Somerset 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 Local History Association Telephone: 01275 849200 Email: [mailto:blackrockcfd@hotmail.com blackrockcfd@hotmail.com] Website: Avon Local History Association


 * ALHA is the umbrella group for local history and archaeology societies in Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. There are some eighty societies in ALHA, with a collective membership of about 10,000. Some are region-wide but with special interests like the Bristol & Avon Family History Society; while many are parish- or district-based.

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.

Bristol & Avon Family History Society BAWA Leisure Centre 589 Southmead Road Filton Bristol, Gloucestershire BS34 7RG UK Telephone: 0117 9561881 E-mail: [mailto:secretary@bafhs.org.uk secretary@bafhs.org.uk] Website: Bristol & Avon Family History Society


 * The Bristol & Avon Family History Society provides contacts between members with regular meetings, quarterly Journals and assists members with research.

Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society Keynsham British Legion Charlton Road Keynsham, Somerset BS31 2JA UK Email: [mailto:mobaw@hotmail.com mobaw@hotmail.com] Website: Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society


 * The Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society was founded in 1967 to coordinate the research, conservation and preservation of the remains of the industrial and commercial activity in the Bath and Bristol area.

Chardstock Historical Record Group The George Inn Chard St Chardstock Axminster, Devon EX13 7BX UK Telephone: 01460 220350 Email: [mailto:chrg@btinternet.com chrg@btinternet.com] Website: Chardstock Historical Record Group


 * This site was created in 2009 by the Chardstock Historical Record Group (CHRG) and has since been expanded to cover the Parishes of Chardstock, All Saints, and Wambrook, as well as the smaller settlements of Alston, Bewley Down, Birchill, Burridge, Churchill, Cotley, Holy City, Hook, and Tytherleigh. Our primary intention is to display and transcribe research material not readily available from other sources and to use our local knowledge of place and family names to ensure a high degree of accuracy.

Somerset & Dorset Family History Society Blackmore Vale The Bow Room The Exchange Old Market Hill Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1FH UK The Hub Station Rd Stalbridge, Dorset DT10 2RG UK Telephone: 01258 472942 Email: [mailto:anfh68@gmail.com anfh68@gmail.com] Website: Blackmore Vale

East Dorset Hilda Coles Learning Centre Priests House Museum 23-27 High St Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 1HR UK Telephone: 01202 772327 Website: East Dorset

Mid Somerset Residents' Lounge Bluestone Court Oxendale St Street, Somerset BA16 0NF UK Telephone: 01934 712724 Email: [mailto:as.wilkinson@btinternet.com as.wilkinson@btinternet.com] Website: Mid Somerset

South Dorset St Aldhelm’s Church Centre Spa Rd Weymouth, Dorset DT3 5EW UK Telephone: 01305 776008 Email: [mailto:theyallops@tiscali.co.uk theyallops@tiscali.co.uk] Website: South Dorset

Taunton Kilkenny Court Station Approach Taunton, Somerset TA2 7QL UK Telephone: 01278 722706 Email: [mailto:SueBurne@aol.com SueBurne@aol.com] Website: Taunton

West Dorset Loders Village Hall Loders Bridport, Dorset DT6 3SA UK Telephone: 01308 425710 Email: [mailto:jferentzi@aol.com jferentzi@aol.com] Website: West Dorset

West Somerset Memorial Hall (Doll Museum) 17 High St Dunster Minehead, Somerset TA24 6SF UK Telephone: 01984 639428 Email: [mailto:janeyb8@hotmail.co.uk janeyb8@hotmail.co.uk] Website: West Dorset

Yeovil Holy Trinity Church Lysander Road Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2BU UK Email: [mailto:tedudall@hotmail.com tedudall@hotmail.com] Website: Yeovil

Email: [mailto:society@sdfhs.org society@sdfhs.org] Website: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society


 * The Somerset & Dorset Family History Society aims to provide assistance to all those researching their families in the two counties, no matter where they live.

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.

Somerset Societies
Axbridge Archaeological and Local History Society Cross Memorial Hall Webbington Road Cross Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2EL UK Telephone: 01934 712971 Email: [mailto:jpdfriend@gmail.com jpdfriend@gmail.com] Website: Axbridge Archaeological and Local History Society


 * We hold a series of talks throughout the winter months, given by experts in their field, and have walks and visits during the summer to places of interest.

Banwell Society of Archaeology Banwell Village Hall Westfield Cres Avon Banwell, Somerset BS29 6BA UK Email: [mailto:spencermonica9@googlemail.com spencermonica9@googlemail.com] Website: Banwell Society of Archaeology


 * The Banwell Society of Archaeology studies the history and pre-history of the local area around Weston-super-Mare.

Batheaston Society Spindleberries 48 Northend Batheaston Bath, Somerset BA1 7ES UK Telephone: 01225 852440 Email: [mailto:johnirons35@gmail.com johnirons35@gmail.com] Website: Batheaston Society


 * The Society's sole concern is the well-being of the village of Batheaston, and in recognition of its commitment to this purpose, it is registered with the Civic Trust as the local amenity society for Batheaston. In part this includes an emphasis on the historical building substance and the people who have shaped the village in the past.

Blagdon Local History Society The Lodge The Coombe Blagdon, Somerset BS40 7RE UK Telephone: 01761 462 723 Website: Blagdon Local History Society


 * A group of people interested in history with a particular interest in Blagdon and surroundings. There are monthly open meetings/lectures for the membership and others. Research at Record Offices, Libraries, private archives etc., transcribing old documents, recording oral histories, formation and maintenance of a database and library, visits to places of interest, regular talks by visiting experts, field walking, and in 2004 we published our first volume of a History of Blagdon, and have continued the series as our knowledge grows.

Bridgwater and District Archaelogical Society Blake Museum 5 Blake St Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 3NB UK Email: [mailto:enquiries@bridgwaterarchaeology.org.uk enquiries@bridgwaterarchaeology.org.uk] Website: Bridgwater and District Archaelogical Society


 * The aims of the Society are to study the history and archaeology of Bridgwater and district, and to observe and record all excavations in the area.

Buckland History Group Dangerfield Farm Buckland Dinham Frome, Somerset BA11 2QN UK Telephone: 01373 462022 Email: [mailto:debbie_cary@hotmail.com debbie_cary@hotmail.com] Website: Buckland History Group

Camerton Local History Group Court Barn Camerton Hill Camerton Bath, Somerset BA2 0PS UK Telephone: 017661 479319 Email: [mailto:julieannbiggs1@gmail.com julieannbiggs1@gmail.com] Website: Camerton Local History Group

Chard History Group Manor Court School 5 Duck Lane Chard, Somerset TA20 2ES UK Telephone: 01460 66040 Website (new): Chard History Group Website (old): Chard History Group


 * The Group's main objectives are to promote research into, and gain knowledge of, all aspects of the history of Chard and District. In this case, district was defined as roughly the mid-point between Chard and its neighbouring local history societies.

City of Bath Heraldic Society Manvers Street Baptist Church Hall Manvers St Bath, Somerset BA1 1JW UK Telephone: 0117 958 4507 Email: [mailto:secretary@bath-heraldry.org.uk secretary@bath-heraldry.org.uk] Website: City of Bath Heraldic Society


 * Until people begin to understand Heraldry, they tend to think that a Coat of Arms is simply a colourful pattern. It is not. A Coat of Arms can tell you many things about a person; about that person’s family and history.  Local historians neglect Heraldry at their peril – one Coat of Arms on a church memorial or on an Heraldic funeral hatchment, can often tell them something that would take many hours of research to discover any other way.

Clevedon & District Archaeological Society The Friends Meeting House 15 Albert Road Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 7RP UK Telephone: 07743 683756 Email: [mailto:contact.cdas@icloud.com contact.cdas@icloud.com] Website: Clevedon & District Archaeological Society


 * The Clevedon and District Archaeological Society was founded in the 1920s with the aim of promoting local amateur archaeological interest and learning.

Freshford and District Local History Society Freshford Memorial Hall Freshford Ln Bath, Somerset BA2 7UR UK Email: [mailto:peter.pennyjones@gmail.com peter.pennyjones@gmail.com] Website: Freshford and District Local History Society

Frome Society for Local Study Assembly Rooms Christchurch St West Frome, Somerset BA11 1EB UK Telephone: 01373 453395 Email: [mailto:info@fsls.org.uk info@fsls.org.uk] Website: Frome Society for Local Study


 * The Frome Society for Local Study was founded in 1958 by a number of Frome townspeople who realised there was a need to make the history of Frome and the district better known, and to preserve its historic buildings and records.

Hinton Blewett History Group Church Cottage Hinton Blewett Bristol, Gloucestershire BS39 5AN UK Telephone 01761 452312 Website: Hinton Blewett History Group

Kewstoke Local History Group Telephone: 01934 633407 Website: Kewstoke Local History Group


 * Kewstoke Local History Group now has over 100 ledgers filled with irreplaceable material. For the millennium year every house in Kewstoke was photographed and matched with an old photo if there was one. All information concerning that property was collected, such as who built it, who has lived in it, old deeds, the price it has sold for over the years etc. We have ledgers on the history of many of the old families who have lived in Kewstoke for generations, with family trees and photos.

Keynsham and Saltford Local History Society St. Dunstan's Catholic Church Hall Bristol Road Keynsham, Somerset BS31 2BQ UK Email: [mailto:info@keysalthist.org.uk info@keysalthist.org.uk] Website: Keynsham and Saltford Local History Society


 * The Society was formed in 1965 as a non-profit making voluntary organisation concerned with researching and recording the history of the Keynsham and Saltford area. Since 1965 the Society has amassed a large archive of photographs, documents, maps and transcripts from primary sources and newspaper articles.

Langford Local History Group University of Bristol Veterinary School Churchill Building Langford Bristol, Gloucestershire BS40 5DU UK Telephone: 01934 862248 Website: Langford Local History Group


 * Our meetings cover a wide range of subjects including archaeology, family history, and notable events, usually with a local historical bias. The Group has built up an archive of records, maps, and documents which enables members to carry out research on families and houses in the area. Some of these documents date back to the reign of Henry VI, allowing us a glimpse into Medieval Langford!

Long Ashton Local History Society The Jubilee Pavilion Village Hall Keedwell Hill Long Ashton Bristol, Gloucestershire BS41 9DP UK Telephone: 01275 393617 Email: [mailto:nervecentre@hotmail.co.uk nervecentre@hotmail.co.uk] Website: Long Ashton Local History Society

Martock Local History Group Martock Church of England Primary School Elmleigh Road Martock, Somerset TA12 6EF UK Email: [mailto:info@martockhistory.co.uk info@martockhistory.co.uk] Website: Martock Local History Group


 * We meet monthly for lectures on local historical topics. We also carry out research into the history of Martock, its inhabitants, and local archaeology.

Nailsea and District Local History Society Nailsea School Mizzymead Rd Nailsea Bristol, North Somerset BS48 2HN UK Email: [mailto:enquiries@ndlhs.org.uk enquiries@ndlhs.org.uk] Website: Nailsea and District Local History Society


 * The Society was established in 1975 and aims to encourage and promote an interest in, and research into, the local history of the area. The Society is very much part and parcel of the community whose history it records. Various members of the society have helped people, from all over the world, with their enquiries about the history of the area.

Oakhill & Ashwick Local History Group Oakhill Village Hall Zion Hill Oakhill Radstock, Somerset BA3 5AN UK Telephone: 01749 840200 Email: [mailto:lhg.oakash@btinternet.com lhg.oakash@btinternet.com] Website: Oakhill & Ashwick Local History Group


 * The Oakhill & Ashwick local history group is keeping a diary of changes/events that occur in the parish.  We have a large photographic/document record of the parish.

Paulton History Society Wesley Hall Park Road Paulton Bristol, North Somerset BS39 7QQ UK Telephone: 01761 412051 Email: [mailto:a.miall@btinternet.com a.miall@btinternet.com] Website: Paulton History Society

Radstock, Midsomer Norton and District Museum Society Radstock Museum Waterloo Road Radstock, Somerset BA3 3EP UK Email: [mailto:society@radstockmuseum.co.uk society@radstockmuseum.co.uk] Website: Radstock, Midsomer Norton and District Museum Society


 * The Society’s Collection of artefacts and specimens is now on show at Radstock Museum in a variety of imaginative displays.

The Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society Brunel Way Langford Mead Norton Fitzwarren Taunton, Somerset TA2 6SF UK Telephone: 01823 272429 Email: [mailto:office@sanhs.org office@sanhs.org] Website: The Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society


 * The Society is formed to promote the study of archaeology, natural history, local history and historic buildings with particular reference to the historic County of Somerset and is an important point of contact for anyone with an interest in understanding and protecting the heritage of Somerset.

Somerset Heraldry Society Monteclefe Cottage 29 Kirkham St Somerton, Somerset TA11 7NL UK Telephone:	 01749 830538 Email: [mailto:secretary@somerset-heraldry.org.uk secretary@somerset-heraldry.org.uk] Website: Somerset Heraldry Society


 * The Society's mission was to study and discuss the heraldry of Somerset.

Somerset Industrial Archaeological Society (SIAS) North Town School 7 Northfield Gardens Taunton, Somerset TA1 1XN UK Telephone: 01278 760869 Email: [mailto:sias@geoffitton.plus.com sias@geoffitton.plus.com] Website: Somerset Industrial Archaeological Society (SIAS)


 * SIAS is interested in all aspects of the industrial history and heritage of the County of Somerset.

Somerset Record Society Somerset Studies Library Paul Street Taunton, Somerset TA1 3XZ UK Telephone: 01823 340300 Email: [mailto:dbromwich@somerset.gov.uk dbromwich@somerset.gov.uk] Website: Somerset Record Society


 * The Somerset Record Society exists to make record sources for the study of Somerset history available in printed form. The Society has been preserving, promoting and making accessible the written heritage of the county of Somerset since 1886. These volumes have been heavily used and widely cited by scholars, and sets are maintained in major libraries all over the world. The Society remains the only entirely dedicated organisation to publish the written heritage of the ancient county. Somerset’s archival history contains a wealth of unique material which the Society has been making more widely accessible for over a century.

St George History Group Summerhill Over-50s Club Summerhill Road St George Bristol, Avon, Somerset BS5 8HJ UK Telephone: 0117 940 6202 Website: St George History Group

Tintinhull Local History Group Village School School Close Vicarage St. Tintinhull Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8PX UK Telephone: Tel 01935 822562 Email: [mailto:tlhg@mac.com tlhg@mac.com] Website: Tintinhull Local History Group

Weston Local History Society 54 Purlewent Drive Weston Park Bath, Somerset BA1 4AZ UK Telephone: 01225 423 843 Email: [mailto:johnw@fsmail.net johnw@fsmail.net] Website: Weston Local History Society

Weston-super-Mare Archaeological and Natural History Society Victoria Methodist Church Hall 38 Station Rd Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS23 1XY UK Email: [mailto:viven.pratt@gmail.com viven.pratt@gmail.com] Website: Weston-super-Mare Archaeological and Natural History Society

Weston-super-Mare & District Family History Society St Paul's Church Hall Walliscote Road Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS23 1EF UK Website: Weston-super-Mare & District Family History Society


 * The area covered by the Society is Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding parishes, which make up North Somerset. The Society exists to help members to help themselves and with this in mind publishes a magazine on a regular basis.  The Society tries to encourage and stimulate interest in family history generally and has a very positive link with Weston-super-Mare Library, which has excellent resources and facilities.


 * The objectives of the Society are to promote the study of archaeology, natural history and history of the Weston-super-Mare area through talks, field studies and nature walks.

Whitchurch Local History Society 31 The Witheys Whitchurch Village Bristol, Somerset BS14 0QB UK Telephone: 01275 830869 Email: [mailto:geoff@thegardiners.org.uk geoff@thegardiners.org.uk] Website: Whitchurch Local History Society


 * The Society puts on a varied and interesting programme of talks, mostly illustrated, throughout the autumn and winter in which we feature a broad range of history topics. These can include local and regional subjects and items of social history as well as featuring particularly notable places and people.

Winscombe and Sandford Local History and Archaeological Society Winscombe Community Centre 11 Sandford Rd Winscombe, North Somerset BS25 1JA UK Telephone: 01934 842666 Email: [mailto:peter.o@which.net peter.o@which.net] Website: Winscombe and Sandford Local History and Archaeological Society


 * The Society was founded in 1990 to promote the study of the history and archaeology of Winscombe.

Worle History Society Worle Community Centre Lawrence Road Worle Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS22 6TU UK Email: [mailto:rayegreen@talktalk.net rayegreen@talktalk.net] Website: Worle History Society


 * The objects of the Society shall be to encourage the study of, and interest in, local history in the Worle area, to facilitate studies, support education and to produce publications relating to these subjects.

Wrington Local History Society Email: [mailto:mark-bullen@hotmail.co.uk mark-bullen@hotmail.co.uk] Website: Wrington Local History Society

Yatton Local History Society Yatton Methodist Church High Street Yatton, Somerset BS49 4DW UK Website: Yatton Local History Society


 * Yatton Local History Society was founded in 1982 with the original aim of researching the history of the parish of Yatton. Public meetings and visits were added later to the programme of research.