Following the tradition of rock bands everywhere historians from Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre are still touring. In their latest Community Areas Tour they are staging events in the 18 Community Areas of Wiltshire this autumn and in spring 2010. In the next few weeks you can catch;

Find Out Who You Are, steps in the early stages of family history research with Claire Skinner and Michael Marshman at Salisbury Library on Wednesday 25^th November. A morning course from 9.30 to 1.00 p.m. with tickets at £10.00 available at Salisbury Library.

Poor Law Records, 1600 – 1833, a talk by Terry Bracher on the old Poor Law and its treatment of ordinary people at Corsham Library on Wednesday 25^th November. Starting at 2.30 p.m. tickets are available from Corsham Library at £3.50 (£2.50 concessions).Please 'read more' to find out more about our other events occuring throughout Wiltshire....

The Poor House at Box was built in 1727 to provide poor relief under the Elizabethan Poor Law. It was also used to house the local school set up earlier by the vicar.

 In the evening of the same day (25^th November) you can catch Michael Marshman speaking about the Origins of Pub Names to the Westbury History Society at the United Reformed Church, Westbury. This starts at 7.30 p.m.

The Angel, Lacock. This name could have several origins – the sign may have originally been a nun (most likely for Lacock and its Abbey), it might have been the Archangel Gabriel from the sign of the Salutation Inn, or it could refer to an angel coin, 6/8d, one third of a guinea. In 1855 there were Angels at Westbury, Devizes, Marlborough, Chippenham, Heytesbury, Market Lavington, Sherston Magna, Wootton Bassett, Salisbury and Purton, as well as Lacock.
Poor Law Records 1834-1939, a talk by Terry Bracher on the effects of the New Poor Law on our ancestors after the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834. Hear him at Box Library on Tuesday 1^st December at 2.30 p.m. Tickets at £3.50 (£2.50 concessions) from Box and Corsham Libraries.

The Melksham Union Work House was completed in 1839 to house the poor from the parishes of Melksham, Semington, Hilperton, Seend, Trowbridge and Whaddon under the terms of the new Poor Law.

 After a Christmas and New Year break the tour will continue in other parts of Wiltshire.