an entirely new avenue of research. The webinar will be presented by Ben Beck, whose interest in Quaker family history is both personal and longstanding. Ben was brought up as a Quaker, although he left the Society of Friends on reaching adulthood. On his mother’s side, most of his ancestors were Quakers, with family connections reaching back to the 17th century. His involvement in Quaker family history extends well beyond his own research. Ben joined the Quaker Family History Society when it was first formed in 1994 and has served on its committee for most of the past 30 years. During that time, he has successively served as Editor of the society’s journal, Quaker Connections, Secretary and, currently, Chair. He is also a member of the Friends Historical Society.
Whether you are an experienced genealogist or are just beginning to investigate a possible Quaker connection, this webinar promises to be an informative and rewarding introduction to an important area of family history research. Come along to learn more about Quakerism, discover the records that could help take your research further, and gain a deeper understanding of the people and communities who shaped your family’s past.
Join us for “Quaker Family History and Records” and discover what Quaker records could reveal about your ancestors. Book your space for the webinar on Saturday 19th September 2026 at 4pm UK time on Eventbrite by following this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/quaker-family-history-and-records-tickets-1993030052538
