About us

The Federation of Family History Societies promotes interest in researching family history and encourages membership of member societies.

The Federation:

• Was formed in 1974 and granted charitable status in 1982.
• Represents the interests of our members and family history generally.
• Makes representation to official bodies on matters which affect the study of family history, the availability of records and other kindred topics.
• Regularly liaises with government bodies and archives. We forge and maintain links with other relevant organisations. We focus on issues such as the preservation, security and accessibility of archival material. Organisations with whom we meet include The National Archives, General Register Office and London Metropolitan Archives.
• We encourage member societies to liaise with their local archives and other organisations to ensure that family history is promoted positively and that archives are preserved and made accessible to family history researchers.
• Provides a voice to the public in matters affecting family history and genealogy.
• Encourages mutual co-operation and regional projects to make relative material available to family historians.

Governance

The affairs of the Federation are carried out by its Board of Directors and Executive Committee with the help of a small administration staff.See the Memorandum and Articles of Association in the Members Area, under Federation Resources / Federation Rules.

Representation and lobbying

The Federation represents the interests of member societies and groups at national and local level and is actively involved in protecting our environment by:

• Making representation to official bodies on matters affecting the study of family history and associated topics
• Has an established and effective liaison with national and local archives
• Encourages local member societies to also liaise with their local archives
• The Federation provides an authentic, audible and respected voice for the individual family historian.

Co-operation

The aim of the Federation is to be the vehicle for co-operation between the various disciplines associated with family history

• Family history societies
• U3A family history groups
• Scottish Association of Family History Societies