Local History
Introduction
There’s plenty of help around if you’re thinking of setting up a new group or looking to try something different.
- Get in touch! Perhaps you’d like to talk things through?
- Have a look at the miniguides. They provide a quick overview of many activities you could consider, including examples. I hope that they spark a few ideas.
- Check the Online learning events. I arrange occasional talks by experts such as the National Archives which I hope will inspire you and your group.
- All members are welcome to join us at the Local History Interest Groups Online group. Perhaps you cannot access a local history group, or there is insufficient interest? Or can’t get enough local history?
- Or perhaps you would like to invite a speaker to your meetings? Here's the link to a range of history talks and speakers.
About me
I’ve facilitated my Local History Group for about eight years, experimenting with a wide range of approaches and preferences. There isn’t much we haven’t tried.
My interest in local history grew out of researching my family history, and I wanted to learn more about the town I live in. I love researching, using both online sources and archive documents.
I have collaborated with national and local heritage groups. I write historical fiction and nonfiction.
Local history miniguides - tips & ideas
To read all the documents below in one complete download, please click here:
| Online Research Archives | |
| Heritage hubs & research centres e.g. | |
| History, heritage and archaeology socs e.g. | Community Archive & Heritage Group |
| Landed estates e.g | Argyll Estates at Inverary Castle |
| Schools, e.g. | Fettes College |
| Members’ clubs e.g. | Glasgow Art Club |
| Individual businesses e.g. |
House of Fraser (University of Glasgow) Oil & Gas Archive ‘Capturing the Energy’ at the University of Aberdeen |
| Games e.g. | Commonwealth Games Scotland at University of Stirling Archives and Special Collections |
| Theatre e.g. | Scottish Theatre Archive at University of Glasgow Special Collections |
| Finding material, help and tips | |
| Use online catalogues, indexes, subject guides e.g. |
The National Archives Discovery Scottish Archive Network Archives Hub National Register of Archives for Scotland (historically significant papers in private hands) |
| Online catalogues, indexes, subject and research guides on individual websites e.g. | Uni of Edinburgh Centre for Research Collections catalogue |