The Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS) is an educational charity. We support, inform and advise our membership, which consists of family history societies and similar bodies across the world.
To achieve our mission, we:
co-ordinate and assist the work of organisations interested in family history, genealogy and heraldry
foster co-operation and projects that help researchers
represent the interests of family historians, especially in the preservation and availability of archives
You can read more about our activities on our "What We Do" page.
Book Reviews for You
Despite the advent of the Internet, books retain a major role in helping research and sharing discoveries.
Our book review section covers over 40 titles that either directly concern family history or give background information to help us understand more of the context of our forebears’ lives. Books related to localities address topics as diverse as surnames of Wales, research in Limerick and lunatic asylums in Yorkshire. As might be expected in 2014, a number of those reviewed cover various aspects of the First World War.
The reviews have been written by a variety of family historians and take a constructively critical view of each book. Shortcomings as well as virtues are identified.
So why not visit the reviews and find out for yourself what is available?
Family History On The Move
Many family history enthusiasts received help at our stand at the recent Creative Crafts Show at Belfast. We thank volunteers from the North of Ireland FHS who made this possible, including Kathleen Morrison, Isabel Beveridge, Anne Johnston and Sandra Ardis who appear in the picture.
The FFHS will be represented at events taking place during April at these locations:
Shepton Mallet (24th to 27th)
Dunfermline (26th)
Volunteers from local family history societies will be on hand to answer your questions. Copies of our “Really Useful Information” leaflet will be available free of charge to all those visiting the stand.
General Meeting - 22 March 2014
General Meetings are a time to meet friends who share our enthusiasm and to make fresh contacts. We celebrate excellent journals and websites and express our thanks to those who keep the wheels of the Federation turning.
The National Archives and the Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS) are pleased to announce a new partnership to accelerate progress with the revision of the Manorial Documents Register. Funding from The Federation will help meet the cost of four additional county projects over the next two years, in Northumberland, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire and Kent.
On behalf of the FFHS, Rob White said: 'Manorial documents have huge potential as a source for family and local history because they contain information about the lives of ordinary people at a period when there are few other sources available. They also add richness and detail to the information researchers can obtain from other key sources like parish registers and wills. We are therefore very pleased to be able to support the revision of the register and improve access to these important records'.
Work has already been completed on over half the counties of England and the whole of Wales, and the rest should be completed by 2020.
First World War Centenary
Are you involved in a project within your own community, local history society, family history society or other group or organisation which is researching the lives of local people who served in WW1 or who were left behind to keep the home fires burning? Do you know of a website which contains information that might help others further their own research into their WW1 ancestors?
If so please contact Philippa McCray the Administrator
so that we can include details within our dedicated WW1 Centenary Pages
Over 18 Million Burials for under £28
Many family historians have found elusive burials among the 18.4 million records that appear in the National Burial Index.
Just one click takes you to details about this important source and how you can buy your own copy at the discounted price of £27.95 (including VAT and P&P).
