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Next meeting...

Wednesday 23rd April 2025

Celebrating VE Day

A programme of short talks and displays with a wartime theme

No need to book, just come along,

Guide Hut, Moorgate, Ormskirk (Opposite Hesford's) L39 4RU

Doors open 7pm, talk starts 7.30pm

All welcome, non-members £2.00 entrance

Next Ormskirk Library Family History Helpdesk

Monday 2nd June 2025

10.30 a.m.- 11.30 a.m.

Out and About with ODFHS this Spring and Summer

The ODFHS stand will be at the Museum of Rural Lancashire Life, Anvil Day

Saturday 26th April 11am-4pm

Alderlee Park, Turning Lane, Scarisbrick, PR8 5HR

All proceeds for Alzehimer's Society

ODFHS 45^th Anniversary Competition

2025 is the 45^th anniversary of ODFHS and, in celebration, we’ve decided to mark this with a competition, open to both members and non-members. The subject of the competition is “Who is your most interesting West Lancashire ancestor?” or “What is your most interesting family discovery related to West Lancashire?”. Choose one of these and tell us about it in 300-750 words. Add photos and illustrations as you want.

Entries by email or post - any reasonable format accepted. The winner will get a year’s free membership. Entries must be received by 31^st May 2025 and the results will be announced 1^st August 2025.

The best entries will be published in the ODFHS Magazine “The Ormskirk and District Family Historian” (subject to space). Full competition rules can be found by following this link (click here).

Sharing People's History of West Lancashire project

Family History and the Lost Buildings of West Lancashire

Family History and the Landmarks of West Lancashire

Our books are still available as a digital downloads, please follow this link

Family History and the Landmarks of West Lancashire

A Slice of Gingerbread

A Slice of Gingerbread - the Ormskirk Gingerbread Sellers is available to purchase:

A Slice of Gingerbread

See "Events" and "Meetings" pages for details of upcoming events.

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Also check our Facebook Page for the latest updates.

2025-6 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE NOW DUE

Please visit the MEMBERSHIP PAGE for online renewal and payment details.

A Slice of Gingerbread, the Ormskirk Gingerbread Sellers

FIGHTS, SECRETS, TRAGEDIES AND BRUSHES WITH ROYALTY

The fascinating stories behind Ormskirk's famous gingerbread sellers.

Price £4.00

Copies can be purchased locally from;

Cottage Crafts (Burscough Street, Ormskirk)

For those further afield copies are available via Parish Chest

https://www.parishchest.com/ormskirk-district-fhs-3508.php

for more information contact;

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Family History and the Landmarks of West Lancashire

West Lancashire has a long and fascinating heritage which is reflected in its landmarks. Some are easily recognised, such as Ormskirk's iconic clock tower and distinctive parish church. Others are less well known, are harder to pinpoint and many have been subject to the ravages of time, but all have their own tale to tell about their origins and the people associated with them. Our new booklet highlights a selection of the landmarks which can be seen in the West Lancashire landscape.

Copies are being given away through all West Lancashire libraries (Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, Tarleton, Parbold and Burscough), or as a digital download via this link Family History and the Landmarks of West Lancashire

Following the book launch on 13 January 2025, Kate and Kathryn gave a radio interview about the project to Brian Conlan of Radio Heartbeat for broadcast to patients of Ormskirk and Southport hospitals. A recording of this interview is available for download, or listen here.

Family History and the Lost Buildings of West Lancashire

West Lancashire's rich heritage is not always obvious in the 21st century. Many architectural features of the past have been lost to wars, politics, industrialisation, neglect and changing tastes. This free booklet funded by Lancashire County Council and ODFHS crowdfunded donations is available as a digital download from

https://www.odfhs.website/index.php/downloads