The Isle of Wight Family History Society is for all those who want to research their ancestors.
Members include people with island ancestry who live on the UK mainland or elsewhere in the world as well as those who live on the Isle of Wight but whose families came from elsewhere. The experience and knowledge of our members range from those just starting their researches to those who have over 30 or 40 years experience - one of the aims of the Society is to share the experience to help those just starting.
If you are just starting your researches, then there are a number of sources for beginners. Many of these are subscription sites which offer free short term subscriptions before you commit. We do not have any commercial relationships with these organisations.
See
The National Archives Research Guides
News
10 Sep 2026
Main Menu Changes
The observant among you will have noticed a couple of changes in the top level Menu options on the website >>> EVENTS has now become...
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30 Jul 2026
Journal 162 is now available
The latest Journal, No 162, August 2026, is now available to members (only) as a PDF from the website.Printed copies are being despatched by post.All...
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1 May 2026
AGM 2026 Voting
AGM 2026Voting is now open at https://mhstpauls.me.uk/FHS/fhsvote/ Voting is open until Sunday 31st May.
Read more...Next Meetings
2 Nov 2026
"So Great Grandfather Went to Sea in the Merchant Navy..."
Ian Giddings will give us a talk on work he has done in researching Merchant Seamen in the 19th and 20th centuries. Doors open 1.30...
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7 Dec 2026
December 2026 meeting
We have yet to book a Speaker for this date If you are willing to give us a talk, get in touch ! This is...
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4 Jan 2027
The work of the ARP in World War II
Helen Williams will give us a talk on the role of the ARP (Air Raid Precautions organisation) in World War II She will have many...
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Databases
for just
More details can be be found on our
'About the Society' web page.
The Society was formed in 1985 and offers members:
- 4 Journals per year (either printed or an eJournal, depending on type of membership)
- Monthly meetings with guest speakers (except May, June and August)
- A One Day Conference with guest speakers (in May)
- An organised visit to an Island place of historical interest (in June)
- A Members Area on the website which includes a number of databases and a Journal archive
- A way to connect with other family historians and those of your family name worldwide
- A Facebook group (which is also open to non-members)