England Societies

Societies and organizations that emphasize genealogy and family history may be able to provide information of value to your genealogical research. Some societies are set up on a county-wide basis; others cover a portion of a county. This section discusses only English societies, but do not overlook societies in the country your ancestors moved to.

Many societies publish helpful journals, transcripts, and compiled genealogies. They may have ongoing projects to transcribe records, create indexes, and so on. Most societies publish queries in their journals and maintain lists of members’ research interests. See the "Periodicals" section of this outline for more information about the journals and newsletters published by English societies.

You may want to join one of these societies and support its efforts. You can normally find membership fees and the address for a society’s secretary printed in its journal, and the Family History Library also has many journals in its collection. In addition, you may find information about a society on the Internet. Many societies have Web sites that include membership information. You can locate this information through the GENUKI Web site at:


 * www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng

From the above site:

Click [County of your choice].

Click Societies.

The Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS)
There are currently over 100 family history societies in England. The Federation of Family History Societies serves as the coordinating body for societies in England and elsewhere. The Federation supports and encourages genealogy and family history research among its member societies. It formerly published Family History News and Digest (see the "Periodicals" section of this outline), a journal that includes the names and addresses of its member societies.

The News & Digest has been replaced by an elecronic Magazine (ezine) and the latest version can be found by visiting the FFHS website listed below.

The contact information for The FFHS is:

General Enquiries:

All general correspondence should be sent to:

The Federation of Family History Societies PO Box 8857 LUTTERWORTH LE17 9BJ

Phone: +44 (0)1455 203133

[mailto:Info@FFHS.org.uk Info@FFHS.org.uk

Ezine Editor: Correspondence about the Ezine should be sent to:

[mailto:ezine@FFHS.org.uk ezine@FFHS.org.uk

Registered Office: Artillery House, 15 Byrom Street, Manchester M3 4PF

[Please note that this address should not be used for general enquiries]

You may also access the Federation’s Internet website at:
 * http://www.ffhs.org.uk/

The Society of Genealogists
The Society of Genealogists has extensive records from all over England. They also have the largest collection of transcribed parish registers in England. The address is:


 * Society of Genealogists 14 Charterhouse Buildings Goswell Road London EC1M 7BA England Internet: http://www.sog.org.uk/

For an introduction to the library see:


 * Using the Library of the Society of Genealogists. London, England: Society of Genealogists, 1991. (Family History Library book 942.1/L1 J5u 1991.)

The Family History Library has several other guides to this library, as well as their publications. The publications are listed in the Author/Title Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:


 * SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

Local History Societies
The British Association for Local History (BALH), was created in 1982 as the successor to earlier organisations which had supported the study of local history over previous decades. Its purpose is to encourage and assist the study of local history throughout Great Britain as an academic discipline and as a rewarding leisure activity for both individuals and groups. To achieve this the Association


 * serves as a national body representing local and regional historians.


 * hosts Local History Day, an annual event open to all, with discussions, presentation of awars, AGM, and a specially commisioned lecture based on current research.


 * publishes the prestigious quarterly journal The Local Historian which includes regular features on themes, sources, websites, and a copious reviews sections. The first number appeared in 1952 (FHL book 942 B2ah; films 0973337–8.) This periodical was formerly calledAmateur Historian.


 * produces a quarterly members' magazine Local History News reporting on up to date developments and examples of best practice from around the country.


 * makes annual awards to individuals who have made a significant contribution to local history; for excellence in research and publication; and for an outstanding local history newsletter.


 * organises guided visits to places of relevant interest, often not easily accessible otherwise.


 * collaborates with other organisations to arrange conferences and similar events around the country.


 * provides a website (http://www.balh.co.uk) for information and links.


 * publishes specialist handbooks.

The Association is an unincorporated registered charity, governed by an elective Council with three advisory committees dealing with publications, education and events. It is financed by its members. Subscriptions are for a calendar year but may be started at any time; new members receive the material already issued during the year.

The Association's headquarters are located in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. The postal address is PO Box 6549, Somersal Herbert, Ashbourne DE6 5WH.

One-Name Groups
Some organizations gather information about all individuals with a particular surname. If you are interested in such an organization, see:

Guild of One-Name Studies

Locating Records at the Family History Library
Copies of the records compiled by these societies are described in the Author/Title Search of the Family History Library Catalog under the society name. They are also listed in the Locality Search under:

ENGLAND - SOCIETIES

ENGLAND, [COUNTY] - SOCIETIES

ENGLAND - GENEALOGY

ENGLAND, [COUNTY] - GENEALOGY

Copies of some records gathered by societies are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under the record type. For example, cemetery transcripts done by a local family history society are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:

ENGLAND, [COUNTY] - CEMETERIES

Lists and guides that describe societies’ collections are listed under the following:

ENGLAND - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES

ENGLAND, [COUNTY] - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES

ENGLAND, [COUNTY], [CITY, TOWN, or PARISH] - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES

Websites

 * http://www.censusfinder.com/england_family_history_society.htm
 * http://www.genuki.org.uk/Societies/England.html