East Surrey Family History Society

The East Surrey Family History Society was founded in 1977 and as our title suggests covers the parishes in the eastern part of the County of Surrey. This includes those London Boroughs south of the river Thames which are now in Greater London but which were originally part of the ancient County of Surrey.

However we welcome as Members not only those presently living in Surrey who want to belong to a local history society and learn more about research, whether they have Surrey ancestry or not, but anyone who has a research interest in the County, irrespective of where they reside, be it in the United Kingdom or overseas. We have members throughout Britain and in many other countries throughout the world.

Regular evening and some lunchtime meetings, lectures etc. take place in several places around east Surrey. At all these venues there is an opportunity not only to obtain advice and meet others with similar interests but also to hear talks by experts. Occasionally we have an informal meeting where Members can discuss their own research problems and obtain advice.

We issue a Journal four times a year which is free to Members and carries not only interesting and informative articles but lists New Members and their research interests. We also publish special requests for information in our 'Help Wanted' section which is a free service for Members. In addition we will advise, if we can, on possible avenues of research that could be undertaken. In certain circumstances we may be able to undertake a small amount of actual record searching for Members unable to journey to the Surrey and London repositories.

The Society and its Members are actively involved in the transcribing and indexing of many local records and has a programme for recording monumental inscriptions and other items of interest to Family Historians everywhere. Much of this work has already been published and copies of all our work go to many Record Offices and Libraries. Additional volunteers are always needed and are guaranteed a warm welcome by those who are already providing so much useful material for other Family Historians, both now and in the future.