Partners
Family History Federation
Devon Family History Society

Devon Family History Society

We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the Devon Family History Society which is one of the largest family history societies in the UK.

The Devon Family History Society, formed in 1976, is one of the largest Family History Societies in the UK and is a Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (No. 1210054).

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

The Society is a member of the Family History Federation, an international body which has over 160 member societies throughout the world. Contact with other societies encourages mutual interests and reciprocal research.

For further information, please visit our website at https://www.devonfhs.org.uk/

US Servicemen In North Devon, England 1943-1945

This unique collection gives details of the US servicemen who served at the Assault Training Centre in North Devon, which was set up in 1942. It was established during the Second World War as a centre to develop and practice amphibious assault exercises to prepare for the Normandy landing on D-Day.

The records allow you to view an image of the original service club visitors book along with details such as name, theatre of operation, residence, state and additional notes on the servicemen.

The books were transcribed by the Devon Family History Society volunteers.

Search US Servicemen In North Devon, England 1943-1945

Devon Social & Institutional Records

Do you have family roots in Devon? If so, you can now search this extraordinarily rich set of records to find paupers and vagrants, apprentices, peddlers and tradesmen.

Find out if they got married, were vaccinated against smallpox or got Christmas presents while their father was fighting WW1.

This collection is published in partnership with Devon Family History Society and the Family History Federation.

Search Devon Social & Institutional Records

Vital records

The Devon Family History Society have also greatly contributed to our collection of vital records for Devon. This incudes records of baptisms, marriages and burials.

If you have ancestry in the Devon area, then these records will be crucial to uncovering key details about their major life events.

Additional information from the society

Discover Devon’s Past — and Your Family’s Story — with the Devon Family History Society

If you’re passionate about tracing your family history, you’ve just found one of the richest sources of Devon heritage anywhere in the world. The Devon Family History Society is home to a thriving community of researchers, experts, and volunteers dedicated to helping you uncover the stories, records, and connections that bring your ancestry to life.

Whether your roots lie deep in Devon soil or your family simply passed through the county’s winding lanes generations ago, we’re here to help you explore, discover, and understand your heritage.

Why Join Us?

A Community of Enthusiasts

Our members share your curiosity and passion. You’ll be joining a supportive, knowledgeable community that understands the thrill of a breakthrough and the joy of piecing together a family story.

Free Access to Millions of Records

Membership gives you full access to our Members’ Area — a growing collection of nearly 4 million records, including many that cannot be found anywhere else.

You’ll find:

Monumental inscriptions and gravestone photographs
Parish register images and transcriptions from over 50 Devon parishes
Transcriptions from municipal cemeteries
A growing online library of 40+ Devon publications
Exclusive out‑of‑print material digitised for members
Interactive maps that show the places your ancestors lived

And so much more…

These resources are continually expanding thanks to our volunteers and partnerships across Devon.

The Devon Family Historian

Our quarterly journal is packed with stories, research insights, and historical context that bring Devon’s past vividly to life. Members can browse extracts from all past editions and read full digital copies of recent issues — a treasure trove for anyone researching Devon families.

Online Talks & Courses

We run a full programme of online talks open to members and non‑members, featuring local and national speakers on a wide range of topics.

From heirlooms workshops to multi‑session family history courses covering parish records, DNA, migration, newspapers, and more, there’s always something new to learn.

Tree House Research Centre — Your Devon Genealogy Hub

Located in the heart of Exeter, Tree House is our dedicated research centre and a service point for the Devon Heritage Centre.

Members enjoy free entry and access to:

The full set of Devon parish registers on microfiche
Inland Revenue wills for Devon
A specialist library covering local, family, and community history
Methodist and Bible Christian collections
Major genealogical websites
British Newspaper Library access
Expert volunteer support

Visitors are welcome for a small fee, and a research service is available if you can’t visit in person.

One Stop Shop

Our online shop offers:

Baptism, marriage, and burial booklets
Deanery CDs
Historic Devon facsimile book CDs
Second‑hand books
Membership and renewals

Perfect for expanding your research toolkit.

Connect with Other Researchers

Members can add up to 50 surnames of interest and search those submitted by others. Our website allows members with shared interests to contact each other — a powerful way to break through brick walls and discover new branches of your family tree.

Ready to Explore Your Devon Roots?

Joining the Devon Family History Society gives you the tools, expertise, and community to take your research further than ever before.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey or you’re deep into your family tree, we’d love to welcome you.

Join us today and start uncovering the stories waiting in your past.