Founded in 1977, the society aims to promote the study of family history in the Strathclyde area.

It has hived off daughter societies in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire in the last 40 years. It has a Research Centre in Partick, open to the public. The centre contains an extensive library of books, periodicals, journals from overseas societies, CDs and DVDs, all relating to genealogy. There is a range of computers with their own family history software as well as subscription software from major commercial providers.

The society also provides monthly talks for its members during the winter season, with the guest speakers having expertise in various branches of family history.

The membership is worldwide and an award winning Journal is issued three times each year.