A HISTORY session focussing on parish registers is being held for people who have an interest in genealogy.

Durham County Record Office is holding the talk, which will focus on church records of baptisms, marriages and burials - some of which go back to the 1530s.

It is aimed at people who have basic genealogy experience and is being run again following a popular session earlier this year.

Dawn Layland, education and outreach archivist at Durham County Council, said: “Before the 1830s, parish registers are really the only source recording the lives and deaths of ordinary people which makes them brilliant for family history.

“Parish registers for Durham aren’t available online, so the talk will demonstrate how they can be accessed using our microfilms.

“This session was very popular when we ran it last year and we would encourage people interested in finding out more about their family history to get signed up.”

It takes place at County Hall, Durham, on Tuesday, November 9, from 6pm to 8pm.

A beginners course is also being held in November.

They take place on Friday, November 3, 10 and 17 from 10am to 12pm and Monday, November 6, 13 and 20 November from 6pm to 8pm.

Booking is essential for both the beginners’ course and the branching out sessions. To reserve a place call 03000 267 626.