The Society
Introduction
The society had its beginnings in a family history group formed in Bangor in 1979. Over the years as the interest in genealogy has grown the group has been joined by 10 other Branches in the North of Ireland to form the Society and now has hundreds of members worldwide.
The objective of the Society is to foster an interest in family history with special reference to families who have roots in the North of Ireland and their descendants, wherever they may be.
The NIFHS is a voluntary, non profitmaking organisation, depending on the financial support of amateurs doing Family History and volunteer effort in running the society. The society is not a Research Agency, although we do like to put people in contact with one another.
The NIFHS is a member of the following organisations: The Federation of Family History Societies, The Federation of Ulster Local Studies, The Council for Irish Genealogical Organisations. The Society is a corporate member of the Ulster-Scots Heritage Council and a friend of The Somme Association.
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Membership
The society offers two types of membership:
BRANCH MEMBERSHIP - This type of membership is for those people who can attend meetings of their nearest Branch. Each Branch has an annual fee which entitles members to attend meetings in that Branch but also allows them to attend meetings held by any of the other Branches. This Annual Membership includes two issues of the Society's Journal "North Irish Roots". Each Branch has a varied programme of monthly meetings with specialist speakers, research evenings, trips to record offices, visits to our Library etc. The members are very friendly, and the more experienced are glad to help the inexperienced. Details of your nearest venue and next meeting can be obtained here.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP - This is for members who are unable to attend Branch meetings but wish to be involved in the Society. An annual subscription to the Society entitles them to two issues of the journal "North Irish Roots" and also to submit a Profile Form. The Profile Form provides space to include Member's Interests, Queries and Offers of Reciprocal Research. This information is subsequently published in the Journal which reaches members in over fourteen countries worldwide. For application and other forms relating to Associate Membership, click here.
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Council
The Society is governed by the Council. The Council is comprised of a number of honorary office bearers elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Society and representatives of the Branches. The AGM of the Society is held in May and is hosted by the branches in turn. The Society's AGM for 2007 was hosted by Mourne Branch, details can be found here. The branches normally hold their own AGM in April.
Office Bearers elected for 2006-2007 are as follows:
| President | Randal Gill | Vice President | Jeanne Jordan |
| Chairperson | Ann Robinson | Vice Chairperson | Rosemary Sibbett |
| General Secretary | Vacant | Treasurer | Robert Guthrie |
| Membership Secretary | Rosemary Sibbett | Minutes Secretary | Noëlle McCavanna |
| Development Officer | Noel Redmond | Grants Officer | Cyndy Cotton |
| Librarian | Randal Gill | Web Master | Richard Burns |
| Publicity Officer | Noel Redmond | | |
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Constitution
The Society has a constitution which can be viewed here.
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The Research Centre
The Society maintains a Research Centre at 45 Park Avenue, Belfast, BT4 1PU. The Research Centre is staffed by volunteers and is open on Wednesday between 10:30 and 12:30 and on Saturday between 10:00 and 13:00. It is possible to visit the Research Centre outside these hours but please allow as much time as possible to make arrangements. Further details of the Research Centre can be obtained here.
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Branches
The Society currently has eleven Branches, situated in Ballymena, Belfast, Coleraine, Killyleagh, Larne, Lisburn, Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down & Ards, Omagh and Portadown. The Branches usually run a programme of events from September to June. Further details of the Branches and their activities can be obtained here.
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Publications
The Society publishes a journal North Irish Roots twice a year. The journal contains many useful articles relating to family history, often including original research, and provides a means for members to communicate their interests to others. Further details of North Irish Roots can be obtained here.
The Society has also published books, CDs and microfiche. Further details of these can be obtained here.
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