Essex 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
Barking & District Historical Society Harp House 16 Helmore Road Barking, London IG11 9PH UK Email: [mailto:barkinghistorical@hotmail.com barkinghistorical@hotmail.com] Website: Barking & District Historical Society


 * The Barking & District Historical Society was founded in 1934 to encourage interest in the history of the Barking district.

Chingford Historical Society SS Peter and Paul Church on The Green North Chingford, London E4 7EN UK Telephone: 020 8504 6340 Website: Chingford Historical Society


 * We organise meetings during the winter and coach tours to places of historical interest in the summer. We publish a bi-annual newsletter. Local history research is carried out and books and newsletters about Chingford's past are on sale.

The East of London Family History Society Email: [mailto:secretary@eolfhs.org.uk secretary@eolfhs.org.uk] Website: The East of London Family History Society


 * The East of London Family History Society’s aim is to promote and encourage the public and private study of family history, genealogy, cultural heritage, heraldry, and local history with particular reference to the eastern area of Greater London.

The Hundred Parishes Society Email: [mailto:hundredparishes@btinternet.com hundredparishes@btinternet.com] Website: The Hundred Parishes Society


 * One of the Society’s objects is to advance the education of the public in the character and history of the geographic area comprising The Hundred Parishes, which encompasses around 450 square miles of northwest Essex, northeast Hertfordshire, and southern Cambridgeshire.

Ilford Historical Society Ilford Hospital Chapel Ilford Hill Ilford, London IG1 2AT UK Telephone: 020 8500 6045 Email: [mailto:georgina.green@btconnect.com georgina.green@btconnect.com] Website: Ilford Historical Society

Leyton & Leytonstone Historical Society St John’s Church High Rd Leytonstone, London E11 1HH UK Telephone: 020 8558 5491 Email: [mailto:measure@btinternet.com measure@btinternet.com] Website: Leyton & Leytonstone Historical Society


 * Leyton & Leytonstone Historical Society began in February 2005 at a meeting attended by over a hundred people. Our long-term aims are to research and promote interest in and knowledge of the history of the area of the former Borough of Leyton and its surrounding region.

Romford and District Historical Society myplace 343 Dagnam Park Dr Harold Hill Romford, Lomdon RM3 9EN UK Website: Romford and District Historical Society


 * The Society shall consist of persons interested in the study of history, with particular reference to the historic town of Romford and its environs (the Municipal Borough of Romford, the Royal Liberty of Havering, the London Borough of Havering, the County of Essex, and East London); encourage the preservation of local records, antiquities, objects of interest, and the historic environment; and promote the study of local history in all its aspects, by sponsoring lectures, encouraging  research, publishing articles, and organising excursions to places of  historical interest.

Waltham Forest Family History Society Spruce Hill Baptist Church Hall Brookscroft Road Walthamstow, London E17 4JP UK Email: [mailto:mcarroll@waitrose.com mcarroll@waitrose.com] Website: Waltham Forest Family History Society


 * Waltham Forest Family History Society was founded in 1978 to bring together and to encourage people with an interest in family history and genealogy. We are a small but friendly society that caters for all those with South West Essex ancestry who might live at a distance, and for those who live locally but whose ancestors came from elsewhere.

Walthamstow Historical Society St Mary's Church 8 Church End Walthamstow, London E17 9RJ UK Email: [mailto:whsenquiries@gmail.com whsenquiries@gmail.com] Website: Walthamstow Historical Society


 * The origins of the Society lie in a small band of enthusiasts who were keen to further the study of local history and publish books in which such knowledge would be available "for all comers and for all time". With the aim of promoting the study and enjoyment of local history, particularly in the vicinity of Walthamstow.

Essex Societies
Billericay Archaeological & History Society The Fold Arts Centre 72 Laindon Road Billericay, Essex CM12 9LD UK Telephone: 01277 227205 Email: [mailto:pamjjakes@gmail.com pamjjakes@gmail.com] Website: Billericay Archaeological & History Society


 * The Society was formed in the 1960's, primarily as an archaeological Society by a group of local historians who have conducted exploration at various sites local to Billericay. Their findings have been published since then, including a full archaeological report on Roman occupation in the area.

Clacton & District Local History Society Pier Avenue Baptist Church 117 Pier Ave Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 1NJ UK Email: [mailto:admin@clactonhistory.co.uk admin@clactonhistory.co.uk] Website: Clacton & District Local History Society


 * The Clacton & District Local History Society was formed in 1985 to research, record, and promote the history of Clacton & District.

Colchester Archaeological Group Roman Circus House Roman Circus Walk Colchester, Essex CO2 7GZ UK Email: [mailto:enquiries@caguk.net enquiries@caguk.net] Website: Colchester Archaeological Group

Elsenham Village History Society Elsenham Memorial Hall Elsenham Playing Field Leigh Drive Elsenham, Essex CM22 6BY UK Telephone: 01279 815088 Email: [mailto:raycf@tiscali.co.uk raycf@tiscali.co.uk] Website: Elsenham Village History Society


 * Our Village History Society was established in January 2010. We know that there is a need to collect and record as much as we can about the village, about our predecessors who laid the foundations of the village; about the people who spent all their lives here and are no longer with us; about those who were born and bred here and can still tell us fascinating stories about their lives here; and about later generations who all have a role to play and have contributed to the way we live here today.

Essex Society for Archaeology & History Silver End Village Hall Broadway Silver End Witham, Essex CM8 3RQ UK Email: [mailto:esahmembership@gmail.com esahmembership@gmail.com] Website: Essex Society for Archaeology & History


 * The Essex Society for Archaeology and History is the county’s major society for collecting, protecting, and disseminating news and information on the county’s historical and archaeological heritage.

Essex Historic Buildings Group Moulsham Mill Chelmsford, Essex CM2 7PX UK Email: [mailto:ehbg@webplus.net ehbg@webplus.net] Website: Essex Historic Buildings Group


 * The Group was formed in 1983 by a varied collection of professionals and amateurs keen to see more work on the lesser buildings of Essex published for all to see and comment on.

Essex Industrial Archaeology Group Chelmsford Museum Oaklands Park Moulsham St Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9AQ UK Email: [mailto:esahmembership@gmail.com esahmembership@gmail.com] Website: Essex Industrial Archaeology Group


 * The Essex Industrial Archaeology Group (EIAG) was launched in July 2013 as a sub-group of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History (ESAH) and was established to provide a way forward for industrial archaeology in Essex.

Essex Society for Family History HQ Chelmsford Galleywood Heritage Centre Galleywood Common Margaretting Road Chelmsford, Essex CM2 8TR UK Website: Chelmsford
 * Our Chelmsford HQ covers the Central area of the County.

North-East Essex Branch, Colchester Cardinal Bourne Hall Priory Street Colchester, Essex CO1 2QB UK Email: [mailto:pladlem@aol.com pladlem@aol.com] Website: Colchester
 * Colchester Branch covers the Colchester area of the County.

West Essex Branch, Harlow St. Johns' Arts & Recreation Centre Market Street Harlow, Essex CM17 0AJ UK Telephone: 01279 434267 Email: [mailto:suespiller@yahoo.co.uk suespiller@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Harlow
 * Our Harlow Branch covers Harlow, Epping, Ongar, Hatfield Heath, Hatfield Broad Oak, and the villages in between.

North-West Essex Branch, Saffron Walden Saffron Walden Baptist Church Lower Hall, (Audley Road entrance) High St Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3HD UK Email: [mailto:SharpeJms1@aol.com SharpeJms1@aol.com] Website: Saffron Walden
 * Our Saffron Walden Branch covers Saffron Walden and North West Essex.

South-East Essex Branch, Southend-on-Sea The Avenue Baptist Church Hall Milton Road Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7JX UK Email: [mailto:heather@feather1.demon.co.uk heather@feather1.demon.co.uk] Website: Southend-on-Sea
 * Our Southend Branch covers Southend and Southern Essex.

Email: [mailto:secretary@esfh.org.uk secretary@esfh.org.uk] Website: Essex Society for Family History


 * Our aims are to promote and encourage the public study of British family history, genealogy, heraldry, and local history with particular reference to Essex and to promote the preservation and accessibility of archival material.

Foxearth & District Local History Society Foxearth Village Hall School Ln Foxearth Sudbury, Essex CO10 7JE UK Website: Foxearth & District Local History Society


 * The Foxearth and District Local History Society is dedicated to the publication of research materials gained by its members on the local history of this part of East Anglia in England. The Foxearth and District archive contains a wealth of information concentrating on the four North Essex parishes of Borley, Liston, Pentlow, and Foxearth.

Halstead and District Local History Society Baptist Church Hedingham Road Halstead, Essex CO9 2DA UK Email: [mailto:info@halsteadhistory.org.uk info@halsteadhistory.org.uk] Website: Halstead and District Local History Society


 * Each year we run a varied programme of local history related meetings spanning the dark ages to more recent times including the influence of the industrial revolution on the area.

Hedingham Heritage Society Memorial Hall Church Lane Castle Hedingham, Essex CO9 3DA UK Email: [mailto:hedinghamheritage@gmail.com hedinghamheritage@gmail.com] Website: Hedingham Heritage Society


 * Hedingham Heritage Society was formed in 1990 with the simple aim of ‘providing an interest and awareness of the local environment- its past, present and future. The society achieves this aim by offering a wide ranging programme of talks, walks, and events centred around the distinct history and natural history of the people and environment of the Hedinghams and East Anglia, and promoting and supporting members of the society and the Hedingham community to enhance and protect their local environment.

Heritage Writtle Northumberland Lecture Theatre Lordship Rd. Writtle College Writtle Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3RR UK Telephone: 01245 422726 E-mail: [mailto:heritage@writtlevillage.com heritage@writtlevillage.com] Website: Heritage Writtle


 * Heritage Writtle is a group of local enthusiasts investigating the past in the historic Village and Parish of Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex. The aims of the Group are to investigate, interpret, and record the heritage of the Village and Parish of Writtle through its archaeology and history.

Jaywick Local History Society Golf Green Hall 6 Golf Green Rd Jaywick Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 2RH UK Telephone: 01255 479861 Email: [mailto:jaywicklocalhistory@gmail.com jaywicklocalhistory@gmail.com] Website: Jaywick Local History Society


 * Jaywick Local History Society is a friendly group who's members share a common interest in the history of the little Essex resort of Jaywick and the local area. We enjoy finding out about the history of our seaside village, and sharing the information we find.

Lexden History Group St Leonard’s Church Hall 112 Lexden Rd Colchester, Essex CO3 4BL UK Email: [mailto:lexdenhistory@outlook.com lexdenhistory@outlook.com] Website: Lexden History Group


 * We aim to arrange an interesting programme of year round talks and summer walks and encourage a cross-flow of information to help members in their own researches. We also plan to have a regular Group Project, looking at one particular aspect of Lexden’s past.

Loughton & District History Society Methodist Church 260 High Road Loughton, Essex IG10 1RB UK Telephone: 020 8508 2361 Email: [mailto:ians97676@gmail.com ians97676@gmail.com] Website: Loughton & District History Society


 * Established in 1962 the Society presents a series of talks on various aspects of history, both of local and national interest. A Newsletter is published and books and booklets on local subjects. Visits to places of historical interest are arranged from time to time.

Maldon Archaeological and Historical Group Unit 2, Brickhouse Farm Community Centre Poulton Close Mundon Road Maldon, Essex CM9 6NG Email: [mailto:mahgdigup@gmail.com mahgdigup@gmail.com] Website: Maldon Archaeological and Historical Group


 * MAHG are a society that works largely around Maldon and the surrounding villages not just digging, but surveying, giving talks, researching, and engaging the local community in their history.

Manuden and Berden Local History Society 'The Bury Barn' Manuden Mallows Green Road Manuden Uttlesford, Essex CM23 UK Email: [mailto:fiona.bengtsen@btinternet.com fiona.bengtsen@btinternet.com] Website: Manuden and Berden Local History Society

Ongar Millennium History Society Budworth Hall 205 High St Chipping Ongar Ongar, Essex CM5 9JG UK Telephone: 01277 366807 Email: [mailto:info@omhs.org.uk info@omhs.org.uk] Website: Ongar Millennium History Society


 * The Ongar Millennium History Society was formed to promote and foster an active interest in local history and to preserve it for future generations.

Rayleigh Through The Looking Glass Rayleigh Parish Centre Rectory Garth Rayleigh, Essex SS6 8BB UK Telephone: 01268 785657 Website: Rayleigh Through The Looking Glass


 * We are a local voluntary group that gives slide show presentations on Rayleigh’s rich and varied history.

Rochford Hundred Historical Society W.I. Hall Rochford Square 19 West Street Rochford, Essex SS4 1BE UK Telephone: 01702 548904 Website: Rochford Hundred Historical Society

Saffron Walden Historical Society Friends’ Meeting House 75 High Street Saffron Walden Uttlesford, Essex CB10 1AA UK Telephone: 01799 500844 Email: [mailto:saffronwaldenhistory@gmail.com saffronwaldenhistory@gmail.com] Website: Saffron Walden Historical Society

South East Essex Archaeological & Historical Society Email: [mailto:seeahssecretary@hotmail.co.uk seeahssecretary@hotmail.co.uk] Website: South East Essex Archaeological & Historical Society


 * The aims of the Society are to promote an interest in archaeology and history, both locally and nationally. It is also our aim to take part in archaeological and historical research and, where appropriate, excavation, although this should not the sole interest of the archaeology.

St. Osyth Historical Society St Osyth Village Hall Clacton Rd St. Osyth Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO16 8PE UK Telephone: 01255 821759 Website: St.Osyth Historical Society


 * The Society runs the St. Osyth Social History Museum which houses artefacts, maps, documents, and hundreds of old photographs of the village.

Takeley Local History Society Roseacres Primary School Roseacres Takeley Bishop's Stortford, Essex CM22 6QY UK Email: [mailto:secretary@tlhs.org.uk secretary@tlhs.org.uk] Website: Takeley Local History Society

Thameside Family History Group Adult Education Centre 42 Richmond Rd Grays Thurrock, Essex RM17 6DW UK Telephone: 01375 850881/01375 381474 Website: Thameside Family History Group

Thurrock Local History Society Thurrock Adult Community College Richmond Road Grays Thurrock, Essex RM17 6DN UK Telephone: 01708 866309 Email: [mailto:secretary@thurrock-history.org.uk secretary@thurrock-history.org.uk] Website: Thurrock Local History Society


 * The aims of the Society are to encourage interest in and to collect and disseminate information on the history and antiquities of the Thurrock area and to take any action as is appropriate to secure the protection of any buildings, monuments, and landscapes which in the opinion of the Society are of historical or architectural interest.

Recorders Of Uttlesford History Email: [mailto:chair@recordinguttlesfordhistory.org.uk chair@recordinguttlesfordhistory.org.uk] Website: Recorders Of Uttlesford History


 * The Recorders of Uttlesford History (RUH) are an independent federation of local historians and local history societies throughout the District of Uttlesford in north-west Essex. The object of Recorders is to record the present, and to ensure that valuable archives and artefacts of the past are conserved. Most of the 57 parishes in Uttlesford are represented by a Recorder appointed by the RUH organising committee. They carry out a wide range of activities, often in conjunction with a local history society.

Waltham Abbey Historical Society Baptist Church 5 Paradise Road Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1RL UK Email: [mailto:wa_hist_soc@yahoo.co.uk wa_hist_soc@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Waltham Abbey Historical Society


 * Extensive archaeology and documentary study has revealed a very great deal of the history of the town and of its Abbey Church, spanning a period of over two thousand years from the Iron-Age to the end of the 20th Century.

West Essex Archaeological Group Woodford County High School High Road Woodford Green, London IG8 9LA UK Email: [mailto:enquiries@weag.org.uk enquiries@weag.org.uk] Website: West Essex Archaeological Group


 * The prime objective of the Group is "to promote the advancement of knowledge and education by a study of archaeology, history, and kindred subjects particularly in West Essex."