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Family History Society

Local history societies and family history societies abound in all parts of the world. Their journals and books are a rich source of help and advice if you know how to use them effectively.

You'll need to understand the difference between local and family history societies to be able to get the best from both in your quest for information.

Family history societies promote and assist the study of genealogy and family history. Their prime interest is the study of people and, secondly, the places where those people live. Local history societies concentrate on an actual physical place or area and are, therefore, interested in the people because of where they live.

Family historians need to be able to set their ancestors in the context of the society or place where they lived - and thus depend on the work and expertise of the local historian. The two disciplines rely on many of the same sources, but apply them using different methods. Family historians need an understanding of the ways in which local historians use records, particularly unusual or unique sources that local historians may have identified. Reading local histories of the communities where your ancestors lived can help you to build on the information that you already have.

Conversely, local historians need the work genealogists do in transcribing sources such as parish registers and monumental inscriptions. They also need their support in lobbying for improved access to libraries and archives. The writing of family history easily merges into the writing of local history.

Local history enriches our lives, both as individuals and as whole communities. It is an area where amateur and professional can meet and work profitably together. Local historians range from interested individuals and members of local societies to professional archivists in the field and university lecturers. There are many thousands of people now actively involved in making a valuable contribution towards enriching and extending our understanding of the past.

Each county in the British Isles has its own family history society or societies. Within each county there may be local societies covering a town or city and its surrounding area. Most towns have a local history society while most villages either have a society or individuals who are extremely knowledgeable about the area and its history.

SO, HOW CAN SOCIETIES HELP YOU WITH YOUR RESEARCH?

Most societies produce a quarterly journal containing historical articles about life in the area, general articles describing local records, information about local indexes and what's new or going on in the area. These journals also list members' interests (who is researching a specific surname in a specific area, for instance), helping members to contact others who share their research interests.

Societies hold regular meetings, often centred around a lecture, typically with an expert speaker. More importantly for our purposes here, these meetings give attendees the opportunity to obtain assistance and advice and meet others with similar interests, all on a mutual self-help basis. A bookstall is generally available at these meetings, giving the opportunity to peruse the latest book titles. Societies are run by volunteers so they do not usually have the resources to undertake research on your behalf; but they are able to offer guidance on your own research. Some societies also organise day schools, conferences and courses that aim at extending your level of expertise as well as being interesting and entertaining. Many organise trips to The National Archives and other record repositories. Some societies also have research rooms containing various general family history sources, transcribed records, indexes and sometimes historical material relating to their area of interest. Admission to these research rooms is generally free for members.

Family and local history societies have, for a number of years, been transcribing and indexing local records, such as census returns, parish registers, monumental inscriptions, Poor Law records, apprenticeship indentures, settlement examinations, land tax assessments and Quarter Sessions order books. Much of this work has been published in various formats including book, microfiche, CD and it is available to purchase or view on the internet. Alternatively, these indexes can usually be searched for a small fee by contacting the society.


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