Introduction
A market town for almost 1000 years, Haverhill still hosts a provisions market each Friday and Saturday throughout the year. Haverhill was recorded in the Domesday survey in 1086, but archaeological evidence shows that both Stone Age man and the Romans thought this valley a good place to settle.
The town thrived through its textile industry notably in the 19th century when it became a significant centre for the making of "drabbet" smocks for the agricultural workers. In 1856, D Gurteen & Sons built a factory with 32 power looms driven by steam.
Although they had been in the town since the 1780s, the new factory brought expansion and the town became prosperous. It almost doubled in size between 1851 and 1901, bringing new houses, factories, schools, churches and public buildings to make it a complete Victorian town.
In the late 1940s, Haverhill was named an "expansion town" by the Haverhill Urban District Council and Greater London Council. The population quadrupled between 1951 and the present time and Haverhill continues to grow, with new facilities and new housing. It is a forward looking town with a strong sense of community and an active Town Council
Programme
The Haverhill group usually meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month in the Old Independent Church Hall, Hamlet Road, Haverhill, CB9 9EF. (unless stated otherwise). Click here for directions
Meetings usually start at 7.30pm. Admission £1.00 for SFHS members, £2.50 for visitors. Tea/Coffee included.
Library of local and family history books available for free loan and opportunity to search SFHS data for Suffolk ancestors.
Coach Trips to major record offices, including the London Metropolitan Archives, National Newspaper Library and the National Archives at Kew, and national museums.
Annual Walk around a local village for a guided tour of historical interests, tracing our ancestors' footsteps, even to the local hostelry!
Help Sessions are held weekly Wed 2-4pm at the Library, Camps, Road, Haverhill, CB9 8HB with free guided access to Ancestry.com, Find My Past and more.
To book your place at the Library phone 01440 702638
Wednesday Afternoons 2 - 4pm |
Help with YOUR Research - at Haverhill Library (CB9 8HB) Guided use of the Internet, especially for newcomers or those 'stuck' phone 01440 848095 to book your place |
Newsletter
Click Here to download our latest news.
Links
FFHS Newsletter - Federation of Family History Societies - January edition
Family History (Haverhill) Group - Facebook page
Haverhill UK - local census, baptism, burial & other records posted by the Haverhill Group
Haverhill & District Local History Group - Haverhill Local History Centre is a resource and study centre for Haverhill and surrounding villages.
Haverhill Old Independent Church - The United Reformed Church at Haverhill, locally known as the Old Independent Church, (OIC)
Contact
Secretary: Charmian Thompson
5 Hadrian Close,
Haverhill,
Suffolk, CB9 0NH
or by Email: haverhill@suffolkfhs.org.uk to our Secretary
Last Modified on 02/03/2020 by B and C Thompson
News
Haverhill at Work Exhibition
Posted by Haverhill on Sat, 25th Feb 2017
Arts Centre Haverhill
Family history research for young people
Posted by K Pulford on Thu, 4th Aug 2016
We were pleased to host an event at the Haverhill Library recently where some young people came along to join in with activities to discover the art of family history research. Several children came along to experience the fun of looking into the family and social history of two local families namely Arber and Green. There were also opportunities for them to create their own family trees and activities for them to take home with them including ‘Raiding Grandma’s attic’
August Newsletter
Posted by K Pulford on Sun, 31st Jul 2016
Click here for the August edition of our newsletter
Tour of Little Bradley
Posted by K Pulford on Mon, 18th Jul 2016
We recently had the pleasure of meeting up with Wendy Barnes from Little Bradley who gave us a ‘Virtual’ tour of Little Bradley. A large group of our members met up in the church to hear a very fascinating, interesting and passionate talk by Wendy about the history of her village. Following the talk we then assembled in a local hostelry to enjoy some refreshments.
Haverhill Summer Bash
Posted by K Pulford on Sun, 17th Jul 2016
What a great day at the 'Haverhill Summer Bash'. We had lots of people come along to our gazebo showing an interest in family history. Thanks to everyone who came along to visit us but an extra big thank you to the organisers, and their band of helpers, of this great event.
Remembering the Battle of the Somme - 100 years ag
Posted by K Pulford on Sun, 3rd Jul 2016
In partnership with the Haverhill RBL and St. Mary's Church we staged an exhibition about the Great War with biographies of the Haverhill casualties which complemented the floral displays which remembered the Battle of the Somme, 100 years ago.
Outside the Church there is a display of 20,000 poppies, one for each life lost on the first day of the Somme. This wall was organised by the RBL with help from local schools and Haverhill Ranger Guides and will remain until the 18th of November.
Leslie Cummins - first casualty on the Somme
Posted by Brian & Charmian Thompson on Fri, 1st Jul 2016
One hundred years ago 2nd LT Leslie Cummins, Haverhill's first casualty on the Somme, died on 1st July 1916. For his story please open the file in the 'file' section below.
Trip to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse
Posted by Brian & Charmian Thompson on Fri, 1st Jul 2016
On a glorious day with the sun shining, a marked contrast to the recent weather a group of our members travelled to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse in Norfolk.
The museum, very recently updated, was excellent using the latest’s technology to bring to life what it must have been like to live and work in a workhouse.
In addition to this museum there were several buildings with static displays of rural and Norfolk life ranging from old school rooms, a 1940’s shop and traditional cottages.
As if that was not all there was the farm containing rare breed farm animals where we enjoyed a tour on a trailer pulled by two beautiful Suffolk Punch horses.
The Centenary of the Somme
Posted by Webmaster on Fri, 24th Jun 2016
Take a look at the special ‘Somme’ edition of our newsletter (In the files section below) reflecting on the Centenary of the Somme. It also contains details of some special events taking place in Haverhill over the 1st, 2nd & 3rd of July.
The newsletter can be found here.
Events
Date | Details | Speaker |
---|---|---|
08/10/2015 | Weavers, Higglers & Moze Makers Joint Meeting with Haverhill L/H Group | Michael Holland |
10/11/2015 | We will Remember them Men on Haverhill St. Mary’s war memorial. St Mary’s Church, Haverhill | |
10/12/2015 | Christmas Quiz A light-hearted social evening with drinks and nibbles – All Welcome | |
02/03/2017 | Haverhill at Work Exhibition Oral History project display | |
23/12/2020 | Test Event 1 Datails spoken | A Speaker |
Contact
For further details on the programme you should contact
Secretary: Charmian Thompson
5 Hadrian Close,
Haverhill,
Suffolk, CB9 0NH
or by Email: haverhill@suffolkfhs.org.uk to our Secretary
Group Contact
Secretary: Charmian Thompson
5 Hadrian Close,
Haverhill,
Suffolk, CB9 0NH
or by Email: haverhill@suffolkfhs.org.uk to our Secretary
Group Projects
Haverhill Roll of Honour
Haverhill Roll of Honour (World War 1)
Haverhill Roll of Honour (World War 2)
Haverhill Roll of Honour (Other Conflicts)
(If you have any information/photos of Haverhill casualties please contact haverhill@suffolkfhs.org.uk)
Haverhill at Work Project (2016-17)
Haverhill People Project (2017)