Church helps Malmesbury residents to trace their ancestors (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Church helps Malmesbury residents to trace their ancestors

9:10am Sunday 26th August 2012 in North Wilts news

MAYOR Ray Sanderson was among those who enjoyed a glimpse into the past at Malmesbury United Reformed Church’s history weekend.

The Rebels with a Cause event marking the 350th anniversary of the birth of non-conformist churches in the UK, gave people an opportunity to delve into their family past using records dating back 200 years.

One of the organisers, Sara Crabb told the Standard: “We fielded enquiries from as far afield as Australia and USA - one lady from Dursley brought very old photos of family members listed in the church records for the 1840s.

“I met the descendants of the original welsh horse trader who set up store in the 1500s in what we now call Horsefair.”

Cllr Sanderson even spotted a photo of himself as a child at Sunday School.

“It was a lovely community event, re-uniting old friends and making new ones, sharing historical information and learning new things,” added Sara.

The weekend, which included talks, a celebration service and cream teas, raised £500 towards the £2,000 cost of restoring the war memorial window in the church.