Local history society directory

Local history society directory

Find a local history organisation near you or to support your research project.

Local history resource directory

Local history resource directory

Explore our Resource Directory — a curated collection of archives, maps, publications, and specialist websites to support and inspire your local history research.

Become a member

Become a member

Join a national network of local historians and societies — with publications, support, increased visibility, and member benefits including discounts and dedicated insurance.

Our latest ten-minute talks

From our blog

Mancunian opposition to the South African crisis (Summer 1899).
Tom Trafford

Tom Trafford

Mancunian opposition to the South African crisis (Summer 1899).

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From Local Archives to Atlantic Migrations: How Family History Helps Reconstruct a Shared Past
Hugo Javier Freitas

Hugo Javier Freitas

From Local Archives to Atlantic Migrations: How Family History Helps Reconstruct a Shared Past

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BALH celebrates another successful collaboration with the Historic Towns Trust
Laura Yeoman

Laura Yeoman

BALH celebrates another successful collaboration with the Historic Towns Trust

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Nazeing at War: A Village Remembers
Jacky Cooper

Jacky Cooper

Nazeing at War: A Village Remembers

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Quarterly publications

Quarterly publications

The Local Historian, our academic journal, was first produced in 1952 and is considered one of the foremost local history publications. It is published four times a year in conjunction with Local History News.

Our educational work

Our educational work

BALH aims to encourage interest and enthusiasm for local history amongst learners of all ages and to share and promote best practice, knowledge and skills.

Featured member society

Featured member society

BALH member societies may now add details of their work to our website, which will be highlighted here. Contact us for further details

Latest news

Making Your PowerPoint Ten-Minute Talk Video

Making Your PowerPoint Ten-Minute Talk Video

Thu 20th August 2026

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Free Community Heritage Training from The National Archives

Free Community Heritage Training from The National Archives

Fri 3rd July 2026

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Society in Focus: Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society

Society in Focus: Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society

Fri 19th June 2026

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BALH Appoints New Projects Manager

BALH Appoints New Projects Manager

Wed 10th June 2026

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Why BALH?

Nick Barratt Historian and Author

Supporting your academic research

There is an increasing interest in local history as a key element of academic studies – not just the content that has been published by local historians over the decades as a key research resource, but also in co-produced projects. Grant-awarding bodies such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) have placed an increasing emphasis on collaborations and partnerships when considering the award of research funding, and BALH provides the perfect platform for academic researchers to locate key groups and ongoing activity.

Nick Barratt, Historian and Author

Meet the team

Adrian Webb Trustee

Adrian Webb

Adrian edits Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries, the longest-running local history publication on Somerset. His focus on the late 16th and 17th centuries led to the Maritime History of Somerset series and books on church fonts, maps, subsidies, wills, and maritime charts for the Somerset Record Society. His research on St Decuman’s parish explores everyday life, and he studies Somerset’s loyalties before the 1642 Civil War. Holding a PhD from Exeter, he has lectured internationally on hydrographic heritage and manages the UK Hydrographic Office Archive, preserving historic cartographic records revealing insights into coastal communities.

Adrian Webb, Trustee

Forthcoming events

Rebellion and protest across six centuries

Rebellion and protest across six centuries

Sat 17th October 2026 12:00 am

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Disturbing the Delicate Peace: The Early Quakers in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Disturbing the Delicate Peace: The Early Quakers in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Thu 5th November 2026 7:00 pm

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History Day 2026

History Day 2026

Wed 18th November 2026 11:00 am

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Middlesbrough, Scarborough, Halifax & Hull: Using the Registers of Deeds to evidence women’s capital investment in 19th century Yorkshire

Middlesbrough, Scarborough, Halifax & Hull: Using the Registers of Deeds to evidence women’s capital investment in 19th century Yorkshire

Thu 3rd December 2026 7:00 pm

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Local history bookshop

The Local Historian Volume 56 Number 3 August 2026
The Local Historian Volume 56 Number 3 August 2026
Reading Early Handwriting, 1500-1700
Reading Early Handwriting, 1500-1700
Dates and Time - A Handbook for Local Historians
Dates and Time - A Handbook for Local Historians
Words From Wills and Other Probate Records
Words From Wills and Other Probate Records

Visit bookshop

From our archives

The Amateur Historian Volume 7 Number 4 November 1966

Military history from local history sources

Little, Reginald H.

pp 112-118

A case-study of the military history of the parish of Sopley, Hampshire. Initial research, which involved investigating various monuments and tombs in the parish church, revealed several references to military careers of local people, including those of high-ranking officers in the army and navy. The author was able to trace the careers of some of these men using regimental and other military records, newspaper articles, army lists and searches for portraits.

The Amateur Historian Volume 7 Number 4 November 1966

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