MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council is to promote a series of events focusing on family history during the Festival of Learning next month.

The festival, previously known as Adult Learners’ Week, is a national celebration of lifelong learning.

Representatives of Gwent Family History Society, Gwent Archives and the Strategic Library Service will attend and demonstrate the research facilities available in the county’s community hubs. These include free access to the popular internet sites Ancestry.com and Findmypast.co.uk.

In addition, the experts will be able to assist customers to research their family background and offer tips on delving into the past.

The events will take place in Monmouthshire’s six community hubs between 10am and 3pm as follows:

Monmouth, Monday 13th June

Usk, Thursday 16th June

Gilwern, Tuesday 21st June

Abergavenny Friday, 24th June

Chepstow Monday, 27th June

Caldicot Friday, 1st July

Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for community hubs, Councillor Bob Greenland said: “Exploring family history has become massively popular during the past decade or so, largely due to the introduction of the internet.

“All of Monmouthshire’s community hubs offer access to relevant websites to discover the history of our predecessors and those attending will benefit from the knowledge and expertise offered at our family history events.

“Many people who were merely curious about their forebears have found that family history research has become a fascinating hobby.”

For more information about the Festival of Learning Events in Monmouthshire’s community hubs contact Janet C. Karn, temporary principal librarian, on 01291 635626.