Norfolk 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
Fenland Family History Society St Peter's Church Hall Church Terrace Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 1HP UK Email: [mailto:secretary@fenlandfhs.org.uk secretary@fenlandfhs.org.uk] Website


 * The Fenland Family History Society was founded in 2001 to promote and encourage the study of family, local and social history with particular reference to persons having lived in, or having been associated with, the historical area now known as Fenland. Fenland comprises the former Isle of Ely, parts of South Lincolnshire and West Norfolk.

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


 * This is the website of the Foxearth and District Local History Society. It is dedicated to the publication of research materials gained by its members on the local history of this part of East Anglia, in England.

Wesley Historical Society - East Anglia Swanton Abbott Wesleyan Reform Church 3 The St Swanton Abbott Norwich, Norfolk NR10 5DU UK Telephone: 01603 423535 Website


 * The Wesley Historical Society – East Anglia encourages an interest in our Methodist heritage. Area: Counties of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Norfolk Societies
Aldeburgh and District Local History Society Website


 * The Society was formed with the aim of discovering the history of Aldborough, Thurgarton, and the surrounding area, promoting the recording of this history, and publishing the findings.

Alpington and Yelverton History Society Alpington & Yelverton Village Hall 15 Church Rd Alpington Norwich, Norwalk NR14 7NU UK Website


 * To research & publish the past and present in our village.

Aylsham Local History Society Friendship Hall Mill Rd Aylsham Norwich, Norfolk NR11 UK Email: [mailto:jpannell487@btinternet.com jpannell487@btinternet.com] Website


 * The Aylsham Local History Society began in June 1984 through the enthusiasm of a group of local people with an interest in the history of this Norfolk market town.

Binham Local History Group Binham Village Memorial Hall Warham Rd Binham, Norfolk NR21 0DR UK Telephone: 01328 830700 Email: [mailto:blhg@btinternet.com blhg@btinternet.com] Website

Blakeney Area Historical Society British Legion Harbour Room High Street Blakeney, Norfolk NR25 7NU UK Email: [mailto:info@bahs.uk info@bahs.uk] Website


 * The Blakeney Area Historical Society (BAHS) is a society for those interested in the history of the Blakeney Haven (covering the parishes of Blakeney, Cley, Morston, Salthouse, and Wiveton) and adjacent hinterland in North Norfolk.

Brundall Local History Group Memorial Hall Brundall Norwich, Norfolk NR13 5LL UK Email: [mailto:enquiries@brundallvillagehistory.org.uk enquiries@brundallvillagehistory.org.uk] Website


 * We aim to discover as much as we can about Brundall’s history, to record it, and to share it.

Cawston Historical Society The Heritage Centre Cawston Village Hall B1145 Cawston Norwich, Norfolk NR10 UK Telephone: 01603 872111 Website


 * The aims of the Society are to provide educational experiences for the local inhabitants of Cawston, Norfolk, and the surrounding area and anyone else interested in the aims of the Society; provide an archive with files, newspaper cuttings, documents, photos, objects, films, tapes, maps, and history of buildings, etc.; hold meetings and sorting materials and for general interest; and make history available for future generations and for research.

Cringleford Historical Society Playing Field Pavilion Oakfields Road Cringleford Norwich, Norfolk NR4 6XF UK Telephone: 01603 505795 Email: [mailto:pa_wagstaff@yahoo.co.uk pa_wagstaff@yahoo.co.uk] Website


 * Cringleford Historical Society was formed in 1981 to promote the study of the history, architecture, antiquities and development of the village.

 Dereham Heritage Trust Trinity Methodist Church Hall 31 Trinity Cl Dereham, Norfolk NR19 2EP UK Telephone: 01362 695652 Email: [mailto:sue@suewhite.demon.co.uk sue@suewhite.demon.co.uk] Website


 * Formerly known as Dereham Antiquarian Society. From academic beginnings in 1953, the Society is now a friendly group of people who have a shared interest in the history of Dereham and the surrounding areas.

Docking Heritage Group Tony Arter Heritage Room Ripper Hall High Street Docking, Norfolk PE31 8NG UK Email: [mailto:heritage@dockingnorfolk.co.uk heritage@dockingnorfolk.co.uk] Website


 * Our aim is to record, preserve, and present the history of DOCKING through various media and in a way that encourages people to take an interest in and appreciate their local heritage.

Downham Market & District Heritage Society Downham Town Hall 15 Paradise Rd Downham Market, Norfolk PE38 9HS UK Telephone: 01366 384428 Email: [mailto:info@discoverdownham.org.uk info@discoverdownham.org.uk] Website


 * The primary aim and objective is to promote interest in and awareness of the historical heritage of Downham Market and its surrounding villages that make up the ancient administration area of the Clackclose Hundred. There are 34 villages and the town of Downham Market (the original administration centre) in the Hundred.

Fakenham Local History Society Salvation Army Citadel 12 Oak St Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 9DY UK Email: [mailto:chairman@fakenhamlocalhistorysociety.co.uk chairman@fakenhamlocalhistorysociety.co.uk] Website

Federation of Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Organisations Email: [mailto:publisher@poppyland.co.uk publisher@poppyland.co.uk] Website


 * The Federation exists to help co-ordinate activities between societies and to enable the sharing of information.

The Filby Association Website


 * We are an organisation of people the world over with the surname of FILBY or one of its many variants; FILBEY, FILBEE, PHILBEY, or PHILBY devoted to furthering the study of our name derived from the village of FILBY in Norfolk, England.

Garboldisham History Society Garboldisham Village Hall Church Rd Garboldisham, Norfolk IP22 2SE UK Email: [mailto:paulinerodney@btinternet.com paulinerodney@btinternet.com]

Great Yarmouth & District Archaeological Society January - May Christchurch King Street Deneside Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 2HL UK October - December Central Library Tolhouse Street Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 2SH UK Telephone: 01493 661270 Email: [mailto:duodiscus2@aol.com duodiscus2@aol.com] Website


 * A Society for people interested in the History or Archaeology of Great Yarmouth.

Great Yarmouth Local History and Archaeological Society Christchurch King Street Deneside Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 2HL UK Email: [mailto:infogylhas@gmail.com infogylhas@gmail.com] Website


 * GYLHAS continues to thrive as members meet to enjoy a lively talks programme, slide shows, regular excursions, research, and of course, to share their interest in heritage, history and archaeology.

Harleston and District Historical Society The Swan Inn Carvery 19 The Thoroughfare Harleston, Norfolk IP20 9AS UK Telephone: 01379 852844 Email: [mailto:harlestonhistorical@gmail.com harlestonhistorical@gmail.com] Website


 * Harleston and District Historical Society was founded in 1980 to provide a focus in the town and surrounding district for people interested in its history, to set up and run a museum, and to encourage detailed and well focused research into the archives, both written and physical, that abound in the area.

Loddon and District Local History Group Lecture Hall St John's Church George Lane Loddon Norwich, Norfolk NR14 6NB Email: [mailto:loddon.history@hotmail.co.uk loddon.history@hotmail.co.uk] Website


 * Loddon and District Local History Group was formally constituted in February 2003 with the stated aim of "the advancement of education of the public concerning the local history of Loddon, Norfolk and the surrounding area"... and that is as formal as it gets.

Martham Local History Group Martham Methodist Church 10 Trelawny Rd Martham Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 4SR UK Telephone: 01493 749775 Email: [mailto:noelrmitchell@gmail.com noelrmitchell@gmail.com] Website


 * We are not academic historians, but ordinary people who are interested learning about and recording the history and heritage of Martham, its surrounding area and East Anglia.

Mid-Norfolk Family History Society Trinity Methodist Church Hall Theatre Street Dereham, Norfolk NR19 2EP UK Email: [mailto:sue.vickerage104@gmail.com sue.vickerage104@gmail.com] Website


 * Our local members have an interest in Family History in general but do not necessarily have genealogical links to this part of Norfolk. However, we have a large number of distant members with interests in Mid-Norfolk and we aim to assist in their research by collecting and recording family history information from within an area of approximately 10 miles around Dereham.

Narborough History Society Community Centre Chalk Ln Narborough King's Lynn, Norfolk PE32 1SR UK Telephone: 01760 337076 Website

Norfolk Archaeological & Historical Research Group University of East Anglia (Room Arts 01.02) Norwich Research Park Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ UK Telephone: 01953 453915 Email: [mailto:enquiries@nahrg.org.uk enquiries@nahrg.org.uk] Website


 * NAHRG is Norfolk's local history and archaeology club. To join you just need to be interested in Norfolk, its history, heritage, and archaeology.

Norfolk Family History Society Kirby Hall 70 St. Giles Street Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1LS UK Email: [mailto:secretary@nfhs.co.uk secretary@nfhs.co.uk] Website


 * The Society welcomes people researching their Norfolk ancestors and family history. The Society's collection of genealogical resources encompass parish register transcripts, monumental inscriptions, census returns, wills, family trees, pedigrees, photographs, Norwich birth & death returns, and a wide range of published work to help trace your family's Norfolk origins.

Norfolk Heraldry Society Norwich Central Baptist Church Duke Street Norwich, Norfolk NR3 3BB UK Telephone: 01508 493832 Email: [mailto:enquiries@norfolkheraldry.org.uk enquiries@norfolkheraldry.org.uk] Website

Norfolk Historic Buildings Group INTO Building University of East Anglia University Dr Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ UK Email: [mailto:a.longcroft@uea.ac.uk a.longcroft@uea.ac.uk] Website


 * The society, active since 2000, collects and records information on Norfolk’s historic buildings for those with an appreciation of the area’s rich heritage.

Norfolk Industrial Archaeology Society Stanley Cooper Room Charing Cross Centre 17-19 St John Maddermarket Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1DN UK Website


 * We are brought together by a common desire to find out more of the history and archaeology of the last two hundred and fifty years since the industrial revolution.

Norfolk & Norwich Archaeological Society Town Close Auditorium Castle Museum 24 Castle Meadow Norwich, Norfolk NR1 3JU UK Email: [mailto:members@nnas.info members@nnas.info] Website


 * Throughout its history, the NNAS has attracted people who are interested in the archaeology and history of Norfolk. Our membership includes amateur and professional archaeologists, but the vast majority of members are simply those who are fascinated by the history, archaeology, buildings and ancient sites in the area in which they live.

Norfolk Record Society Trinity Guildhall Saturday Market Place King's Lynn, Norfolk PE30 5DQ UK Email: [mailto:nrs@norfolkrecordsociety.org.uk nrs@norfolkrecordsociety.org.uk] Website


 * The Society was founded in 1930 to encourage the study and preservation of Norfolk records and to publish editions of documents relating to the history of the county.

The Norwich Society The Forum Millennium Plain Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1TF UK Telephone: 01603 765606 Email: [mailto:admin@thenorwichsociety.org.uk admin@thenorwichsociety.org.uk] Website


 * The Norwich Society aims to care for the beauty and history of the city and its surroundings. We aim to preserve, develop, and improve the city's unique character.

The Palgrave Society St Peter’s Church North Barningham, Norfolk NR11 7LB UK Telephone: 01359 251050 Email: [mailto:palgrave@one-name.org palgrave@one-name.org] Website


 * The Society was formed in 1973 by a number of enthusiasts who were interested in the history of all bearers of the surname Palgrave and its variants. Over the last 40 years we have been undertaking detailed research to uncover evidence going back to the 12th century. We have published the findings on a regular basis in a quarterly magazine entitled the Palgrave Chronicle.

Pulham Market Society Memorial Hall Pulham Market Diss, Norfolk IP21 4SU UK Telephone: 01379 676292 Website


 * The Society supports and promotes activities that protect, conserve and enhance the character of the village. Several books on the history of the village are available for purchase.

Terrington St Clement History Group 21 Northgate Way Terrington St. Clement King's Lynn, Norfolk PE34 4LG UK Email: [mailto:jbh@interads.co.uk jbh@interads.co.uk] Website


 * Terrington Saint Clement History Group was established in 1987 when the vicar. the Rev. John Corfield, having had so many requests for historical information, suggested that we form a History Group with the view to writing a history of the village. Our researches for the books have resulted in a quite an extensive archive of photographs relating to the village and the area being created.  The publishing of the books has resulted in many enquiries from people seeking information about their ancestors from the village and other historical facts.

Thorpe Hamlet History Group Plumstead Road Library Plumstead Rd Norwich, Norfolk NR1 4JS UK Email: [mailto:feedback@thorpehamlet.idps.co.uk feedback@thorpehamlet.idps.co.uk] Website


 * The group has been set up to look at various aspects of the history of Thorpe Hamlet.

Walsingham and District History Society Walsingham Village Hall Wells Road Little Walsingham, Norfolk NR22 6DJ UK Email: [mailto:vincentcates36@gmail.com vincentcates36@gmail.com] Website

Wells Local History Group W.I. Hall Church Plain Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk NR23 1EQ UK Telephone: 01328 710261 Email: [mailto:keith@leesmith.co.uk keith@leesmith.co.uk] Website


 * The Group's activities are monthly meetings and the collection of historical material connected with Wells-next-the-Sea and the surrounding area.

West Norfolk & Kings Lynn Archaeological Society Marriott's Warehouse S Quay King's Lynn, Norfolk PE30 5DT UK Telephone: 01553 671239 Email: [mailto:ian.iosson@icloud.com ian.iosson@icloud.com] Website


 * The society is an environment for those who are interested in the local history of West Norfolk.