HELPDESKS

Please note that ALL helpdesks are currently suspended due to the Coronavirus shutdown. Please use the Helpdesk email address for assistance.

The Bolton FHS are happy to try to assist anyone looking for advice regarding the researching of their family history.

We have Helpdesks

1. on the first Saturday of the month, 10am to 12 noon, in Bolton History Centre, Central Library, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton, BL1 1SE
2. on the second Saturday of the month, 10.00am to 12 noon, at Harwood Library, Gate Fold, Harwood, Bolton, BL2 3HN (next to Morrison’s Supermarket)
3. before, and after, every Bolton FHS Monthly Meeting,

or you can send research advice enquires to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There are free Bolton FHS booklets available from the links below. Hard copies are available from the Bolton History Centre and at our monthly meetings:

• A Beginner's Guide to Family History Research
• An Advanced Guide to Family History Research

The MLFHS have a Helpesk, 10.30am to 3.30pm, Monday-Friday, in Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 5PD.

The AngloScottish FHS and the Oldham FHS also have Helpdesks, see their webpages for details.

Most ARCHIVES have free Advice Sheets on their websites detailing how best to undertake your research:

• Bolton History Centre Advice Sheets
• Lancashire Archives Advice Sheets
• National Archives Advice Sheets

There are several webpages providing VIDEOS which may be of interest to you:

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission - How to find war dead and cemeteries
• FamilySearch - Getting Started
• FamilySearch - Online Lessons
• FindMyPast - How to search census records by address
• FindMyPast - Video Library
• FindMyPast - Search Masterclass(Note: the search advice starts around 4:40 minutes into the video)
• The Long, Long Trail - Online tutorials
• UKBMD - Online tutorials (alternative link to the videos by Ian Hartas below)
• Local BMD Project - Online tutorials - by Ian Hartas