HAVE you been inspired by the stories featured in recent television programmes about family history? Have you already made a start on your family tree? Do you need a bit of extra help to take you back another generation or to find out more about your ancestors? Whatever your experience in family history, the Dyfed Family History Society has something special for you.

On Saturday, February 16, at the library in St. Peter's Street, Carmarthen, the Dyfed Family History Society is holding an all-day event on family history. Admission is free and non-members are welcome to go along between 10.30 am and 3.45 pm.

The day starts with the society's annual general meeting at 10 am. At 11.15 am, there will be a guest speaker - Eirionedd Baskerville, an archivist who was formerly head of reader services at the National Library of Wales. Throughout the day, there will be practical help available on family history research from members of the Dyfed Family History Society.

'Welsh emigration from Dyfed to Patagonia' is the title of the talk to be given by Eirionedd Baskerville. Looking for a better life, emigration from the counties of Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire to North and South America occurred throughout the 19th century. Many families initially moved from an agricultural life in West Wales to the industrial valleys of South Wales before setting sail across the Atlantic. The Welsh settlement of Patagonia, in Argentina, began in 1865 when 140 emigrants travelled on board the 'Mimosa'. Further waves of emigration to Patagonia peaked in 1874/5 and 1886.

Born and bred in the Rhondda, with family connections in Patagonia, and now based in Ceredigion, Eirionedd Baskerville is well placed to reveal the history of emigration from Dyfed to Patagonia.

Having graduated in Welsh and Welsh history from Aberystwyth University, Eirionedd worked at the National Library of Wales until her retirement in 2004. She now edits the Journal of the Friends of the National Library of Wales, is the honorary secretary of the Ceredigion History Society and works as a translator.

Visitors to Carmarthen Library on Saturday, February 16, are invited to bring along their own family history problems where members of the society will be on hand to use their expertise in suggesting possible solutions to those problems. Further information is available from Nikki Bosworth on 01437 763707 or 01437 891321.