Posted by: Blog Administrator
on Jan 28, 2012
Tagged in:
Wroughton ,
Wilton ,
WI ,
Warminster ,
social history ,
Richard Broadhead ,
Purton ,
Poulshot ,
Potterne ,
museum ,
memoir ,
local studies ,
local history ,
Library ,
labourer ,
general election ,
flood ,
Corsham ,
collection ,
Bromham ,
Box ,
Blunsdon
We get a great many visitors passing through our doors, honing in on those invaluable parish registers, wills, non-conformist records etc. Some venture further, taking a look at what else the History Centre has to offer, but for many, little do they realise that they are missing out on some essential information – the contextual evidence that brings life to those ancestors they are searching so long and hard to find.
The Wiltshire Local Studies Collection is a unique resource available at the History Centre which can do just that. I have searched the shelves to give you just a taste of what is on offer if you have a little extra time to look whilst you are here. If not, many of our books are available to loan via your local library, all you need to do is put in a request.
Memoirs
Posted by: Blog Administrator
on Jun 15, 2011
Tagged in:
William Isles ,
Tony Maclachan ,
Sir William Waller ,
Sir Thomas Fairfax ,
Sir James Long ,
Sir Edward Hungerford ,
Sir Edward Bayntun ,
Royalist ,
Rowden House ,
Roundway Down ,
re-enactment ,
Parliamentarian ,
Monkton Park ,
Mercurius ,
local studies ,
Lieutenant-Colonel William Eyres ,
Library ,
George Lowe ,
Col. Ludford ,
Civil War ,
Chippenham
A re-enactment event is being staged in Monkton Park, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June (11am – 5pm). With this in mind, I have delved into the Local Studies Library to arm you with further information regarding exactly what occurred in Chippenham during the Civil War period.
Map of Chippenham, mid to late 17th century
Ref: 118/53
Tony MacLachlan has written an excellent account in his book ‘The Civil War in Wiltshire’, which is well worth looking at, and is the basis for the information provided here.
Posted by: Blog Administrator
on Dec 31, 2009
Tagged in:
Wiltshire Community History ,
Wilton ,
website ,
Victorianschool ,
school life ,
plans ,
parish ,
Lydiard Millicent ,
log books ,
local studies ,
early photographs
Our Wiltshire Community History website is one of the Local Studies section's ongoing projects to place a history of each Wiltshire parish online. One of the subjects looked into is that of Victorian schools. The establishment of schools in the parish is researched and, where Victorian school log books survive, they are looked at to give an account of school life. Also included are early surviving photographs or plans.
Wilton National School, early 20th century
Extract from the Community History entry for Lydiard Millicent:
The main subjects taught in Victorian schools are very similar to today, being reading, arithmetic, writing, grammar and geography. A large emphasis was also placed on scripture and religious education (often taken by the Reverend who visited frequently). In October 1872 the older children contributed and bought four scripture prints for the school. The girls were taught needlework and the boys drawing, and there was also dictation. Singing was important; the children learnt songs and did repetitions. Songs included ‘The Canadian Boat Song’, written by Thomas Moore following his year long trip to America, Bermuda and the West Indies. It was published in 1805 and begins:
“Faintly as tolls the evening chime
Our voices keep tune and our oars keep time... [Please 'read more']
Posted by: Blog Administrator
on Nov 3, 2009
Tagged in:
Work Experience ,
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. ,
volunteers ,
village ,
variety ,
unlock ,
treasure-hunting ,
townswomen’s guild have ,
telephone rings ,
team meeting ,
strong room ,
search room ,
research ,
public ,
profession ,
procedures ,
Principal Archivist ,
postal strike ,
post ,
photographs ,
past ,
paperwork ,
owner ,
mould-infected ,
local studies ,
local school ,
local hospital ,
local history ,
living records ,
legal case ,
late 19th and early 20th centuries ,
laptop ,
jigsaw puzzle ,
information ,
immediate action ,
heritage field ,
guest speaker ,
glimpse ,
front door ,
file ,
fictional ,
fascination ,
eager ,
e-mails ,
duties ,
drying room ,
donation ,
day in the life ,
database ,
data projector ,
Council staff ,
computer ,
community centre ,
collection ,
Claire Skinner ,
challenge ,
catalogue ,
Archivist ,
archives conservators ,
Archives ,
archive service ,
afternoon meeting ,
accessioning ,
A-level history
No day is ever exactly like another for archivists, which is one of the reasons I went into the profession. It offers variety, challenge and a fascination for anyone interested in the past. The day below is a fictional one, a composite of many days in my life and those of my colleagues, designed to give a brief glimpse of just some of our many duties.
The Principal Archivist, Claire Skinner at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Open Day, 2007
Today begins with our monthly team meeting – an opportunity for staff in both archives and local studies to talk about the operation of the search room and see if we can improve our procedures. Following this I unlock the front door at the usual time of 9.30 am and let in the people already waiting patiently outside, obviously eager to come in and begin or continue their research! 'Read more' to find out what else the day brings......
