Wiltshire 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
Avon Valley Archaeological Society Ann Rose Hall Greyfriars Community Centre Christchurch Road Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 1DW UK Telephone: 02380 332844 Email: [mailto:jolyonc100@yahoo.co.uk jolyonc100@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Avon Valley Archaeological Society


 * Promoting archaeology in the Hampshire Avon Valley and surrounding areas of West Hampshire (particularly the New Forest), East Dorset, and South Wiltshire.

Bath & Camerton Archaeology Society Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution 16 Queen Square Bath, Somerset BA1 2HN UK Email: [mailto:bathandcam@hotmail.co.uk bathandcam@hotmail.co.uk] Website: Bath & Camerton Archaeology Society


 * The Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society (BACAS) is an active local society, with a range of activities and interest areas. Our goal is the promotion of archaeology in all its branches. Notable excavations include those at Camerton in Somerset and Nettleton in Wiltshire.

Wesley Historical Society - Bristol 9 Styles Park Frome, Somerset BA11 5AL UK Website: Wesley Historical Society - Bristol


 * 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: Counties of Gloucestershire, (East) Somerset, (North) Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Societies
Alderbury & Whaddon Local History Research Group Hawthorns Old Road Alderbury Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 3AR UK Telephone: 01722 710430 Email: [mailto:enquiries@alderburyhistory.org.uk enquiries@alderburyhistory.org.uk] Website: Alderbury & Whaddon Local History Research Group

Amesbury Society Antrobus House 39 Salisbury Rd Amesbury Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 7HH UK Email: [mailto:p.davies.62@btinternet.com p.davies.62@btinternet.com] Website: Amesbury Society


 * You maybe local and wonder what we are about, perhaps someone who intends to visit the locality whilst on holiday or one of the hundreds of thousands of servicemen and women and/or allied workers who passed through Amesbury during their careers, you are most warmly welcomed. Over the last decade or more, there has been a huge increase in people trying to trace their ancestors and building their family trees.  You might live far away from this Wiltshire town, may be even overseas.  If we can help in anyway, then please don't hesitate in contacting us.  We really are a friendly Society and your enquiries/memories could well add to our history.

Atworth History Group Atworth Village Hall 56 Bath Road Atworth, Wiltshire SN128JY UK Email: [mailto:kgruffell@gmail.com kgruffell@gmail.com] Website: Atworth History Group


 * Atworth History Group promotes interest in the local history and background of Atworth Village and its surroundings.

Bemerton Local History Society Hedley Davis Court Cherry Orchard Lane Lower Bemerton Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 7UE UK Email: [mailto:info@bemerton-history.org.uk info@bemerton-history.org.uk] Website: Bemerton Local History Society


 * Bemerton Local History Society is a recently established group based in Bemerton, on the western side of Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Bemerton is now part of an expanded city of Salisbury, but it was historically a separate and thriving village community. The Local History Society is interested in exploring and researching all aspects of Bemerton's history.

Bourne Valley Historical Society Glebe Hall Winterbourne Earls Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 6HA UK Telephone: 01980 611311 Email: [mailto:info@bournevalleyhistory.co.uk info@bournevalleyhistory.co.uk] Website: Bourne Valley Historical Society


 * The Society was formed as the Bourne Valley Historical & Record Society in 1948 by a group of residents in the three Winterbourne villages north of Salisbury, Wiltshire, who wished to collect and preserve material documenting the area's rich history. The Society researches local history and encourages members to study the heritage of the Bourne Valley area of Wiltshire, including the villages of Allington, Boscombe, Cholderton, Gomeldon, Hurdcott, Idmiston, Newton Tony, Porton, Winterbourne Earls, Winterbourne Dauntsey and Winterbourne Gunner.

Bratton History Association 57 Lower Rd Bratton Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4RQ UK Telephone: 01380 830221 Email: [mailto:sec@brattonhistory.co.uk sec@brattonhistory.co.uk] Website: Bratton History Association


 * The Association aims to provide all those curious about their local history with an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and discover more about the history of Bratton and Wiltshire.

Chiseldon Local History Group The Church Hall Butts Road Chiseldon Swindon, Wiltshire SN4 0NN UK Telephone: 01793 740784 Email: [mailto:info@chiseldonlhg.org.uk info@chiseldonlhg.org.uk] Website: Chiseldon Local History Group


 * Chiseldon Local History Group (CLHG) was founded in 1984 by a group of people brought together by their interest in the history of this area of Wiltshire and their belief that this history should be recorded for future generations.

Codford Local History Society Village Hall Broadleaze Codford Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 0PP UK Telephone: 01985 850339 Email: [mailto:homecloseatcodford@gmail.com homecloseatcodford@gmail.com] Website: Codford Local History Society


 * Projects currently being undertaken by the Society include work to record the graffiti in St Mary’s and St Peter’s churches, Codford, under the guidance of Tony Hack for the Wiltshire Digital Recording Project, its aim to help understand how the past can be interpreted through medieval graffiti.

Dinton Historical Society Dinton Village Hall Bratch Lane Dinton, Wiltshire SP3 5EB UK Telephone: 01722 716516 Email: [mailto:stevehannath@talktalk.net stevehannath@talktalk.net] Website: Dinton Historical Society


 * The Society sets out to promote interest in the history of Dinton through lectures, publications, and social events. The Society is also collecting archival material about Dinton, both originals and copies of documents held elsewhere.

Easton Royal Heritage Group Village Hall The Street Easton Royal Pewsey, Wiltshire SN9 5LZ UK Telephone:	01672 810289 Email; [mailto:robertfineart@aol.com robertfineart@aol.com] Website: Easton Royal Heritage Group


 * The Heritage Group was set up to promote awareness of the history and traditions of the village, and to preserve and make available documents, literature and records relating to it.

Fovant History Group Applecross Tisbury Road Fovant Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 5JT UK Email: [mailto:info@fovanthistory.org info@fovanthistory.org] Website: Fovant History Group


 * Fovant History Interest Group consists of a small band of residents who are actively engaged in researching and recording the history of their village in south-west Wiltshire, England.

Highworth Historical Society Highworth United Reformed Church 26 High Street Highworth, Wiltshire SN6 7AG UK Telephone: 01793 764811 Email: [mailto:info@highworthhistoricalsociety.org.uk info@highworthhistoricalsociety.org.uk] Website: Highworth Historical Society


 * The Highworth Historical Society was formed on 30th January 1972 to advance the education of the public and promote an interest in the history of Highworth and its surrounding villages. We cover all aspects of the area's history from the prehistoric to the present day and include everything from the stories of our colourful citizens to the development of our historic buildings.

Malmesbury History Society Malmesbury Town Hall Cross Hayes Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9BZ UK Email: [mailto:malmesburyhistorysociety@gmail.com malmesburyhistorysociety@gmail.com] Website: Malmesbury History Society


 * The Malmesbury History Society is a small group of people interested in researching, writing about, and sharing the history of Malmesbury and the surrounding villages.

Marlborough History Society St. Peter's Church High Street Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1HQ UK Email: [mailto:mervynjh@aol.com mervynjh@aol.com] Website: Marlborough History Society


 * Marlborough History Society was formed in order to research and inform about the history of Marlborough, Wiltshire and its surrounding area. This website serves two purposes as an archive, which will grow over time and as a medium for publishing material to a wide audience.

 Melksham & District Historical Association Assembly Hall Market Place Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6ES UK Telephone: 01225 708142 Website: Melksham & District Historical Association


 * The Melksham and District Historical Association was formed in 1962 to preserve and record for posterity the events and buildings in the town of Melksham and the surrounding area.

Mere Historical Society The Grove Building Church Street Mere Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 6DS UK Email: [mailto:secretary@merehistoricalsociety.org.uk secretary@merehistoricalsociety.org.uk] Website: Mere Historical Society


 * Since its founding in 1972, Mere Historical Society has been encouraging the study of history in general and of Mere and district in particular.

Netheravon History Group 1 Queensway Netheravon Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 9QQ UK Telephone: 01980 670653 Email: [mailto:maureen863mitchell@btinternet.com maureen863mitchell@btinternet.com] Website: Netheravon History Group


 * Quite a few people who are tracing their family roots and trying to complete their family tree, have come to us for help and we have had quite a lot of success in assisting them. If you are interested in the village history and would like to see or purchase any of the photos from the archives please email us.

Pewsey Vale History Society Wesley Hall Methodist Church Royal Oak 35 North St Pewsey, Wiltshire SN9 5ES UK Telephone: 01672 810656 Email: [mailto:beverley.helps@gmail.com beverley.helps@gmail.com] Website: Pewsey Vale History Society

Purton Historical Society Purton Village Hall 70 Station Rd Purton Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 4AJ UK Telephone: 01793 770117 Email: [mailto:tjneate57@gmail.com tjneate57@gmail.com] Website: Purton Historical Society


 * A group of passionate historians dedicated in preserving and researching the village of Purton in Wiltshire's interesting and diverse history.

Redlynch and District Local History Society Morgan's Vale and Woodfalls Village Hall The Ridge Woodfalls Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 2LD UK Telephone: 01725 511583 Website: Redlynch and District Local History Society Secondary Website: Redlynch and District Local History Society


 * The Society was founded in 1996 to promote interest in local history in Redlynch and its surrounding villages. We are based in the Parish of Redlynch in Wiltshire. Our parish includes the villages of Redlynch, Lover, Morgan’s Vale, Woodfalls and Nomansland.

Rodbourne Community History Group Even Swindon Community Centre Jennings Street Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 2HA UK Telephone: 01793 616558 Email: [mailto:secretary@rodbournehistory.org secretary@rodbournehistory.org] Website: Rodbourne Community History Group


 * We are committed to recording the rich history of this special community of Rodbourne and making it available to everyone. We are not just about the bricks and mortar, but the people who lived in and made Rodbourne the flourishing community it is today.

Royal Wootton Bassett Museum & Heritage Group Memorial Hall Station Rd Royal Wootton Bassett Swindon, Wiltshire SN4 8EN UK Website: Royal Wootton Bassett Museum & Heritage Group

Salisbury Local History Group Salvation Army 6-10 Salt Lane Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 1EE UK Telephone: 01722 503339 Email: [mailto:johnabbott@live.co.uk johnabbott@live.co.uk] Website: Salisbury Local History Group

Swallowcliffe Society Email: [mailto:swallowcliffe.society@swallowcliffe.com swallowcliffe.society@swallowcliffe.com] Website: Swallowcliffe Society


 * The Swallowcliffe Society was formed in 2001 to support and promote interest in the history and natural history of our village. If anyone is researching family, or other history, related to Swallowcliffe we will use the archive to assist.

Swindon Society Goddard Park School Welcombe Avenue Park North Swindon, Wiltshire SN3 2QN UK Telephone: 01793 845295 Email: [mailto:info@theswindonsociety.co.uk info@theswindonsociety.co.uk] Website: Swindon Society


 * From its very beginnings the Society has attempted to record the social history of the area as shown by the camera since the 1850's. The collection contains photographic material on many subjects including the GWR Swindon, Swindon Tramway system, Wilts & Berks Canal, Swindon in both World Wars, school groups, areas of the town including Old Town, Gorse Hill, Rodbourne, surrounding villages and much more.

Tisbury History Society Shrubbs Cottage Church Street Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6NH UK Email: [mailto:info@tisburyhistory.co.uk info@tisburyhistory.co.uk] Website: Tisbury History Society

Warminster Museum and History Society Warminster Public Library Three Horseshoes Walk Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 9BT UK Telephone: 01985 216022 Email: [mailto:museum.warminster@gmail.com museum.warminster@gmail.com] Website: Warminster Museum and History Society


 * Warminster History Society was formed in 1970 with the aim of promoting and expanding the knowledge and appreciation of the history of Warminster and the surrounding villages. There is now a large collection of data available to those doing their own research, and the members of the museum staff have considerable knowledge of the historical buildings, trades, occupations and people of the town.

West Wilts Branch Historical Association Haden Room United Church Church Street Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8DY UK Telephone: 01373 830514 Email: [mailto:honsec@sharpfrost.plus.com honsec@sharpfrost.plus.com] Website: West Wilts Branch Historical Association

Westbury Heritage Society Westbury Visitor Centre 1 High Street Westbury, Wiltshire UK Telephone: 01373 825 784 Email: [mailto:info@westburyvisitorcentre.co.uk info@westburyvisitorcentre.co.uk] Website: Westbury Heritage Society


 * The Westbury Heritage Society has opened the Visitor centre as a place to exhibit interesting local information and artefacts. It is run by people wanting to preserve the heritage of this lovely town.

Whiteparish Historical & Environmental Association Memorial Centre (on the Memorial Ground) Whiteparish Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 2SU UK Telephone: 01794 884537 Website: Whiteparish Historical & Environmental Association


 * The Whiteparish History and Environmental Group (sometimes called the History Society) aims to help and encourage Whiteparish residents to find out about the history of our village, of nearby communities, and of our region.

Wiltshire Archaeological & Natural History Society Wiltshire Museum 41 Long Street Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 1NS UK Telephone: 01380 727369 Email: [mailto:wanhs@wiltshireheritage.org.uk wanhs@wiltshireheritage.org.uk] Website: Wiltshire Archaeological & Natural History Society


 * The Wiltshire Archaeological & Natural History Society (WANHS)runs the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes and its members are active in many different areas. By joining the Society, you will be supporting us in 'inspiring people to explore the archaeology, history and environment of Wiltshire'.

Wiltshire Family History Society Wiltshire FHS Resource Centre Unit 3 Bath Road Business Centre Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 1XA UK Telephone: 01380 724379 (Devizes Branch Secretary) Email: [mailto:secretary@wiltshirefhs.co.uk secretary@wiltshirefhs.co.uk] Website: Wiltshire Family History Society


 * The Society's aim is to encourage the study of family history, including both Wiltshire ancestry of people world-wide and world-wide ancestry of Wiltshire residents. Members not only research their ancestors by name but, by using all available information, seek to build up a complete picture of the people in the setting in which they lived. Meetings are held at seven centres around the county; Chippenham, Devizes, Malmesbury, Salisbury, Swindon, Trowbridge and Westbury.

Wiltshire Local History Forum Email: [mailto:robinholley863@gmail.com robinholley863@gmail.com] Website: Wiltshire Local History Forum


 * We are here to help promote interest in all aspects of local history. Founded in 1985, the forum is an overarching body that promotes interest in all aspects of Wiltshire local history and acts as a portal through which groups can promote their activities to a wider audience.

Wiltshire Record Society Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre Cocklebury Rd Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 3QN UK Telephone: 01225 713136 Email: [mailto:secretary@wiltshirerecordsociety.org.uk secretary@wiltshirerecordsociety.org.uk] Website: Wiltshire Record Society


 * The Wiltshire Record Society exists to promote the publication of the documentary sources for the history of Wiltshire.

Wroughton History Group St Joseph’s Church Hall Devizes Road Wroughton Swindon, Wiltshire SN4 0RZ UK Telephone: 01793 814926 Email: [mailto:bj13johnson@gmail.com bj13johnson@gmail.com] Website: Wroughton History Group


 * Over the years Wroughton History Group has been involved in many different activities, such as helping on archaeological digs and surveying lost village sites as well as publishing ten books to date.