Join, Contact and FAQ
How to join us
Introduction
Causeway Coast and Glens Family History Society (CCG) is a Branch of the North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS). We share a common interest in researching family history primarily in the Causeway area but also in other parts of Ireland. We hold regular meetings, training courses are available and we have a very large collection of on-line local genealogical records.
Members exchange information on names they are researching but we are not professional genealogists. We will however try to suggest how you might advance your research. If you would like to sample some of our records, click on the sample search link at the bottom of this page. To gain access to the full sets of records you need to be a member of CCG Branch.
How to join us
This is a two step process.
- STEP ONE: In order to join you need to go to the main NIFHS website at www.nifhs.org and then click on the Join The Society button at the top of the screen. This takes you to a page where you can choose between single and joint membership as well as choosing a Branch to join e.g. CCG.
- STEP TWO: Then, if your ancestors came from the CCG area or you are interested in this area we would strongly encourage you to join this Branch – Causeway Coast and Glens Family History Society. If you do NIFHS will inform us automatically.
Receiving your Login details
As you will now have joined two organisations with resources on two different systems you will receive two logins and two passwords. First from NIFHS and, after you join or renew your subscription with Causeway Coast and Glens Family History Society, we will email you a login and a separate password annually to gain access to Causeway Coast and Glens Family History Society Branch website.
Membership cost covers access to both organisations websites.
How to contact us
By e-mail
As our charity is run by volunteers there may not always be someone available to respond immediately. However, we do monitor our e-mail address and the contact forms and will endeavour to contact you as soon as possible.
You can contact us via e-mail to: causewayfhs@gmail.com. If the issue is in relation to passwords please contact us via e-mail to: return2causeway@gmail.com. Clicking on either link will open your e-mail app.
Or use our Contact Form. The contact form has a simple test to ensure that we do not receive spam messages. Please enter the correct value before submitting the form.
Contact Form
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE NIFHS
NIFHS (North of Ireland Family History Society) has around 1400 members spread across 9 branches. Causeway Coast and Glens (CCG) is a branch member of NIFHS.
NIFHS has a library and meeting rooms at Unit C4, Valley Business Centre, 67 Church St, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland BT36 7LS. Individual branches do not have permanent premises and either meet virtually by Zoom or by hiring premises for meetings.
CCG has around 150 members and is currently the largest individual branch.
CCG MEMBERSHIP COST
Annual membership is £25 and joint is £40. Two people at the same address may join as Joint Members, paying less than two individuals. Joint Members will receive all the benefits of individual membership but only one copy of the Society Journal, North Irish Roots. Joint Members will be included on one account and will use the Primary Member’s e-mail to login to the Members’ Area. All communications from the Society will be sent to the Primary Member only.
Membership is yearly from 1st September until 31 August. Anyone joining from 1st May will be enrolled until 31st August the following year.
HOW OFTEN AND WHERE ARE MEETINGS HELD
CCG Branch meetings are held 9 times a year (September to November and January to June), normally on the last Tuesday of the month at 8.00pm UK time. Meetings are held in the Sandel Centre, Coleraine, Co Londonderry/Derry but overseas members and others not able to attend in person, can attend by Zoom. Meetings are also normally recorded and available on-line for a few weeks afterwards.
CAN I ATTEND ANOTHER NIFHS BRANCH’s TALKS
Yes, if Zoom is available (not every branch uses it), by emailing the branch secretary, you will then be sent a Zoom link. The Talks for all branches are all listed at the main website: Events and Courses.
WHAT RECORDS DOES THE NIFHS LIBRARY HOLD
The NIFHS Research Centre in Newtownabbey has a library containing many publications and record sets, plus maps, free access to findmypast and other resources which you can visit by appointment (bookings@nifhs.org). These resources are not on-line and if you cannot get there, you can request a Look Up via their website: Lookup@nifhs.org
WHAT RECORDS ARE ON THE CCG BRANCH WEBSITE
As a Member, you will be able to log in to the Members’ Area of our website to access over 92,000 (and increasing) church baptism, marriage, burial records plus many other records relating e.g. Limavady workhouse deaths (1840-1870), 1718 migration records, Registry of Deeds records, funeral cards, Londonderry Sentinel marriage notices, family histories and much more – see here for more details.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF JOINING
Benefits include attending genealogical and historical talks, receive the twice yearly NIFHS journal, opportunities to obtain advice and share information with other members, access to the Branch website with Church records plus many other sets of local records. There are also opportunities to volunteer with transcription work, opportunities to use the NIFHS library, participate in DNA projects and to attend training courses.
PASSWORDS
You will receive two passwords. NIFHS headquarters has its own website and after you join or renew your subscription you will be allocated a password for it. You should join through their website at: NIFHS.
As CCG Branch has its own website its members will be emailed a separate password annually to gain access to the website and records.
I CAN’T LOG IN TO MY CCG ACCOUNT
Please check that you are using your CCG password and not your NIFHS one. If the problem persists please e-mail the CCG Membership Secretary on: return2causeway@gmail.com. If the issue is IT in nature please use the same e-mail address. Clicking on this link will open your e-mail app. We will endeavour to resolve any issue as soon as possible.