Worcestershire 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
Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry (BMSGH) 5 Sanderling Court Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY10 4TS UK Telephone: 01562 743912 Email: [mailto:gensec@bmsgh.org gensec@bmsgh.org] Website: Birmingham and Midland Society


 * The Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry is the principal family history society for the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. The modern metropolitan boroughs of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton (collectively known as the West  Midlands) are within our area.  The metropolitan boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton are also sometimes collectively referred to as "The Black Country."


 * BMSGH has been restyled as Midland Ancestors. The new name reflects the changing needs in the family history market and is part of a wide-ranging revamp to create a family history society for the 21st century.

The Black Country Society The Dudley Canal Trust Portal Birmingham Road Dudley, West Midlands DY1 4SB UK Email; [mailto:info@blackcountrysociety.co.uk info@blackcountrysociety.co.uk] Website: The Black Country Society


 * The Black Country Society believes the original Black Country to be that area of South Staffordshire and North Worcestershire (excluding Birmingham) which was on the famous 30 foot seam of coal.

Midland Catholic History Society 16 Brandhall Court Wolverhampton Road Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8DE UK Telephone: 0121 422 1573 Website: Midland Catholic History Society


 * The Midland Catholic History Society was formed in 1996 by the merger of the Staffordshire Catholic History Society and the Worcestershire Catholic History Society. Staffordshire was founded in 1960 and Worcestershire in 1962 (amalgamated with the Federated Western Marches Recusant Society in 1981).  Both Staffordshire and Worcestershire were included in the Midland Vicariate Apostolic (1688-1840), and the Central Vicariate (1840-50) and the Diocese, later Archdiocese, of Birmingham (1850-).  The journals of the two societies were merged in 1991 and this allowed the regular appearance of a well produced publication drawing on material from all over the Midlands. The Worcestershire journal, Worcester Recusant, had long included material from Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.

Tenbury Wells & District Civic & Historical Society Tenbury Wells Pump Rooms Teme Street Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire WR15 8BA UK Telephone: 01584 711425 Email: [mailto:woodgatewm@aol.com woodgatewm@aol.com] Website: Tenbury Wells & District Civic & Historical Society


 * The Society undertakes and promotes research into local history and works to to preserve the heritage of the aptly named "Town in the Orchard."

Wolverhampton Civic and Historical Society c/o ﻿The Old School 73 Dudley Road Wolverhampton, West Milands WV2 3BY UK Telephone: 01902 504741 Email: [mailto:wchs@mail.com wchs@mail.com] Website: Wolverhampton Civic and Historical Society


 * The Wolverhampton Civic Society was founded in 1960 and in 2010 it merged with the Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society to become the Wolverhampton Civic and Historical Society. Our aims are to promote the city through talks by expert speakers on various topics relating to Wolverhampton, the promotion of local history research, the erection of blue plaques and the scrutinising of planning applications. We are dedicated to promoting the history and heritage of Wolverhampton and ensuring that any new buildings and developments do not adversely affect the character and image of our great city!

Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society Website: Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society


 * The Society's site contains material about Wolverhampton's history and heritage, and Black Country towns. It is hoped that it will turn into an exercise in interactive co-operative writing and become a focus for those who know something about, or are finding out something about Wolverhampton and the surrounding area's history and heritage.

Worcestershire Societies
The Badsey Society Telephone: 01386 832100 Email: [mailto:info@badsey.net info@badsey.net] Website: The Badsey Society Archive website: The Badsey Society’s Archive Website


 * The Badsey Society invites you to enjoy photos, memories and historical research about the people and places that make up the village of Badsey, the hamlet of Aldington and the neighbouring parish of Wickhamford.

Bartley Green District History Group c/o Woodgate Valley Country Park Clapgate Lane Woodgate Birmingham, West Midlands B32 3DS UK Telephone: 074 1913 6367 Email: [mailto:msurman@bgdhg.co.uk msurman@bgdhg.co.uk] Website: Bartley Green District History Group


 * We were formerly known as The Woodgate & The Valley History Group and, having incorporated Bartley Green 'village' into our areas of research, renamed as Bartley Green District History Group in 2009. We research the old villages/hamlets that surround The Woodgate Valley Country Park in Birmingham.  These villages are Woodgate, Moor Street, Kitwell, California and Bartley Green.  In between there is Woodgate Valley South.  The area, once part of Worcestershire, was on the boundaries of Shropshire and Staffordshire and was the most North West tip of the ancient parish of Northfield.  Amalgamated into Birmingham in 1911, it is now the south west edge of the city and is mostly swallowed up into the district known as Bartley Green.

Belbroughton History Society 59 High Street Belbroughton Stourbridge, West Midlands DY9 9ST UK Telephone: 01562 730050 Email: [mailto:belbhistory@btinternet.com belbhistory@btinternet.com] Website: Belbroughton History Society

Bromsgrove Branch, BMSGH Methodist Centre 19 Stratford Road Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 1AS UK Website: Bromsgrove Branch, BMSGH


 * Welcome to the Midland Ancestors group covering Bromsgrove and surrounding areas of north Worcestershire from Kidderminster to Kings Norton and Redditch. This site also co-hosts the Stourbridge Branch of Midland Ancestors (formerly BMSGH).

Chaddesley Corbett Local History Group Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall Chaddesley Corbett Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY10 4QA UK Website: Chaddesley Corbett Local History Group

Clent History Society Yew Tree Cottage Holy Cross Bromsgrove Road Clent, Worcestershire DY9 9QF UK Website: Clent History Society


 * Clent History Society is a society of local residents interested in exploring the history of the village of Clent and that of other towns and industries in the local area. As one of the largest societies in the village, Clent History Society are involved in a diverse range of activities. This includes active research into the village history and the continued record keeping of changes in the village for future generations.

Colwall Village Society Colwall Village Hall Mill Ln Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6EQ UK Telephone: 01684 541970 Email: [mailto:johna@waitrose.com johna@waitrose.com] Website: Colwall Village Society


 * Colwall Village Society's aims are to protect and improve the village environment as well as to research and record village history.

Cradley Then and Now Unitarian Church Hall Park Lane Cradley Halesowen, West Midlands B63 2NU UK Telephone: 01384 635241 Email: [mailto:jillguest18@hotmail.com jillguest18@hotmail.com] Website: Cradley Then and Now


 * Cradley Then and Now Heritage Project aims are to generate a sense of community through sharing and celebration of the history and heritage of Cradley; to identify, combine, and utilise the resources, skills, and knowledge of the group in order to assist in meeting the need for access to and understanding of the history and heritage of Cradley; to establish dialogue and communication with groups and individuals in the wider community for mutual benefit; to promote the advancement of education of members of the public in all aspects of the history and heritage of Cradley; and to work in co-operation with other organisations to achieve these aims.

Droitwich Spa History and Archaeology Society John Corbett Room Droitwich Community Hall Heritage Way Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire WR9 8RF Telephone: 01905 620576 Email: [mailto:roy.murphy59@gmail.com roy.murphy59@gmail.com] Website: Droitwich Spa History and Archaeology Society


 * Our aims are to provide a focus for interest in the town's past, to educate individuals and groups about local remains of human activity with a view to conservation, and to encourage the current level of knowledge through research into local history and fieldwork.

Feckenham Forest Local History Society Lower Grinsty Farm Callow Hill Redditch, Worcestershire B97 5PJ UK Email: [mailto:honsec@feckenham-forest-history-society.org.uk honsec@feckenham-forest-history-society.org.uk] Website: Feckenham Forest Local History Society


 * Our small but friendly society exists to inform both members and visitors alike about local history and history from further afield. In the course of a typical season of meetings our speakers will introduce you to Worcestershire history as well as interesting history from our neighbouring counties.

Hagley Historical & Field Society 31 Milestone Drive Hagley Stourbridge, West Midlands DY9 0LW UK Website: Hagley Historical & Field Society


 * Welcome to Hagley Historical and Field Society. Here you will discover something of the history of Hagley and details of our activities. You will find a warm welcome at our meetings which are generally held on the first Tuesday of each month. We enjoy a wide variety of speakers talking on a range of topics relating to the history of Worcestershire, the West Midlands and beyond.

Kidderminster & District Archaeological & Historical Society St George's Church Annexe Radford Avenue Kidderminster, West Midlands DY10 2ES UK Website: Kidderminster & District Archaeological & Historical Society


 * It is not necessary to be an academic historian to enjoy membership of this society: anyone with an interest in the past can get enjoy our meetings. The Kidderminster and District Archaeological and Historical Society was spawned by volunteer workers engaged in excavating the Roman Fort at Larford near Astley, whilst participating in a WEA archaeology course.

The Lickey Hills Local History Society Trinity Centre Old Birmingham Road Lickey, Worcestershire B45 8ES UK Email: [mailto:info@lhlhs.org.uk info@lhlhs.org.uk] Website: The Lickey Hills Local History Society


 * The Lickey Hills Local History Society was formed in 1972 to promote and encourage the study of the history of Cofton Hackett, Barnt Green, Rednal, and the Lickey. In 1987 it merged with its slightly older neighbour the Rubery Historical Society which was founded in 1967.

Malvern Family History Society 5 Geneva Avenue Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3PX UK Email: [mailto:gordon@mrmail.co.uk gordon@mrmail.co.uk] Website: Malvern Family History Society


 * Malvern is a spa town in West Worcestershire nestled on the side of the Malvern Hills and with many famous past residents and visitors. The Malvern Family History society is a group of about 200 enthusiasts interested in our family history as well as that of Worcestershire. Our members are a mixture of people who are local to Malvern, whose roots can be local or spread far and wide, and those further afield with family links back to this area.


 * We are members of the Federation of Family History Societies, the West Midlands Group of Family History Societies and the Worcestershire Local History Forum.

Redditch Local History Society Oasis Christian Centre 4 Plymouth Road Redditch, West Midlands B974QB UK Telephone: 01527 404365/61434 Email: [mailto:contact@redditchhistorysociety.org.uk contact@redditchhistorysociety.org.uk] Website: Redditch Local History Society


 * The Redditch Local History Society was established with the objective of promoting, preserving and protecting the heritage of the unique history of Redditch, a small town in the West Midlands. As well as our monthly meetings, we also document and communicate the history of Redditch by means of our newsletter, exhibitions, talks, social media,  archives and audio/visual records.

Romsley & Hunnington History Society St Kenelm's Church Hall Bromsgrove Road Romsley, West Midlands B62 0LF UK Telephone: 07790 107176 Website: Romsley & Hunnington History Society


 * Our Society covers the history of the north Worcestershire villages of Romsley and Hunnington. Our activities include lectures on a wide variety of subjects of local interest as well as transcribing of historical records.

South Worcestershire Archaeological Group (SWAG)  Callow End Village Hall Upton Road Callow End Malvern Hills, Worcestershire WR2 4TE UK Email: [mailto:membership@swagsweb.co.uk membership@swagsweb.co.uk] Website: South Worcestershire Archaeological Group (SWAG)


 * SWAG aims to encourage local people to learn about archaeology and history.

Stourbridge Historical Society Crown Centre Crown Ln Stourbridge, DY8 1YE Email: [mailto:shs.uk@btinternet.com shs.uk@btinternet.com] Website: Stourbridge Historical Society


 * Each year Stourbridge Historical Society organises a series of talks and other activities based on historical subjects.

Stourport Civic Society Elizabeth Mills Centre (formerly the Social Day Centre) New Street Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 8UW UK Telephone: 01299 826383 Email: [mailto:larkrise80@aol.com larkrise80@aol.com] Website: Stourport Civic Society


 * The Society works to protect and improve Stourport and to promote interest in its history as a Georgian New Town and Canal Port, industrial centre, and inland resort.The society is concerned to safeguard the greenbelt and landscape of the Severn Valley. The Society is a member of the West Midlands Amenity Societies Association.

Tenbury Wells History Society Pump Rooms Teme Street Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire WR15 8BA UK Telephone: 01584 711425 Website: Tenbury Wells History Society


 * The Tenbury & District Civic & Historical Society undertakes and promotes research into local history and works to preserve the heritage of the aptly named "Town in the Orchard."

Vale of Evesham Historical Society Almonry Heritage Centre Abbey Gate Evesham, Worcestershire WR11 4BG UK Telephone: 1386 446944 Email: [mailto:rj.knowles@hotmail.co.uk rj.knowles@hotmail.co.uk] Website: Vale of Evesham Historical Society


 * VEHS members have a wide range of historical interests - from archaeology to social history, from the Romans to the Victorians, from jewellery to horticulture.

Wolverley and Cookley Historical Society Wolverley Church Hall Wolverley, Worcestershire DY11 5XD UK Website: Wolverley and Cookley Historical Society


 * The objectives of the Society are to research, and record, the history of Wolverley and Cookley, and to collect, conserve, and publish historical records and research material.

Worcester Industrial Archaeology and Local History Society North Wing Himbleton Manor Droitwich, Worcestershire WR9 7LE UK Telephone: 01905 391590 Email: [mailto:membership@wialhs.org.uk secretary@wialhs.org.uk] Website: Worcester Industrial Archaeology and Local History Society


 * WIA&LHS is affiliated to the Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA) and a member of the British Association for Local History (BALH), and the Worcestershire Local History Forum (WLHF).

​ Worcestershire Archaeological Society Lecture Theatre the Royal Grammar School Upper Tything Worcester, Worcestershire WR1 1HP UK Email: [mailto:secretary@worcestershirearchaeologicalsociety.org.uk secretary@worcestershirearchaeologicalsociety.org.uk] Website: Worcestershire Archaeological Society


 * The Worcestershire Archaeological Society has been promoting the study of archaeology and local history in Worcestershire since 1854 and we are committed to co-operation with like-minded local and national organisations to help achieve our aims.

Worcestershire Historical Society The Hive Sawmill Walk The Butts Worcester, Worcestershire WR1 3PB UK Email: [mailto:susan.redding@sky.com susan.redding@sky.com] Website: Worcestershire Historical Society


 * Worcestershire, like many of England's historic counties, is served by a Society dedicated to the publication of its historical records. The Worcestershire Historical Society was founded in 1893 and since that year has published 43 volumes in its first series (until 1957) and 26 volumes in its new series (since 1960).

Worcestershire Local History Forum Email: [mailto:secretary@wlhf.org.uk secretary@wlhf.org.uk] Email (enquiries): [mailto:enquiries@wlhf.org.uk enquiries@wlhf.org.uk] Website: Worcestershire Local History Forum


 * The Forum’s aims are to promote and encourage educational interest in local history in Worcestershire, to inform individuals and organisations about local history events and activities in the county, and to promote the deposit of the results of local history study in local libraries, and of documents in the Record office, thus making them available to a wider public,