The important role of flare stars (UV Ceti type variables) in astrophysics is due to the fact that the flare activity is not only typical for red stars with small masses but is a necessary stage during their evolution. The flare star search in stellar aggregates has led to the accumulation of rich observational material allowing us to look for statistical regularities in star formation and evolution. At present, there are more than 1500 known flare stars in the Galaxy; these were discovered mainly during the last 30 years. Most results of the long term monitoring with wide-field telescopes are listed in existing catalogues of flare stars in stellar aggregates and in the solar neighbourhood. These catalogues and their machine-readable versions were the basis for the present database of flare stars in the Galaxy.