Societies

What Societies Are

Genealogical societies are non-profit organizations associations interested in genealogical research and preserving history and records. The society has members that share knowledge of genealogical records and methodologies for either a specific locality or another interest, such as a cultural group or family surname.

Their purpose is to bring people together for various different activities. All societies are a little different in goal and services they provide for their members.

Genealogical societies can also provide information to those seeking information about their interest. County genealogical societies can have detailed information about previous settlers and residents of an area. They can collect, transcribe, index, and publish records to provide access for members and other individuals (sometimes for a fee). Local genealogical societies often help family history researchers contact local record searchers or copy records that mention the researcher's ancestors. Often their records contain birth, marriage, death, and biographical information.

Types of Societies

There are many types of societies that can help with your family history research.

Genealogical
Historical
Cultural groups
Lineage
Veterans
Surname and family associations
Fraternal organizations

Genealogical and Historical Societies

These types of societies focus on a specific locality - country, region, county, parish, or city. Genealogical societies focus on records for individuals of the area. Historical societies can include similar focuses and also expand to general history of the area, including records documenting the history of the area.

Cultural Groups

Cultural group societies focus on obtaining records and preserving history of people from a specific country, race, or religion. It also includes immigrants who come to other countries.

Lineage Societies

Lineage societies exist for descendants of soldiers, pioneers, and ethnic groups. Lineage societies, such as the DAR, Colonial Dames, General Society of Colonial Wars, and the Sons of the American Revolution, require members to prove they are descended from certain people, such as colonists or soldiers. The applications for membership in these societies may be preserved and sometimes available to other researchers.

Veterans

Some societies are for veterans of a specific war in a country. These societies may keep records about names of individuals and their residences at the time of membership in the society.

Surname and Family Associations

A society or association for a specific surname or descendants of an individual also exist. These societies sometimes collaborate together in research or hire professionals to do the research. They often will share the genealogical information they find with others.

Fraternal Organizations

Fraternal organizations can include Freemasonry or clubs focusing on improving the community. Records of these types of organizations may include membership information and residence at the time the individual belonged to the organization.

Information Available at Societies

Types of Information

Societies can generate genealogies, biographies, histories, and indexes of local records. Many also maintain a genealogical file for families in the area.

Publications

The society may publish periodicals, lists of members and ancestors, yearbooks, or surname indexes.

They also may publish quarterly periodicals or journals. Information in these publications may include articles about history of the area, transcriptions, compiled genealogies, and indexes of records. They also may publish queries from society members and others from the genealogical community and include lists of members' and their research interests.

The Periodical Source Index (Persi) is a master index for genealogical periodicals and journals and help in accessing information found in these society periodicals.

How to Find Societies for a Location

Genealogical related societies can be found on many resources.

Genealogical Websites or Wikis: Some examples of these websites are the FamilySearch Research Wiki (all locations in the world), GENUKI (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland), Rootsweb (United States), USGenWeb (United States), CanadaGenWeb (Canada),
Genealogical blogs: Popular genealogical blogs can mention different societies currently functioning
Search Engines: search using terms like, genealogy and society. Include identifying information like the name of the country, state, county, or parish.
Government websites about a county, town, or parish: Societies are often advertised as resources in a location.

Joining Societies

Joining a society and supporting its efforts provide ways to help fellow genealogists as well as assist in your own genealogical research. Visit the society's website or social media page to find membership fees and contact information. Often the fees to join a society can be affordable and produce access to online databases and other information helpful for research.

By Location

Specialized Societies: