This list below shows the main genealogical societies of the United Kingdom, with details about each of them and how to join them. There are however many more local groups. Here#s the list of The Complete List of All Genealogical and Family History Societies of England. New societies and groups are regularly listed also in the Family History Federation website – where you can include yours as well.
Genealogical Societies - United Kingdom
Society of Genealogists
The Society of Genealogists (SoG) is a UK-based educational charity, founded in 1911 to promote, encourage and foster the study, science and knowledge of genealogy.
Becoming a Member
Membership is open to any adult who agrees to abide by the Society’s rules and who pays the annual subscription. It gives access to their online knowledge base and catalogue plus the experience of family history experts which includes the Learning Zone, with online tutorials and courses, the online quarterly Genealogists’ Magazine, and one-to-one half hour sessions held in their Library among many other perks.
If you do most of your research online and find it difficult to visit them in London, the Associate Member has an annual subscription cost of £56.
The Full Member has an annual subscription cost of £80 and provides a Membership Card for free entry to the London offices, access to all main pay-per-view or subscription family history websites while in their library and free opportunities to borrow some items from the library.
The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies
The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies is an independent charitable trust dedicated to family history and heraldry education and research. They offer affordable, Accessible and Accredited courses for all levels and run a 24-module Correspondence Course in Genealogy with an industry recognised Diploma in Genealogy. They also hold day courses on a range of family history and heraldry themes at their base in Canterbury, Kent or their hub in Petersfield.
Becoming a Member
You can become a member of the IHGS and receive a complimentary copy of The Institute’s journal, Family History, as well as a 10% discount on purchases made through their bookshop and a reduced rate for day courses.
New members are required to pay an initial fee of £37.50 and thereafter £22.50 on the 1st October each year (last updated August 2020).
Contact
Website: https://www.ihgs.ac.uk/
Become a Member: https://www.ihgs.ac.uk/about-become-a-member
Family and Community Historical Research Society
FACHRS was founded at a meeting of over 100 people at the Open University (OU) in Milton Keynes on 18 April 1998. The aims of the Society are to promote and communicate research in family and community history, with a particular emphasis on the contribution of locally based micro-studies, especially through collaborative research.
Becoming a Member
A FACHRS subscription is valid for one year (12 months) beginning 1st February and ending on 31st January of the following calendar year. Benefits include access to their annual conference, research projects, newsletter, website members only section, internet shop and more.
The Individual membership is £21.00, family (2 members, 1 address) £25.00 and students £15.00.
Local Population Studies Society
The Local Population Studies Society (LPSS) is a charity devoted to promoting local history, social history, and historical demography in a local context. They publish the journal Local Population Studies, and hold two conferences a year, usually on a particular theme related to populations in the past.
Becoming a Member
Members of LPSS receive two copies of the journal and two newsletters each year, membership of the LPSS Book Club and advance notice and a discounted rate for the conferences.
The annual subscriptions include either online-only or online and print access.
| UK | Overseas | |
| Individual Online Journal | £20.00 | £20.00 |
| Individual Print Journal | £35.00 | £50.00 |
| Student Online Journal | £12.00 | £12.00 |
| Student Print Journal | £25.00 | £35.00 |
| Institution Online Journal | £40.00 | £40.00 |
| Institution Print Journal | £50.00 | £70.00 |
Contact
Website: http://www.localpopulationstudies.org.uk/
Become a Member: http://www.localpopulationstudies.org.uk/the-society/join/
Guild of One-Name Studies
The Guild of One-Name Studies is the worldwide centre of excellence in one-name studies and promotes the interests of both the individuals and groups who are engaged in them. Established in 1979 and registered as a charity in 1989, the Guild provides its members with the means to share, exchange and publish information about one-name studies as well as encouraging and assisting all those interested in one-name studies by means of conference, seminars, projects and other activities.
Becoming a Member
The Guild welcomes members who have an interest in one-name studies. It is not necessary to register a study name in order to join.
New Member Sliding Scale (GB Pounds)
| Month joined | Membership | Price |
|---|---|---|
| December | 23 months | £33.00 |
| January | 22 months | £32.00 |
| February | 21 months | £30.00 |
| March | 20 months | £28.00 |
| April | 19 months | £27.00 |
| May | 18 months | £25.00 |
| June | 17 months | £23.00 |
| July | 16 months | £22.00 |
| August | 15 months | £20.00 |
| September | 14 months | £18.00 |
| October | 13 months | £18.00 |
| Nov – Jan | 10-12 months | £18.00 |
The fee payable on registering a one-name study, currently £14, is a one-off payment at the time of registration, and does not have to be renewed annually.
Contact
Website: https://one-name.org/
Become a Member: https://one-name.org/annual-membership-subscription-gb-pounds/
Association of Genealogists & Researchers in Archives
The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) is the professional organisation promoting high professional standards in the field of genealogy and historical research in England and Wales. AGRA is also prominent as a representative voice in matters relating to genealogy.
Becoming a Member
Professional researchers who have been engaged as genealogists for a number of years. AGRA Members have been accepted following a scrutiny of examples of their work and their business practices.
Associates are generally less experienced than AGRA Members, or are in the process of gathering together their Membership application. AGRA Associates have not yet had their work assessed but have submitted their Business Plan for assessment.
Society for One-Place Studies
A charitable organisation founded in 2013 by six dedicated family and local historians from three continents, the Society is run by volunteers in order to advance the education of the public in one-place studies. The vision of this Society is to bring together those like-minded people and provide a platform for members to share good practice, ideas and methodology in one place, as well as promote the research being undertaken on their study area.
Becoming a Member
Membership costs £10 per year. Members can register their studies with us free of charge.
Contact
Website: https://www.one-place-studies.org/
Become a Member: https://www.one-place-studies.org/join-us/
International Society for British Genealogy and Family History
Since 1979 the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History has been helping genealogists connect to their British and Irish ancestry. Whether you are just beginning your British Isles research or are a seasoned genealogist, ISBGFH can enhance your knowledge of important resources with their quality programming, quarterly journal and website. The members of ISB live all over North America and overseas.
Becoming a Member
Membership in the ISBGFH is for anyone who is researching their British or Irish ancestry. The English, Welsh, Irish, and Scots have spread across the globe; their descendants now live in almost every country around the world.
Individual membership is $29 ($25 if paid online), family $40, subscription to the library or society $45 and individual lifetime $355.
Catholic Family History Society
The Catholic Family History Society can point you in the right direction if you’re looking for Roman Catholic ancestors. Volunteers around the country transcribe early Catholic Registers, and these are offered free to members when published. Non-members can also purchase these and all past publications.
Becoming a Member
Society members receive Catholic Ancestor, their journal, three times a year containing members’ own researches and a wide range of helpful articles. An Annual Day Conference is held in October.
The current subscription rate is £15.00 per year, with an extra £2.00 for each additional member at the same address (one copy of the Journal). The subscription for overseas members is £20.00.
Contact
Website: https://catholicfhs.online/
Become a Member: https://catholicfhs.online/index.php/members-only/membership.html
Quaker Family History Society
The Quaker Family History Society was formed in 1993 and is a member of the Federation of Family History Societies. Their aim is to encourage and assist anyone interested in tracing the history of Quaker families in the British Isles. They are based in Britain.
Becoming a Member
Membership is open to anyone interested in the history of British or Irish Quakers. By joining the Society you will receive three issues of the Journal Quaker Connections, and the opportunity to meet others with similar interests, at their AGM in central London and one-day conferences held in the Spring & Autumn.
The rates are £12 for UK Membership, £13 for UK Family Membership and £15 for overseas membership, which includes airmail postage of the Journal.
Contact
Website: http://www.qfhs.co.uk/index.html
Become a Member: http://www.qfhs.co.uk/public_html/membership.htm
