London Societies

London Wiki Topics

Beginning Research

Guided Research Research Strategies Record Finder

Record Types

Cemeteries Census Church Directories Church Records Civil Registration Court Records Crime & Punishment Directories Education Emigration & Immigration Genealogies Heraldry Jewish Records Land & Property Medical Records Newspapers Nobility Occupations Online Genealogy Records Parishes Poor Law Poor Law Unions Probate Records Schools and Education Records Social Organizations Taxation Voting Records

London Background

Biography Church History Further Reading Gazetteers History Maps Periodicals

Local Research Resources

Archives & Libraries Societies Local FamilySearch Centre

England

London

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

London and Middlesex Archaeological Society
Museum of London
150 London Wall
London EC2Y 5HN UK
Telephone: 020 7410 2228
Email: kthomas@mola.org.uk
Website: London and Middlesex Archaeological Society

The Society was founded in 1855 ‘for the purpose of investigating the antiquities and early history of the Cities of London and Westminster and the Metropolitan County of Middlesex’. Its activities include arranging lectures and conferences, publishing research on the history and archaeology of London and Middlesex, and helping to monitor the state of historic buildings and monuments in Greater London.

London and Middlesex Archaeological Society
Museum of London
150 London Wall
London EC2Y 5HN UK
Telephone: 020 7410 2228
Email: kthomas@mola.org.uk
Website: London and Middlesex Archaeological Society

The Society was founded in 1855 ‘for the purpose of investigating the antiquities and early history of the Cities of London and Westminster and the Metropolitan County of Middlesex’. Its activities include arranging lectures and conferences, publishing research on the history and archaeology of London and Middlesex, and helping to monitor the state of historic buildings and monuments in Greater London.

London Westminster & Middlesex Family History Society
The London Westminster & Middlesex Family History Society was formed in 2001 from an amalgamation of two former societies: the London & North Middlesex FHS (formed in 1978) and the Westminster & Central Middlesex FHS. The Society's area now comprises the City of London, the City of Westminster, and the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Harrow, and Islington, together with parts of Ealing and Hillingdon. We aim to bring together all those family historians with ancestors in the area or who live in the area.

The Society is publishing a series of booklets designed to help family historians locate records, whether hard copy, transcript or online, to each of the districts in its area based on which Ancient Parish the district was in. It is also republishing the Memorial Inscriptions recorded by members in the 1980s in booklet form. The journal, Metropolitan, is published four times a year and talks of a genealogical or local history nature are held at a series of branches including one which is online.

Email: secretary@lwmfhs.org.uk
Website: London Westminster & Middlesex Family History Society

Barnet Branch
Lyonsdown Hall
3 Lyonsdown Road
New Barnet
Hertfordshire EN5 1JB UK
Email: barnet@lwmfhs.org.uk

Rayners Lane Branch
Roxeth Community Church
Coles Crescent
South Harrow, Middlesex HA2 0TNUK
Email: rayners_lane@lwmfhs.org.uk

Virtual Branch

Email: virtualbranch@lwmfhs.org.uk

Wesley Historical Society - London And The South East
7 Hornminster Glen
Hornchurch, London RM11 3XL UK
Website: Wesley Historical Society - London And The South East

West Middlesex Family History Society
8 Sandleford Lane, Greenham,Thatcham
Berkshire RG19 8XW
Website: West Middlesex FHS

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: London and the South East. South East England consists of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and West Sussex.

London Societies

Camden History Society
Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre
Holborn Library
32-38 Theobalds Road
London WC1X 8PA UK
Telephone: 020 7586 4436
Email: jsramsay10@gmail.com
Website: Camden History Society

Meets at various venues for lectures on local history topics. Annual outings, occasional walks, and tours. Research encouraged. Publications include an Annual Review, street surveys, etc. Bi-monthly newsletter.

City of London Archaeological Society
St. Olave’s Church Hall
Mark Lane
London EC3R 7BB UK
Email: web-enquiry@colas.org.uk
Website: City of London Archaeological Society

The City of London Archaeological Society was founded in 1966 to encourage interest and engagement in British archaeology, particularly in the heart of London and its ancient environs.

Docklands History Group
The Museum of London Docklands
No.1 Warehouse
West India Quay
Hertsmere Road
London E14 4AL UK
Email: info@docklandshistorygroup.org.uk
Website: Docklands History Group

The Docklands History Group is the leading history group for the study of the Port of London and the tidal River Thames. Among its membership are people with a long-standing interest in port and river-history who have published widely on the subject.

East London History Society
Latimer Congregational Church Hall
Ernest Street
Stepney, London E1 4LS UK
Telephone: 020 8980 5672
Email: mail@eastlondonhistory.org.uk
Website: East London History Society

The East London History Society exists to further interest in the history of East London, namely the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and Newham.

East of London Family History Society
The Art Pavilion
Mile End Park
Clinton Road
London E3 4QY UK
Email: society.secretary@eolfhs.org.uk
Website: East of London Family History Society

The East of London Family History Society’s aim is to promote and encourage the public and private study of family history, genealogy, cultural heritage, heraldry, and local history with particular reference to the eastern area of Greater London.

Fulham and Hammersmith Historical Society
Jesse Mylne Centre Fulham Palace
Bishop's Ave
Fulham, London SW6 6EA UK
Telephone: 020 7731 0363
Email: fulhammoat@googlemail.com
Website: Fulham and Hammersmith Historical Society

The Society's purpose is to foster and encourage the study of local history and archaeology; to compile and publish historical material relating to the area of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham; and to encourage interest in local history and archaeology by meetings, visits and other appropriate means.

Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society
Kirkaldy Testing Museum
99 Southwark Street
London SE1 0JF UK
Telephone: 01923 269317
Email: secretary@glias.org.uk
Website: Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society

The Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society was founded in 1968 to record relics of London's industrial history and to deposit these records with national and local museums, archives, etc; also to advise local authorities and others on the restoration and preservation of historic industrial buildings and machinery.

Greenwich Industrial History Society
The Old Bakehouse
Bennett Park
11 Blackheath Village
Blackheath, London SE3 9LA UK
Email: indhistgreenwich@aol.com
Website: Greenwich Industrial History Society

AIMS - to research, publish, and promote the industrial history of the London Borough of Greenwich.

London Record Society
Burgh House
New End Square
Hampstead, London NW3 1LT UK
Telephone: 01392 270604
Email: londonrecordsoc@btinternet.com
Website: London Record Society

Founded in December 1964 to publish transcripts, abstracts, and lists of the primary sources for the history of London, and generally to stimulate interest in archives relating to London, the Society aims to publish a volume a year.

London Topographical Society
The Octagon at the Queen Mary University of London
Queen's Building
327 Mile End Rd
London E1 4NS UK
Email: mike.wicksteed@btinternet.com
Website: London Topographical Society

Founded in 1880 the London Topographical Society concentrates on publishing books and sheet material illustrating the history, growth, and topography of London of all periods. The Society remains true to the vision of its founders by making available maps, plans, and views, as well as publishing research, to assist the study and appreciation of London.