Durham Societies

Family history societies often publish helpful journals, transcripts, compiled genealogies and host helpful websites. They may have ongoing projects to transcribe records and create indexes. Most societies publish queries in their journals and maintain lists of members’ research interests that may be helpful to you. You may want to join one of these societies, reap the benefits of their expertise and resources, or support its efforts.

Addresses of the societies are for the most part where their meetings are held as they are by-and-large not brick-and-mortar institutions.

Regional Societies
Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland Elvet Riverside Room 140 83 New Elvet Durham, County Durham DH1 3 UK Email: [mailto:archandarch.dandn@dur.ac.uk archandarch.dandn@dur.ac.uk] Website: Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland


 * Based in Durham, but with interests throughout the region, the Society aims to provide an opportunity for all those interested in archaeology and architectural history.

Cleveland, North Yorkshire and South Durham Family History Society Hartlepool Family History Group Grange Road Methodist Church Community Centre 46 Tankerville St Hartlepool, County Durham TS26 8DU UK Telephone: 1429 282012 Email: [mailto:richard.wilson123@btinternet.com richard.wilson123@btinternet.com] Website: Hartlepool Family History Group

Sedgefield Family History Group Ceddesfeld Hall Rectory Row Sedgefield, County Durham TS21 2AE UK Telephone: 01740 620367 Email: [mailto:sylvia.hall2@googlemail.com sylvia.hall2@googlemail.com] Website: Sedgefield Family History Group

Upper Dales Family History Group Fremington Sunday School Swaledale, Yorkshire DL11 6AR UK Harmby Village Hall Wensleydale, Yorkshire DL8 5PG UK Telephone: 0743 2677 783 Email: [mailto:moverley.yorkshire@outlook.com moverley.yorkshire@outlook.com] Website: Upper Dales Family History Group

Telephone: 01740 620367 Email: [mailto:secretary@clevelandfhs.org.uk secretary@clevelandfhs.org.uk] Website: Cleveland, North Yorkshire and South Durham Family History Society


 * The Aims of the Society are to promote the study of genealogy and family history and to educate the public therein by holding meetings, sharing information, encouraging research, giving assistance and producing publications for the public benefit.

North-East Catholic History Society St Joseph’s High Street West Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 1LX UK Telephone: 0191 270 1065 Email: [mailto:margaret@coopuk.com margaret@coopuk.com] Website: North-East Catholic History Society


 * This society was founded in 1974 to promote research into the history of the Roman Catholic Church in the north-eastern counties of England.

Northumberland & Durham Family History Society Alnwick Bailiffgate Museum 14 Bailiffgate Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1LX Email: [mailto:alnwickbranch@ndfhs.org.uk alnwickbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Belford Bell View Resource Centre 33 West Street Belford, Northumberland NE70 7QF UK Email: [mailto:north.northumberlandbranch@ndfhs.org.uk north.northumberlandbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Blyth Briardale Training and Community Centre Briardale Road Blyth, Northumberland NE24 5LA UK Email: [mailto:blythbranch@ndfhs.org.uk blythbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Belmont (Durham) Belmont Community Centre Sunderland Road Gilesgate, Durham DH1 2LL UK Email: [mailto:durham-belmontbranch@ndfhs.org.uk durham-belmontbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Hexham Community Centre Gilesgate Hexham, Northumberland NE46 3NP UK Email: [mailto:tynedalebranch@ndfhs.org.uk tynedalebranch@ndfhs.org.uk] London The Society of Genealogists 14 Charterhouse Buildings Goswell Road London EC1M 7BA UK Email: [mailto:londonbranch@ndfhs.org.uk londonbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Newcastle Room 3, Brunswick Chapel Northumberland Court Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 7BJ UK Email: [mailto:newcastlebranch@ndfhs.org.uk newcastlebranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Pegswood (Morpeth) Pegswood Community Hub Longhirst Road Pegswood Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 6XG UK Email: [mailto:wansbeckbranch@ndfhs.org.uk wansbeckbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] North Shields Northumberland Square North Shields, Tyne and Wear NE30 1QU UK Email: [mailto:northtynesidebranch@ndfhs.org.uk northtynesidebranch@ndfhs.org.uk] South Shields St. Hilda’s Visitor Centre Market Place South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE33 1AN UK Email: [mailto:southtynesidebranch@ndfhs.org.uk southtynesidebranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Telephone: 0191 261 2159 Email: [mailto:chairman@ndfhs.org.uk chairman@ndfhs.org.uk] Website: Northumberland & Durham Family History Society


 * The Society, founded in 1975, promotes interest in family history amongst its members and the general public. We have branches in Alnwick, Belford, Blyth, Belmont (Durham), Hexham, London, Newcastle, Pegswood (Morpeth), North Shields, and South Shields.

The Surtees Society Telephone: 0191 334 1048 E-mail: [mailto:surtees.society@durham.ac.uk surtees.society@durham.ac.uk] Website: The Surtees Society


 * The Surtees Society is dedicated to the publication of manuscripts illustrative of the history of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria, principally of County Durham and Northumberland in North East England.

Wesley Historical Society - North East Methodist History Society Telephone: 01434 608733 Website: Wesley Historical Society - North East Methodist History Society


 * The aims of the Society laid down in 1893 were to promote the study of the history and literature of early Methodism, research into the Wesley's, and investigation into the beginnings and development of Methodism. The Society aims to encourage an informed interest in the life and work of John and Charles Wesley, in Methodist history in general, in chapels and their architecture, and in the broader patterns of English religious history, especially in the counties of Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland.  Area: Durham, Northumberland, and The North Riding.

Durham Societies
Annfield Plain Family History Society Annfield Plain Library North Road Annfield Plain Stanley, County Durham DH9 8EZ UK Telephone: 07903 772965 Website: Annfield Plain Family History Society


 * We are a group of like-minded people with an interest in Family & Local History, based in Annfield Plain but covering the history of the whole of North West Durham.

Aycliffe Village Local History Society Aycliffe Village Hall 9-12 North Terrace Aycliffe Village Newton Aycliffe, County Durham DL5 6LF UK Email: [mailto:vivienellis@btinternet.com vivienellis@btinternet.com] Website: Aycliffe Village Local History Society


 * The Society is for anyone interested in local history, especially that of the Great Aycliffe area.

Barningham Local History Group Barningham Village Hall Barningham Richmond, County Durham DL11 7DW UK Telephone: 01833 621374 Email: [mailto:ann.orton@hotmail.co.uk ann.orton@hotmail.co.uk] Website: Barningham Local History Group


 * The history group was founded in 2009 and covers not only Barningham but the neighbouring villages of Scargill, Hope, Newsham, Dalton, Gayles, Kirby Hill, Greta Bridge, Brignall, Rokeby, and Hutton Magna.

Bishop Middleham Local History Society Telephone: 01740 621224 Email: [mailto:dave@findmylibrary.co.uk dave@findmylibrary.co.uk] Website: Bishop Middleham Local History Society

Bowburn Local History Society History & Heritage Room Bowburn Community Centre Durham Road Bowburn Durham, County Durham DH6 5AT UK Telephone: 0191 3771391 Email: [mailto:bowburnlhs@gmail.com bowburnlhs@gmail.com] Website: Bowburn Local History Society


 * Bowburn Local History Society aims to produce a comprehensive guide to the history of Bowburn on its website.

Chester-le-Street Heritage Group Chester-le-Street Library Station Road Chester-le-Street, County Durham DH3 3BP UK Telephone: 0191 388 3667 Email: [mailto:dahall52@aol.com dahall52@aol.com] Website: Chester-le-Street Heritage Group


 * The Heritage Group was formed in 1986 with the aims of recording and preserving the history of Chester-le-Street and of making this heritage available to the public and to future generations in the form of documentary and photographic archives.

Cleveland & Teeside Local History Society Middlesbrough College Dock Street Middlesbrough, Yorkshire TS2 1AD UK Telephone: 01642 816903 E-mail: [mailto:martin@peagam.co.uk martin@peagam.co.uk] Website: Cleveland & Teeside Local History Society


 * The Society, which was formed in 1968, takes an active part in preserving our heritage. We promote various projects in local history and offer advice. We maintain links with local archives, libraries, museums, and groups connected with archaeology, family history, and industrial archaeology.

County Durham History & Heritage Forum Email: [mailto:yb2u15@gmail.com yb2u15@gmail.com] Website: County Durham History & Heritage Forum


 * A voluntary association of local history societies and groups, heritage organisations, and individuals interested in sharing and promoting the history and heritage of County Durham.

Crook & District Local History Society RAFA Club 12 North Terrace Crook, County Durham DL15 9AZ UK Telephone: 01388 765189 Email: [mailto:smithbrenda66@btinternet.com smithbrenda66@btinternet.com] Website: Crook & District Local History Society


 * Crook and District Local History Society was formed in 1990 with the aim of preserving the future of our past through projects, publications and gaining knowledge from guest speakers.

Dalton le Dale History Society St Andrew’s Church Parish Hall 5 St Cuthberts Terrace Dalton-le-Dale Seaham, County Durham SR7 8QX UK Email: [mailto:g.gustard@sky.com g.gustard@sky.com] Website: Dalton le Dale History Society


 * Dalton le Dale History Society was formed in 2013 by enthusiasts who wished to explore the heritage on their doorstep and encourage an exchange of ideas and opinions on all matters relating to local history.

Darlington Historical Society Friends Meeting House Skinnergate Darlington, County Durham DL3 7NG UK Telephone: 01325 283589 Email: [mailto:gillian.shevels@ntlworld.com gillian.shevels@ntlworld.com] Website: Darlington Historical Society


 * Since 1961 Darlington Historical Society has aimed to promote an interest in the general history of Darlington and the surrounding area.

Durham County Local History Society City Theatre Fowler’s Yard Back Silver Street Durham, County Durham DH1 3RA UK Telephone: 01388 816209 Email: [mailto:jdbdclhs@gmail.com jdbdclhs@gmail.com] Website: Durham County Local History Society


 * The Society particularly focuses on recent centuries when County Durham was playing a major part in the economic and industrial growth of Britain and also making its individual contribution to the social, religious and political development of our country. The Society attends events promoting local history, issues a range of publications, arranges occasional talks free to non-members, and maintains its website.

Felling Heritage Group Felling Library Felling High St Hub 58 High St Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE10 9LT UK Email: [mailto:dave.naps69@gmail.com dave.naps69@gmail.com] Website: Felling Heritage Group

Felling Local History Society Pelaw Library 36 Princess St Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE10 0QT UK Telephone: 0191 440 6153 Website: Felling Local History Society

Gateshead Local History Society Gateshead Library Prince Consort Rd Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 4LN UK Telephone: 0191 5970805 Email: [mailto:gatesheadlhs@gmail.com gatesheadlhs@gmail.com] Website: Gateshead Local History Society


 * We are a group of Gateshead residents who enjoy meeting up to discuss local history.

Greenside Local History Group Greenside Community Centre Lindisfarne Greenside Ryton, Tyne and Wear NE40 3PT UK Telephone: 0191 413 4738 Email: [mailto:greensidevillage@gatesheadmail.com greensidevillage@gatesheadmail.com] Website: Greenside Local History Group

Hetton Local and Natural History Society Hetton & Eppleton Community Hall 72 Leeholme Houghton Le Spring, Tyne And Wear DH5 8HR UK Telephone: 0191 5262804 Email: [mailto:info@hettonlocalhistory.org.uk info@hettonlocalhistory.org.uk] Website: Hetton Local and Natural History Society


 * An Aim of the Society is to advance the knowledge and education of people within the local community and beyond as to the heritage, history, and social development of Hetton-le-Hole and the surrounding area, including Easington Lane, Moorsley, and East Rainton.

Lanchester Local History Society Lanchester Community Centre Newbiggin Lane Lanchester, County Durham DH70JQ UK Telephone: 01207 529085 Email: [mailto:mdaap@durham.gov.uk mdaap@durham.gov.uk] Website: Lanchester Local History Society


 * The Society has a programme of talks given by well-known speakers on a variety of wide-ranging historical topics, usually of northern origin and interest.

Middleton St George History Group Community Centre Station Rd Middleton St George Darlington, County Durham DL2 1JGT UK Telephone: 01325 333213 Email: [mailto:sheila.glew@yahoo.co.uk sheila.glew@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Middleton St George History Group


 * We wanted to try to give people more knowledge of the village and the surrounding area and we hoped that people would contribute their memories of the village and that a few people might do some research into aspects of the village from documents in various places.

Ryton Local History Society c/o Crawcrook Library Main Street Crawcrook, Durham NE40 4NB Telephone: 0191 4138164 Website: Ryton Local History Society

Sedgefield Local History Society Telephone: 01740 6200091 Email: [mailto:abhodgsons99@btinternet.com abhodgsons99@btinternet.com] Website: Sedgefield Local History Society


 * Sedgefield Local History Society aims to promote interest in local history, particularly that of the Sedgefield area, organise meetings with guest speakers, and encourage historical research in the area and record outcomes.

Shincliffe Local History Society St. Mary's Church Hall High Street North Shincliffe, Durham DH1 2NJ UK Telephone: 0191 386 5916 Email: [mailto:w.hateley27@gmail.com w.hateley27@gmail.com] Website: Shincliffe Local History Society Website #2: Shincliffe Local History Society


 * We started as a group of people with an interest in the history of Shincliffe and came together as a society in the late 1980's. We now have a membership of about 60 people from the village and the surrounding area.

St Mary's Heritage Group St Mary's Heritage Centre Oakwellgate Gateshead, Tyne & Wear NE8 2AU UK Telephone: 0191 433 4699 Email: [mailto:smhgg@hotmail.co.uk smhgg@hotmail.co.uk] Website: St Mary's Heritage Group


 * Our Group is made up of all volunteers, passionate about the history of St Mary’s and the surrounding area. We can help with family history research, utilising St Mary’s archives and parish records, and we are continually researching the history of the building, the people associated with St Mary’s, and those buried in the graveyard.

Sunderland Antiquarian Society 6 Douro Terrace Sunderland, SR2 7DX UK Telephone: 01915101923 Email: [mailto:p11cur@sky.com p11cur@sky.com] Website: Sunderland Antiquarian Society


 * The Society was founded in 1900 and by publications, research, and meetings, encourages interest in the history of Sunderland and its region. The Society holds extensive archives which have been amassed and donated over the past century by the people of Sunderland and these are available to members and visitors.

Sunniside Local History Society Sunniside Social Club Sunniside Rd Sunniside Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE165NA UK Telephone: 0191 441 2374/0191 488 3763 Email: [mailto:sun1h1st@gmail.com sun1h1st@gmail.com] Website: Sunniside Local History Society


 * We are an extremely active history society with over 120 members.

Swalwell Local History Society Swalwell Community Centre 3EX, 74 Clavering Rd Swalwell Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE16 3ET UK Telephone: 0191 488 4221 Website: Swalwell Local History Society

Teesside Archaeological Society Stockton Central Library Church Rd Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham TS18 1TU UK Email: [mailto:teesarchsoc.news@gmail.com teesarchsoc.news@gmail.com] Website: Teesside Archaeological Society


 * We’re an enthusiastic, friendly group who share a passion for the rich, distinctive heritage of the Tees Valley and Cleveland, with more than 10,000 years of archaeology – evidence for past human activity – on our doorstep!

Thorpe Thewles History Group Grindon Parish Hall Durham Rd Thorpe Thewles, County Durham TS21 3JU UK Telephone: 01740 630014 Email: [mailto:tthg@outlook.com tthg@outlook.com] Website: Thorpe Thewles History Group


 * Preserving & recording the heritage of the villages of Thorpe Thewles, Grindon, Fulthorpe, Blakeston, & Wynyard.

Tow Law & District History Society St. Philip & James Church Hall Church Lane Tow Law, County Durham DL13 4HE UK Email: [mailto:towlawhistory@gmail.com towlawhistory@gmail.com] Website: Tow Law & District History Society


 * We are a small working group who research and actively support other community projects: giving talks to schools, church groups, or slide shows from our extensive collection of photographs.

Tudhoe & Spennymoor Local History Society St. David's Church Hall Tudhoe, County Durham DL16 6LL UK Telephone: 01388 816850 Email: [mailto:tslhs@btinternet.com tslhs@btinternet.com] Website: Tudhoe & Spennymoor Local History Society


 * The Society was formed in 1988 and its aims are to organise an annual programme of talks and outings and attend events promoting local history.

Washington History Society MIND Building Grasmere Terrace Columbia Washington, Tyne & Wear NE38 7LP UK Telephone: 07736 010203 Website: Washington History Society


 * Washington History Society is an informal group of people who work together to keep the history of Washington alive. We collect and preserve photographs, documents and memorabilia, while taking an active part in raising awareness of the town's heritage through talks and exhibitions. Washington history covers over 800 years and the Old Hall was home to the ancestors from which the 1st President of the United States, George Washington, inherited his name.

Wheatley Hill History Club Wheatley House Woodland Avenue Wheatley Hill, County Durham DH6 3LN UK Telephone: 01429 820813 Email: [mailto:history.club2@btinternet.com history.club2@btinternet.com] Website: Wheatley Hill History Club


 * Wheatley Hill History Club, founded in January 1995, is a thriving society whose very active membership is bound together by common aims which are to remember the industrial past of our village, to discover how our ancestors lived, to collect photographs and documents relating to the past, to build up an archive of materials that can be handed on to future generations, and to educate future generations by using the reminiscences of our members.

Whickham History Society Community Centre Front Street Whickham, Tyne & Wear NE16 4JL UK Telephone: 0191 3869876 Email: [mailto:richard_pears@hotmail.com richard_pears@hotmail.com] Website: Whickham History Society

Winlaton & District Local History Society West End Club West Lane Winlaton Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE21 6PQ UK Email: [mailto:winlatonhistorysociety@yahoo.com winlatonhistorysociety@yahoo.com] Website: Winlaton & District Local History Society


 * The society was formed in 1970 by a group of twelve members with the aim of researching and promoting the history of the local area.