User:StuartWindsor/sandbox

Devon Family History Society
The Devon Family History Society (Charity Number 282490 ), was formed in 1976, and is now one of the largest Family History Societies in the UK. The Society is a member of the Family History Federation, which is an international body that has over 160 member societies throughout the world. The Devon Family History Society is also a member of the South West Area Group of Family History Societies, a regional group of 11 societies. The contact with other societies encourages mutual interests and reciprocal research.

The Society’s objectives are to promote the study of genealogy and history, especially of Devon families and places; to educate the public through advice; and, for the public benefit, to encourage the preservation and transcription of relevant documents and records, especially for the county of Devon.

Tree House
The Society maintains a Research Centre, which is known as Tree House, located in King Street, Exeter. This is staffed by volunteers who help people to find their ancestors wherever, even if they are from outside of Devon.

Tree House is a Service Point for the for Devon Heritage Centre, and holds all their Parish Registers on microfiche as well as Inland Revenue Wills (1812-1857). These are a particularly valuable resource, since the majority of the Devon Wills were destroyed in 1942.

Tree House also provide public access computers where researchers can use the main genealogy websites, such as Ancestry, Find My Past, the Genealogist, and the British Newspaper Archive. Alongside online resources, Tree House has collected a significant library of local village, town and family history resources, many of which are not available elsewhere. Members of the Society have also deposited their family histories, which can be searched online and viewed at Tree House.

Devon Family Historian
The Society publishes a quarterly magazine, known as The Devon Family Historian. This contains a wide range of articles that full of background information about the lives and times of Devon families. The magazine also provides other information helping members to keep themselves well informed about developments in family history. Past copies of the The Devon Family Historian are available to members of the Society on their website.

Research Service
The Society offers a research service for people unable to visit the County, or for those who want an extra bit of help. The Volunteers use all the resources available at Tree House along with their own expertise and experience of tracing Devon family histories.

Membership
The majority of the resources that the Devon Family History Society have are made available to members and non-members alike. Membership is available to everyone and starts at £12 per year.