What are the pros and cons of joining a Family History Society to advance my research?

Question

I live in a town with a Family History Society and an Historical Society.

The Family History Society aims include:

• conduct meetings
• organise guest speakers
• purchase of research resources for use in the Regional History Room
• assisting people with family history research.

The Historical Society aims include:

• research and preserve the history of the district
• to assist people researching local history
• to assist people researching family history.

What advantages/disadvantages are there in joining such societies?

What attributes should I look for to decide the more appropriate one?

My family tree background is Australian on both sides, English 2 generations back on my mother's side and Scottish 3 generations ago on my father's side. There is no currently no known link to any local individuals, dead or alive.

Answer 1

One obvious advantage is the connection to local history, local people, and local records.

Collaborating with others who may in other counties, states, or even countries, may not always help. Having people with local knowledge can help create a picture of where your ancestors lived, or of their work, or on the likelihood of them changing either of those. It can also help you make contact with relatives. Depending on the society, it may also have connections with local archives and libraries. Although you may no longer live in your birth town, other members may still do, and they may be amenable to check something for you on their next visit to a local repository.

While production of local transcriptions is a great resource, and the availability of talks and lectures can be educational, the opportunity to interact with fellow members is a huge bonus. This could be through forums, email, or even instant messaging. Not all societies accommodate this though which is why I also subscribe to various mailing lists for my birth town and related surnames.

Answer 2

This is a very general answer but it may help. Five years ago I moved to a new state where I have no genealogical interests and debated joining the local society. This past year I joined and realized that although I have little to offer about this area I have learned a lot just by being involved again. It keeps me in the game so to speak and has connected me to resources and people that I otherwise would have lost out on. So from a networking, staying connected perspective I say join whatever is in your area and don't think twice about it. It will be worth it on some level.

Answer 3

I have gained enormously from joining several family history societies in the various areas of the UK that I am interested in. The price is reasonable and the quarterly magazines good for improving local knowledge and contacting helpful members. If buying material published by the society, members usually get a small discount.