Derbyshire 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
Donisthorpe and District Local History Group Donisthorpe Woodlands Centre (DM's) Church St Donisthorpe, Leicestershire DE12 7PY UK Telephone: 01530 274172 Email: [mailto:bw.rj@virgin.net bw.rj@virgin.net] Website: Donisthorpe and District Local History Group


 * The group formed in 2001 to promote interest and awareness of the history of the Parish of Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe, and Acresford.

Derwent Archaeology Group Tower Room St Nicholas Church 30 Church St Dunnington York, Yorkshire YO19 5PW UK Email: [mailto:jerad17@me.com jerad17@me.com] Website: Derwent Archaeology Group

Hunter Archaeological Society Diamond Building Sheffield University 32 Leavygreave Road Sheffield, Yorkshire S3 7RD UK Telephone: 0114 288 2640 Email: [mailto:secretary@hunterarchaeologicalsociety.org.uk secretary@hunterarchaeologicalsociety.org.uk] Website: Hunter Archaeological Society


 * The Hunter Archaeological Society studies and reports on the archaeology, history and architecture of South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.

Kimberley Chinemarelian Historical Society Community Room Kimberley School Newdigate Street Kimberley Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG16 2NJ UK Telephone: 01773 785130 Email: [mailto:s.arundel@sky.com s.arundel@sky.com] Website: Kimberley Chinemarelian Historical Society


 * This Society is in Nottinghamshire but is near the Derbyshire border and is listed on the Derbyshire County Council website.

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Labour History Society Nottingham Mechanics North Sherwood Street Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG1 4EZ UK Telephone: 01246 270628 Email: [mailto:hilary.cave@btinternet.com hilary.cave@btinternet.com] Website: Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Labour History Society


 * The Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Labour History Society is an organisation of members who have an interest in working class history, and the history of the labour movement in these two counties.

Ranulf Higden Society The John Rylands Library (University of Manchester Library) Oxford Rd Manchester, Lancashire M13 9PP UK Email: [mailto:ranulfhigden@gmail.com ranulfhigden@gmail.com] Website: Ranulf Higden Society


 * The Ranulf Higden Society transcribes and translates medieval Latin documents associated with Lancashire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire. Some people for their own purposes need to read and understand medieval records written in Latin or Anglo-Norman but do not have the benefit of the kind of support normally provided by postgraduate courses in universities.  The Society was formed to provide a means by which they might receive continuing instruction in various relevant fields and encourage and support.

Wesley Historical Society - East Midlands Website: Wesley Historical Society - East Midlands


 * 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: Leicestershire, Loughborough, Derby, Nottingham.

Derbyshire Societies
Allestree Local Study Group St Nicholas Church Allestree Lane Allestree, Derbyshire DE22 2PE UK Telephone: 01332 842114/558256 Website: Allestree Local Study Group


 * The Allestree Local Study Group is interested in the history and development of Allestree and surrounding area.

Aston on Trent Local History Group Aston on Trent War Memorial Hall 1 Chellaston Lane Aston on Trent Derby, Derbyshire DE72 2AX UK Telephone: 01332 793196 Email: [mailto:nibsaston@tiscali.co.uk nibsaston@tiscali.co.uk] Website: Aston on Trent Local History Group


 * The principal aim of the Group was (and continues to be) to provide, maintain, and develop a comprehensive history of Aston on Trent using a variety of formats, easily accessible to all and involving as many members of the community - young and old - as possible.

Baslow History Group Baslow Village Hall Baslow, Nr Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1SR UK Website: Baslow History Group


 * A group of local enthusiasts and amateur historians interested in researching and popularising all aspects of the local history and heritage of Baslow and Bubnell, two picturesque villages set in the heart of the Peak District, close to Chatsworth House, the Home of the Duke of Devonshire.

Brimington and Tapton Local History Group Brimington Community Centre High Street Brimington Chesterfield, Derbyshire S43 1DB UK Telephone: 01246 275527 Email: [mailto:batslhg@gmail.com batslhg@gmail.com] Website: Brimington and Tapton Local History Group


 * We are a small group of local people interested in the history of Brimington and Tapton. These two communities are part of the Borough of Chesterfield.

Buxton Local History Society Old Hall Hotel The Square Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6BD UK Email: [mailto:info@buxtonhistory.org.uk info@buxtonhistory.org.uk] Website: Buxton Local History Society


 * The aims of the Society are to engage in activities that explore and explain all aspects of the history of the market town of Buxton, the Peak District, and its surrounding areas.

Chaddesden Historical Group The Jubilee Club 155 Chaddesden Lane Derby, Derbyshire DE21 6LJ UK Email: [mailto:chaddesdenhistoricalgroup@gmail.com chaddesdenhistoricalgroup@gmail.com] Website: Chaddesden Historical Group


 * Our group’s aim is to collect the history of Chaddesden, and its surrounding area, together for the benefit of future generations as well as for today’s budding historians.

Chellaston History Group St Peter’s Church Hall 50 High St Chellaston Derby, Derbyshire DE73 6TD UK Email: [mailto:chellastonhistorygroup@gmail.com chellastonhistorygroup@gmail.com] Website: Chellaston History Group


 * The aims of the Chellaston History Group are to collect and record the history of the district; to keep in the Group’s archives documents, photographs, newspaper articles, etc., which relate to the history of the district; to investigate and record the past history of the district; to publish material on various aspects of the district and its inhabitants; and to hold meetings and arrange visits in furtherance to the above aims.

Chesterfield & District Family History Society Whittington Moor Methodist Church Scarsdale Road Whittington Moor Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 8QP UK Email: [mailto:secretary@cadfhs.org secretary@cadfhs.org] Website: Chesterfield & District Family History Society


 * CADFHS was founded in 1989 and is based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. The Society covers the area of North East Derbyshire previously known as the Scarsdale Hundred. We aim to assist and encourage the study of Family History and promote research into genealogical material.

Chesterfield & District Local History Society Rose Hill United Reformed Church 22 Soresby St Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 1JN UK Email: [mailto:info@cadlhs.org.uk info@cadlhs.org.uk] Website: Chesterfield & District Local History Society


 * The principal aim of the Society is to encourage public interest in local history, particularly in the Chesterfield area.

Derbyshire Ancestral Research Group Birchwood Methodist Chapel Birchwood Lane Somercotes, Derbyshire DE55 4LZ UK Telephone: 01773 604916 Website: Derbyshire Ancestral Research Group


 * The group comprises enthusiasts mainly in the fields of family history and local history and is involved in recording monumental inscriptions in churches, churchyards and cemeteries throughout Derbyshire, with occasional visits over the county border.

Derbyshire Archaeological Society Room OL1 University of Derby Kedleston Road Derby, Derbyshire DE22 1GB UK Email: [mailto:barbarafoster@talk21.com barbarafoster@talk21.com] Website: Derbyshire Archaeological Society


 * The Derbyshire Archaeological Society was founded in 1878 to encourage interest in the County’s history and archaeology.

Derbyshire Family History Society Derby Friends Meeting House 56 St Helen's St. Derby, Derbyshire DE1 3HY UK Glossop & High Peak Bradbury Community House 10 Market Street Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 8AR UK South Normanton Post Mill Community Centre Market Cl South Normanton Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 2EJ UK

Bridge Chapel House St. Marys Bridge Sowter Rd Derby, Derbyshire DE1 3AT UK Telephone: 01332 363876 Website: Derbyshire Family History Society


 * For over 25 years the Society has linked together people researching their family history in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Record Society 9 Owen Falls Avenue Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 0FR UK Telephone: 01246 554026 Email: [mailto:editor@derbyshirerecordsociety.org editor@derbyshirerecordsociety.org] Website: Derbyshire Record Society


 * The DRS was established in 1977 to publish edited texts, monographs and pamphlets relating to the history of the county.

Furness Vale Local History Society Furness Vale Social Club Yeardsley Lane High Peak, Derbyshire SK23 7PN UK Telephone: 01663 744080 Email: [mailto:furnesshistory@gmail.com furnesshistory@gmail.com] Website: Furness Vale Local History Society


 * We research and record Furness Vale's past. An archive of documents, maps and photographs is maintained by Chairman George Tomlinson, a product of many years research.

Heanor & District Local History Society Wilmot Street Centre Wilmot St Heanor, Derbyshire DE75 7EF UK Telephone: 01773 761944 Email: [mailto:clive.booth3@btinternet.com clive.booth3@btinternet.com] Website: Heanor & District Local History Society


 * The Society aims to "promote interest and research in all aspects of the history of Heanor and District" (including Langley Mill, Marlpool, Codnor, Loscoe, Shipley and Smalley).

Holymoorside History Society Holymoorside Village Hall Holymoor Rd Holymoorside Chesterfield, Derbyshire S42 7DX UK Telephone: 01246 566252/01246 568561/01773 779778 Email: [mailto:hhs_archivist@yahoo.co.uk hhs_archivist@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Holymoorside History Society


 * The object of the Society is to discover, record, and preserve the history surrounding Holymoorside for the benefit of residents, visitors, and future generations, and to help in the preservation of sites of historical importance, forming part of the national heritage of the area.

Hope Historical Society Methodist Church Hall Edale Road Hope, Derbyshire S33 6ZF UK Email: [mailto:hopehistorical@yahoo.com hopehistorical@yahoo.com] Website: Hope Historical Society


 * A group of local people with a shared interest in historical and environmental matters. We draw members from Hope, Aston, and the surrounding villages.

The Ilkeston and District Local History Society Lower Meeting United Reform Church 53 Wharncliffe Rd Ilkeston Erewash, Derbyshire DE7 5GF UK Email: [mailto:secretary@ilkestonhistory.org.uk secretary@ilkestonhistory.org.uk] Website: The Ilkeston and District Local History Society


 * The Society was established in 1966 to foster the study of local history and research into all aspects of the history of Ilkeston and the district and to disseminate this information for the benefit of the public.

Melbourne Historical Research Group Melbourne Assembly Rooms High St Melbourne Derby, Derbyshire DE73 8GF UK Telephone: 01332 863385 Email: [mailto:adrian.earp@btinternet.com adrian.earp@btinternet.com] Website: Melbourne Historical Research Group


 * Each year, one particular aspect of Melbourne's history is investigated and a travelling exhibition of the findings presented. Documents, photographs and artefacts are being used to gradually create a permanent resource in the Library at the Assembly Rooms, which may be used for educational work.

New Mills Local History Society New Mills Town Hall Spring Bank New Mills High Peak, Derbyshire SK22 4AT UK Website: New Mills Local History Society


 * The aims of the Society are to promote study and research into the history of the New Mills area, to convey the history of the New Mills area to a wider audience, and to secure the preservation and protection of items of interest relating to the history of the New Mills area.

North East Derbyshire Industrial Archaeology Society St. Thomas’ Church Centre Brampton Chatsworth Road Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 3AW UK Email: [mailto:cliff@nedias.co.uk cliff@nedias.co.uk] Website: North East Derbyshire Industrial Archaeology Society


 * We are a friendly Society discovering much about the rich industrial history and archaeology of the broader Chesterfield and north-east  Derbyshire area.

North Wingfield Local History Group Email: [mailto:northwingfield@gmail.com northwingfield@gmail.com] Website: North Wingfield Local History Group


 * We are a small group researching and collecting information about the history of North Wingfield and surrounding villages.

Ockbrook & Borrowash Heritage Society Borrowash Methodist Church 31 Nottingham Rd Borrowash Derby, Derbyshire DE72 3FL UK Telephone: 01332 662135 Email: [mailto:terryholbrook@ntlworld.com terryholbrook@ntlworld.com] Website: Ockbrook & Borrowash Heritage Society


 * The group investigates and preserves the history of the parish of Ockbrook and Borrowash.

Old Dronfield Society Dronfield Hall Barn High St Dronfield, Derbyshire S18 1PX UK Telephone: 01246 418122 Website: Old Dronfield Society


 * The Society encourages research and recording of the history of Dronfield and its ancient parish which includes Apperknowle, Little Barlow, Coal Aston, Dronfield Woodhouse, Holmesfield, and Unstone.

Parwich & District Local History Society Parwich Memorial Hall Parwich Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1QJ UK Email: [mailto:parwichhistory@hotmail.com parwichhistory@hotmail.com] Website: Parwich & District Local History Society


 * The Society was formed in February 2000 with its principal aim being to research the local history of the Parwich and its environs in all its aspects and through all periods of history from earliest times to the present day, including landscape, archaeology, architecture, agriculture, industry, history, social history, economics, and any other related issues of historical interest to the community.

Pentrich Historical Society Pentrich Village Hall Main Road Pentrich Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3RE UK Email: [mailto:mail@pentrich.org.uk mail@pentrich.org.uk] Email #2: [mailto:mparkin109@gmail.com mparkin109@gmail.com] Website: Pentrich Historical Society


 * We are a local History Group with a friendly atmosphere looking to recruit new members. We are always looking for speakers on any historical subject. We are also looking for people to research the history of Swanwick and Pentrich which does not mention The Pentrich Rising.

Pinxton & South Normanton Local History Society The Post Mill Centre Market Cl South Normanton Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 2EJ UK Website: Pinxton & South Normanton Local History Society

Repton Village History Group Repton Village Hall Askew Grove Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6GR UK Email: [mailto:rvhg@reptonvillage.org.uk rvhg@reptonvillage.org.uk] Website: Repton Village History Group


 * In 2018 we are moving to a new phase in our development and will be concentrating on researching more of Repton’s history through a series of projects which will include recording the memories of older villagers, carrying out architectural, documentary and cartographical studies and undertaking and supporting archaeological research.

Sandiacre History Group Methodist Church Hall Butt Street Sandiacre, Derbyshire NG10 5JG UK Website: Sandiacre History Group

South Wingfield Local History Group South Wingfield Cricket Club Holme Lane South Wingfield Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 7NY UK Website: South Wingfield Local History Group


 * The Aims of the group are to gather information and carry out research on all aspects of the Parish of South Wingfield; to acquire records and information relevant to the study of South Wingfield and arrange for its appropriate storage and collation; to make available historical data to residents and other interested parties; to promote community interest in our local heritage by means of lectures, exhibitions, website and any other appropriate means; and to publish research findings.

Spondon Historical Society Spondon Village Hall Sitwell St Derby, Derbyshire DE21 7FG UK Email: [mailto:information@spondonhistory.org.uk information@spondonhistory.org.uk] Website: Spondon Historical Society


 * Spondon Historical Society was formed in 1982 and the Society has met monthly ever since. At these meetings, members have listened to a variety of talks of local and wider historical interest, discussed issues that affect Spondon, and made visits to local places of interest.  Over the three decades during which the Society has been meeting, it has collected and collated many interesting documents and photographs relating to the history and development of Spondon.

Staveley History Society Staveley and Barrow Hill Community Centre 47 High Street Staveley Chesterfield, Derbyshire S43 3UU UK Website: Staveley History Society

Ticknall Archaeological Research Group Ticknall Village Hall 7 Rose Ln Ticknall Derby, Derbyshire DE73 7JW UK Email: [mailto:targ.sec@gmail.com targ.sec@gmail.com] Website: Ticknall Archaeological Research Group


 * We started in 2010 to investigate the archaeology of Ticknall's potteries and its landscape history.

Tupton Local History Society St. John's Church Queen Victoria Rd. Tupton, Derbyshire S42 6ED UK Telephone: 01246 861888 Email: [mailto:tuptonlocalhistory@gmail.com tuptonlocalhistory@gmail.com] Website: Tupton Local History Society

Whitwell Local History Group Whitwell Community Centre Portland St Whitwell Worksop, Derbyshire S80 4NN UK Telephone: 01909 ​720327 Email: [mailto:wlhg@hopkins-uk.co.uk wlhg@hopkins-uk.co.uk] Email #2: [mailto:geofftwalker@​outlook.​com geofftwalker@​outlook.​com] Website: Whitwell Local History Group


 * A community group to promote and protect local history to ensure that the history of village people is available to future generations.

Winster History Group Email: [mailto:geoff@orchardmine.co.uk geoff@orchardmine.co.uk] Website: Winster History Group


 * Winster has a very active History Group, which runs an evening lecture series, and undertakes original research.