“More Hidden Voices of our Ancestors”
Following the success of our previous “Secret Lives” event, The Halsted Trust is thrilled to announce its fourth residential International Family History Conference. Titled “Secrets & Lies: More Hidden Voices of Our Ancestors,” the conference will take place at the Holiday Inn, Peterborough West, from 19th to 21st September 2025.
This immersive event will delve deeper into the lesser-known stories of our ancestors—stories of mystery, hardship, and resilience that have shaped the history of the British Isles.
Call for Speakers
We invite passionate speakers to submit lectures on a wide array of topics relating to family history and the “hidden” lives of our ancestors. We are particularly interested in subjects such as:
- Bigamy, Divorce & Marriage Breakdown (18th–20th centuries)
- LGBTQIA+ Lives: Social history, records, and new research
- Criminal Underclass: The stories behind bagnios, bawdy houses, and 18th-century prostitution in London
- Victorian Fallen Women: Prostitution, reform, and social stigma
- Crime & Punishment: Victorian detectives, police, and transportation
- Social Deprivation: Life in rural and urban areas, from London to rural hamlets
- Women’s History: Researching female ancestors and their roles in society
- Court Cases: Ecclesiastical or “bawdy courts,” civil litigation, and case studies
- Migrant Communities: Exploring Irish Liverpool, Jewish Manchester, and other immigrant histories
- Institutions: Workhouses, schools, and homes for impoverished children
- End of Life: The role of funeral clubs, friendly societies, and the experience of a poor person’s death
We’re particularly keen to hear about innovative approaches to researching “black sheep” ancestors and the challenges of uncovering their stories. Whether driven by poverty, religion, ambition, or love, these hidden lives reflect the powerful forces that shaped the past.
Are there new genealogical resources on the horizon? How can archaeology, DNA, and other emerging tools reveal untold stories? We invite experts to share their latest findings.
Deadline for Submissions — 31 January 2025
Sessions will generally limited to fifty minutes plus a ten-minute question-and-answer session.
ALL lecturers are expected to provide a synopsis of the lecture and biographical information as part of the submission. If accepted this, along with a photograph will be published and used for publicity purposed. ALL lecturers are expected to provide syllabus material (hand-outs, notes or copies of slides or presentations as word documents or PDF files) which will be made be available to attendees in electronic form either through the conference webpages or as a conference CD.
Syllabus materials will be due by July 31 2025 and is required for each lecture or workshop presentation.
Guidelines
Anyone wishing to submit a talk for the conference should complete the speaker submission form here which will require the following information:
Speaker’s full name, address, telephone and email address.
Lecture title, not to exceed fourteen words, and a brief but comprehensive outline
Short summary of the lecture; word count not to exceed 100 words, which will be used in the program and pre-conference publicity if selected.
Brief speaker biography, not to exceed 100 words.
Resume of recent lectures given by the speaker. Those who have not spoken previously at a regional or national conference are encouraged to submit an audio or video tape of a recent lecture.
Speakers are expected to use an electronic presentation program, such as Powerpoint. The conference will provide the laptop, data projector, VGA cable, stand and power. Talks using OHPs will NOT be accepted.
Individuals may submit a maximum of 5 proposals.
Completed proposal forms must be received by 31 January 2025
Speakers selected by the conference and who are not sponsored elsewhere, will receive a speaker’s fee and reasonable travel expenses, within the UK, agreed in advance with the Trust after acceptance of the submission. Speakers may also receive complimentary day delegate conference registration in lieu of fees.
Sponsorship opportunities
Sponsorship for individual lectures and lecturers may be agreed with the Halsted Trust. Speakers who have their sessions sponsored will receive a complimentary day delegate conference registration. Compensation and travel expenses are at the discretion of the sponsoring organization.
Questions. Contact the Conference Team on else.churchill@sog.org.uk
Join Us for a Journey Through History’s Hidden Truths
All families have “skeletons in the cupboard,” and this conference is an opportunity to explore the secrets and lies that shaped not only individual lives but the history of Britain.
For more information, speaker submissions, and to register for the event, visit our official website at https://secretlives.org.uk/news. Stay informed with the latest news as it happens.