Lancashire 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
Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society (CWAAS) Telephone: 01524 67523 Email: [mailto:general.secretary@cumbriapast.com general.secretary@cumbriapast.com] Website: Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society


 * The Society's charitable purpose is the advancement of education and culture in the fields of the arts, heritage and science. To promote, encourage, foster and coordinate the study of archaeology, history, genealogy, customs and traditions with special reference to the County of Cumbria which now includes the historic counties of Cumberland and Westmorland and Lancashire North of the Sands and the Sedbergh district of Yorkshire. Affiliated groups are the Carlisle Affiliated Group, the Kendal Historical & Archaeological Society, the Penrith Affiliated Group, and the South West Cumbria Historical & Archaeological Society.

Cumbria Family History Society Email: [mailto:secretary@cumbriafhs.com secretary@cumbriafhs.com] Website: Cumbria Family History Society


 * The Cumbria Family History Society was founded to help members carry out their genealogy researches and our area of interest is the modern county of Cumbria, which is the old counties of Cumberland and Westmorland and a part of Northern Lancashire and North Yorkshire.

Duddon Valley Local History Group Victory Hall 4 Station Rd Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria LA20 6HN UK Telephone: 01229 861511 Email: [mailto:info@duddonhistory.org.uk info@duddonhistory.org.uk] Website: Duddon Valley Local History Group


 * DVLHG was formed in the early 1990s and runs a programme of activities and talks for its members. Our five year long study of the whole valley has restarted extending the survey to cover areas not walked in earlier phases. Our findings led to our current major project with Oxford Archaeology North excavating three medieval longhouse sites near Seathwaite Tarn.

Holme & District Local History Society Burton Memorial Hall Main St Burton-in-Kendal, Cumbria LA6 1NA UK Telephone: 01524 782198 Website: Holme & District Local History Society


 * The Society concentrates on the local parishes of South Lakeland (Cumbria), including Holme, Burton, Beetham, Hutton Roof, Heversham, Lupton, Milnthorpe, and Preston Patrick. From the beginning we have collected photographs, maps and books about our local area for our library.  As the collection expanded with donations from members and non-members we started an archive section, now divided between two archivists: (1) Holme and (2) Burton & the district.

North West Catholic History Society Email: [mailto:editor@nwcatholichistory.org.uk editor@nwcatholichistory.org.uk] Website: North West Catholic History Society


 * The North West Catholic History Society promotes the study of the history of the Catholic Church in the region west of the Pennines, the old counties of Cheshire, Cumberland, Lancashire, and Westmorland.

Wesley Historical Society - Cumbria Methodist History Society 36 Kirkhead Road Kents Bank Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 7DB UK Telephone: 015395 33865 Email: [mailto:wilkinson789@tiscali.co.uk wilkinson789@tiscali.co.uk] Website: Wesley Historical Society - Cumbria Methodist History Society


 * The Society was formed in 1976 and is one of several Regional Methodist Historical Societies which were originally branches of the Wesley Historical Society, established in 1893. We cover all aspects of Methodist history (including former Methodist denominations) with special emphasis on Cumbria.

Lancashire Societies
Bolton Family History Society Montserrat Room 1st Floor Old Links Golf Club Chorley Old Road Bolton Manchester, Lancashire BL1 5SU UK Email: [mailto:bolton@mlfhs.org.uk bolton@mlfhs.org.uk] Website: Bolton Family History Society


 * A branch of the Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society, the Bolton Branch is a local society dedicated to the study and recording of genealogy and family history.

Bury Archaeological Group Telephone: 01204 531317 Email: [mailto:bury_archaeology@btinternet.com bury_archaeology@btinternet.com] Website: Bury Archaeological Group


 * Aims of the Group include to create a better understanding of the origin and history of communities in Bury District, to bring a clearer perspective of their position and influence in society as a whole; to convey results of archaeological excavation or local history studies to the general public, by publication and presentation of artefacts; and to encourage awareness in community heritage, together with means of its investigation by giving guidance to those wishing to participate.

Cartmel Fell & District Local History Society Cartmel Fell Parish Hall Cartmel, Cumbria LA11 6NH UK Telephone: 015395 30535 Website: Cartmel Fell & District Local History Society

Cartmel Peninsula Local History Society Cartmel Village Hall Cartmel Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6PL UK Telephone: 015395 32591 Website: Cartmel Peninsula Local History Society


 * The society was founded in 1996 to promote an interest in local history within Cartmel and the surrounding parishes in South Cumbria, roughly the area between the River Leven Estuary to the west and the River Kent Estuary to the east.

Eccles and District History Society Alexandra House Liverpool Road Peel Green Eccles, Lancashire M30 7HB UK Email: [mailto:eccleshistory@yahoo.co.uk eccleshistory@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Eccles and District History Society


 * The Eccles & District History Society meets monthly where guest speakers are invited to give talks and presentations on a wide range of topics relating to both local and national history.

Everton and District History Group Mere Bank Pub 178 Heyworth Street Everton Liverpool, Lancashire L5 4LJ UK Email: [mailto:secretary@evertonhistory.com secretary@evertonhistory.com] Website: Everton and District History Group


 * We are a recently formed local history society, made up of a diverse group of people who have an interest in the rich history of the Everton area.

Friends of Pendle Heritage Pendle Heritage Centre Park Hill Barrowford Nelson, Lancashire BB9 6JQ UK Telephone: 01282 677150 Email: [mailto:info@foph.co.uk info@foph.co.uk] Website: Friends of Pendle Heritage

Furness Family History Society Barrow Island Community Primary School - CDC Trinity Street Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 2SG UK Email: [mailto:info@furnessfhs.co.uk info@furnessfhs.co.uk] Website: Furness Family History Society


 * The Furness Family History Society is a group of people having an interest in family history (in Furness or elsewhere) and pursuing their own researches while also helping each other in the subject.

Halliwell Local History Society St. Luke’s Church Chorley Old Road Bolton Manchester, Lancashire BL1 BE UK Email: [mailto:enquiries@halliwell-lhs.co.uk enquiries@halliwell-lhs.co.uk] Website: Halliwell Local History Society


 * Halliwell Local History Society was formed in 1986 by a group of people who were intent on recording and keeping alive the history of the Halliwell Township.

History of Kirkby Group Askam Band Hall Sandy Lane Askam-in-Furness, Cumbria LA16 7BE UK Email: [mailto:mcpherson@combecrescent.freeserve.co.uk mcpherson@combecrescent.freeserve.co.uk] Website: History of Kirkby Group


 * The History of Kirkby Group was formed in 2000 and exists to research and publish information, articles and books about the history of the village of Kirkby in Furness, otherwise Kirkby Ireleth,which goes back at least to Saxon times.

Irlam, Cadishead and District Local History Society St Paul's Methodist Church Liverpool Road Irlam, Lancashire M44 6DA UK Telephone: 07548 187290 Email: [mailto:debbie.yates@yahoo.co.uk debbie.yates@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Irlam, Cadishead and District Local History Society


 * This local group is open to anyone with an interest in Irlam and Cadishead’s history.

Lancaster & District Family History Group Lansil Sports & Social Club Caton Road Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 3PE UK Website: Lancaster & District Family History Group


 * Our Aims are to promote family history research, to compile indexes of local monumental inscriptions in gratitude for all the other splendid indexes that we use. and to increase our holdings, so our members can benefit by using them at our group meetings.

Lancashire Archaeological Society Fulwood United Reformed Church Symonds Road Fulwood Preston, Lancashire PR2 3DH UK Email: [mailto:bill_shannon@msn.com bill_shannon@msn.com] Website: Lancashire Archaeological Society


 * The LAS was formed because of an interest and commitment to the field of archaeology and the feeling that the new ‘Lancashire’ county area created in 1974 needed an archaeological society of its own. This new county archaeological society would provide a focal point for the local archaeological societies and so help to create a new identity for Lancashire’s archaeology.

Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society St Cuthberts Church Centre Lytham Road Fulwood Preston, Lancashire PR2 3AR UK Blackburn & Darwen Ewood Park Working Mens Club 318 Bolton Road Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 4HY UK Email: [mailto:blackburn@lfhhs.org.uk blackburn@lfhhs.org.uk] Bury The Kay Room Church House The Wylde Bury, Lancashire BL9 0LA UK Email: [mailto:bury@lfhhs.org.uk bury@lfhhs.org.uk] Chorley Lecture Room Chorley Library Union Street Chorley, Lancashire PR7 1EB UK Telephone: 01257 262028 Email: [mailto:chorley@lfhhs.org.uk chorley@lfhhs.org.uk] Fylde St. Martin’s & St Hilda`s Church Fleetwood Road South Carleton Poulton le Fylde, Lancashire FY6 7NL UK Email: [mailto:fylde@lfhhs.org.uk fylde@lfhhs.org.uk] Heraldry Group St. Stephen’s Church Centre Bird Street Preston, Lancashire PR1 8DY UK Email: [mailto:heraldry@lfhhs.org.uk heraldry@lfhhs.org.uk] Hyndburn Accrington & District Blind Society 32 Bank Street Accrington, Lancashire BB5 1HP UK Email: [mailto:hyndburn@lfhhs.org.uk hyndburn@lfhhs.org.uk] Irish Ancestry Group 2 Straits Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire BB5 3LU UK Email: [mailto:irish@lfhhs.org.uk irish@lfhhs.org.uk] Lancaster & Morecambe Morecambe Heritage Centre The Promenade 215 Marine Road Morecambe, Lancashire LA4 4BU UK Email: [mailto:lancaster@lfhhs.org.uk lancaster@lfhhs.org.uk] London & South Brompton Library 210 Old Brompton Road London SW5 0BS UK Email: [mailto:elizabethprior@btinternet.com elizabethprior@btinternet.com] Pendle & Burnley Colne Library Market Square Colne, Lancashire BB8 0AP UK Email: [mailto:pendle@lfhhs.org.uk pendle@lfhhs.org.uk] Preston Kingsfold Methodist Church Padway Penwortham Preston, Lancashire PR1 9EJ UK Email: [mailto:preston@lfhhs.org.uk preston@lfhhs.org.uk] Rochdale St. Andrew's U.R. Church Entwisle Road Rochdale, Lancashire OL16 2HZ UK Rossendale Longholme Methodist Church Bacup Road Rawtenstall, Lancashire BB4 7ND UK Email: [mailto:rossendale@lfhhs.org.uk rossendale@lfhhs.org.uk] Telephone: 01772 465319 Email: [mailto:secretary@lfhhs.org.uk secretary@lfhhs.org.uk] Website: Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society


 * Our aims are to advance the study of genealogy, heraldry, and family history; to find, publish, and make accessible relevant documents and records; to promote the preservation of these documents and records, especially by transcribing original sources; to collaborate with organisations and bodies who have custody of records; and to operate an information service and build up a library.


 * The Society has branches in Blackburn, Bury, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster & Morecambe, Pendle and Burnley, Preston, Rochdale, and Rossendale. There are branches covering Heraldry and Irish Ancestry. The London and South branch holds joint meetings with members of the Cumbria Family History Society.

Lancashire Parish Record Society Manchester Central Library St Peter's Square Manchester, Lancashire M2 5PD UK Email: [mailto:hudson@raising.plus.com hudson@raising.plus.com] Website: Lancashire Parish Record Society


 * The Society was formed in 1898 and has published over 250 volumes of parish register transcriptions, either in hardback or on Compact Disk. These publications contain substantial parts of the registers of over a hundred parishes, printed fairly steadily since 1898. They include editions of more than fifty of the earliest Lancashire registers – in fact all the registers for the 16th century have now been printed. There are four awaiting completion for the 17th century. Transcripts or indexes of many registers made for the Society and waiting publication are available in the Society’s library of transcripts kindly stored for us in Manchester Central Library’s Archives  Department.

Littleborough Historical and Archaeological Society History Centre on Platform 2 Littleborough Station Littleborough Rochdale Manchester, Lancashire OL15 0HA UK Telephone: 01706 377685 Website: Littleborough Historical and Archaeological Society


 * To advance the education of the public by promoting the study of local history in Littleborough in all its aspects, and by establishing and maintaining a local research facility and archaeological workshop.

Liverpool and South West Lancashire Family History Society Website: Liverpool and South West Lancashire Family History Society

Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society Website: Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society

Manchester Region Industrial Archaeology Society Website: Manchester Region Industrial Archaeology Society

Merseyside Archaeological Society Website: Merseyside Archaeological Society

Mourholme Local History Society Yealand Village Hall Footeran Ln Carnforth, Cumbria LA5 UK Email: [mailto:sheila@mourholme.co.uk sheila@mourholme.co.uk] Website: Mourholme Local History Society

North Meols (Southport) Family History Society Website: North Meols (Southport) Family History Society

North West Group of Family History Societies Website: North West Group of Family History Societies

Ormskirk and District Family History Society Website: Ormskirk and District Family History Society

Salford History Group Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park Salford, Lancashire M5 4WU UK Telephone: 0161 736 7306 Email: [mailto:roy.bullock@ntlworld.com roy.bullock@ntlworld.com] Website: Salford History Group


 * The Salford Local History Society exists to promote the study of local history within the city of Salford.

South West Cumbria Historical & Archaeological Society Egremont Market Hall Supper Room 6 Market St Egremont Copeland, Cumbria CA22 UK Telephone: 019467 24634 Website: South West Cumbria Historical & Archaeological Society

St Helens Townships Family History Society Website: St Helens Townships Family  History Society

Swinton and Pendlebury Local History Society Swinton Library 100 Chorley Road Swinton, Lancashire M27 4AE UK Telephone: 0161 794 4570/0161 793 7847 Website: Swinton and Pendlebury Local History Society

Tameside Archaeological Society Telephone: 0161 320 5220 Email: [mailto:tas.secretary@yahoo.co.uk tas.secretary@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Tameside Archaeological Society

Wesley Historical Society - Lancashire Wesley Historical Society 34 Leach Lane Lytham St Annes, Lancashire FY9 3AP UK Telephone: 01253 728907 Website: Wesley Historical Society - Lancashire Wesley Historical Society


 * The Lancashire Wesley Historical Society was formed in 1984 with the aim of maintaining an interest in the life and work of John and Charles Wesley, in Methodist history in all its traditions and in its chapels and the architecture set within the broader context of English history, with especial reference to the region covered by our District.

West Lancashire Archaeological Society Email: [mailto:gee.griffiths@yahoo.co.uk gee.griffiths@yahoo.co.uk] Website: West Lancashire Archaeological Society

Wigan Archaeological Society Telephone: 01257 402342 Website: Wigan Archaeological Society

Wigan Family & Local History Society Website: Wigan Family & Local History Society