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Since its formation in 1911, the Society of Genealogists has been at the heart of genealogy in Britain. As the Society prepares to open the doors to its new home at Wharf Road – the latest of the six buildings it has occupied – this talk looks back over its history and achievements.
The early years were troubled, set against the backdrop of the First World War, while in the 1920s and ‘30s figures such as George Sherwood and Percival Boyd led pioneering efforts in indexing records.
The post-war period saw an awakening of interest in family history and the growth of family history societies, which the SoG was reluctant to embrace initially.
In the 1990s and 2000s, the Society organised the first family history fairs, and today is recognised as an international centre of expertise in family history research and education.
Mike Sharpe is a professional genealogist and lecturer based in Worcestershire, and runs Writing the Past, a family history research and writing service. He is a Member of AGRA, where he has served on the Council and is Coordinator for AGRA’s Midlands Network Group. Mike is a member of the Society of Genealogists, a trustee of Midland Ancestors, and is active in several family and local history societies. He is in frequent demand as a speaker, writes for family history magazines, and is the author of three books on family history, including Family Matters: A History of Genealogy.
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