Northamptonshire Societies: Difference between revisions

Family and local history societies vary greatly in size and scope. Many are formally constituted bodies, with a constitution and bank account, publishing journals, transcripts, organising projects and running their own websites. Until 2020, most held regular in-person meetings and similar events. In 2020, Covid-related restrictions brought these to a shuddering halt and frequently have spurred traditional organisations to adapt to online meetings and presentations. More recently, many societies have resumed traditional meetings, sometimes also offering online options. The best ways to check the current situation with a society of interest are to visit its website or social media page and, if necessary, seek clarification by email or message.<br>

In recent years, growing numbers of traditional societies have ventured into social media. Such platforms are also increasingly used by less formal groups of local and family historians, as they cost little or nothing to operate and enable ready recruitment of and interaction with likeminded people. This page includes both traditional societies and “online-only” groups. It is probably not complete, particularly for the latter.<br>

:The Society shares articles, indexes and pictures on its website, as well as details of its publications. Meetings are normally held monthly at the Village Hall for presentations on matters of historic interest. The very active Facebook page had over 320 members in October 2021.

: The Society undertakes research and shares information about the history of Burton Latimer. The searchable website is arranged by topic and includes an enormous collection of articles and illustrations along with details of projects in progress.  

:The Deanshanger Village Heritage Society focuses on caring for the past, present and future of the village of Deanshanger. Details of its activities can be seen at the Society's website.

:Finedon History Society researches, records and promotes the history of Finedon and its inhabitants. Its archives include over 2000 photographic images, many of which can be seen on the website along with details of its newsletters, publications and meetings.  

:The Society collects and shares material about the history of Guilsborough, including illustrations such as photographs and post cards. The period covered ranges from the far past to more recent times that are still within living memory. Its active Facebook group had almost 400 members in October 2021.

'''Irchester Parish Historical Society'''<br>Email: [mailto:jpcarr01@hotmail.com jpcarr01@hotmail.com]<br>Website: [http://www.iphs.org.uk/ Irchester Parish Historical Society]

:The Aims of the Society are the promotion and awareness of local history to stimulate public interest, to support both children and adults in the study of our local history, and to maintain and expand the collection of artefacts connected with the Parish of Irchester.

: King's Cliffe Heritage gathers and records photographs, documents, records and artefacts about the village's interesting past.  The website is a window into its growing digital archive. It offers a wealth of images and searchable information for you to explore throughout the site.  

Email: [mailto:communications@lincoln-record-society.org.uk communications@lincoln-record-society.org.uk]<br>Website: [http://www.lincoln-record-society.org.uk/ Lincoln Record Society]<br>Social media: [https://www.facebook.com/Lincoln-Record-Society-460666607278116 Lincoln Record Socety]<br>

:Milton Keynes Heritage Association fosters cooperation between heritage groups and museums in the vicinity of Milton Keynes. Members in Northamptonshire are Cosgrove & Furtho, Deanshanger Village Heritage Society, Historic Towcester Survey, Potterspury History Group, Roade Local History Society, Towcester & District Local History Society, West Haddon Local History Group, Yardley Gobion Local History Group & Yardley Hastings Society.

:The website includes a well-stocked gallery of photographs and documents, many articles about particular aspects of the history of Milton Malsor and details of publications available. In normal circumstances, the Society runs a programme of meetings and visits.

'''Naseby Village History'''<br>Email: [mailto:francis@howcutt.org Naseby Village History]<br>

:This Facebook group was launched in June 2020 for anyone interested in the history of the village of Naseby and the people who have lived there. Membership stood at over 300 in November 2021. A regular stream of posts shares the results of research, memories and pictures. The group fosters cooperation as members reach out with their questions and answers.

Website: [http://northamptonhh.weebly.com/ Northampton Heritage Hunters]<br>

:Group with nearly 29,000 members sharing a massive collection of photographs and memories relating to Northampton and its people. Postings are mainly, but not exclusively, from the 20th century.  

:Group of nearly 14,000 members covering Northampton and nearby areas. It is allied to Northampton Old Faces group and also showcases a wide range of pictures and memories.

'''Northamptonshire Archaeological Society'''<br>Email: [mailto:nas196674@gmail.com nas196674@gmail.com]<br>Website: [http://northants-archaeology.org.uk/ Northamptonshire Archaeological Society]

:The Society publishes an annual journal which contains detailed excavation reports as well as notes and summaries describing current fieldwork. The website provides details of recent discoveries, publications, events and meetings.

:The Society preserves and publishes records of the ancient county of Northamptonshire. Its rooms at the County Record Office include a notable members’ library focussing on local history. Publications range from “Northamptonshire Past & Present” (NP&P), which is an annual collection of learned articles, to a variety of books which are issued to members and available for purchase by others. The website – freely available to the world at large - is a mine of material about the history of the county. It features PDF files of volumes such as the transcript of Northamptonshire Militia Lists 1777 and the volumes of NP&P that were originally published during the period 1948-1983.  

:Peterborough Local History Society was formed in 1991 by a group of individuals who believed that the city needed an association where people could come together to share and enjoy the history of this area.

:This group of some 275 members shares pictures, memories and history of Pitsford and the people who have lived there, mainly but not exclusively from the 20th century.   

Website: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/240240530200049/ Potterspury History Group]

:This group exists to foster an interest in the history of the village and surrounding area. By October 2021, it had already attracted over 250 members.

'''Roade Local History Society'''<br>c/o Brown's Lodge<br>6 Church End<br>Roade<br>Northamptonshire NN7 2NP UK<br>Email: [mailto:information@roadehistorysociety.org.uk information@roadehistorysociety.org.uk]<br>

Website: [http://www.roadehistorysociety.org.uk/ Roade Local History Society]

:The website provides details of projects, publications and meetings.

Email: [mailto:project@rushdenheritage.co.uk project@rushdenheritage.co.uk]<br>Website: [https://www.rushdenheritage.co.uk/ Rushden and District History Society]<br>

Email: [mailto:information@sprattonhistory.org information@sprattonhistory.org]<br>Website: [http://www.sprattonhistory.org/ Spratton Local History Society]<br>

'''Welford and Sulby Historical Society'''<br>Email: [mailto:wright22@skynet.co.uk wright22@skynet.co.uk]<br>

:The Society focuses on acquiring, cataloguing, contextualising and making available information and items of historical interest relating to Welford and Sulby. Since it was launched in 2018, we have attracted a good turnout for our monthly meetings (subject to Covid restrictions). The very active Facebook page group had 475 members in October 2021.