Family History Societies - Kent 

This section lists county associations of Kent, providing details about each one and what resources and publications they offer.

Folkestone and District FHS:

Address:

Mrs Janet Powell
c/o FADFHS
Brockletts
Bower Road
Mersham
Ashford
Kent
TN25 6NN

E-Mail:

secretary@folkfhs.org.uk

Information:

Folkestone and District Genealogical Society, established in 1976, promotes and encourages the study of genealogy.  They offer help to members who have ancestors from the area, but also offers help to those who have ancestors from other places.  

You do not have to be an experienced genealogist in order to join the association.

For further details of parishes covered by the Society, please visit their site.

Many of the Society's books are in a locked cupboard in Cheriton Library, and these can be brought to a meeting if the member is unable to get there.  If you wish to borrow one of their books, you are asked to sign the book in the cupboard.  Topics covered by the books include:

  • Census Indexes
  • Directories
  • Genealogical Reference Books
  • Genealogies
  • Local History Books
  • Memorial Inscriptions
  • Parish Registers

Some publications are sold by the Society, which incorporate:

  • Census Indexes
  • Contiguous Parishes: Kent - Alphabetical list of all Parishes in the County, with their adjoining parishes
  • Coroners' Inquisitions: Folkestone, Hythe, Lydd, New Romney and Romney Marsh 1610-1898
  • Coroners' Inquisitions: Dover & The Isle of Thanet, 1802-1864
  • Elham Union Workhouse: Admissions & Discharges 1836, 1839-1841
  • Hythe Freemen 1705 - 1874
  • Hythe Voters 1830
  • Kent Probate Records
  • Kent Wills and Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury 1801-1803

Other publications are available for sale, which incorporate:

  • Memorial Inscriptions
  • Romney Marsh Gaol Calendars 1826-1855
  • Romney Marsh Union Workhouse: Index of Births & Deaths 1836-1914
  • Sandgate Dispensary Casebook 1844-1858
  • St Martin's Church, Cheriton: An Illustrated History
  • War Memorials
  • William Waylett - Male Midwife of Lydd who delivered 2495 Babies (1729-1815)
  • World War 1 Absent Voters: Ashford Division, October 1918
  • World War 1 Absent Voters: Romney Marsh Registration District, October 1918

Defence of the Realm Indexes sold by the Society include:

  • Canterbury, Folkestone, Sandwich and Deal Lieutenancy Papers of 1803 (Canterbury 1802-1803)
  • Kent and Cinque Ports Volunteers: South West Battalion 1803-1813
  • Kent and Cinque Ports Volunteers: 3rd Battalion Cinque Ports - Kent Companies 1799-1814
  • Sea Fencibles Vol 1. Kent Coast 1805

Website: 
http://www.folkfhs.org.uk 


Kent FHS:

Address(Chairman):

Kent Family History Society
Mr David Wood
32 Laburnham Lane
Sturry
Canterbury
Kent
CT2 0LT

E-Mail:

chairman@kfhs.org.uk

Information:

The Society was founded in 1974 and has a membership of approximately 3200 Worldwide. One of their aims is to help members research their genealogy.

They hold meetings in Ashford, Canterbury, Deal, Maidstone, Medway (Strood) and Thanet (Birchington). The association has a branch in New Zealand and also has an on-line 'Global Branch'.

A map showing the location of parishes in the area covered by the Society is available on the site.

Numerous publications are available for sale:

  • 1664 Hearth Tax Enrolled Assessment: Vol. 1: Lathe of St Augustine
  • Apprenticeship Indentures
  • Census Indexes
  • Churchwardens' Accounts
  • Diocese of Canterbury Diocesan Bonds and Allegations
  • Genealogical Reference Books
  • Insurance Books
  • Kent Poll for the Knights of the Shire
  • Kent Strays from the 1851 Census (Index)
  • KFHS Lapel Badge
  • Maps
  • Marriage Licences issued from Canterbury
  • Medway Marriages 1837-1938 (Index)
  • Memorial Inscriptions
  • Parish Register Transcriptions
  • Photographs of Canterbury Diocesan Churches
  • Poll Books
  • Poll of the Electors for Members of Parliament to Represent the City of Canterbury
  • Poor Law Records
  • Settlement Certificates
  • Vestry and PCC Minutes
  • Vintage Church Postcard Collections
  • West Kent Marriage Index 1538-1812
  • Will Abstracts

Research Library

Address:

Bullockstone Farm
Bullockstone Road
Herne
Nr Nerne Bay
Kent
CT6 7NL

Telephone (Kristin):

01227 363030

Email:

librarian@kfhs.org.uk

Many archives are available, which include:

  • Family Files
  • Genealogies
  • Military Resources
  • Occupations: Books regarding individual occupations
  • Reference Books
  • Unwanted Certificates

You are asked to make an appointment before visiting the Library.

Website: 
http://www.kfhs.org.uk/ 


North West Kent FHS:

Address:

Ms Stella Eames
c/o NWKFHS
12 Spring Gardens
Chelsfield
Orpington
Kent
BR6 6HJ

E-Mail:

secretary@nwkfhs.org.uk

Information:

Founded in 1978, the North West Kent Family History Society aids and encourages the study of genealogy, specifically in the areas of South East London and North West Kent. It currently has around 1200 members.

Some databases are accessible, which include:

  • Articles regarding Prominent Families
  • Back Issues of their Publication
  • Bromley area 1861 Census Index
  • Cemetery Transcripts
  • Land Deeds and Documents Index

Many archives are accessible in their Resource Centre, which include:

  • Census Indexes
  • Guide to tracing your Jewish Ancestors
  • Hearth Tax Books
  • History Books
  • Local History Books
  • Maps
  • Memorial Inscriptions
  • Military Books
  • Newspapers
  • Parish Register Transcriptions
  • Photographs
  • Probate Records Indexes
  • Reference Books
  • Settlement Examinations (Books)
  • Wills Indexes

These resources do not just cover the county of Kent, but all across the United Kingdom, including Wales and Scotland, and further afield, such as Australia.

Some publications are available for sale, which include:

  • Back Issues of their Journal
  • Bexley Asylum Minute Book 1901-39
  • Bromley Vaccinator's Registers 1899-1930
  • Bromley Borough Absent Voters List 1918/19
  • Census Indexes
  • Edenbridge Index of People and Places 1200-1851
  • Gravesend and Milton Gas Light Company Minute Book, 1845
  • Monumental Inscriptions
  • Parish Chest Records
  • Parish Register Transcripts

A list of surnames currently being researched by members is also available.

The Society has also taken over the area once covered by Tunbridge Wells Family History Society, which closed in 2016.

Website: 
http://www.nwkfhs.org.uk 


Woolwich and District FHS:

Address:

Sue Highley
c/o WADFHS
121 Crofton Road
Bexley
Kent
DA5 3AU

Address(Meetings):

Shrewsbury House
Bushmoor Cres
Shooter's Hill
SE18

E-Mail:

suhiwfhs@tiscali.co.uk

Information:

The parishes of Greenwich, Woolwich, Charlton, Plumstead, Eltham, Welling, Bexleyheath and Crayford are covered by Woolwich and District Genealogical Society.

Website: 
http://www.woolwichfhs.org.uk 



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