The Mansfield Family History Centre, on Berry Hill,  a resource for family historians across Mansfield and Ashfield, is holding a relaunch free open day on Saturday, 4th May –  and unveiling a new name, Mansfield Family Search Centre.

The event at the centre at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, includes several different displays of what life was like over the past 300 years, with volunteers there to chat about family history and family life.

Visitors will be able to learn about scanning and enhancing their own photographs and talk to members of the Family History Centre team to learn just why it can be so important.

For example, through its special internet portal people can have access to thousands of parish registers and other documents that are not otherwise accessible online due to copyright restrictions. People can also access several subscription family history websites free-of-charge, such as Ancestry, Findmypast and MyHeritage.

Denis Hill, of the centre, said: “We are also taking this opportunity to rebrand the centre. It will now become known as the Mansfield Family Search Centre, to bring it inline with church’s family history website: www.familysearch.com – the world’s largest free family history website. To make the day even more special, you will be able to sample some of the foods that were eaten by our ancestors. Not only is the event free of charge but so is the use of the centre, at any time.”

Both the event and the centre are to be found at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Southridge Drive, Berry Hill, Mansfield, NG18 4RJ. Doors will be open at 11am until 2pm on Saturday, 4^th May.

Denis added: “It is exciting to have the Family Search Centre open once again after its closure caused by the pandemic.

Weekly family search sessions are held every Thursday, from 12noon to 6pm, but appointments can be made for alternative times.

For additional enquiries, email [email protected]