Behind the scenes of county history (From Borehamwood Times)

Behind the scenes of county history

10:00am Sunday 1st March 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(6)

Anyone keen to trace their family history can take an in-depth look at county archives at a series of open days starting next month.

The Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies department plans to run free tours at its base in County Hall, in Hertford.

The department was formerly the joint County Record Office and Local Studies Library and is now part of the county council’s children, schools and families service. It collects and preserves historical records associated with the county, including original documents, books, newspapers, maps and images.

The tours will give visitors a quick guide to what is where in the local studies library and archive reading room. They can also get a chance to peep behind the scenes and see the archive strong rooms.

Also, a series of courses are starting next month to help people create detailed family trees.

Meet the Ancestors is run by Hertfordshire County Council, which hopes the BBC’s recent screening of another series of Who Do You Think You Are?

will inspire people to look into their own history.

Participants will learn about sources of information, including census returns, parish registers, wills and probate indexes, newspapers and trade directories and the internet. They will also learn how to organise their research, how to put it all together and produce a family tree. The first course starts on March 10 and is already fully booked, but the council is urging people to show their interest so it can set a date for the next course.

County councillor Keith Emsall, executive member for education and culture, said: “The level of interest in family and local history has remained very high over the past several years and demand for these courses just seems to keep growing.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to find what’s available and to help them develop their own study skills.

“Our courses are all run by highly trained and experienced staff and are geared for beginners and more experienced researchers.”

The council has also produced a book, Tracing your Family History in Hertfordshire, by staff from the Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies department, which costs £9.99.

For more details about the book, tour or courses, call the customer service centre on 01923 471333 or 01438 737333 and ask for Local Studies or email hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(6)