WHO do you think you are?

All will be revealed with a little help from Wiltshire Family History Society.

WFHS, a splinter group from the Bristol & Avon Society was founded in 1981 pre all-knowing Google and computers-boom.

Finding strength in numbers, members plodded on with research into their family trees, unearthing clues of their heritage.

Now the Swindon branch welcomes up to 40 sleuths, hoping to lift the veil on their origins.

“The Society started at a time when computers were not so common and information not so readily available,” says Yvonne Neal, secretary of the group’s Swindon branch. “So it was a great help to meet with others doing their research. These days we use computers a great deal but we still need to know where to look and how our families lived. After all, it is Family History and not just a family tree.

“It opens up a fascinating world of intrigue – who knows what, or who, you will find. Coincidences happen all the time and, like a good, book, it can become quite addictive and challenging, and you can’t put it down.

“The Wiltshire Family History Society encourages, and will try to help, those who would like to know and discover more. It isn’t always easy, but we aim to help each other and by sharing problems, successes and stories, we can often overcome pitfalls and stumbling blocks – or ‘brick walls’ as we refer to them.”

The Wiltshire Family History Society has headquarters in Devizes where a team of volunteers research, transcribe, organise regional events and publish information booklets including a quarterly members magazine. Members also run local branches hold monthly talks.

The Swindon group meets at 7.30pm on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at Gorse Hill Community Centre.

“Talks at our meetings are varied and cover a variety of topics – mostly loosely connected with family history,” adds Yvonne. “From time to time our own members also talk about their own personal histories, problems and solutions. We’d love to welcome more members. “It is for anyone, not just those with Wiltshire connections. So please do come along and see just what you can discover.”

Joining is not compulsory. The annual membership fee is £12.

For more details visit www.wiltshirefhs.co.uk, the Wiltshire Family History Society's Facebook page or contact the Swindon branch secretary atnealy1@virginmedia.com.