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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

Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland
Elvet Riverside room 140
83 New Elvet
Durham DH1 3 UK
Email: archandarch.dandn@dur.ac.uk
Website: Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland

Based in Durham, but with interests throughout the region, the Society aims to provide an opportunity for all those interested in archaeology and architectural history.

North-Eastern Catholic History Society
St Joseph’s
High Street West
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 1LX UK
Telephone: 0191 270 1065
Email: margaret@coopuk.com
Website: North-Eastern Catholic History Society

This society was founded in 1974 to promote research into the history of the Roman Catholic Church in the north-eastern counties of England.

Northumberland & Durham Family History Society
Alnwick
Bailiffgate Museum
14 Bailiffgate
Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1LX
Email: alnwickbranch@ndfhs.org.uk
Belford
Bell View Resource Centre
33 West Street
Belford, Northumberland NE70 7QF UK
Email: north.northumberlandbranch@ndfhs.org.uk
Blyth
Briardale Training and Community Centre
Briardale Road
Blyth, Northumberland NE24 5LA UK
Email: blythbranch@ndfhs.org.uk
Belmont (Durham)
Belmont Community Centre
Sunderland Road
Gilesgate, Durham DH1 2LL UK
Email: durham-belmontbranch@ndfhs.org.uk
Hexham
Community Centre
Gilesgate
Hexham, Northumberland NE46 3NP UK
Email: tynedalebranch@ndfhs.org.uk
London
The Society of Genealogists
14 Charterhouse Buildings
Goswell Road
London EC1M 7BA UK
Email: londonbranch@ndfhs.org.uk
Newcastle
Room 3, Brunswick Chapel
Northumberland Court
Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 7BJ UK
Email: newcastlebranch@ndfhs.org.uk
Pegswood (Morpeth)
Pegswood Community Hub
Longhirst Road
Pegswood
Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 6XG UK
Email: wansbeckbranch@ndfhs.org.uk
North Shields
Northumberland Square
North Shields, Tyne and Wear NE30 1QU UK
Email: northtynesidebranch@ndfhs.org.uk
South Shields
St. Hilda’s Visitor Centre
Market Place
South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE33 1AN UK
Email: southtynesidebranch@ndfhs.org.uk
Telephone: 0191 261 2159
Email: chairman@ndfhs.org.uk
Website: Northumberland & Durham Family History Society

The Society, founded in 1975, promotes interest in family history amongst its members and the general public. We have branches in Alnwick, Belford, Blyth, Belmont (Durham), Hexham, London, Newcastle, Pegswood (Morpeth), North Shields, and South Shields.

The Surtees Society
Telephone: 0191 334 1048
E-mail: surtees.society@durham.ac.uk
Website: The Surtees Society

The Surtees Society is dedicated to the publication of manuscripts illustrative of the history of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria, principally of County Durham and Northumberland in North East England.

Wesley Historical Society - North East Methodist History Society
Telephone: 01434 608733
Website: Wesley Historical Society - North East Methodist History Society

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. The Society aims to encourage an informed interest in the life and work of John and Charles Wesley, in Methodist history in general, in chapels and their architecture, and in the broader patterns of English religious history, especially in the counties of Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Area: Durham, Northumberland, and The North Riding.

Durham Societies

Annfield Plain Family History Society
Annfield Plain Library
North Road
Annfield Plain
Stanley, County Durham DH9 8EZ UK
Telephone: 07903 772965
Website: Annfield Plain Family History Society

We are a group of like-minded people with an interest in Family & Local History, based in Annfield Plain but covering the history of the whole of North West Durham.

Aycliffe Village Local History Society
Aycliffe Village Hall
9-12 North Terrace
Aycliffe Village
Newton Aycliffe, County Durham DL5 6LF UK
Email: vivienellis@btinternet.com
Website: Aycliffe Village Local History Society

The Society is for anyone interested in local history, especially that of the Great Aycliffe area.

Cleveland & Teeside Local History Society
Middlesbrough College
Dock Street
Middlesbrough, Yorkshire TS2 1AD UK
E-mail: martin@peagam.co.uk
Website: Cleveland & Teeside Local History Society

The Society, which was formed in 1968, takes an active part in preserving our heritage. We promote various projects in local history and offer advice. We maintain links with local archives, libraries, museums, and groups connected with archaeology, family history, and industrial archaeology.

Gateshead Local History Society
Gateshead Library
Prince Consort Rd
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 4LN UK
Telephone: 0191 5970805
Email: gatesheadlhs@gmail.com
Website: Gateshead Local History Society

We are a group of Gateshead residents who enjoy meeting up to discuss local history.

Lanchester Local History Society
Lanchester Community Centre
Newbiggin Lane
Lanchester, County Durham DH70JQ UK
Telephone: 01207 529085
Email: mdaap@durham.gov.uk
Website: Lanchester Local History Society

The Society has a programme of talks given by well-known speakers on a variety of wide-ranging historical topics, usually of northern origin and interest.

St Mary's Heritage Group
St Mary's Heritage Centre
Oakwellgate
Gateshead, Tyne & Wear NE8 2AU UK
Telephone: 0191 433 4699
Email: smhgg@hotmail.co.uk
Website: St Mary's Heritage Group

Our Group is made up of all volunteers, passionate about the history of St Mary’s and the surrounding area. We can help with family history research, utilising St Mary’s archives and parish records, and we are continually researching the history of the building, the people associated with St Mary’s, and those buried in the graveyard.

Sunderland Antiquarian Society
6 Douro Terrace
Sunderland, SR2 7DX UK
Telephone: 01915101923
Email: p11cur@sky.com
Website: Sunderland Antiquarian Society

The Society was founded in 1900 and by publications, research, and meetings, encourages interest in the history of Sunderland and its region. The Society holds extensive archives which have been amassed and donated over the past century by the people of Sunderland and these are available to members and visitors.

Sunniside Local History Society
Sunniside Social Club
Sunniside Rd
Sunniside
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE165NA UK
Email: sun1h1st@gmail.com
Website: Sunniside Local History Society

We are an extremely active history society with over 120 members.

Teesside Archaeological Society
Stockton Central Library
Church Rd
Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham TS18 1TU UK
Email: teesarchsoc.news@gmail.com
Website: Teesside Archaeological Society

We’re an enthusiastic, friendly group who share a passion for the rich, distinctive heritage of the Tees Valley and Cleveland, with more than 10,000 years of archaeology – evidence for past human activity – on our doorstep!

Washington History Society
Website: Washington History Society

Washington History Society is an informal group of people who work together to keep the history of Washington alive. We collect and preserve photographs, documents and memorabilia, while taking an active part in raising awareness of the town's heritage through talks and exhibitions. Washington history covers over 800 years and the Old Hall was home to the ancestors from which the 1st President of the United States, George Washington, inherited his name.

Winlaton & District Local History Society
West End Club
West Lane
Winlaton
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE21 6PQ UK
Website: Winlaton & District Local History Society