Deal & District Branch members had a busy Heritage Open Day on Saturday 15th September.
At Deal Town Hall the branch displayed their research into the family history of the ‘Past Mayors of Deal’. This proved most popular with many people taking the time, not just to view this years display, but also to read the books containing the research of the past few years. Branch members were on hand for visitors wanting to know more, and also to answer questions about the Deal & District Branch of Kent Family History Society.
As well as researching their own family histories branch members have a team project to research the family histories of Deal's past Mayors. This years 'Past Mayors of Deal' exhibition included Bethel Dawes who was Mayor in 1736, and Edward Darby Mayor in 1842 & 1843. The previous year's research was also on view, and included Thomas Powell, Mayor in 1703 & 1708, and Comfort Kingsmill who was nine times Mayor of Deal between 1835 & 1848.
Meanwhile, just up the road at the Landmark Centre other members were running one of the popular Deal & District Family History Help Sessions. One couple who came to the session, looking for ancestors who once lived in the town, were on a visit from Australia.
Report by Suzanne Green