Waltham Forest Family History Society

The Society was founded in 1978 to bring together and to encourage people with an interest in family history and genealogy. We are a small but friendly society that caters for all those with South West Essex ancestry who might live at a distance, and for those who live locally but whose ancestors came from elsewhere.

The Society covers an area largely defined by the River Lea, M25 and A11 roads, this includes the London Borough of Waltham Forest, comprising the old Essex metropolitan boroughs of Chingford, Leyton and Walthamstow, and extends to Waltham Abbey in the north. The southern part of the area was significantly affected by population migration in the 19th century, as a result of improved housing, transport links and employment opportunities, while the more rural northern part has remained dominated by Epping Forest.

The Society has

  • regular talks on family and local history
  • workshops to discuss particular topics
  • visits to archives and museums
  • twice-yearly journal Roots in the Forest
  • collection of magazines and local records
  • projects to transcribe local records

More information can be found on our website including details of indexed records, projects, and how to join the Society.

Waltham Forest Family History Society contributed to the following record sets: