Genealogy Societies in England were few and far between prior to the 1970s. Of the 14 genealogical societies thought to have been functioning at that time, few, if any, were devoted to counties.
The lack of local groups and societies devoted to genealogy in this country was discussed in May 1974 at the 13th International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences, (the first IGHS Congress to be held in England). Various delegates (no doubt some with arms up their backs) expressed their willingness to explore the possibilities of forming local groups and the seeds of the Federation and several County Family History Societies were sewn.
In the founding of a Family History Society Kent was in the vanguard holding its inaugural meeting on the 28th June 1974 just 7 weeks after the possibilities of local genealogy groups had been proposed.
Close on Kent’s heels in August 1974 was the Federation of Family History Societies (now Family History Federation), with Essex and Hampshire also in 1974, Avon (now Bristol & Avon) and Berkshire followed in 1975, and in 1976 Cornwall and Devon. There may well be other Societies founded in the 1970s but only those expressing willingness at the Congress in forming a group, and did so, have been listed here.
28th June 1974 – Kent Family History Society’s Inaugural Meeting
Held at Canterbury’s County Hotel (now The Abode) with 32 Members in attendance. See the Gallery below for the Minutes of the Inagural Meeting.
Golden Year Events - Members only
28th June 2024 - 8pm Details here
19th October - all day Details here
---------------------------------------------
Report by Tricia Baxter