Discover a curated collection of resources for local and family history research.
From archives and maps to publications and specialist sites, these links are here to support and inspire your work. We update this directory regularly — suggestions are always welcome.
See also our Society Directory.
Fri 30th October 2026
Tue 25th August 2026
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
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
Thu 19th November 2026 7:00 pm
