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Become a Guild Member

Our membership association – called the Ulster Historical and Genealogical Guild – was established in 1978 to provide a forum for the Irish and Scots-Irish genealogical community. It is designed to give local and family historians access to a range of specialist resources and services. The Guild brings together people together from across the world, all of whom are united in their quest to discover more about their roots. We currently have around 1,500 members in over 20 countries.

Join today and become part of a growing community of like-minded family historians, and strengthen connections to the land of your ancestors.

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Guild Plus

Guild Membership
+ BMD Database

1 Year

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5 Years

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Lifetime

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Guild

Guild Membership

1 Year

Auto Renews
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5 Year

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Life

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BMD

Births, Deaths &
Marriage Database

6 Months

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1 Year

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Alternatively Pay As You Go

Starter Kit Plus

Includes 1-year Guild membership, two invaluable publications (Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors and Irish Libraries), Guild USB key and more. Includes everything from Guild Plus

Only £64.99
Per Year
Corporate Membership

Have a closer look at our Corporate Membership package for libraries and family history societies

The Story of our Guild

Learn more about our membership association

Compare Memberships

Guild +

Guild Membership
+ BMD Database
Access our Birth, Marriage and Death databases
Access 200+ member-only databases
15% discount on all UHF publications in our book store
Discounts on our research services and family history events
Receive two annual publications: Directory of Irish Family History and Research and Familia: Ulster Genealogical Review
Share your research interests online and in the Directory
Access our exclusive Members' Area
Access to over 50 digital back issues of the Directory and Familia
Access to extensive resources for your family history research
Participate in events exclusive to Guild Members

Guild

Guild Membership
Access our Birth, Marriage and Death databases
Access 200+ member-only databases
15% discount on all UHF publications in our book store
Discounts on our research services and family history events
Receive two annual publications: Directory of Irish Family History and Research and Familia: Ulster Genealogical Review
Share your research interests online and in the Directory
Access our exclusive Members' Area
Access to over 50 digital back issues of the Directory and Familia
Access to extensive resources for your family history research
Participate in events exclusive to Guild Members

BMD

Births, Deaths & Marriage Database
Access our Birth, Marriage and Death databases
Access 200+ member-only databases
15% discount on all UHF publications in our book store
Discounts on our research services and family history events
Receive two annual publications: Directory of Irish Family History and Research and Familia: Ulster Genealogical Review
Share your research interests online and in the Directory
Access our exclusive Members' Area
Access to over 50 digital back issues of the Directory and Familia
Access to extensive resources for your family history research
Participate in events exclusive to Guild Members

Share your research interests

A key attraction of membership is to have your own research interests shared with other members, through our annual Directory as well as on our website. Members can add the details of up to six ancestors and include names, dates, locations, occupations and other family connections.

Access to our research library at the Kiltonga Industrial Estate

Members can visit our premises at Kiltonga, Newtownards, Co. Down, to use our Research Library. It is advisable to telephone/email ahead of your visit.

Access to our online Members' Library

Guild members have exclusive access to an ever-growing library of digital publications, all of which can be found in our Member's Area.

Free Publications

Guild members receive two annual publications – Familia: Ulster Genealogical Review and the Directory of Irish Family History Research.

Members also receive a copy of The Kiltonga Bugle, our digital summer newsletter.

  • Familia: Ulster Genealogical Review is a widely respected historical journal that includes a selection of articles of wider historical, genealogical and biographical importance, as well as reviews of new books, keeping you up to date with recent research discoveries.
  • The Directory of Irish Family History Research publishes the research interests of the Foundation's Guild members. In addition, the Directory publishes articles and source material, providing all-important practical advice on useful genealogical resources.

Guild members are welcome to submit articles and short notices for Familia and the Directory.

Access to our members’ area

The members’ area online contains over 170 articles from previous issues of Familia and other articles on research and guides to sources.

Celebrate Ulster’s heritage: educational & social events

Be part of and contribute to a vibrant research community. The Foundation frequently holds local and international lecture tours, book launches and other functions.

Your membership ensures that you are kept informed of all events. Celebrate Ulster’s connections with the wider world.

Exclusive access to member-only databases

Guild members have unrestricted access to hundreds of member-only databases, many covering the entire island of Ireland as well as access to over 50,000 gravestone inscriptions and to the History of the Irish Parliament biographical database.

Incredible discounts

Guild members enjoy huge discounts on our products and services including:

  • 15% discount on all Ulster Historical Foundation published books on our store.
  • Member-only discounts on our initial assessments, consultations and research services.
  • Member-only discounts on our online genealogy courses.
  • Member-only discounts on our family history conferences and research programmes.

Members' Research Area

Gain access to our Members' Research Area, focusing on a range of themes in Irish history and genealogy.