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  1. Partners
  2. Family History Federation
  3. Suffolk Family History Society

Suffolk Family History Society

We are pleased to be working in partnership with the Suffolk Family History Society.

The Suffolk Family History Society was founded in Lowestoft in 1975. Its objectives are to promote and encourage the public study of British family history, genealogy, heraldry and local history with particular reference to Suffolk; and to promote the preservation, security and accessibility of archival material.

The society is always pleased to welcome new members. You will be made most welcome at any of the group meetings. Additionally the Society holds regular free Zoom presentations on a wide range of topics. Recent talks have covered Use of DNA, Wills, local industries and Suffolk places of interest. Check the website to see what is coming up.

Old records stacked on shelves

Vital records

The Suffolk Family History Society have made generous contributions to our collection of vital records for the Suffolk area, with indexes available for marriages, baptisms and early burials.

If you have ancestry in the Suffolk area, then these record sets are a great place to start making new discoveries abut your ancestors.

Freemen Of Ipswich, Suffolk

Was your ancestor admitted to the Freemen? You can now explore the records of over 7,400 Freemen of the Borough of Ipswich, Suffolk between 1320 and 1996. Many Freemen were admitted through birth right and you may find multiple family records. Discover your ancestor’s occupation, residence and father’s name.

Search Freemen Of Ipswich, Suffolk

Beneficiary & Testator Indexes

Thanks to our partnership with the Suffolk Family History Society, you can now discover whether or not your Suffolk ancestor created a will or was named a beneficiary to a will between 1847 and 1857.

The information included in these records may help you to discover more about the relationship between the beneficiary and the testator, which may reveal another relative for your family tree.

Additional information

Every new member receives a presentation pack containing information about Suffolk and the group. Each quarter members receive the Suffolk Family History Society's journal Suffolk Roots. This is packed with news, articles, letters, important little snippets of information and much more.

Suffolk Family History Society is pleased to announce that its members' interests listing is now available online. Access to this service is totally free to everyone.

The society has a collection of reference books, transcripts and other documents which may be consulted in the Suffolk Record Office at Ipswich. In addition it has access to magazines from many other local, national and international societies.

The Society has an online shop, which stocks a large collection of publications such as parish register transcripts available as CDs or downloads. It is also possible to renew your subscription or join the society online. Products are ordered through a secure server.

Suffolk Family History Society is a member of the Federation of Family History Societies.