IHGS: The School of Family History

07/12/2025

An Ancestral Christmas with Mrs Yule Herself! A seasonal Zoom talk 10th December 12pm -

02/12/2025

IHGS Student and Members Research Project: Unravelling the Mystery of Historic Wax Seals

IHGS is delighted to announce a unique research opportunity for our students, graduates and members. We have been approached by a gentleman who has inherited a remarkable collection of over 200 wax seals dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Discovered in 1959 during an attic clearance at a local hotel, the collection offers a rare opportunity to engage in original heraldic and historical research.

The Project

Approximately half of the seals bear handwritten inscriptions beneath them, enabling the owner to identify around one third of the individuals represented. These include prominent industrialists, two prime ministers, members of the aristocracy, knights of the realm, and even two previously unknown ancestors of HM Queen Camilla.

However, many seals remain unidentified, featuring heraldic symbols such as arms, crests, Latin mottos, and personal initials.

The aim will be to assist in identifying the origins and owners of these unidentified wax seals using your heraldic and genealogical expertise. Digital images of the seals will be provided to participants.

How to Participate

Eligibility: Open to IHGS students, graduates, and members. Participants should have a sound knowledge of heraldry and access to standard heraldic reference works.

Expression of Interest: Please register your interest by 12 January.

Resources: Participants are encouraged to use IHGS library resources, online heraldic databases, and other historical references.

Format: Submissions should include a clear methodology, detailed findings, full references, and identification of arms (where established).

Project Timetable: The project will begin at the end of January and run for approximately 6 months.

Workshop: Zoom workshops will be organised to discuss the project.

Why Participate?

This project provides a hands-on opportunity to apply your heraldic and genealogical knowledge to a genuine historical puzzle. You’ll gain valuable research experience, contribute to uncovering hidden histories, and help shed new light on this fascinating collection.

For any queries, please contact Sarah Bulson, education@ihgs.ac.uk.

01/12/2025

IHGS December Newsletter -

We kindly advise students to submit their assignments by 22nd December to ensure they receive their next lecture before the Christmas break. We will do our best to mark all work received before the holiday; however, any assignments submitted after 4th December may not be returned until the New Year.

23/11/2025

Scottish Heraldry at its best: The Thistle Chapel and the Knights of the Order of the Thistle - Zoom Talk Wednesday 26th November 12pmhttps://mailchi.mp/ihgs/thistle

The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies 80-82 Northgate Canterbury Kent, CT1 1BA England Tel: +44 (0)1227 768664

21/11/2025

How Far Did Your Ancestor Travel? Zoom Talk with Celia Heritage -

How Far Did Your Ancestor Travel? Zoom Tutorial with Celia Heritage 24th November 12pm Exploring how our forebears moved around the UK before the advent of the railways. Discover the surprising distances some people covered on foot, by cart, or by sea, and learn what these journeys reveal about thei...

18/11/2025

Understanding Marshalling Zoom Tutorial -

Understanding Marshalling Part 2 with Ann Ballard 20th November 6:30pm Practical Tutorials with Blazoning practice throughout! Marshalling - the practice of arranging or combining different coats of arms on a single shield to show armigerous connections. Suitable for someone with some knowledge of b...

17/11/2025

If you have not seen it yet there is a great article in November's issue of Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine by IHGS Tutor Chloe O'Shea

"Think Outside the Box".

Great tips on how to break down those brick walls in your research

03/11/2025

Every year the Register of Qualified Genealogists (RQG) award prizes (£50 book tokens via Amazon) to students studying at Diploma or Master’s level at the three institutions which are affiliated to RQG.

We are delighted to announce that the IHGS Student Award went to Jananne Rahman for her portfolio piece "William Maybank and the Hyde Park Riots of 1866"

Many congratulations to her and all the winners.

03/11/2025

IHGS November Newsletter -

A recorded talk with IHGS Tutor Chloe O'Shea on the fascinating insights historical newspapers can bring to our ancestors’ lives. Birth, marriage, and death notices, along with local news reports, advertisements, and even court records, can provide valuable context and unexpected details about ...

02/11/2025

This Wednesday Understand Marshalling with Ann Ballard -

Marshalling - the practice of arranging or combining different coats of arms on a single shield to show armigerous connections. This tutorial guides you through the principles used and how they have developed over time. Practical examples will illustrate how to interpret the arms displayed. It wil...

27/10/2025

Join Ann Ballard this Wednesday for her great Tutorial on How to Draw Pedigrees Using PowerPoint

In this hands-on tutorial, tutor Ann Ballard will guide you through the key elements every chart should include. She’ll then demonstrate step by step how to build a pedigree in PowerPoint, sharing plenty of hints, tips, and shortcuts along the way.

26/10/2025

Learn how to understand Marshalling with Ann Ballard -

Understanding Marshalling Practical Zoom Tutorial with  Ann Ballard Tuesday 28th October 6:30pm repeated 5th November 1pm