Local History News
From our blog
From Local Archives to Atlantic Migrations: How Family History Helps Reconstruct a Shared Past
Published: 24th July 2026
Drawing on European migration to Argentina and Uruguay, Hugo Javier Freitas reveals how local records and family memories can restore individual lives to the history of mass migration.
Free Community Heritage Training from The National Archives
Published: 3rd July 2026
A new programme of free training from The National Archives offers practical learning opportunities across many of the skills that underpin successful local history and heritage projects.
Society in Focus: Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society
Published: 19th June 2026
Founded in Manchester in 1883, the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society has spent more than 140 years exploring the history, archaeology and heritage of the historic counties of Lancashire and Cheshire.
BALH Appoints New Projects Manager
Published: 10th June 2026
BALH welcomes Victoria Northwood as Projects Manager, helping to expand events, member activities and grant programmes.
From our blog
BALH celebrates another successful collaboration with the Historic Towns Trust
Published: 2nd June 2026
This Spring saw BALH once again partner with the Historic Towns Trust for a new series of engaging online lectures. Each lecture focused on a particular map currently being prepared by the Historic Towns Trust, and the research that has underpinned its production.
BALH Grant Supports Community History Project in Llansannor
Published: 10th May 2026
A grant from the British Association for Local History has supported Llansannor Ancient and Modern Buildings and Settlements in producing an updated edition of its community history publication Llansannor.
Relaunch of the Saffron Walden Historical Journal Announced for 2026
Published: 10th May 2026
The Saffron Walden Historical Society has announced the relaunch of its long-running Historical Journal, with a redesigned full-colour edition due to return in spring 2026.
BALH seeks freelance Projects Manager to support events and outreach programme
Published: 27th March 2026
The British Association of Local History is recruiting a freelance Projects Manager to support its programme of events, outreach activity, and small grants, with a six-month contract running from July to December 2026.
Creating a Sustainable Touring Exhibition for Hoar Oak Cottage
Published: 4th March 2026
With support from the British Association for Local History, the Friends of Hoar Oak Cottage have created a new set of durable exhibition panels exploring the themes of Place, People and Life, enabling their well-established exhibitions to tour more widely across heritage venues in the southwest.
Creating and Installing Plaques: Hadleigh & Thundersley Community Archive
Published: 4th March 2026
Behind each new Purple Plaque lies careful negotiation, volunteer time and practical problem-solving, from securing installation permissions to managing the realities of running a small community project.
BALH Head Office Relocation
Published: 2nd March 2026
We are pleased to inform members that the BALH Head Office is relocating.
Allen Grove Local History Fund: Applications Open for 2026
Published: 19th February 2026
The Kent Archaeological Society is inviting applications to the Allen Grove Local History Fund for 2026.
The Seaside Holiday as Living Heritage
Published: 9th February 2026
Living heritage is intangible cultural heritage that is living and practised. It broadly covers traditions and social practices, including folklore, performance, customs and crafts.
Conference Report: "East Anglia in the Anglo-Saxon Period – Illuminating the 'Dark Ages'"
Published: 9th February 2026
A BALH-supported conference in Great Yarmouth brought together leading historians to challenge outdated views of East Anglia’s Anglo-Saxon past and highlight the region’s cultural, social and economic development.
The Bradford Railway Heritage Project: An Opportunity to Relive Memories and Stories
Published: 9th February 2026
Jonathan Crewdson, director of The Neighbourhood Project CIC, explains how a community-led heritage project is capturing first-hand memories to tell the story of Bradford’s lost railways.
