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

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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

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

BALH Annual General Meeting 2026

BALH Annual General Meeting 2026

Wed 7th October 2026 7:00 pm

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YAHS Yorkshire History Conference

YAHS Yorkshire History Conference

Sat 10th October 2026 12:00 am

» 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
Reading Early Handwriting, 1500-1700
Reading Early Handwriting, 1500-1700
Words From Wills and Other Probate Records
Words From Wills and Other Probate Records

Visit bookshop

From our archives

The Amateur Historian Volume 3 Number 7 Spring 1958

When they celebrated May-Day

Hoppé, E.O.

pp 298-299

Brief study of the May Day holiday and the traditional celebrations held on that occasion in various parts of the country: at the time of the article's appearance this holiday had long since lapsed.

The Amateur Historian Volume 3 Number 7 Spring 1958

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