Society of Genealogists

How to join the Society

Membership of the Society is open to anyone with an interest in family and social history. We cater for the full range from those at any early stage in their research to those already with extensive knowledge.

Application

Applications must be made in writing and may take a few weeks to process. However, applicants have full access to the Society's facilities and events as if a member from the date of receipt of the application, which does not need to be sent ahead of your first visit to the Society. Just bring it with you or complete the form on your first visit. A membership application form can be printed from this Web site in Adobe Acrobat ® format.

You may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader

Please remember to enclose payment by cheque or complete your credit card details for your entrance fee and subscription calculated in accordance with the following paragraph.

Subscription

New members, resident in UK and the Republic of Ireland, who pay their annual subscription by Direct Debit will pay a joining fee of £10.00 and an annual subscription of £45.00, for those paying by Direct Debit the annual subscription is £42.00. The first year's subscription will start on the 1st day of the next calendar quarter. The renewal notification may be sent with an appropriate issue of Genealogists' Magazine or separately. New members resident outside the UK & the Republic of Ireland will pay a joining fee of £10.00 and an annual subscription of £27.00

Notes

Temporary membership cards will be provided until a permanent card is issued.
The first payment cannot be by Direct Debit as banks will not process these immediately, therefore, we ask that the initial payment be by cash (not advisable by post), cheque (in sterling) or credit/debit card (including the expiry date and issue number if there is one).
Members will receive their first copy of Genealogists' Magazine from the quarter in which they join. Back copies may be purchased from the OnlineShop.
Annual renewal of Membership is due on the 1st day of the quarter in the year following the date of joining. Payment can be made by cheque, credit/debit card or cash in person at 14 Charterhouse Buildings.

Benefits of Membership

Members have access to the Library when it is open, you will need to bring your membership card with you and use the card swipe to record your arrival and departure. There is a Members Room with a drinks machine and you are welcome to bring your lunch and sit and relax there. Members resident in the British Isles can (with some restrictions) borrow material from the Library, staff members are happy to help. Further information
Members receive four Genealogists' Magazine per year in March, June, September and December. The Magazine is full of information including articles, a full list of the Staff Members, Library Updates, Notes and News of the Society and advice on people who can help with research. The cost of a single magazine is £1.85 but members receive it free of charge. Back copies can be purchased from the OnlineShop.
Members can obtain a 10% discount on courses and lectures, a full list of the courses throughout the year can be found in your Members Information Pack and online in the Society of Genealogists: Calendar of Events.
There is also a 10% discount on Society Publications, a full list of publications available and how to order can be found in your Members Information Pack, and on the OnlineShop.
We have a selection of the records held in the Library accessible on the Internet. Look at the County Sources in the Library. And members of the Society can access the Society's data online via free access to The Origins Network for one contiguous period of 72 hours each calendar quarter. During this period members can carry out an unlimited number of searches and can view material from Society of Genealogists datasets available at The Origins Network. Members can also get 20% discount on orders made via British Origins for hard copies provided by the Society (£8 instead of £10.) This benefit only applies to records of hard copies provided by the Society.
Other benefits of Membership include 20% discount on short specific searches requested by post, the right to participate in shaping the Society through its Annual General Meeting and Committees (subject to due election) and after five years' membership to advertise professional services in Genealogists' Magazine (this period is waived for AGRA members). Members after five years membership, and having rendered distinguished service to the Society or to genealogy, to be eligible to be elected a Fellow of the Society.

Membership Queries

Membership enquiries can be sent by email to Membership Office

The Society is a registered charity (No. 233701) and a company limited by guarantee (No.115703) its Registered Office is at 14 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 7BA. In the event of its liquidation, the liability of members is limited to £2 each.