Community Directory: Local History/Local Studies

The Edmonton Hundred Historical Society is a local history society representing the Edmonton Hundred area of what was Middlesex and is now North London. The area covered by the Society is shown in the 1820 map below, representing the Edmonton Hundred area as shown in the Domesday Book in 1086.

Last updated: September 2022

Enfield Archaeological Society is active in carrying out research and fieldwork in Enfield, in order to understand the archaeological past of the Borough.

Its main aims are: to promote the practice and study of archaeology in the district; to record and preserve all finds in the district and encourage others to allow their finds to be recorded by the Society; and to co-operate with neighbouring societies with similar aims.

Last updated: October 2014

Over the years the Enfield Society has published many articles about Enfield’s heritage in the quarterly newsletter, with committee member Stephen Gilburt being a regular contributor since 2008.

The Society has created an Enfield Heritage Index providing links to all Stephen's articles on buildings and other heritage assets.

Last updated: December 2022

Local Studies identifies, acquires, and preserves materials that document the history of Enfield , making these records available to residents and visitors.

You can visit the archive and discover a unique collection of historical documents dating back to the 13th century.

We also have four computers offering free access to research online and genealogy websites. Access to these resources is only available in Local Studies Centre at the Dugdale Centre.

Enfield Local Studies Library & Archive
Thomas Hardy House (1st floor)
39 London Road
Enfield EN2 6DS

Last updated: August 2019

A closed Facebook group whose aim is "to bring back to life the past and enhance the present. We will be working alongside Enfield's Local History Unit for pictures and comments, we have a contact in the group at the History Unit".  The area covered is the whole of the London Borough of Enfield.

Last updated: October 2015

We are a young society but we are active, not only in researching the past, but recording the present for future historians.

Our founder, John Donovan, lived in Friern Barnet between 1966 and 1995. He became concerned that nothing was being done to record and preserve the history of the area and before long there would be nobody left who remembered it. He decided to start a local history society and in late 1999 he gathered together a few like-minded people and the Society was formed. We had our first public meeting in September 2000, at the former Friern Barnet Town Hall, and by the end of that year we had a membership of over 100.

Last updated: January 2021

A section of the Harringay Online website contains a rich source of information about the history of Harringay and also also covers Hornsey, Crouch End, Finsbury Park and Wood Green.

• History Group Articles & Discussions
• Historical Photos and Other Images
• Forum discussions about Harringay's history
• Historic film footage from 1920 on
• Wikipedia articles about the history of Harringay
• Personal memories blogs
• Virtual blue plaque map of Harringay
• Telling the Harringay Story - A (Very) Short History - online publication by Hugh Flouch

Last updated: April 2020

Hidden London takes an informative, histor­ically inclined look at a variety of the capital's more obscure attractions, curiosities, districts and localities. The two main sections are:

• A growing series of illus­trated articles featuring relatively recherché attractions with qualities that make them worth visiting, or at least stopping to admire on your way past.
• London Gazetteer: More than 500 potted histories of the capital's diverse districts and localities (including Palmers Green, with an emphasis on lesser-??known places throughout Greater London. They're all listed in the Index

Last updated: October 2014

The Society has produced many publications documenting the history of Hornsey, has been active in campaigning for the recognition and conservation of our heritage of buildings and open spaces. and is represented on the local Conservation Area Advisory Committees. It supports the work of the Friends of Hornsey Church Tower and other local conservation groups, and maintains close links with Bruce Castle Museum, and local history societies. The Society organises a regular programme of talks, visits and educational and other events.

Last updated: October 2014

London Historians was founded in August 2010 primarily to act as a facilitator which:

• enables all those interested in London’s history to find what they’re looking for quickly and in one place
• provides a hub for the many dozens of disparate institutions and societies and thousands of individuals, all of whom have a common interest
• supports conservation and historical research
• encourages both amateur and professional historians to meet and make new friends with like-minded enthusiasts

Belonging to London Historians is very much a shared experience. We can only be as strong as our membership. We hope you’ll join us for what we’d like to make a perpetual adventure, exploring the history of our amazing city.

Last updated: October 2014

The London, Westminster & Middlesex Family History Society was formed in 2001 from an amalgamation of two former societies: the London & North Middlesex FHS (formed in 1978) and the Westminster & Central Middlesex FHS. The Society's area now comprises the City of London, the City of Westminster and the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Harrow and Islington, together with parts of Ealing and Hillingdon. We aim to bring together all those family historians with ancestors in the area or who live in the area. Beginners and experienced researchers are invited to join us.

Last updated: January 2021

A closed Facebook group.

"Post your memories, photos, questions and stories relevant to Winchmore Hill And Palmers Green Memories. Your memories may come from non-local areas, this is permitted as long as the page content is mainly about our locality."

Last updated: October 2015

Have you ever wondered what Palmers Green was like before the coming of the builders? Are you curious about the people who live here now, their memories and how Palmers Green has changed? Do you have a sneaking pride in where you live? This website aims to celebrate Palmers Green and satisfy our natural curiosity – about its streets and how they came about, and about those who live and work there now, and long before us. The focus is on the sense of place which makes it special, and how we and our neighbours share and enjoy present day Palmers Green.

Last updated: October 2014

A remarkable short film created by Kevin O'Neill of Southgate Photographic Society. It combines archive images of Palmers Green with current pictures of the same location taken by Society members.

Last updated: October 2014

We are Southgate District Civic Voice (SDCV), a not for profit organisation run by volunteers. Our main area of interest includes: Southgate, Southgate Green, Cockfosters, New Southgate, Oakwood, Palmers Green and Winchmore Hill. An area loosely based on the old Southgate Municipal Borough, abolished in 1965 to form part of the London Borough of Enfield.

Founded in 1962 as Southgate Civic Trust, in response to the threat to demolish the Georgian cottages on Southgate Green and dissatisfaction with official planning procedures. This fight contributed to the creation of Southgate Green conservation area. In 1993 the Trust’s name was changed to Southgate District Civic Trust to better reflect our area of interest. Then in 2018, marking our continued ability to evolve and speak up for our local community, we became Southgate District Civic Voice.

Last updated: June 2020

This society was founded in 1936 as the Enfield Preservation Society (EPS), and renamed The Enfield Society (TES) in 2007. It has about 2000 members and is one of the most active amenity societies in the country. The Enfield Society has a record of vigorous action in defence of the local environment by practical conservation and campaigning. There is also a strong social section. The Society is a registered charity, No.276451.

Enfield’s environment is threatened as never before. Open spaces are being sacrificed to commercial development. The Green Belt is under constant pressure. Historic buildings are deteriorating. We are fighting to preserve our heritage so that future generations can enjoy Enfield’s rich architectural legacy and Green Belt countryside. We do not oppose development, but do all that we can to ensure that it enhances the character and atmosphere of the Borough, while not losing the best of the past.

Last updated: January 2015

The Branch meets on Tuesdays at 8pm in Jubilee Hall, Parsonage Lane, Enfield.

Last updated: November 2014

An open Facebook group where people can share memories and photographs of Palmers Green and Winchmore Hill in days gone by.

Last updated: November 2014