Tracing Romany, Traveller or Fairground folk?
We're the family history society for you. It's a great way to trace your special roots, meet people who share your interests and find out more about your heritage.
Is your ancestor in our Publications?
Browse through the range of specialist books published by the RTFHS. We may have one that includes your family and perhaps even your complete family tree.
Is your ancestor in our photo Gallery?
Take a look at our great old photos of travelling people and travelling life, sourced mainly from our members' family albums and postcard collections.
We're looking forward to seeing you at the Oxfordshire FHS Family History Fair in Oxford on 25 October 2025. See our Events page for info.
What's new?
New plaque celebrates the Romany history of Sound Common near Nantwich, Cheshire Posted Oct 14, 2025 By Web Master
A commemorative plaque was unveiled on Monday 6 October 2025 to honour British Romany families who lived for generations on Sound Common near Nantwich in
Come and meet the RTFHS team in Chesham at our own family history event on Saturday 11 October 2025 Posted Sep 19, 2025 By Web Master
We’re holding our own “On the Road” family history event in Chesham in Buckinghamshire on Saturday 11 October 2025. It’s free and open to everyone,
Looking for Travelling ancestors with surnames starting with H or I? They might be in our latest online collection Posted Aug 19, 2025 By Web Master
Are you researching Romany or Traveller families with a surname starting with H or I? You’re sure to find a reference or two in the
Remember the hop-pickers who drowned in the 1853 Hartlake Tragedy: an event at St Mary’s Church, Hadlow, Kent, on Sunday 17 August 2025 Posted Jul 28, 2025 By Web Master
RTFHS member Anne Hughes has sent us this information about an event at St Mary’s Church, Hadlow, near Tonbridge in Kent, on Sunday 17th August
Missed the SOG’s “Researching Romany and Traveller Ancestors” online presentation on Monday 23 June 2025? Now catch up with it on YouTube! Posted Jun 29, 2025 By Web Master
If you weren’t able to attend the “Researching Romany and Traveller Ancestors” online presentation on Monday 23 June 2025 organised by the Society of Genealogists,
Events
Oct
25
Oxfordshire FHS Family History Fair in Oxford: RTFHS attending
Time: 10.00am until 4.00pm
Location: Cherwell School (North), Marston Ferry Road, Oxford OX2 7EE
Nov
01
Gypsy History in Dorset: an event hosted by the Dorset History Centre and Kushti Bok Dorset with the RTFHS taking part
Time: 12.30pm until 3.30pm
Location: Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1RP, Dorset
Nov
06
RTFHS “Break Down Your Brick Walls” Session by Zoom: exclusively for RTFHS members
Time: 7.30pm-9.00pm UK time
Location: Online event
Jan
24
East Surrey FHS Virtual Family History Fair: RTFHS attending
Time: 10am-12pm & 2pm-4pm
Location: Online event
Apr
18
The Really Useful Family History Show Live, St Ives, Cambridgeshire: RTFHS taking part
Time: TBC
Location: Burgess Hall, Westwood Road, St Ives PE27 6WU, Cambridgeshire