A BEYOND the basics family history course will begin at Rawdon Community Library this month.

The fortnightly course of five sessions will start on September 21 and will take place on Thursdays, at 1.30pm.

In a joint statement Aireborough Civic Society and the library say: "Once you have a basic family tree the next step is to find out more about your ancestors’ lives going further back in time and looking at different records for additional information. There may be gaps in your knowledge that are more difficult to fill.

"This term’s course will refresh and catch-up on basic sources, briefly review recording and the latest online records, before looking further into Parish Records, Marriage Licences and Modern Wills. All are increasingly readily available online through commercial sites which can be accessed for a fee at home, or are free at Rawdon Library. There will be time for questions and personal research guidance. Course members are always welcome to share examples, ideas and problems."

The course, which is suitable for beginners and improvers, will be tutored by family and local historian Jackie Depelle. The cost is £35 for 5 sessions. To enrol contact the Workers’ Educational Association at http://www.wea.org.uk/ or phone 0113 245 3304. The Beyond the Basics-Family History course has the reference C367161.

Rawdon Library offers free use of the Find My Past and the British Newspaper Archive for Family and Local History.

The Find My Past website has census details, birth, marriage, and death certificates as well as other documents.

The British Newspaper Archive has newspapers from the 1770s onwards, including many that have disappeared such as the Leeds Intelligencer, Leeds Mercury, Leeds Times, Bradford Daily Telegraph, and Bradford Observer.

Clive Woods, Chairman of Aireborough Civic Society said, "This is a great opportunity to find out more about the history of your family and support Rawdon Community Library at the same time."