Libraries help commemorate centenary of the end of World War One

Events are taking place in Skipton and Bentham libraries which include talks and displays.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Greg White, executive member for libraries, said: “Communities throughout North Yorkshire were affected by the First World War. Families will have ancestors who fought and perhaps died in the conflict. Families will want to remember those relatives and it’s appropriate that both county council and community-managed libraries, as centres of their communities, support this.

"Whether people want to find out more about their ancestor’s life or join one of the talks or events, these libraries are there to support the county’s commemoration of the centenary.”

At Bentham library, Bentham-based author Adrian Horn will discuss his first novel, Anaesthesia, a love story set against the background of drug addiction in the First World War. This will for part of Bentham Library Reading Group on Tuesday, November 13, at 2pm. Everyone is welcome.

In Skipton, historians Ella Hatfield and Sue Wrathmell, from Skipton Civic Society, will talk about their new booklet, The War Memorial, which focuses on life in Skipton life during the First World War and the building of the war memorial.

The booklet, priced at £1, will be available to buy at the event on Tuesday, November 6, at 2pm. Tickets also cost £1.

Skipton library is also holding a Trace Your First World War Relative internet taster session in November. This will provide advice and expertise on finding your First World War ancestors and help people to navigate the thousands of military records available on the two premier genealogy resources on the web, Ancestry and Find My Past, both of which can be accessed free in all libraries in North Yorkshire.

People should take as much information as possible about their ancestors, such as date of birth, where they lived, family members and medals won, to the event. Tickets cost £1. The session will be held on Wednesday, November 7.