SPORTING activities and royal visits were the main themes of the Isle of Man Family History Society’s annual exhibition.
The event was held at St John Ambulance’s headquarters in Glencrutchery Road, Douglas.
The exhibits included Olympic gold medal cyclist Peter Kennaugh’s family history showing that him and his younger brother Tim are the current generation of a long-standing Manx family and cycling dynasty.
Society committee member Jack Kaighin said a display on cycling from the 1950s, including a number of photos as well as medals and cups, ‘drew quite a bit of attention’.
On the royal theme, there was a display of coronation items such as mugs, and pictures and reports from early royal visits to the Isle of Man, including the Queen Mother’s visit in 1963, when she became the first woman to preside over Tynwald.
Mr Kaighin said that 200 to 300 visitors attended the two-day exhibition, adding: ‘It went very well.’
The society was formed in 1979 to encourage the study of genealogy, particularly within the Isle of Man.
It has a library in Derby Road, Peel, which includes International Genealogical Index family history search, census and burial records, monumental inscriptions, births, marriages and deaths as well as many reference materials and a collection of family trees donated by members.
The library is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2pm to 5pm.
As well as the annual exhibition, the society has a stand in the Homecomers’ Tent at Tynwald Day, and arranges displays on request.