FFHS - Home Page

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Please note our office will close at 5pm on Friday 21st December
and re-open at 9am on Wednesday 2nd January 2019

Family Tree magazine, in partnership with FFHS, is bringing a brand new two-day event to London's Alexandra Palace. Tickets are now available!

FFHS member societies can book stands at a special rate. Please see the application form in our Members Area.

Can DNA Tests Help You?

The Federation has launched a report about the types of DNA tests available and how they may help family history research.

Written from the view point of the researcher, the report suggests questions to ask before deciding whether to purchase one of the products available.

You can read and download your own free copy of the report here.

Lowestoft Record Office

Suffolk County Council announced on 21st September 2018 that the Consultation into the future of Lowestoft Record Office is open until 11:59pm on 1st November 2018.

For more information and to reply to the consultation document

The Save our Record Office Group are not happy with the proposal as Suffolk County Council have indicated that they will not provide a new strong room at the Lowestoft Record Office and the majority of records will be taken to new Heritage Centre at Ipswich Record Office and the new building at The Hold.

The petition can be found here.

Work has currently started on The Hold which is the new Record Office that is due to open in late 2019. This project which is partly funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund is to replace the current Ipswich Record Office as well as hold part of the archives that are currently held at Bury St Edmunds.

Heathrow threat to Quaker burials

The former Longford Meeting House, just north of Heathrow airport, is one of the many historical properties that will be destroyed if plans for a third runway go ahead. The building dates back to 1676, when it was opened by the Longford Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Many people from Longford and further afield are still at rest in the grounds of this picturesque timber-framed property. Details of their identity can be found on the Ancestry site. Are your ancestors' remains about to be disturbed?

Suffolk Triumph

With strong backing from Suffolk Family History Society and FFHS, Suffolk Record Office has been awarded £10.3 million to create a flagship heritage centre at Ipswich Waterfront and transform access to its archives.

You can read more on the Record Office website about the project and how it will be completed by the end of 2019.

Gloucestershire Heritage Hub Launched

Splendid new facilities have arrived for Gloucestershire Archives and Gloucestershire Family History Society. Known as "Gloucestershire Heritage Hub", they are situated in the heart of Gloucester, providing a fine home for historical records and excellent facilities for those who use them.

More pictures can be seen on the Gloucestershire FHS website.

RootsTech 2018

RootsTech is an annual event held in Salt Lake City, home of the largest family history library in the World (pictured). This year, over 17,000 enthusiasts took part. The Federation's stand there showcased our member societies and explained what they have to offer their global membership.

Why not check out the free videos of RootsTech sessions that are available online?

Find A Family History Society

Search our lists of member societies to find a family history society near you or in the area you are researching.

Search our database.....

FamilySearch moves on

The microfilm service at Family History Centres has been replaced by access to digital images of numerous original records. Some of FamilySearch's vast collection can now even be viewed at home.