Durham 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
Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland Elvet Riverside room 140 83 New Elvet Durham DH1 3 UK Email: [mailto:archandarch.dandn@dur.ac.uk archandarch.dandn@dur.ac.uk] Website: Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland


 * Based in Durham, but with interests throughout the region, the Society aims to provide an opportunity for all those interested in archaeology and architectural history.

North-Eastern Catholic History Society St Joseph’s High Street West Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 1LX UK Telephone: 0191 270 1065 Email: [mailto:margaret@coopuk.com margaret@coopuk.com] Website: North-Eastern Catholic History Society


 * This society was founded in 1974 to promote research into the history of the Roman Catholic Church in the north-eastern counties of England.

Northumberland & Durham Family History Society Alnwick Bailiffgate Museum 14 Bailiffgate Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1LX Email: [mailto:alnwickbranch@ndfhs.org.uk alnwickbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Belford Bell View Resource Centre 33 West Street Belford, Northumberland NE70 7QF UK Email: [mailto:north.northumberlandbranch@ndfhs.org.uk north.northumberlandbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Blyth Briardale Training and Community Centre Briardale Road Blyth, Northumberland NE24 5LA UK Email: [mailto:blythbranch@ndfhs.org.uk blythbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Belmont (Durham) Belmont Community Centre Sunderland Road Gilesgate, Durham DH1 2LL UK Email: [mailto:durham-belmontbranch@ndfhs.org.uk durham-belmontbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Hexham Community Centre Gilesgate Hexham, Northumberland NE46 3NP UK Email: [mailto:tynedalebranch@ndfhs.org.uk tynedalebranch@ndfhs.org.uk] London The Society of Genealogists 14 Charterhouse Buildings Goswell Road London EC1M 7BA UK Email: [mailto:londonbranch@ndfhs.org.uk londonbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Newcastle Room 3, Brunswick Chapel Northumberland Court Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 7BJ UK Email: [mailto:newcastlebranch@ndfhs.org.uk newcastlebranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Pegswood (Morpeth) Pegswood Community Hub Longhirst Road Pegswood Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 6XG UK Email: [mailto:wansbeckbranch@ndfhs.org.uk wansbeckbranch@ndfhs.org.uk] North Shields Northumberland Square North Shields, Tyne and Wear NE30 1QU UK Email: [mailto:northtynesidebranch@ndfhs.org.uk northtynesidebranch@ndfhs.org.uk] South Shields St. Hilda’s Visitor Centre Market Place South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE33 1AN UK Email: [mailto:southtynesidebranch@ndfhs.org.uk southtynesidebranch@ndfhs.org.uk] Telephone: 0191 261 2159 Email: [mailto:chairman@ndfhs.org.uk chairman@ndfhs.org.uk] Website: Northumberland & Durham Family History Society


 * The Society, founded in 1975, promotes interest in family history amongst its members and the general public. We have branches in Alnwick, Belford, Blyth, Belmont (Durham), Hexham, London, Newcastle, Pegswood (Morpeth), North Shields, and South Shields.

The Surtees Society Telephone: 0191 334 1048 E-mail: [mailto:surtees.society@durham.ac.uk surtees.society@durham.ac.uk] Website: The Surtees Society


 * The Surtees Society is dedicated to the publication of manuscripts illustrative of the history of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria, principally of County Durham and Northumberland in North East England.

Wesley Historical Society - North East Methodist History Society Telephone: 01434 608733 Website: Wesley Historical Society - North East Methodist History Society


 * 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. The Society aims to encourage an informed interest in the life and work of John and Charles Wesley, in Methodist history in general, in chapels and their architecture, and in the broader patterns of English religious history, especially in the counties of Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland.  Area: Durham, Northumberland, and The North Riding.

Durham Societies
Annfield Plain Family History Society Website: Annfield Plain Family History Society

Aycliffe Village Local History Society Website: Aycliffe Village Local History Society

Cleveland & Teeside Local History Society E-mail: [mailto:ctlhs@fsmail.net ctlhs@fsmail.net] Website: Cleveland & Teeside Local History Society

Gateshead Local History Society Website: Gateshead Local History Society

Lanchester Local History Society Telephone: 01207 529085 Email: [mailto:mdaap@durham.gov.uk mdaap@durham.gov.uk] Website: Lanchester Local History Society

St Mary's Heritage Group St Mary's Heritage Centre Oakwellgate Gateshead, Tyne & Wear NE8 2AU UK Telephone: 0191 433 4699 Website: St Mary's Heritage Group

Sunderland Antiquarian Society Telephone: 01915101923 Email: [mailto:p11cur@sky.com p11cur@sky.com] Website: Sunderland Antiquarian Society

Teesside Archaeological Society Website: Teesside Archaeological Society

Washington History Society Website: Washington History Society


 * Washington History Society is an informal group of people who work together to keep the history of Washington alive. We collect and preserve photographs, documents and memorabilia, while taking an active part in raising awareness of the town's heritage through talks and exhibitions. Washington history covers over 800 years and the Old Hall was home to the ancestors from which the 1st President of the United States, George Washington, inherited his name.

Winlaton & District Local History Society West End Club West Lane Winlaton Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE21 6PQ UK Website: Winlaton & District Local History Society