Ormskirk and District Family History Society

Welcome to the Ormskirk and District Family History Society, covering the sixteen ancient parishes and townships of Western Lancashire (UK)

  • Aughton
  • Bickerstaffe
  • Burscough
  • Downholland
  • Halsall
  • Hesketh with Becconsall
  • Lathom
  • Lydiate
  • Maghull
  • Melling
  • Ormskirk
  • Rufford
  • Scarisbrick
  • Simonswood
  • Skelmersdale
  • Tarleton

From: “A new map of Lancashire, divided into hundreds…” by John Cary, 1825

National Library of Scotland maps

About ODFHS…

The Society was founded in 1980 as a focus for local history and genealogical interests. In addition to regular meetings, newsletters and journals, the Society maintains and curates a growing collection of local records and artefacts. We are also actively involved in a number of Ormskirk local history and heritage projects.

ODFHS is a UK charity (Registered Charity No 1004895) and is a member of the Family History Federation

Take a look at 45 Years of ODFHS for more background information. The ODFHS constitution may be viewed here.

Our Safeguarding Policy may be viewed here.

Regular meetings are held at the Guide HQ, Moorgate, Ormskirk L39 4RU, usually on the fourth Wednesday of each month (excluding December), starting at 7.30 pm. See the Meetings page for the schedule and other details. Meetings are free to members, but non-members are very welcome; there is an entry charge (currently £2) for non-members/visitors.

Our Research Library is located at the Scout Hall, 7 Wigan Road, Ormskirk L39 2AP – currently open by request. Please contact Kathryn MacDonald at: librarianodfhs@gmail.com

We publish three journals a year, and we have items for sale to aid your research (see Shop page).

Note: These pages are best viewed in desktop view mode, and this is now supported by most small-screen devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.). If things don’t look right on your chosen device, go to the browser menu (top right-hand corner, usually) and activate the “Desktop site” option.

#####

Note: The header image is taken from the 1848 oil painting “View of Ormskirk, Lancashire” by local landscape artist Robert Tonge (1823-1856), currently in the Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport (Lancashire).

https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/view-of-ormskirk-lancashire-66319

This appears to be a view from the south west, showing the iconic two towers of Ormskirk Parish Church, with tall chimneys – probably brickworks – a windmill and other features that can be identified on maps of around that time (link to NLS map).

____________________________________________________