Leicestershire Societies

Family and local history societies vary greatly in size and scope. Many are formally constituted bodies, with a constitution and bank account, publishing journals, transcripts, organising projects and running their own websites. Until 2020, most held regular in-person meetings and similar events. In 2020, Covid-related restrictions brought these to a shuddering halt and frequently have spurred traditional organisations to adapt to online meetings and presentations. More recently, many societies have resumed traditional meetings, sometimes also offering online options. The best ways to check the current situation with a society of interest are to visit its website or social media page and, if necessary, seek clarification by email or message. In recent years, growing numbers of traditional societies have ventured into social media. Such platforms are also increasingly used by less formal groups of local and family historians, as they cost little or nothing to operate and enable ready recruitment of and interaction with likeminded people. This page includes both traditional societies and online groups. It is probably not complete, particularly for the latter. A few of the societies listed are not based in Leicestershire, but do have a significant involvement with the county. Addresses, where shown, are those for writing to societies.

Regional Societies
Donisthorpe and District Local History Group Donisthorpe Woodlands Centre (DM's) Church St Donisthorpe, Leicestershire DE12 7PY UK Telephone: 01530 274172 Email: [mailto:bw.rj@virgin.net bw.rj@virgin.net] Website: Donisthorpe and District Local History Group


 * The group formed in 2001 to promote interest and awareness of the history of the Parish of Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe, and Acresford.

Leicestershire & Rutland Family History Society Wigston/Leicester Age UK Oadby & Wigston Hawthorn House 51 Paddock Street Wigston Leicester, Leicestershire LE18 2AN UK Email: [mailto:leicester@lrfhs.org.uk leicester@lrfhs.org.uk]

Loughborough All Saints Church Thorpe Acre Road Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 4LF UK Email: [mailto:loughborough@lrfhs.org.uk loughborough@lrfhs.org.uk]

Hinckley St. John's Church Centre 351 Coventry Road Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 0NF UK Email: [mailto:hinckley@lrfhs.org.uk hinckley@lrfhs.org.uk]

Rutland The Meeting Room St. Joseph's Catholic Church Station Road Oakham, Rutland LE15 6QU UK Email: [mailto:rutland@lrfhs.org.uk rutland@lrfhs.org.uk]

Market Harborough Roman Way Day Centre Conference Room 36 Roman Way Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7PQ UK Email: [mailto:harborough@lrfhs.org.uk harborough@lrfhs.org.uk]

Computer Group Age UK Oadby & Wigston Hawthorn House 51 Paddock Street Wigston Leicester, Leicestershire LE18 2AN UK Email: [mailto:computers@lrfhs.org.uk computers@lrfhs.org.uk]

Research Centre Unit 4B Pilot House King Street Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 6RN UK

General Enquiries Telephone: 0116 2857211 Email: [mailto:secretary@lrfhs.org.uk secretary@lrfhs.org.uk] Website: Leicestershire & Rutland Family History Society


 * The Society has an excellent Research Centre situated in Leicester. We have six groups of the Society which are all run by Sub-Committees who organise monthly meetings with talks on a wide range of family history subjects. They are located in Leicester, Loughborough, Hinckley, Market Harborough, Rutland, and the Computer Group who meet bi-monthly.

Lincoln Record Society Robert Hardy Building Bishop Grosseteste University College Longdales Road Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN1 3DY UK Email: [mailto:communications@lincoln-record-society.org.uk communications@lincoln-record-society.org.uk] Website: Lincoln Record Society


 * The Society was founded in 1910 to print records and documents relating to the ancient county and diocese of Lincoln. The ancient diocese covered not only Lincolnshire, the second largest county of England, but also the wide area which lay within the medieval diocese: the counties of Lincoln, Leicester, Northampton, Rutland, Oxford, Bedford, Buckingham, Huntingdon and northern Hertford. Since 1910 the Society has published ninety nine volumes many of which are still in print.

Wesley Historical Society - East Midlands Website: Wesley Historical Society - East Midlands


 * 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. Area: Leicestershire, Loughborough, Derby, Nottingham.

Leicestershire Societies
Ashby de la Zouch History Society Methodist Church Burton Road Ashby, Leicestershire LE65 1DD UK Telephone: 01530 415654 Email: [mailto:christandy@hotmail.co.uk christandy@hotmail.co.uk] Website: Ashby de la Zouch History Society

Memories of Old Aylestone Village Social media: Memories of Old Aylestone Village


 * This group of 2,600 members shares memories, pictures and history relating to Aylestone, a few miles south of the centre of Leicester.

Bagworth Historical Society Bagworth Working Men’s Club 9 Station Rd Bagworth Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 1BJ UK Telephone: 01530 230863 Email: [mailto:gregory167@aol.com gregory167@aol.com] Website: Bagworth Historical Society


 * The Society's idea was to build up an archive of what the village was like in years gone by.

Barkby Local History Group Barkby Village Hall 19 Beeby Road Barkby Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 3QB UK Telephone: 0116 236 3739 Email: [mailto:nickfathers@sky.com nickfathers@sky.com] Website: Barkby Local History Group

Billesdon Local History Group Email: [mailto:mel@vlaeminke.plus.com mel@vlaeminke.plus.com] Email #2: [mailto:Billesdon.lhg@gmail.com Billesdon.lhg@gmail.com] Website: Billesdon Local History Group


 * The Local History Society keeps a comprehensive selection of documents and photographs spanning the history of Billesdon.

Birstall & District Local History Society Birstall Library Wanlip Lane Birstall, Leicestershire LE4 4JU UK Telephone: 0116 267 5154 Telephone #2: 0116 292 8214 Email: [mailto:adrien.topley@ntlworld.com adrien.topley@ntlworld.com] Website: Birstall & District Local History Society

Blaby Heritage & Museum Society Group 64 Southway Blaby, Leicestershire LE8 4BB UK Email: [mailto:ptroake@yahoo.co.uk ptroake@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Blaby Heritage & Museum Society Group


 * Blaby Area Museum Society is small, and without a building as yet. It is keen to build up its collections of items connected with Blaby, and expand its services in the future. In this way, the Society aims to remind people of the importance of local history, and to support local history groups.

Bottesford Local History Society Fuller Rooms The Old School Grantham Road Bottesford Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG13 0DF UK Telephone: 01949 843320 Email: [mailto:neilfortey@metronet.co.uk neilfortey@metronet.co.uk] Website: Bottesford Local History Society

Broughton Astley Heritage Society Broughton Astley Village Hall Station Rd Broughton Astley Leicester, Leicestershire LE9 6PR UK Telephone : 01455 285366 Email: [mailto:baheritagesociety@gmail.com baheritagesociety@gmail.com] Website: Broughton Astley Heritage Society


 * The primary aims and objects of Broughton Astley Heritage Society are to promote interest in and awareness of the historical heritage of Broughton Astley, Primethorpe, and Sutton-in-the-Elms and the surrounding area; to collect and preserve artefacts and documents relating to the area; to provide an educational resource for the use of local people, schools, etc.; to promote the preservation of the natural, built and historical heritage of the area; and to research and answer requests from home and abroad.

Burbage Heritage Group Congregational Church 10a Church Street Burbage Hinckley, Leicestershire LE102DD UK Email: [mailto:enquiries@burbageheritage.co.uk enquiries@burbageheritage.co.uk] Website: Burbage Heritage Group


 * Burbage Heritage Group was started to promote an appreciation of the history, architecture, landscape, and wildlife in Burbage village and parish.

Charley Heritage Group Telephone: 01509 503943 Email: [mailto:burtonoaks@hotmail.com burtonoaks@hotmail.com] Website: Charley Heritage Group Website #2: Charley Heritage Group


 * The Aim of the Group is to continue its research into the history and the heritage of Charley and make this knowledge available to as wide an audience as possible.

Coalville Heritage Society Ebenezer Baptist Church Ashby Road Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 3LF UK Email: [mailto:coalville.heritage@gmail.com coalville.heritage@gmail.com] Website: Coalville Heritage Society


 * On the website we intend to describe the heritage left by these early miners and engineers, we intend to document the town both past and present because we believe that in today lies tomorrows heritage.

Countesthorpe and Foston Heritage Group Telephone: 0116 277 0584 Email: [mailto:mtmiket7@gmail.com mtmiket7@gmail.com] Website: Countesthorpe and Foston Heritage Group


 * The principal aims of the group are to encourage more people to be involved in heritage activities, promote an appreciation of the history, architecture, landscape and wildlife of Countesthorpe, Foston & district, encourage interest in the heritage of the community, through a program of meetings, guest speakers and joint projects with similar minded organizations, and act as a focus for those interested in the heritage of the district.

Desford & District Local History Society Telephone: 01455 823537 Email: [mailto:colincrane33@aol.com colincrane33@aol.com] Website: Desford & District Local History Society


 * The History Society are custodians of the parish archives. From time to time, we use these records to put on displays & exhibitions.

Diseworth History Society Diseworth History Centre Lady Gate Diseworth, Leicestershire DE74 2QF UK Telephone: 01332 853647 Email: [mailto:nikki.hening@gmail.com nikki.hening@gmail.com] Website: Diseworth Heritage Center

Enderby Heritage Group Enderby Civic Centre King St Enderby Leicester, Leicestershire LE19 4NT UK Email: [mailto:enderbyheritage@outlook.com enderbyheritage@outlook.com] Website: Enderby Heritage Group

Fleckney History Group Fleckney Village Hall Fleckney Leicester, Leicestershire LE8 8AY UK Telephone: 0116 ​240 ​4221 Email: [mailto:nvkdodsworth@​ukonline.​co.​uk nvkdodsworth@​ukonline.​co.​uk] Website: Fleckney History Group


 * The group organises speakers, outings, special events, projects, and a museum in Fleckney Library.

Great Bowden Historical Society Great Bowden Village Hall 35 Sutton Rd Great Bowden Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7EU UK Email: [mailto:paulharrison@greatbowden.freeserve.co.uk paulharrison@greatbowden.freeserve.co.uk] Website: Great Bowden Historical Society


 * The aims of the Society are clearly stated as to hold monthly meetings to inform and, it was hoped, entertain to carry out research into village history. We have now built up a large collection of village photographs and memorabilia and have published a number of booklets.

Greater Wigston Historical Society Age UK Oadby & Wigston Paddock Street Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 2AN UK Email: [mailto:secretary@wigstonhistoricalsociety.co.uk secretary@wigstonhistoricalsociety.co.uk] Website: Greater Wigston Historical Society

Husbands Bosworth Historical Society Website: Husbands Bosworth Historical Society Social media: Husbands Bosworth Historical Society
 * The society promotes and preserves the heritage of this Leicestershire village which is immediately north of the border with Northamptonshire. It holds a vast archive of photographs, documents and artifacts and shares information and pictures in its social media group and publications.

Ibstock Historical Society Palace Community Centre High St Ibstock, Leicestershire LE67 6LH UK Email: [mailto:ibstockhistory@live.com ibstockhistory@live.com] Website: Ibstock Historical Society


 * The Society offer a range of services including access to our map and photo archive which numbers in excess of 1200 local images from all the surrounding villages, serving the communities of Battram, Ellistown, Heather, Ibstock, Nailstone, Newton Burgoland, Odstone, and Swepstone.

Kibworth History Society 6 The Tithings Kibworth, Leicestershire LE8 0PU UK Telephone: 0116 2796171 Email: [mailto:history@kibworth.plus.com history@kibworth.plus.com] Website: Kibworth History Society Website #2: Kibworth History Society


 * The Society's aims include raising awareness and fostering an interest in local history, and gathering, study, and publication of local history information. Situated in south Leicestershire, the Society started life first as a family history group, then broadening to all aspects of history pertaining to the villages of Kibworth Beauchamp, Kibworth Harcourt, and Smeeton Westerby.

Kirby Muxloe Local History Group St. Bartholomew’s Church Hall Main Street Kirby Muxloe Leicester, Leicestershire LE9 2AL UK Telephone: 0116 2394476 Email: [mailto:info@kirbymuxloelocalhistorygroup.org info@kirbymuxloelocalhistorygroup.org] Website: Kirby Muxloe Local History Group


 * The Kirby Muxloe Local History Group is committed to promoting and preserving the heritage of our village.

Leicestershire Archaeological & Historical Society New Walk Museum 53 New Walk Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 7EA UK Email: [mailto:HonSecLAHS@gmail.com HonSecLAHS@gmail.com] Website: Leicestershire Archaeological & Historical Society


 * The Society was founded in 1855 and over the years has changed its name slightly, but its aims have virtually remained the same; 'to promote the study of history, archaeology, antiquities and architecture of the county'.

Leicestershire Industrial History Society St. Mary's Community Hall St. Mary's Avenue Braunstone Lane, Leicestershire LE3 3FT UK Telephone: 0116 291 9706 Email: [mailto:lihs99@ntlworld.com lihs99@ntlworld.com] Website: Leicestershire Industrial History Society


 * The Society's aims include encouraging the study and recording of the industrial past of Leicestershire.

Long Whatton Local History Society Email: [mailto:lwhs@greasley.gotadsl.co.uk lwhs@greasley.gotadsl.co.uk] Website: Long Whatton Local History Society


 * The Long Whatton History Society consists of a small group of people who wish to investigate the history of the village and collect and preserve as many photographs, records and memories as possible.

Loughborough Archaeological & Historical Society James France Building Loughborough University Campus Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TW UK Email: [mailto:secretary@loughboroughpastandpresent.org secretary@loughboroughpastandpresent.org] Website: Loughborough Archaeological & Historical Society


 * Founded in 1955 to encourage the study of the archaeology of the Loughborough area, the Society has expanded its interests to include all aspects of the area’s history.

Lutterworth Local History Group 39 Mulberry Close Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4DF UK Telephone: 01455 556498 Email: [mailto:lynda@hillfamily39.fsnet.co.uk lynda@hillfamily39.fsnet.co.uk] Website: Lutterworth Local History Group

Market Harborough Historical Society Roman Way Community Centre 36, Roman Way Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7PQ UK Telephone: 01858 446067 Email: [mailto:leonard.holden@ntlworld.com leonard.holden@ntlworld.com] Website: Market Harborough Historical Society


 * The Market Harborough Historical Society, (originally, The Market Harborough Archaeological & Historical Society), was founded in 1931 and has been active ever since as a forum for those interested in local history and archaeology.

Newbold Verdon Family and Local History Group Our Library @ Newbold Verdon Sparkenhoe Main St Newbold Verdon Leicester, Leicestershire LE9 9NP UK Email: [mailto:n.v.f.h.l.h.g@gmail.com n.v.f.h.l.h.g@gmail.com] Website: Newbold Verdon Family and Local History Group


 * The Group meets on a weekly basis to research their family history, learn about new topics, and discuss “brick walls” they may have reached in the research of their personal history. They also run projects and organise events, trips and talks for their members and the wider community.

Ratby Local History Group Ratby Village Hall 35 Main Street Ratby Leicester, Leicestershire LE6 0LN UK Telephone: 0116 2394168 Email: [mailto:doug.harwood@virgin.net doug.harwood@virgin.net] Website: Ratby Local History Group

Rothley History Society The Rothley Centre 12 Mountsorrel Ln Rothley Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7PR UK Telephone: 0116 2303387 Website: Rothley History Society

Shepshed History Society The Glenmore Community Centre Thorpe Road Shepshed, Leicestershire LE12 9LU UK Telephone: 01509 507815 Email: [mailto:marjorieschulz@talktalk.net marjorieschulz@talktalk.net] Website: Shepshed History Society

Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society The Harrison Room All Saints' Church 52-64 Anstey Lane Thurcaston Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 7JB UK Telephone: 0116 236 7365 Email: [mailto:ourmaillist-lhistory@yahoo.co.uk ourmaillist-lhistory@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society


 * The Local History Society is for the parish of Thurcaston and Cropston, in the Charnwood area of Leicestershire. Over the next few months the website will be adding content about our society - our programme of events and publications, the history of our two villages, and transcriptions of parish records and census data for family historians.

Tilton & District History Group Randaberg Leicester Road Tilton On The Hill Leicester, Leicestershire LE7 9DB UK Email: [mailto:contact@tiltononthehill.org.uk contact@tiltononthehill.org.uk] Website: Tilton & District History Group


 * Members pursue research into the history and development of Tilton and Halstead and the surrounding district, either individually or in small groups. Also, visits are made to historic sites and buildings, for example, a recent visit to a deserted medieval village and an evening recently spent viewing stained glass windows in Tilton and Lowesby churches and at Withcote Chapel.

Vaughan Archaeological & Historical Society Vaughan College 128 Regent Rd Leicester, Leicestershire LE1 7PA UK Telephone: 01455 636686 Email: [mailto:gerry.stacey@ntlworld.com gerry.stacey@ntlworld.com] Website: Vaughan Archaeological & Historical Society


 * The Society was formed in 1947 and membership is open to people interested in Archaeology and History, particularly of Leicestershire and Rutland.

Whitwick Historical Group Old Station Building North Street Whitwick, Leicestershire LE67 5HA UK Telephone (home): 01530 ​813138 Telephone (work): 01509 ​282035 Email: [mailto:daphne.​hewitt@​advantica.​biz daphne.​hewitt@​advantica.​biz] Website: Whitwick Historical Group


 * The group houses a large collection of resources which are available to members and non-members of the group. Resources include photographs, maps, documents and artefacts and our media room provides access to microfiche, census returns, CDs etc. All these resources can be used by family history researchers as well as people that are interested in the history and heritage of the area, and experienced friendly experts are always on hand to help you.

The Wolds Historical Organisation Windmill Inn Brook Street Wymeswold, Leicestershire LE12 6T UK Telephone: 01509 881342 Website: The Wolds Historical Organisation


 * The WHO was founded in 1987 to promote interest in the local history of the villages on the western side of the Leicestershire Wolds, specifically Wymeswold, Burton on the Wolds, Hoton, Prestwold, and Cotes.