The Society of Genealogists (SoG) is a UK-based
educational charity founded in 1911. Its base was Bloomsbury, London. It was
established to “promote, encourage, and foster the study, science and knowledge
of genealogy.” SoG is the largest library outside of the U.S. Membership is
open to any adult who agrees to abide by the Society’s rules and pays the
annual membership fee of £45.00 ($66.77 with the current exchange.) This will
give you free access to the library when it is open. As a non-member, costs are,
£5.00 for 2 hours, £10.00 for 4 hours, and £18.00 for the entire day.
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| Bloomsbury, London |
The Society is now nestled at number 14 Charterhouse Buildings on
Goswell Road, London, in a narrow four story building, which originally was
constructed in 1968 for storing rolls of silk. In 1984, the Society moved to
its current location. Today, it holds over 120,000 books, CDs, databases and
microfiche holding the places your ancestors lived. It collects research notes,
published family histories and biographies along with special collections of
genealogical research over the past century.
You’ve found
the Society of Genealogists in the United Kingdom.
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| 14 Charterhouse Buildings |
No bags, cell phones, pens (remember, this is
a library, pencils only), sharp implements nor any food or drink are allowed in
the library. However, the library does have a room you can use if you’ve brown
bagged your lunch. Lockers are issued to store personal items.
The Upper Library holds armed forces, biography,
education, family histories, Ireland, membership, men’s toilets, occupations,
overseas, peerages, religions and wills.
The Middle Library has the English counties, Wales
and Scotland in book form, textbooks, women’s toilets and the Librarian. The
librarian was not to be found. The textbooks on this level include Hearth Tax
Assessments, pre-1841 censuses and population listings. Here, in the Tax-Essex
Hearth Tax Assessments of 1662, I found probable ancestors, including a Knight
of the Bath.
The Lower Library is the archives, computers, family
trees, maps and microfiche. I found myself on this level the longest. The list
of membership funded sites, free to use, is outstanding. Set up at a computer,
the librarian suggested ancestry.co.uk to begin since I was familiar with the
American version. The information generated from one surname was remarkable; a
brick wall is beginning to crumble.
The Ground floor holds the locker room, common room,
lecture room, and a book store with an ongoing used book sale.
Months prior to my visit, I’d emailed SoG for
information and request to speak to a librarian or genealogist during my visit.
I’ve still no response. Our society may be small in comparison, but more
personable. I do not regret my visit. To visit their site, go to www.sog.org.uk, it will have you
organizing a visit in person. Go armed with the ancestor information you are
looking for and let the hunt begin.
