Residents are being invited to delve into Derbyshire archives
Posted on November 19 2013
Residents are being invited to delve into their local history as Derbyshire Record Office takes part in the very first nationwide Explore Your Archive week this month.
This campaign aims to encourage people to discover the stories, facts, places and people at the heart of local communities.
The record office is based in New Street, Matlock. It is hosting a series of Regency-themed events to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice.
Part of the novel was written in Derbyshire, but there are many real life stories from the Austen era that can be discovered in the archives.
DCC’s Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Ellie Wilcox said:
“Visiting an archive can take you on a real adventure − reading, touching and exploring the original documents created by people hundreds of years ago is an experience you can’t get anywhere else.”
“There are more than five miles of documents that date back 900 years at our record office. Whether you’re interested in fashion, sport, food or UFOs, there’ll be something to inspire you in our archives.”
Archives across the UK and Ireland are taking part in Explore Your Archive week, run in partnership with the National Archives and Archives and Records Association, to raise awareness of the value of material that is held, preserved and made available to users.
Explore your Archive week event at Derbyshire Record Office:
Friday 22 November – 2pm: At this FREE event called Love, War and Ladies’ Maids participants go behind the scenes to collect a mystery document from the stores and then help to uncover the hidden stories in the collection. To whet people’s appetites the Record Office is letting on that the stories are known to be inspired by the popular novels Pride and Prejudice and Sharpe. Booking is required on 01629 538347 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Saturday 23 November – 10am to noon: This FREE family poetry workshop encourages people of all ages to create their own illustrated poems in the style of the romantic poets. Visitors can drop in anytime between 10am and noon.
Running now until Wednesday 4 December: The exhibition Turnpikes, Tolls and Terror?: travelling through Regency Derbyshire hosted in the Record Office foyer showcases original 18th and 19th Century records telling tales of turnpikes and highwaymen.
Find out more about Derbyshire Record Office by visiting its blog http://recordoffice.wordpress.com or www.derbyshire.gov.uk/recordoffice and for more about Explore your Archive week visit http://www.exploreyourarchive.org