Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Board games can be great fun… if you can get your head around the rules! We found this one in the Luttrell Collection (ref. DD/L/3/1/2).

“Whoever throws the Number where any one else stands, then the first must give way to the last, and go back to the Place he came from” seems to be asking for trouble. Would you remember which square you were on two throws ago?

If you’re a games fan don’t forget the Explore The Play Experience at the Museum of Somerset https://swheritage.org.uk/events/explore-the-play-experience/

Today is World Calligraphy Day! Here’s an image of a page from Bishop Stillington’s register dated 1465 (ref. D/D/breg/7). It features some fancy writing as well as this ornate letter 'S' ✒️

For the last 7 years, our growing team of volunteers has been steadily transcribing Somerset's collection of Land Tax records. These are a fascinating but often overlooked archive listing the owners, occupiers and plots of land for every tithing and parish in the county between 1766-1832. They're a wonderful name-rich resource and can be useful for family, house and social history.

As of today, they have completed 25% of the county's returns, a staggering 167 tithings out of 671 in total! You can find PDF copies of the transcripts through the archive catalogue, index entries for the completed hundreds can be searched there too, and the high-res digitised images can be viewed on the screens in the searchroom.

We're so proud of our volunteers' achievement, and here's to the next 25%! 🎉

The Childhood and Fun Archives Pop-up is all ready to go at the Museum of Somerset, Taunton. It will only be there today (until mid afternoon). If you're in town feel free to drop by and say hello!

School's out for summer... However, throughout June and July we've had seven work experience students assisting us at the Somerset Heritage Centre with all things archivey.

They've listed 3 boxes of BBC Somerset radio interviews, a box of Weston super Mare building control plans, and 3 bundles of Bishops' orders for repairs to parsonage houses and church properties.

That's not all though, oh no! They've also finished the transcribing of a 19th century travel diary and worked on collections care of over 12 boxes of estate collections.

Here are some of the old labels that the students have been replaced with nice archive friendly card 🙂

Last Friday we celebrated all the work our fabulous volunteers undertake for the Somerset Archives & Local Studies Service. Naturally, there was cake! 🎉🍰

If you're interested in volunteering for the South West Heritage Trust you can find further details here 👉 https://swheritage.org.uk/about-us/volunteering/

If you're looking for a quiet place to read a good book, why not join us at the Somerset Heritage Centre this Friday (31 July), 11am-1pm, for our . We'd love to see you.

Further details can be found 👉 https://swheritage.org.uk/events/silent-book-club/

Did you know that on this day in 1940 it was proposed that the Local Defence Volunteers change its name to the Home Guard?

The official personnel records of Home Guard units have been transferred by the Ministry of Defence to the The National Archives in Kew. However, we do hold some records relating to the Home Guard amongst our collections, including this photograph of the Wellington Home Guard taken by professional photographer, S.W. Kenyon (ref. A/DQN/6/2535D).

Now, how many of you are trying to spot if anyone in the photograph resembles one of the cast of Dad's Army?