Research in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester, in the vibrant heart of North West England, is a lively ceremonial county made up of ten diverse metropolitan boroughs: Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan. While each borough has its unique character, the councils of all ten collaborate through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, creating a dynamic and unified region. This modern county, officially formed on April 1, 1974, is woven together from parts of old Cheshire, Lancashire, and even a small portion of the historic West Riding of Yorkshire.
The borders we know today, however, are a reflection of time and change. Generations of families have crossed these evolving lines, moving from Cheshire and Yorkshire to Lancashire in search of work and a fresh start. For instance, Manchester, Bolton, and Oldham are now a part of the Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society (MLFHS), a primary hub for those tracing family roots in the area. Other towns in Greater Manchester have their own societies, each offering their own local expertise.
As a personal example, my own family history touches different parts of Greater Manchester. On my mother’s side, ancestors migrated from Tameside, while my father’s family came from Wigan - both areas now part of Greater Manchester but affiliated with different family history societies outside MLFHS.
If you’re delving into family history across this patchwork of Greater Manchester boroughs, a helpful map outlines each borough and its towns, along with details about the nearest local family history societies. Whether you’re tracing recent generations or exploring roots from across county lines, Greater Manchester is filled with resources to uncover your family’s journey.
Leigh & District Family History Society
Meetings: Leigh Town Hall
Days: Third Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm except July, August and December.
Stockport u3a
Meetings: Stockport Sunday School
Days: Second Tuesday of each month from 10 am to 12 noon
Extra Information: There is currently no Facebook page available.
Salford u3a
Meetings:Eccles Gateway
Days: Third Tuesday of each month
Extra Information:please mark the subject line of your email ‘FAO: XXXX’.
Bury Family History Society
Meetings: Currently taking place via Zoom on an ad hoc basis until Zoom group becomes more formalised.
Days: See website for details.
Extra Information: No Facebook page available at present.
Sale
Meetings: Sale Moor Community Centre, Norris Road, Sale M33 2TN
Days: Second Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm
Extra Information: No Facebook page currently available.
Rochdale
Meetings: St. Andrews U.R. Church
Days: Last Wednesday of each month at 7.30 p.m
Extra Information: No Facebook page or email contact is available at the present time, but details are available on their website for who to contact dependant on being a member or non-member.
Bolton Family History Society
Meetings: Great Lever & Farnworth Golf Club
Days: First Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm
Oldham Family History Society
Meetings: Oldham Library
Days: Second Saturday of each month at 2pm
Extra Information: There is currently no Facebook page available.
Tameside Local & Family Hisory
Meetings: 4C Community Centre in Ashton
Days: Fourth Thursday of each month from 1pm to start at 1:30pm
Extra Information: There is currently no Facebook page available, but the group has two websites.
Wigan Archives
Venue: Museum of Wigan Life
Days: Tuesday to Friday, 10am - 1pm and 1:30pm - 4pm, Saturday, 10am - 2pm
Extra Information: There is a second website, Wigan World, but this is temporarily closed, although old articles on this website are still accessible.
