Federation of Family History Societies

The Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS) is an educational charity formed in 1974 and granted charitable status in 1982. Over the years, membership has grown to over 160 societies throughout the world, including national, regional and one-name groups. The principal aims of the Federation are:


 * to co-ordinate and assist the work of societies or other bodies interested in family history, genealogy and heraldry
 * to foster mutual co-operation and regional projects in these subjects
 * to represent the interests of its member societies, and family historians in general, on numerous national and regional bodies.

Benefits
The Federation offers a number of benefits to members, including:

1. FFHS is represented on governmental and national bodies: It is respected as an authentic and audible voice for the many needs and concerns of our member societies and other family historians. 2. FFHS provides the latest news and information on family history matters: it publishes a bi-monthly electronic Ezine and offers an opportunity to 'spotlight' member societies. FFHS-Members List (own Internet Mailing List) and News List and the Members’ Section of the FFHS web-site, provide the latest news and developments of interest to societies. 3. FFHS provides Insurance cover (UK Members): Membership includes comprehensive Public Liability Insurance within the annual subscription; low cost Personal Accident Insurance and Assets Insurance are also available to member societies if required. 4. FFHS offers general advice and assistance through its Officers and Committees on matters of Archives, Communication, Education, Finance, IT, Projects and Publicity. 5. FFHS offers specialist legal advice: it produces guidelines on topics such as Copyright and Data Protection, Charities Act implications and a range of troubling legal issues. 6. FFHS provides a model constitution for UK Societies. This complies with the known requirements of both the Charity Commissioners and the Inland Revenue, allowing Societies to obtain the benefits of charitable status should they wish to do so. 7. FFHS encourages good practice with the Elizabeth Simpson Award (for best society journal) and the Geoff Riggs Web Award (best website). 8. FFHS runs one day seminars for officers and task-holders. 9. FFHS, through a franchise with S &amp; N Genealogical Supplies, provides GENfair - a 'one-stop shop' where FFHS members can sell their specialist products and collect subscriptions, at privileged rates. www.genfair.com 10. FFHS members have been provided with a means to sell ‘data’ on-line, findmypast.co.uk. Members receive privileged royalty rates for data submitted. Researchers are directed to Societies via these online facilities. 11. FFHS membership provides the use of the NBI in member society libraries without the need to purchase a library licence. 12. FFHS online Membership Directory advertises each member society to a worldwide audience of genealogists / family historians. Members also listed, with website addresses in publications delivered to the general public. Enquirers are directed to Societies at every opportunity. 13. Members can have free access to FMP for use at a fair or open day. 14. FFHS Officers take all opportunities to support and promote Member Societies. 15. FFHS provides a focus for sharing best practice in Family History and Society administration 16. FFHS promotes and encourages the work and communication of the independent, Regional Groups and worldwide affiliates 17. FFHS provides publicity through events, websites and leaflets to promote its member societies and their activities. 18. FFHS MEANS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

Current projects

 * National Burial Index on a county and national basis
 * Monumental Inscriptions transcript for all church &amp; chapel yards, and public cemeteries on a county basis
 * National Inventory of War Memorials (in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum) on a county basis
 * Marriage Indexes on a county basis, particularly for the period 1754-1837

Past projects

 * 1881 Census Project
 * The 'Big-R'
 * The National Burial Index (NBI) for England and Wales
 * FamilyHistoryOnline

Publications

 * FFHS Ezine

Newsletters

 * FFHS-NEWS is a 'one-way' Mailing List which is used to make announcements from the Federation and to publish information of general interest.

To subscribe to FFHS-NEWS, visit: ffhs-lists.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/ffhs-news_ffhs-lists.org.uk and enter your email address and name in section [2] of the page

Society Meetings

 * The Annual General Meeting of The Federation of Family History Societies will take place on Saturday 24th March 2012 at Wesley's Chapel, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU
 * The General Meeting will be held on Saturday 29th September at Parklands leisure Centre, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 5QG
 * The 2013 Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 23rd March 2013 at the Birmingham Midland Institute, Margaret St, Birmingham, B3 3BS
 * The 2013 General Meeting will be held on Saturday 21st September 2013 at the Doncaster College for the Deaf, Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6AY.

Frequently Asked Questions

 * Q. What are the directions to the society?
 * A.


 * Q. What are the society's hours of operation?
 * A.