Welcome to the Woodchurch Genealogy site. This site is provided to assist those who are interested in their family history and have ancestors who lived in Woodchurch, Kent. It brings together the research and interests of the Woodchurch Ancestry Group and the resources available at the Woodchurch Village Life Museum.
The Woodchurch Ancestry Group is a group of family historians which grew out of the Woodchurch Local History Society. It was formerly known as the 14+ group. Members are researching a wide range of families from Woodchurch and may be able to assist you with your own research. Several members have deposited material with the Museum and is available for study. Others have carried out transcribing projects and much of this is online.
'Leaving Woodchurch'
Summer Exhibition 2011
Saturday 16th July 2011 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
On Saturday 16th July 2011 the Woodchurch Ancestry Group will be hosting their third exhibition of local and family history in the Memorial Hall in Woodchurch.
The previous two exhibitions, held in 2006 and 2008, concentrated on, respectively, general items of Woodchurch history, and Woodchurch in 1871. This year the group will be focussing on those from the village who decided to start new lives in distant countries. Once again, they will be producing a book to accompany the exhibition: both are called 'Leaving Woodchurch'. It is planned that the book will be on sale on the day with proceeds going to the upkeep of the Village Life Museum.
The book and exhibition will highlight different families' stories of emigration: What was Woodchurch like to live in when they left? What were conditions like on board their ships? What was life like in their new homes?
The first story is of the Dowd family who left the village in the 17th century. Other stories focus on the emigration of members of well-known Woodchurch families in the 19th and 20th centuries: for example, the Fullagars, Dittons, Wallers, Backs and Holyers. Finally we have ones that bring us right up to date with emigration that took place only a few decades ago.
Bob and Pat Chown will be on hand with their family history databases to help you with your own local families, as well as general advice.
Doors open at 10:00 and close at 4:00pm. We will be serving tea, coffee, squash and light lunches.
To confirm attendance or to get further information, contact .
'Woodchurch in 1871'
Summer Exhibition 2008
Saturday 12th July 2008 11:00-4:00 pm
The exhibition was a major success and enjoyed by everyone present.
More photographs by Gary Samson can be found here.