Find organisations involved in
specific aspects of Suffolk’s History
Here are the main organisations involved in promoting Suffolk’s history, with a brief description of their main areas of activity and a link to their website.
The Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History
SIAH plays an important role in encouraging and publishing research on Suffolk’s past through varied outlets and opportunities: an annual, peer-reviewed, journal; regular newsletters and excursions; a programme of lectures, online and in person; occasional publications; and field groups. It has its own library and showcases the work of local historians online.
www.suffolkinstitute.org.uk
The Suffolk Records Society
For over sixty years, SRS has annually published an edited volume of an important and interesting primary source relating to Suffolk,
such as letters, diaries, maps, accounts and charters. It is now publishing some material online. These archives have made a major
contribution to historical studies of the county and are a useful source of information for both professional and amateur historians.
www.suffolkrecordssociety.com
The Suffolk Historic Buildings Group
The SHBG provides an opportunity for anyone with an interest in historic architecture to develop and share their knowledge with likeminded people, through summer
visits, winter talks and a newsletter. Suffolk has a strong legacy of historic buildings, which enhance our understanding of social change over the centuries. SHBG teaches
its members how they were built, how they were used and how they developed through time.
www.shbg.org.uk
Suffolk Local History Council
Suffolk Local History Council encourages and supports the study of local history and acts as an umbrella organisation for societies, small museums and individuals
within the county. It publishes a twice yearly journal and newsletter, operates a Parish Recorders’ Scheme and organises networking day meetings, conferences, visits
and study days.
www.slhc.org.uk
Friends of Suffolk Archives
The Friends of Suffolk Archives (FOSA) was formed in 1983 as the Friends of Suffolk Record Office. As a registered charity, its aims are to promote the archives service provided by the County Council and to facilitate the acquisition and conservation of archives of relevance to the county of Suffolk.
www.fosa.org.uk
Suffolk Gardens Trust
The Suffolk Gardens Trusts aims to stimulate the interest in Suffolk’s garden heritage through visits, talks and publications and to advance the understanding of that heritage by research and a register of historic and significant designed landscapes. They encourage the conservation of these landscapes and provide bursaries for the training of horticultural professionals.
www.suffolkgardenstrust.org
Suffolk Place-Names
Place-names tell us not only about language in the past, but also about landscape and settlement history. Most Suffolk villages have names formed in the Anglo-Saxon period, and these are explained in Keith Briggs and Kelly Kilpatrick, A dictionary of Suffolk place-names (2016). Names of old fields and houses can be elucidated with the help of Paul Cavill, A new dictionary of English field-names (2018). For further information, refer to publications of the English Place-Name Society.
http://epns.org
Suffolk Family History Society
Suffolk Family History Society is a community of people who are interested in local and family history pertaining to Suffolk. With international membership, we provide our members with a quarterly journal, talks on relevant topics, projects that preserve and index historic documents, and provide access to the data extracted.
www.suffolkfhs.co.uk
