LOWESTOFT - the British Isles' most easterly town, is situated in the north-east of the county and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. In the 18th & 19th Centuries it expanded and absorbed the adjacent hamlets of Kirkley, Normanston and Carlton Colville and has grown to a town with a population of 70,000.

Many of the major industries have disappeared but some tentative regeneration is occurring, mainly in the field of windfarm turbine building and maintenance. Two large marinas attract private yachts and cruisers from Europe. The town still attracts day visitors with its safe bathing and water sports.

The Maritime Museum in Sparrow's Nest Gardens houses a large collection dedicated to the now defunct fishing industry. During WW2, Sparrow's Nest was the home of was the The Royal Navy Patrol Service which occupied the Nest throughout the war and was named HMS Europa. The  Lowestoft War Museum, which contans a vast collection of  photographs and artefacts of Lowestoft in WW2, is alway pleased to welcome visitors.   A memorial to members of the RNPS is in the adjacent Belle Vue Park displaying the names of 2385 seamen who "have no known grave".

The Lowestoft Museum in Nicholas Everitts Park, Oulton Broad, has a fine collection of Lowestoft Porcelain.

Our Group

In 1975 Katherine Bardwell with a few like-minded individuals started a small group which met at Lowestoft library - there was no record office in Lowestoft then. The launch was very successful and the Suffolk Genealogy Society was born, with Katherine as its chairman & magazine editor. Later a group at Ipswich was formed and the name changed to Suffolk Family History Society.

The group has been active over the years in promoting family history with stalls at various local events. Parish register transcriptions have been foremost and most parishes in the Waveney district have been transcribed wholly or partially. Likewise with Monumental inscriptions and most churchyards have been transcribed.

Our New Venue

Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month (except Jan & Aug) at our new venue:

Small Meeting Room, St Margaret's Church Hall, 147 Hollingsworth Road, Lowestoft, NR32 4BW.

Ample free on-site parking is available

Doors open at 7pm and the meeting starts at 7.30pm with entry for SFHS members £1.50 and non-members £2.00. Newcomers are especially welcome.

We have a varied programme of interesting talks and speakers and following this tea or coffee and biscuits are served. Society CDs of transcripts and other documents are available to borrow if requested.

We always like a chance to discuss Family History interests so if you're just starting or stuck and need help or advice do please feel free to ask any of the Committee.

News

• The Lowestoft Archaeological & Local History Society has changed its venue. First meeting is on 22 September 2025 at St Mark's Church Hall, Bridge Rd, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, NR33 9JX. Meetings start at 7.30

  11th Aug 2025

Contact

Email: lowestoft@suffolkfhs.org.uk

Projects

We don't have projects to show you at the moment but please call back to see what we have achieved.