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

Making Your PowerPoint Ten-Minute Talk Video

Making Your PowerPoint Ten-Minute Talk Video

Thu 20th August 2026

» Further details

Free Community Heritage Training from The National Archives

Free Community Heritage Training from The National Archives

Fri 3rd July 2026

» Further details

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

» Further details

Why BALH?

Nick Barratt Historian and Author

Where did your ancestors live?

It is impossible to trace the history of one’s family without considering where they lived. Local history societies and one-place study groups have researched and published content that will allow you to place the lives of your ancestors in the context of their local communities, villages, towns and cities as well as some of the key socio-economic factors that lay behind their development. They often use the same sources as family historians, and can help provide an alternative interpretation of a document or suggest new resources to help your research.

Nick Barratt, Historian and Author

Meet the team

Morgan Ditchburn Trustee

Morgan Ditchburn

Morgan is a historian and educator with a BA and MA in History, and a PGCE in Further Education. She teaches across three campuses in North Wales and previously served as Head of History at a private secondary school. A medievalist at heart, she also embraces modern history. Morgan runs a historical tour company covering key sites across North Wales and regularly delivers public lectures. An Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, she is Treasurer of a local history group, Secretary of the North Wales Historical Association, and Adult Learning Coordinator for Conwy and Denbighshire, promoting inclusive historical engagement.

Morgan Ditchburn, Trustee

Forthcoming events

Maritime History Meets Local History Day – Watchet

Maritime History Meets Local History Day – Watchet

Sat 3rd October 2026 10:00 am

» Further details

BALH Annual General Meeting 2026

BALH Annual General Meeting 2026

Wed 7th October 2026 7:00 pm

» Further details

Magic, Superstition and Belief - Simon de Montfort Society Day School

Magic, Superstition and Belief - Simon de Montfort Society Day School

Sat 10th October 2026 9:00 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 3 August 2026
The Local Historian Volume 56 Number 3 August 2026
Reading Early Handwriting, 1500-1700
Reading Early Handwriting, 1500-1700
Exploring Local History
Exploring Local History
Dates and Time - A Handbook for Local Historians
Dates and Time - A Handbook for Local Historians

Visit bookshop

From our archives

The Amateur Historian Volume 2 Number 1 August September 1954

The Poor Law Unions and their records

Stanley-Morgan, Robert

pp 11-15

A review of the main characteristics of the post-1834 and pre-1929 New Poor Law, which mentions the relevant legislation and concentrates especially upon the types of records which were generated. These are summarised as follows: i) general memoranda from the Poor Law Commissioners to all unions; ii) printed memoranda addressed specifically to one union; iii) records of disputes which were dealt with by the Commissioners; and iv) records of the Poor Law Board of Guardians including minute books, account books, punishment and misdemeanour books, medical records, records of emigration, removal and settlement; baptism and burial registers; education records and administrative records. 

The Amateur Historian Volume 2 Number 1 August September 1954

Subscribe to our e-newsletter for regular updates

    • Your details will be used solely to send you news and information communications from BALH and will not be passed on to a third-party.

Thank you for subscribing