Cumberland 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
Alston Moor Historical Society Email: [mailto:llaw840090@aol.com llaw840090@aol.com] Website: Alston Moor Historical Society


 * Alston Moor Historical Society was founded in 1973 and, due to the geographical situation of Alston Moor, it is a member of both the Northumberland Association of Local History Societies and the Cumbria Federation of Local History Societies.

Appleby Archaeology Group Supper Room of Appleby's Market Hall Eden Valley Carlisle, Cumbria CA16 6XF UK Email: [mailto:administrat0r@applebyarchaeology.org.uk administrat0r@applebyarchaeology.org.uk] Website: Appleby Archaeology Group


 * Appleby Archaeology is focused on practical, field archaeology. Most of the Group's activities take place in the Appleby area but our interests range across the whole of Cumbria.

Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society (CWAAS) Telephone: 01524 67523 Email: [mailto:general.secretary@cumbriapast.com general.secretary@cumbriapast.com] Website: Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society


 * The Society's charitable purpose is the advancement of education and culture in the fields of the arts, heritage and science. To promote, encourage, foster and coordinate the study of archaeology, history, genealogy, customs and traditions with special reference to the County of Cumbria which now includes the historic counties of Cumberland and Westmorland and Lancashire North of the Sands and the Sedbergh district of Yorkshire. Affiliated groups are the Carlisle Affiliated Group, the Kendal Historical & Archaeological Society, the Penrith Affiliated Group, and the South West Cumbria Historical & Archaeological Society.

Cumbria Family History Society Chase Hotel Corkickle Inkerman Terrace Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 8AA UK Email: [mailto:secretary@cumbriafhs.com secretary@cumbriafhs.com] Website: Cumbria Family History Society


 * The Cumbria Family History Society was founded to help members carry out their genealogy researches and our area of interest is the modern county of Cumbria, which is the old counties of Cumberland and Westmorland and a part of Northern Lancashire and North Yorkshire.

Cumbria Industrial History Society Shap Wells Hotel B6261 Shap Penrith, Cumbria CA10 3QU UK Email: [mailto:lowludderburn@btinternet.com lowludderburn@btinternet.com] Website: Cumbria Industrial History Society


 * CIHS was formed in 1985 by members of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society with a particular interest in industrial history.

Cumbria Local History Federation Telephone: 01768 870352 Email: [mailto:secretary@clhf.org.uk secretary@clhf.org.uk] Website: Cumbria Local History Federation Website #2: Cumbria Local History Federation


 * The Cumbria Local History Federation (CLHF) has a membership of Cumbrian local history societies, related groups and individuals. It promotes an interchange of information about activities and events. Additionally, the Federation provides a forum for liaison, a means of cooperation and a capacity for county-wide activities.

Duddon Valley Local History Group Victory Hall 4 Station Rd Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria LA20 6HN UK Telephone: 01229 861511 Email: [mailto:info@duddonhistory.org.uk info@duddonhistory.org.uk] Website: Duddon Valley Local History Group


 * DVLHG was formed in the early 1990s and runs a programme of activities and talks for its members. Our five year long study of the whole valley has restarted extending the survey to cover areas not walked in earlier phases. Our findings led to our current major project with Oxford Archaeology North excavating three medieval longhouse sites near Seathwaite Tarn.

North West Catholic History Society Email: [mailto:editor@nwcatholichistory.org.uk editor@nwcatholichistory.org.uk] Website: North West Catholic History Society


 * The North West Catholic History Society promotes the study of the history of the Catholic Church in the region west of the Pennines, the old counties of Cheshire, Cumberland, Lancashire, and Westmorland.

North West Group of Family History Societies Email: [mailto:webmaster@nwgfhs.org.uk webmaster@nwgfhs.org.uk] Website: North West Group of Family History Societies

Orton & Tebay Local History Society Tebay Methodist Church 1 Woodend Cottages Tebay Penrith, Cambria CA10 3XB UK Email: [mailto:OTLHS@btinternet.com OTLHS@btinternet.com] Website: Orton & Tebay Local History Society


 * Orton & Tebay Local History Society was formed to research and collate information about our area. It meets on a monthly basis to listen and to learn from various speakers on local historic events and places.

South West Cumbria Historical & Archaeological Society Egremont Market Hall Supper Room 6 Market St Egremont Copeland, Cumbria CA22 UK Telephone: 019467 24634 Website: South West Cumbria Historical & Archaeological Society

Wesley Historical Society - Cumbria Methodist History Society 36 Kirkhead Road Kents Bank Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 7DB UK Telephone: 015395 33865 Email: [mailto:wilkinson789@tiscali.co.uk wilkinson789@tiscali.co.uk] Website: Wesley Historical Society - Cumbria Methodist History Society


 * The Society was formed in 1976 and is one of several Regional Methodist Historical Societies which were originally branches of the Wesley Historical Society, established in 1893. We cover all aspects of Methodist history (including former Methodist denominations) with special emphasis on Cumbria.

Cumberland Societies
Bewcastle Heritage Society Roadhead Hall Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 6PD UK Telephone: 016977 48212/01228 792723 Website: Bewcastle Heritage Society

Caldbeck & District Local History Society Caldbeck Parish Hall Mardale Caldbeck, Cumbria CA7 8EU UK Telephone: 016974 78315 Email: [mailto:diana.greenwood@dsl.pipex.com diana.greenwood@dsl.pipex.com] Website: Caldbeck & District Local History Society

Cockermouth Heritage Group Egremont Room The Kirkgate Centre Kirkgate Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9PJ UK Email: [mailto:cockermouthheritagegroup@outlook.com cockermouthheritagegroup@outlook.com] Website: Cockermouth Heritage Group


 * We research and record all aspects of Cockermouth’s history, and that of the surrounding area. We collect (or copy) old photographs, as well as artefacts of all kinds that were made, used, or owned in our area. We now have a considerable collection of items, which are used in regular exhibitions at the Kirkgate Centre, or to answer local and family history queries.

CWAAS Carlisle Affiliated Group Lecture Theatre Tullie House Castle Street Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8TP UK Email: [mailto:timpadley@googlemail.com timpadley@googlemail.com] Website: CWAAS Carlisle Affiliated Group

CWAAS Penrith Affiliated Group Friends Meeting House 14 Meeting House Ln Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7TR UK Telephone: 01768 840903 Email: [mailto:penrith@cumbriapast.com penrith@cumbriapast.com] Website: CWAAS Penrith Affiliated Group

Keswick Historical Society Archive Group Website: Keswick Historical Society Archive Group


 * One of the main achievements of the Group is that it has brought people together and has helped those involved to make more friends and contacts through the archive. They will happily welcome more people who have an enthusiasm for their work.

Lamplugh Heritage Society Lamplugh Village Hall Lamplugh Workington, Cumbria CA14 4SF UK Telephone: 01946 862461 Email: [mailto:m.guy.murray@virgin.net m.guy.murray@virgin.net] Website: Lamplugh Heritage Society


 * The Society now has a good collection and archive of varied material relating to many aspects of life, work and industry in Lamplugh and the surrounding district. This archived material is available for the use by community members for research and related purposes.

Lazonby History Society Lazonby Village Hall Lazonby Penrith, Cumbria CA10 1AQ UK Telephone: 898898 Email: [mailto:vhalsall@ktdbroadband.com vhalsall@ktdbroadband.com] Website: Lazonby History Society

Lorton & Derwent Fells Local History Society (L&DFLHS) Yew Tree Hall High Lorton Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9UJ UK Telephone: 01900 829812 Email: [mailto:derekdenman@btinternet.com derekdenman@btinternet.com] Website: Lorton & Derwent Fells Local History Society


 * We organise talks on local history topics, we organise guided visits to historical sites and other activities such as local historical walks, and we have an archive relating to the area, comprising photos, maps, registers, censuses, surveys and books. This is available to members and used by the public seeking information.

Matterdale Archaeological & Historical Society Matterdale Church Room A5091 Matterdale Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0LD UK Email: [mailto:Matterdalehistoricalsociety@gmail.com Matterdalehistoricalsociety@gmail.com] Website: Matterdale Archaeological & Historical Society

Millom & District Local History Society Methodist Church Queen Street Millom, Cumbria LA18 4DN UK Telephone: 01229 772055 Website: Millom & District Local History Society


 * Millom and District Local History Society meets to listen to experts present real stories of people from all walks of life facing and overcoming challenges and providing inspirational insights into how life has changed in the area.

Solway History Society Thomlinson Junior School Wigton, Cumbria CA7 9PJ UK Telephone: 016973 44257 Email: [mailto:sthornhill13@tiscali.co.uk sthornhill13@tiscali.co.uk] Website: Solway History Society

Warwick Bridge Local History Group Telephone: 01228 560659 Website: Warwick Bridge Local History Group


 * The object of this group shall be the promotion of and the study of the history of Warwick Bridge, in the parish of Wetheral and the surrounding area, and the dissemination of information on it through meetings, publications and other appropriate activities.