Wisdom Wednesday: U.S.- Based UK Family History Societies

There are at least two UK/British Isles family history societies that are based in the U.S. that deserve some attention. The first is the British Isles Family History Society-U.S.A. and the second is the British Institute whose formal name is the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History.

British Isles Family History Society-U.S.A. www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bifhsusa

The moving force behind this Los Angeles-based group is Linda Jonas, who with Paul Milner, co-authored "A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your English Ancestors." Besides information about society membership, events and study groups on the website's home page, there are links to several research tools:

-Guide to British Isles Research
-Using U.S. Records to Trace Immigrant Ancestors
-Links to:
          British Isles Resources
          Irish Resources

These sections contain the best online British how-to information I have discovered. Enough said.

International Society for British Genealogy and Family History
www.isbgfh.org

This society's claim to fame is the British Institute, a week of classes about British genealogy held each fall in Salt Lake City. The classes meet in the morning, and the group then heads to the Family History Library for research. This year's Institute is 7-11 October and is at the Radisson Hotel, a short, easy walk from the FHL. April 8 is the first day you can register for one of the four classes offered.

Membership includes a journal and other benefits detailed on their website.