Devon Societies

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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

Cotswold Archaeology
Unit 53
Basepoint Business Centre
Yeoford Way
Exeter, Devon EX2 8LB UK
Telephone: 01392 826185
Email: enquiries@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
Website: Cotswold Archaeology

Welcome to Cotswold Archaeology. We offer the full range of heritage and archaeological services from our Andover, Cirencester, Exeter, and Milton Keynes offices.

The Devon & Cornwall Record Society
Email: admin@devonandcornwallrecordsociety.co.uk
Website: The Devon & Cornwall Record Society

The Devon and Cornwall Record Society was founded in 1904 to transcribe and publish local records, and to promote local historical studies and genealogical research.

Wesley Historical Society - Cornish Methodist Historical Association
Kenwyn Vean
19 HigherTrehaverne
Truro, Cornwall TR1 3RW UK
Telephone: 01872 274759
Website: Wesley Historical Society - Cornish Methodist Historical Association

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. Area: Cornwall and adjacent areas.

Devon Societies

Archaeology Club of Eggesford
St Boniface Centre
Crediton, Devon EX17 2AH UK
Telephone: 01769 520326
Email: ace@acearch.org.uk
Website: Archaeology Club of Eggesford

The Archaeology Club of Eggesford is based in Devon where they are committed to investigating and protecting Devon’s Archaeological heritage.

Appledore Local History Society
Odun Road
Appledore, Devon EX39 1PT UK
Telephone: 01237 476968
Email: ahs@iwasthere.org.uk
Email #2: info@appledorehs.org.uk
Website: Appledore Local History Society

The Appledore Historical Society was formed in the Autumn of 1995 by a group of Born-and-Bred Appledorians concerned that their village had changed so much in the previous twenty years that memories of their childhood and their parents' and grandparents' would soon be forgotten. So it was decided that a group would meet each month to record memories and document the Appledore of Yesteryear.

Axminster Historical Society
The Bradshaw Room
Axminster Heritage Centre
Thomas Whitty House
Silver Street
Axminster, Devon EX13 5AH UK
Telephone: 01297 32631
Email: john@thornhayes.freeserve.co.uk
Website: Axminster Historical Society

Babbacombe and St Marychurch Local History Society
St Anne’s Hall
Babbacombe Road
Torquay, Devon TQ1 3ST UK
Email: info@babbacombelhs.org.uk
Website: Babbacombe and St Marychurch Local History Society

Our Local History Society was started in September 2004 with the aim of furthering interest in the local history of St Marychurch and Babbacombe and to encourage participation in research to publish articles and pamphlets so that the history of the area is recorded. In conjunction with the Friends of St Anne’s Hall we are endeavoring to produce an archive of the area consisting of photos, memorabilia and recording memories from local inhabitants.

Blackawton and Strete History Group
Email: clyston@waitrose.com
Website: Blackawton and Strete History Group

Our aims are to research, collate, and record historical information on the twin parishes of Blackawton and Strete, and to publicise activities and outcomes.

Bow and District Historical Society
Bow Village Hall
Station Rd
Bow
Crediton, Devon EX17 6HU UK
Telephone: 01363 82468
Email: nigel@browne1851.freeserve.co.uk
Website: Bow and District Historical Society

Bow History is a charitable organisation whose purpose is to provide information to the people living in and around Bow about the archaeology, history, and present circumstances of the area. Included also in the Society’s remit is the preservation of local archaeological sites, buildings, and historical objects for the benefit of future generations. The Society also aims to assist members and non-members to trace family forebears or help persons engaged on any local historical research.

Brixham Museum and Heritage Society
Brixham Christian Community Centre
18A Fore St
Brixham, Devon TQ5 8DS UK
Telephone: 01803 856267
Email: mail@brixhamheritage.org.uk
Website: Brixham Museum and Heritage Society

Broadwoodwidger Local History Society
Broadwoodwidger Community Hub
Broadwoodwidger, Devon UK
Telephone: 01566 784772
Email: broadwoodheritage@outlook.com
Website: Broadwoodwidger Local History Society

The Society aims to encourage and develop interest in and awareness of all aspects of the history of the Parish of Broadwoodwidger and to collect and disseminate information on such history.

Buckland Brewer History Group
Church of St. Mary and St. Benedict
Buckland Brewer
Bideford, Devon EX39 5XB UK
Website: Buckland Brewer History Group

The aim of the Group is to inspire the community of Buckland Brewer and those with a love of Buckland Brewer, to take pride in and ownership of their history and heritage in all forms.

Chagford Local History Society
Endecott House
High Street
Chagford, Devon TQ13 8AJ UK
Telephone: 01647 433204
Email: jeda1@tiscali.co.uk
Website: Chagford Local History Society

Chagford Local History Society aims to research, study, and arrange the storage of information and material pertaining to Chagford and the surrounding district.

Devon Archaeological Society
The Guildhall
High Street
Exeter, Devon EX4 3EB UK
Email: dashonsec@devonarchaeologicalsociety.org.uk
Website: Devon Archaeological Society

The archaeology of Devon is without equal in England: it includes the rich historic landscapes of Dartmoor and Exmoor and extends in time from the Palaeolithic axes of the East Devon river valleys to industrial remains from the extraction of tin and other minerals.

Devon History Society
Mint Methodist Centre
Fore St.
Exeter, Devon EX4 3AT UK
Website: Devon History Society

The Society promotes the study of all aspects of Devon’s history through lectures, meetings, conferences and visits; publications such as a newsletter and a journal and the website; workshops to support research skills; affiliation for local history societies to share research and take part in DHS activities; and opportunities to take part in DHS research projects.

Devon Family History Society
Exeter
The Mint Methodist Church
Fore Street
Exeter, Devon EX4 3AT UK
Telephone: 01392 279430

North Devon
Pollyfield Centre
East-the-Water
Bideford, Devon EX39 4BL UK
Telephone: 01237 451305

Plymouth
Spurgeon Hall
Mutley Baptist Church
Plymouth, Devon PL4 6LB UK
Telephone: 01752 294891

South Devon
Kingskerswell Community Centre
1 School Rd
Kingskerswell
Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 5DJ UK
Telephone: 01626 367794/01803 328954

1, 7-9 King St
Exeter, Devon EX1 1BI UK
Email: enquiries@devonfhs.org.uk
Website: Devon Family History Society

The Society publishes a quarterly journal, "The Devon Family Historian", and provides several index search services and a library for the use of members.

Exmouth History & Archaeology Society
Glenorchy Church Hall
Exeter Road
Exmouth, Devon EX8 1PL UK
Telephone: 01395 260442
Website: Exmouth History & Archaeology Society

Ipplepen Local History Group
Ipplepen Village Hall
Silver Street
Ipplepen
Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 5SB UK
Website: Ipplepen Local History Group

The aims of the group are to collect, record & preserve the histories of Ipplepen and to share it with anyone interested.

North Devon Archaeological Society
Castle Centre
25 Castle Street
Barnstaple, Devon EX31 1DR UK
Email: rosemdy@hotmail.com
Email #2: nddymond@hotmail.co.uk
Website: North Devon Archaeological Society

The Society's Aims are to promote awareness of, and interest in, archaeology and the historic environment with particular reference to northern Devon; to encourage field survey, recording, and research; to promote the preservation and interpretation of ancient monuments and antiquities in the region; and, where appropriate and necessary, to excavate to professional standards and to publish the results of research.

Plymouth & District Archaeological Society
Devonport Lecture Theatre
Portland Square Building
Plymouth University
Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA UK
Email: enquiries@plymarchsoc.org.uk
Website: Plymouth & District Archaeological Society

Regional archaeology group of amateur and professional archaeologists wishing to share their enthusiasm for local archaeology and provide knowledge and support for sites in our area.

Teignbridge Archaeological Society
Kingsteignton Community Hall
Rydon Road
Kingsteignton, Devon TQ12 3LP UK
Telephone: 01626 351953/07745 364245 (Mobile)
Email: timeteign.2016@gmail.com
Website: Teignbridge Archaeological Society

The Society's Aims and Objectives are to consult, liaise, research, and develop greater knowledge of archaeology within Teignbridge, and to improve education, facilities, and services for archaeological work within the district and the region.

Yelverton & District Local History Society
Meavy Parish Hall
Meavy
Yelverton, Devon PL20 6PJ UK
Telephone: 01822 853260
Email: lathamdandm@aol.com
Website: Yelverton & District Local History Society
Website #2: Yelverton & District Local History Society

The Society was formed over thirty years ago, in 1982, by a group of people who believed there was a need to study the fascinating history of the villages nestling on the Yelverton side of Dartmoor, and to make an effort to record as much of that history as possible while the places existed free of development and the people remembered the past.