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

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

» Read article

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

Laura Yeoman

BALH celebrates another successful collaboration with the Historic Towns Trust

» Read article

Nazeing at War: A Village Remembers
Jacky Cooper

Jacky Cooper

Nazeing at War: A Village Remembers

» Read article

Bringing the VCH to Westmorland: Launching Lonsdale Ward, the First Red Book for Cumbria
Sarah Rose

Sarah Rose

Bringing the VCH to Westmorland: Launching Lonsdale Ward, the First Red Book for Cumbria

» Read article

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

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

» Further details

BALH Appoints New Projects Manager

BALH Appoints New Projects Manager

Wed 10th June 2026

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BALH Grant Supports Community History Project in Llansannor

BALH Grant Supports Community History Project in Llansannor

Sun 10th May 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

Jane Golding Trustee

Jane Golding

Jane sees local history as a guide to understanding the present, enriching life through shared ideas and exploration. With a background in landscape history from UEA and Reading, she began her career in Oxfordshire Local Studies before joining the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, now Historic England. Her work spans teaching, exhibitions, and community programmes, highlighting local history’s power to inspire. She manages the Heritage Gateway and researches rural change and enclosure (1750–1850). A former ALHT trustee, she now serves BALH, alongside roles with CAHG and Kirklees Local TV.

Jane Golding, Trustee

Forthcoming events

Thomas More and Suburban London: A View from the Outside 

Thomas More and Suburban London: A View from the Outside 

Wed 9th September 2026 7:00 pm

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Llewellyn’s Almshouse: 400 Years of History

Llewellyn’s Almshouse: 400 Years of History

Tue 22nd September 2026 11:00 am

» Further details

Maritime History Meets Local History Day – Watchet

Maritime History Meets Local History Day – Watchet

Sat 3rd October 2026 10:00 am

» Further details

Rebellion and protest across six centuries

Rebellion and protest across six centuries

Sat 17th October 2026 12:00 am

» Further details

Local history bookshop

The Local Historian Volume 56 Number 2 May 2026
The Local Historian Volume 56 Number 2 May 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
Exploring Local History
Exploring Local History

Visit bookshop

From our archives

The Amateur Historian Volume 2 Number 4 February March 1955

Tracing the history of your home

Stanley-Morgan, Robert

pp 106-110

Article which outlines the main sources for house history, a subject which later became a major area of interest to amateur historians. The subjects noted include interior design; inventories; correspondence; architectural details; building plans; other maps and plans; census returns; title deeds; manorial records; taxation records; and the resources of the British Library and British Museum (NB almost all the suggestions relate to larger and more substantial properties).

The Amateur Historian Volume 2 Number 4 February March 1955

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