Victoria County History
What a difference a day makes! The volunteers who were at the Hub on 23 March may have suspected there weren’t going to be many more opportunities for further cataloguing or research, but little did we think that Monday session was categorically going to be ‘it’ for the foreseeable future. For many of us, domestic adjustments to self-isolation quite properly have a much higher priority than historical research, but once we’ve got used to the new normal (however long it lasts), thoughts will start turning again to matters historical – even if only to make a change from thinking about the present.
With original records beyond reach for the time being, we are now being thrown back on digital resources, or images already saved from previous Hub visits. Cheltenham volunteers are being guided by Sally Self towards making a start on Charlton Kings - recording notes from available online sources including newspapers, directories, BGAS Gazetteer online, Times online and of course Find my Past. This will be invaluable groundwork for the future study of the parish, to form part of VCH Gloucestershire Vol 15. Just before the lockdown, we had been in preliminary discussions with a professional historian about researching medieval Leckhampton, also for volume 15. Obviously she’s not going to be able to get to the Hub anytime soon, but we’ll be keen to progress this when we can. Other research is also going ahead, particularly on the Churn Valley parishes, based on notes already made, but it’s going to be harder to really finalise any drafts when sources and references can’t be physically checked.
Sally Self researching at the Heritage Hub Leckhampton
Various academic institutions have been ‘unlocking’ some of their online holdings, or at least advertising them more widely, and details of these can be accessed via https://blog.history.ac.uk/2020/03/supporting-the-historical-community-the-ihrs-contribution/ Frustrated researchers are strongly encouraged to check these out. They may not have precisely the book or the database you need, but you’re sure to make some serendipitous discoveries while you search. And goodness knows, we could all use some serendipity!
VCH volunteers at the Heritage Hub
For more information about Victoria County History Gloucestershire visit www.history.ac.uk/research/victoria-county-history/county-histories-progress/gloucestershire
and www.vchglosacademy.org/