Gloucestershire Societies

Family history societies often publish helpful journals, transcripts, compiled genealogies and host helpful websites. They may have ongoing projects to transcribe records and create indexes. Most societies publish queries in their journals and maintain lists of members’ research interests that may be helpful to you. You may want to join one of these societies, reap the benefits of their expertise and resources, or support its efforts.

Addresses of the societies are for the most part where their meetings are held as they are by-and-large not brick-and-mortar institutions.

Regional Societies
Avon Local History Association Telephone: 01275 849200 Email: [mailto:blackrockcfd@hotmail.com blackrockcfd@hotmail.com] Website: Avon Local History Association


 * ALHA is the umbrella group for local history and archaeology societies in Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. There are some eighty societies in ALHA, with a collective membership of about 10,000. Some are region-wide but with special interests like the Bristol & Avon Family History Society; while many are parish- or district-based.

Bristol & Avon Family History Society BAWA Leisure Centre 589 Southmead Road Filton Bristol, Gloucestershire BS34 7RG UK Telephone: 0117 9561881 E-mail: [mailto:secretary@bafhs.org.uk secretary@bafhs.org.uk] Website: Bristol & Avon Family History Society


 * The Bristol & Avon Family History Society provides contacts between members with regular meetings, quarterly Journals and assists members with research.

Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society Keynsham British Legion Charlton Road Keynsham, Somerset BS31 2JA UK Email: [mailto:mobaw@hotmail.com mobaw@hotmail.com] Website: Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society


 * The Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society was founded in 1967 to coordinate the research, conservation and preservation of the remains of the industrial and commercial activity in the Bath and Bristol area.

Gloucestershire Societies
Almondsbury Local History Society Almondsbury Old School Village Hall Church Road Almondsbury Bristol, Gloucestershire BS32 4ED UK Telephone: 01454 612309 Email: [mailto:robison46@hotmail.com robison46@hotmail.com] Website: Almondsbury Local History Society

Alveston Local History Society Alveston Methodist Church Greenhill Alveston, Gloucestershire BS35 3RA UK Telephone: 01454 416290 Website: Alveston Local History Society

Barton Hill History Group Bethesda Church Road Redfield, Gloucestershire BS59HH UK Email: [mailto:bartonhillhistorygroup@gmail.com bartonhillhistorygroup@gmail.com] Website: Barton Hill History Group


 * Since 1983 the Barton Hill History Group (BHHG) has taken the lead in recording, promoting, gathering and presenting the history of Barton Hill and the surrounding areas of East Bristol. Through countless meetings, presentations, exhibitions and articles, the Group has 'brought the past to life'. The BHHG is seen as one of the most successful, consistent and dynamic history groups in Bristol. Barton Hill is the name given to the sloping ground that leads down to the marsh at the southern end of Barton Regis.

Bishopston, Horfield & Ashley Down Local History Society Horfield Quaker Meeting House 300 Gloucester Road Horfield Bristol, Gloucestershire BS7 8PD UK Telephone. 0117 9245 226 Email: [mailto:valnewmail@yahoo.co.uk valnewmail@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Bishopston, Horfield & Ashley Down Local History Society


 * The Society was formed in 1988 to encourage knowledge, appreciation and preservation of local history in the area.

Bitton Parish History Group Telephone: 0117 932 8777 E-mail: [mailto:mg122@btinternet.com mg122@btinternet.com] Website: Bitton Parish History Group


 * One of our main aims is to preserve and make accessible our rich local history. We are please to have your contributions to the site on articles about Bitton, North Common, Oldland Common, Swineford, Upton Cheyney, Beach and Willsbridge.

Blockley Heritage Society Jubilee Hall in the Heritage Centre Park Road Blockley, Gloucestershire GL56 9BZ UK Telephone: 01386 700914 Email: [mailto:blockley.heritage.soc@gmail.com blockley.heritage.soc@gmail.com] Website: Blockley Heritage Society


 * The Blockley Heritage Society exists to further public knowledge about the history of Blockley and adjacent parishes. It does this by collecting, preserving and displaying records, antiquities and other objects of historical interest, and by sponsoring talks, discussions, publications and visits to sites of relevant interest.

Bourton on the Water Local History Society 80 Lamberts Field Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire UK Telephone: 01457 822192 Website: Bourton on the Water Local History Society

Brislington Conservation and History Society St Cuthbert’s Church Crypt Sandy Park Road Brislington Bristol, Gloucestershire BS4 3PF UK Telephone: 0117 9713273 Email: [mailto:bchs88@hotmail.com bchs88@hotmail.com] Website: Brislington Conservation and History Society


 * The Society holds regular meetings in local venues, holds exhibitions, and assists with enquiries about Brislington and family connections. Members receive a regular newsletter. Talks on Brislington and its history are given to interested groups, illustrated with photographs from our extensive collection and we are also happy to support other bodies with associated interests. We would welcome any information, photographs, etc., you may have about Brislington to add to our knowledge and to record for future generations.

Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society Apostle Room Clifton Cathedral Pembroke Road>br>Clifton Bristol, Gloucestershire BS8 3BX UK (Bristol location) St Johns Church Churchdown, Gloucestershire GL3 2DB UK (Churchdown location) Email: [mailto:brisglos@aol.com brisglos@aol.com] Website: Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society


 * Promoting the study of the history and archaeology of Bristol & Gloucestershire and encouraging the conservation of the historic environment.

Bristol History & Archaeology Society 105 Headley Lane Bristol, Gloucestershire BS13 7QX UK Telephone: 0117 9782033 Email: [mailto:jrcers@tesco.net jrcers@tesco.net] Website: Bristol History & Archaeology Society


 * Programme of winter lectures, summer visits and annual study trip. Continues to maintain the site and remains of Keynsham Abbey. Carries out research and excavation.

Bristol Radical History Group c/o Hydra Books 24 Old Market Street Bristol, Gloucestershire BS2 0EZ UK Website: Bristol Radical History Group


 * An aim of the Group is to open up some of the ‘hidden’ history of Bristol and the West Country to public scrutiny and challenge some commonly-held ideas about historical events.

Bristol Record Society Hardings Cottage Swan Lane Winterbourne Bristol, Gloucestershire BS36 1RJ UK Telephone: 01454 775 731 Email: [mailto:k.thompson@sheffield.ac.uk k.thompson@sheffield.ac.uk] Website: Bristol Record Society


 * The Bristol Record Society is devoted to the study and publication of the historic records of the City and County of Bristol. Since its foundation in 1929 it has published over sixty major volumes. These are an indispensable aid to all with a serious interest in the study of any aspects of Bristol History and form an invaluable and readily accessible collection of source material. All the volumes, together with their informative introductions, are products of the freely given work of scholars, each of whom is an expert in the chosen topic.

Bristol Threatened History Society Telephone: 0117 985 8109 Email: [mailto:m.ponsford@ipresent.co.uk m.ponsford@ipresent.co.uk] Website: Bristol Threatened History Society


 * Bristol Threatened History Society (BTHS) is a registered charity which supports archaeological activity in the City of Bristol. It provides advice to archaeologists working in the city and helps to provide funds to facilitate their work and to inform the public about the city's past.


 * Bristol is acknowledged as one of the foremost historic cities in Europe. It was the country's second city for much of the medieval period and was a major port and manufacturing centre. It had trading links with much of Europe and latterly with the New World, as well as with Ireland, Wales and the West Country.

Charlton Kings Local History Society Church St Charlton Kings Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 8AR UK Telephone: 01242 252664 Website: Charlton Kings Local History Society

Cheltenham Local History Society Municipal Offices Promenade Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 9SA UK Email: [mailto:joyce@cyberwebspace.net joyce@cyberwebspace.net] Website: Cheltenham Local History Society


 * Cheltenham Local History Society seeks to advance the education of the public in the history of Cheltenham and provides a forum for those interested in the history of the town to meet and share their interests. Its aims include the gathering, study, and publication of information about the history of the town.

Chew Valley Local History Society The Old Schoolroom South Parade Chew Magna Bristol, Gloucestershire BS40 8SH UK Telephone: 01275 332011 Website: Chew Valley Local History Society

Chipping Campden History Society CCHS Archive and Local History Room The Old Police Station High Street Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6HB UK Telephone: 01386 848840 Website: Chipping Campden History Society

Churchdown Local History Society Churchdown Community Centre Parton Road Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL3 2JH UK Telephone: 01452 712529 Website: Churchdown Local History Society

Cirencester Archaeological & Historical Society Ashcroft Centre Ashcroft Road Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 UK Email: [mailto:kathleen@lindesay.co.uk kathleen@lindesay.co.uk] Website: Cirencester Archaeological & Historical Society


 * If you live in or near Cirencester and are interested in Archaeology or History, then the Cirencester Archaeological and Historical Society is for you.

Clutton History Group Clutton Village Hall Venus Lane Clutton Bristol, Gloucestershire BS39 5SP UK Telephone: 01761 471 533 Email: [mailto:terence@terbetat12.plus.com terence@terbetat12.plus.com] Website: Clutton History Group

Congresbury History Group Methodist Hall 2 High St Congresbury Bristol, Gloucestershire BS49 UK Telephone: 01934 838891/01934 852701 Email: [mailto:chriscongar@hotmail.com chriscongar@hotmail.com] Website: Congresbury History Group


 * Congresbury History Group was formed in September 1982 to increase and stimulate interest in local history and archaeology and encourage the conservation of documents and artifacts of local historical interest.

Cranham Local History Society Email: [mailto:norma.kay@btinternet.com norma.kay@btinternet.com] Website: Cranham Local History Society


 * The Cranham Local History Society was formed in 1995, with the dual aims of creating an archive of the village's history that would be available to any researcher and publish a history of the village.

Crockerne Pill and District History Society Pill Memorial Club 1 Lodway Pill Bristol, Gloucestershire BS20 0DH UK Telephone: 01275373887 Email: [mailto:m-b.stowers@talktalk.net m-b.stowers@talktalk.net] Website: Crockerne Pill and District History Society

Downend Local History Society Downend Folk House Lincombe Barn Overndale Road Downend Bristol, Gloucestershire BS16 2RW UK Email: [mailto:history@downendlhs.org.uk history@downendlhs.org.uk] Website: Downend Local History Society


 * Covering aspects of local history relating to the areas of Downend, Mangotsfield, Staple Hill and the newer surrounding districts such as Emerson's Green. These areas lie in South Gloucestershire just to the north of the city of Bristol, England.

Filton Community History Group 44 Dunkeld Avenue Filton Park Bristol, Gloucestershire BS34 7RJ UK Telephone: 0117 969 4378 Email: [mailto:janetozer.bristol@blueyonder.co.uk janetozer.bristol@blueyonder.co.uk] Website: Filton Community History Group

Filton Historical Group The Pavillion (By the Folk Centre) Elm Park Filton Bristol, Gloucestershire BS34 7PR UK Telephone: 0117 942 4378 Email: [mailto:alansnook@blueyonder.co.uk alansnook@blueyonder.co.uk] Website: Filton Historical Group

Filwood Chase Local History Society The Park Centre Filwood Park Bristol, Gloucestershire BS4 UK Telephone: 01275 837273 Website: Filwood Chase Local History Society

Forest of Dean Local History Society 45 Allaston Road Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 5SS UK Telephone: 01594 ​842164 E-mail: [mailto:cecilehunt@​btinternet.​com cecilehunt@​btinternet.​com] Website: Forest of Dean Local History Society


 * Our members enjoy a regular programme of talks and historical walks as well as outings both within the Forest and further afield. Members also receive a quarterly hard copy newsletter with short historical articles as well as news of the Society. We also regularly email members with information about activities by neighbouring societies and county-wide groups. Conservation is a big part of the society. One of the society’s key objectives is to promote, encourage and further the preservation of artefacts, archaeological and historical sites, and archives.

Frampton Cotterell & District Local History Society Zion Church Hall Woodend Road Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire BS36 2HX UK Email: [mailto:rockthom@btinternet.com rockthom@btinternet.com] Website: Frampton Cotterell & District Local History Society

Gloucestershire Family History Society Family History Centre Clarence Row Alvin Street Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1 3AH UK Telephone: 01452 524344 Email: [mailto:secretary@gfhs.org.uk secretary@gfhs.org.uk] Website: Gloucestershire Family History Society


 * The Gloucestershire Family History Society (GFHS) is a self-help organisation manned by volunteers helping all to research their ancestors and the background against which they led their lives in Gloucestershire and beyond.


 * The Family History Centre is the hub for Family History Research in Gloucestershire and is based in the grounds of the Gloucestershire Archives. It provides free online research facilities to search amongst other things the entire Census Collection 1841 – 1911, and houses a well stocked library including microfiche records. It is manned by friendly volunteers who will help you research your roots not only in Gloucestershire but anywhere in the UK and beyond.

Gloucester & District Archaeological Research Group 2 Warren Close Churchdown, Gloucester GL3 1JP UK Telephone: 01452 859308 Email: [mailto:postbox@gadarg.org.uk postbox@gadarg.org.uk] Website: Gloucester & District Archaeological Research Group


 * For people with an interest in the past (not just the Roman period, but the prehistoric, medieval and later periods as well, indeed up to the 19th century), the Gloucester and District Archaeological Research Group (GADARG) provides a focus. Established in 1967, it is over two hundred strong, composed of amateur (independent) and full-time archaeologists and local historians. Over the years, members have helped to research and record many sites of historical interest in Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire Local History Association Churchdown Community Centre Parton Road Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL3 2JH UK Email: [mailto:enquiries@gloshistory.org.uk enquiries@gloshistory.org.uk] Website: Gloucestershire Local History Association


 * The Gloucestershire Local History Association includes representatives from many local history societies in the county, the county archives and local studies centres, and meets quarterly to discuss matters relating to local history in Gloucestershire.

Gloucester Local History Society Email: [mailto:sarah.orton@gloucester.gov.uk sarah.orton@gloucester.gov.uk] Website: Gloucester Local History Society


 * Gloucester Local History Society is a relatively new group bringing together everyone with an interest in the history of Gloucester.

Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archaeology Oak House Hamshill Coaley Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 5EH UK Telephone: 01453 860595 Email: [mailto:secretary@gsia.org.uk secretary@gsia.org.uk] Website: Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archaeology


 * The Society was formed in 1964 to study and record the history and physical remains of Gloucestershire industries. Our aim is to promote the study of our industrial heritage, particularly that of Gloucestershire.

Gotherington & Area Local History Society Gotherington Village Hall Malleson Road Gotherington Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 9ER UK Email: [mailto:jillcollins674@btinternet.com jillcollins674@btinternet.com] Website: Gotherington & Area Local History Society


 * The Society promotes interest in local history (Gotherington, Bishop’s Cleeve, Oxenton, Woolstone, Dixton and Prescott) by arranging speakers at monthly meetings, maintaining a lending library of books and pamphlets of local interest, sponsoring classes, and researching and publishing articles and booklets on local history.

Hanham Local History Society Hanham Community Centre 124 High St Bristol, Gloucestershire BS15 3EJ UK Email: [mailto:hanhamhistory@gmail.com hanhamhistory@gmail.com] Website: Hanham Local History Society

Harptrees History Society West Harptree Village Hall 3 Newton Close West Harptree Bristol, Gloucestershire BS40 6HS UK Telephone: 01761 221 758 Email: [mailto:lesleymmross@yahoo.co.uk lesleymmross@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Harptrees History Society

Hawkesbuy Local History Society Hawkesbury Upton Village Hall High St Hawkesbury Upton, Gloucestershire GL9 1AU UK Email: [mailto:hawkesburychron@btinternet.com hawkesburychron@btinternet.com] Website: Hawkesbuy Local History Society


 * One of the initial objectives in forming the Hawkesbury Local History Society in 1998 was to gather together existing researches into parish history, reports undertaken by County Councils, and the publications of various antiquarians and genealogists. Building on this foundation, the Society continued research into readily available sources of information – parish registers, census data, tithe apportionments, etc. – and eventually into the harder-to-find parish related documents held by various county and national archives.

Hotwells, Clifton and Cliftonwood Local History Society Create Centre Smeaton Road Bristol, Gloucestershire BS1 6XN UK Telephone: 0117 939 7999 Email: [mailto:suestops@aol.com suestops@aol.com] Website: Hotwells, Clifton and Cliftonwood Local History Society

Kingswood History Society Park Centre High Street Kingswood Bristol, Gloucestershire BS15 4AR UK Email: [mailto:mail@ourhemanpal.co.uk mail@ourhemanpal.co.uk] Website: Kingswood History Society

Knowle and Totterdown Local History Society Redcatch Community Centre 38 Redcatch Rd Bristol, Gloucestershire BS4 2EP UK Email: [mailto:kandtlhs@yahoo.co.uk kandtlhs@yahoo.co.uk] Website: Knowle and Totterdown Local History Society


 * Our local history society focuses on the Knowle and Totterdown districts in Bristol. We hold regular meetings: mostly to hear booked speakers on a wide variety of history-related subjects but also to share our own stories, experiences and photographs.

Leckhampton Local History Society Glebe Cottages Church Road Leckhampton Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 0QJ UK Email: [mailto:leckhamptonhistory@gmail.com leckhamptonhistory@gmail.com] Website: Leckhampton Local History Society


 * Our Society's aim is to collect, study, and publish information concerning the history of Leckhampton and to stimulate public interest in local history.

The Malago Society St. Peter's Room (by St Peter's Church) Bishopsworth Bristol, Gloucestershire BS13 8HE UK Telephone: 0117 9663343 Email: [mailto:malagohistory@yahoo.co.uk malagohistory@yahoo.co.uk] Website: The Malago Society


 * Malago History Society for Bishopsworth & Bedminster - the local history society for southwest Bristol

Marshfield and District Local History Society St Mary's Church Hall Marshfield Chippenham, Gloucestershire SN14 UK Telephone: 01225 891977 Email: [mailto:ritalees@btinternet.com ritalees@btinternet.com] Website: Marshfield and District Local History Society

Minchinhampton Local History Group The Hub Tobacconist Road Minchinhampton Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 9DN UK E-mail: [mailto:dmw.wall@gmail.com dmw.wall@gmail.com] Website: Minchinhampton Local History Group


 * The aim of the Local History Group is to research, preserve and educate about the history of Minchinhampton and the surrounding area.

Moreton in Marsh & District Local History Society Women’s Institute Hall New Road Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 0AS UK Email: [mailto:ruth.f.wright@btinternet.com ruth.f.wright@btinternet.com] Website: Moreton in Marsh & District Local History Society


 * The society was founded in 1982 to promote the study of local history within Moreton-in-Marsh and the surrounding district, a countryside steeped in history.

Olveston Parish Historical Society Methodist Church The Street Olveston Bristol, Gloucestershire BS35 4DR UK Telephone: 01454 612304 Website: Olveston Parish Historical Society


 * The society was formed in 1966 to "promote interest in the history of Olveston and the surrounding areas and to collect and preserve documentary and photographic records".

Painswick Local History Society Website: Painswick Local History Society

Rissington Local History Society Little Rissington Village Hall Little Rissington Cotswold, Gloucestershire GL54 UK Telephone: 01451 820233 Email: [mailto:spsb@hotmail.co.uk spsb@hotmail.co.uk] Website: Rissington Local History Society

Sheepscombe History Society Village Hall Sheepscombe Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 7RQ UK Email: [mailto:sec@sheepscombehistory.org.uk sec@sheepscombehistory.org.uk] Website: Sheepscombe History Society


 * The Sheepscombe History Society exists to promote the study of the village's history, and to collect and preserve an archive of relevant historical material.

Sodbury & District Historical Society Chipping Sodbury Bristol, Gloucestershire BS37 UK Telephone: 01454 601535 Email: [mailto:sodburyanddistricthistorical@gmail.com sodburyanddistricthistorical@gmail.com] Website: Sodbury & District Historical Society


 * The Society was formed in 1976 with the objective to increase the awareness of the heritage of the area and to foster an interest in a wide range of local history.

Sodbury Vale Family History Group St Nicholas' Church Sodbury Vale Chipping Sodbury Bristol, Gloucestershire BS37 6FE UK Telephone: 0117 937 3130 Email: [mailto:sodburyvalefhg@googlemail.com sodburyvalefhg@googlemail.com] Website: Sodbury Vale Family History Group


 * Sodbury Vale Family History Group is a branch of the Bristol & Avon Family History Society.

South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group Miners Institute (aka Coalpit Heath Village Hall) 214 Badmington Rd Coalpit Heath, Gloucestershire BS36 2QB UK Telephone: 07434 928189 Website: South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group


 * South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group (SGMRG) was set up by local people to understand, record and where appropriate preserve the remains, of what was once an extensive industry, for the present community and future generations.

Southern Brooks Archaeology and Local History Group Patchway Town Council Offices Callicroft House 150 Rodway Road Patchway Bristol, Gloucestershire BS34 5DQ UK Telephone: 01454 862175 Email: [mailto:archaeology.services@southglos.gov.uk archaeology.services@southglos.gov.uk] Website: Southern Brooks Archaeology and Local History Group


 * Our interest is to explore the archaeology and local history of the Southern Brooks area of South Gloucestershire. This area includes Filton, Patchway, Stoke Gifford, Harry Stoke, Little Stoke, and Bradley Stoke.

Stoke Bishop and Sneyd Park Local History Group Stoke Bishop Village Hall 42 Stoke Hill Stoke Bishop Bristol, Gloucestershire BS9 1EX UK Email: [mailto:sblocalhistory@gmail.com sblocalhistory@gmail.com] Website: Stoke Bishop and Sneyd Park Local History Group


 * We are a local group interested in the history of Stoke Bishop and Bristol. We have an archive of photos and documents.

Tewkesbury Historical Society Tewkesbury Methodist Church The Cross Barton Street Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 5PY UK Email: [mailto:secretary@tewkhs.freeuk.com secretary@tewkhs.freeuk.com] Website: Tewkesbury Historical Society


 * The aim of the Society is to promote and encourage the historical study of the town of Tewkesbury and district.

Thornbury Local History and Archaeology Society St Mary's Church Hall Eastbury Rd Thornbury Bristol, Gloucestershire BS35 1DR UK Email: [mailto:seanrinaldi77@googlemail.com seanrinaldi77@googlemail.com] Website: Thornbury Local History and Archaeology Society

Upper Windrush Local History Society Naunton Village Hall Naunton, Gloucestershire UK Telephone: 01451 850232 Email: [mailto:admin@upperwindrushlhs.org.uk admin@upperwindrushlhs.org.uk] Website: Upper Windrush Local History Society


 * The Society provides a focus for members who are interested in the history of the Upper Windrush District. The Society's main aims are to research, collect, preserve, display records, antiquities, and other items of historical interest.  Thereby to invoke interest, discussion, production of publicayions, and visit to sites of interest.

West Bristol History Group Friends Meeting House Hampton Road Redland Bristol, Gloucestershire BS6 6JE UK Website: West Bristol History Group

Wick and Abson Local History Group St Bartholomew's Church The Church Rooms Church Rd Wick Bristol, Gloucestershire BS30 5PD UK Telephone: 0117 9612330 Website: Wick and Abson Local History Group