Victoria County History
@vch-home.bsky.social
Begun in 1899, the Victoria County History is an encyclopaedic record of England’s places & people.
https://www.history.ac.uk/research/victoria-county-history
https://www.history.ac.uk/research/victoria-county-history
Pinned
Celebrating Local and Place-Based History: Westmorland and the 250th VCH ‘Big Red Book’
People, Place and Community Seminar
www.history.ac.uk
#ICYMI - we are celebrating the publication of our 250th #BigRedBook, and our first publication for the historic county of #Westmorland.
In September we had an event to mark this and to place the volume in the context of the series and to showcase the extraordinary work behind it. #Skystorians
In September we had an event to mark this and to place the volume in the context of the series and to showcase the extraordinary work behind it. #Skystorians
Reposted by Victoria County History
Congratulations to: Hackney Archives, Marx Memorial Library, Powys Archives @mediamuseum.bsky.social, @paulmelloncentr.bsky.social & @yorkminster.bsky.social Archives on achieving Archive Service Accreditation for the first time! (1/2)
📷 The Chapter of York, Photographer: Peter Li
📷 The Chapter of York, Photographer: Peter Li
November 20, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Congratulations to: Hackney Archives, Marx Memorial Library, Powys Archives @mediamuseum.bsky.social, @paulmelloncentr.bsky.social & @yorkminster.bsky.social Archives on achieving Archive Service Accreditation for the first time! (1/2)
📷 The Chapter of York, Photographer: Peter Li
📷 The Chapter of York, Photographer: Peter Li
Reposted by Victoria County History
Call for papers #CFP
Blood is the Price of Coal: Coal Communities, Health and Welfare in Britain and Beyond from the 19th Century to the Present
18 June 2026: 1 day conference + NUM archive exhibition
Submit abstracts / express interest at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Deadline: 25 Jan 2026
Blood is the Price of Coal: Coal Communities, Health and Welfare in Britain and Beyond from the 19th Century to the Present
18 June 2026: 1 day conference + NUM archive exhibition
Submit abstracts / express interest at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Deadline: 25 Jan 2026
November 20, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Call for papers #CFP
Blood is the Price of Coal: Coal Communities, Health and Welfare in Britain and Beyond from the 19th Century to the Present
18 June 2026: 1 day conference + NUM archive exhibition
Submit abstracts / express interest at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Deadline: 25 Jan 2026
Blood is the Price of Coal: Coal Communities, Health and Welfare in Britain and Beyond from the 19th Century to the Present
18 June 2026: 1 day conference + NUM archive exhibition
Submit abstracts / express interest at warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...
Deadline: 25 Jan 2026
Reposted by Victoria County History
I’m booked for three days of studying maps with @ihr.bsky.social in January.
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Historic Maps: Interpreting Stories of Place
Discovery Course 1
www.history.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:49 AM
I’m booked for three days of studying maps with @ihr.bsky.social in January.
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Victoria County History
Now moved on to 'other interesting Tavistock wills' in the PCC collection, and Agnes Cervington, a widow who died in 1571 has caught my eye.
She leaves piles of tin to many people (tin and copper were mined on Dartmoor) and describes her silver plate (basin, ewer, goblets, salt etc) in detail. 1/
She leaves piles of tin to many people (tin and copper were mined on Dartmoor) and describes her silver plate (basin, ewer, goblets, salt etc) in detail. 1/
November 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Now moved on to 'other interesting Tavistock wills' in the PCC collection, and Agnes Cervington, a widow who died in 1571 has caught my eye.
She leaves piles of tin to many people (tin and copper were mined on Dartmoor) and describes her silver plate (basin, ewer, goblets, salt etc) in detail. 1/
She leaves piles of tin to many people (tin and copper were mined on Dartmoor) and describes her silver plate (basin, ewer, goblets, salt etc) in detail. 1/
The Friends' Meeting House, Glastonbury (for a spell, in the 17th century) - better known as the Abbot's Kitchen.
November 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The Friends' Meeting House, Glastonbury (for a spell, in the 17th century) - better known as the Abbot's Kitchen.
Reposted by Victoria County History
This month we’re sharing different ways in which you can learn more about the archaeology at the places in the care of @nationaltrust.org.uk.
As the colder, darker nights set in it can be nice to curl up with a good book, so here are some recent publications you might find interesting. 📚🧵
As the colder, darker nights set in it can be nice to curl up with a good book, so here are some recent publications you might find interesting. 📚🧵
November 17, 2025 at 10:05 AM
This month we’re sharing different ways in which you can learn more about the archaeology at the places in the care of @nationaltrust.org.uk.
As the colder, darker nights set in it can be nice to curl up with a good book, so here are some recent publications you might find interesting. 📚🧵
As the colder, darker nights set in it can be nice to curl up with a good book, so here are some recent publications you might find interesting. 📚🧵
Reposted by Victoria County History
We’re delighted to announce the latest recipients of Research and Innovation Grants!
Congratulations to Chief Archivists in Local Government Group (within @araukie.bsky.social) & @kresenkernow.bsky.social
Read more here: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sec...
📷 Kresen Kernow
Congratulations to Chief Archivists in Local Government Group (within @araukie.bsky.social) & @kresenkernow.bsky.social
Read more here: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sec...
📷 Kresen Kernow
November 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
We’re delighted to announce the latest recipients of Research and Innovation Grants!
Congratulations to Chief Archivists in Local Government Group (within @araukie.bsky.social) & @kresenkernow.bsky.social
Read more here: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sec...
📷 Kresen Kernow
Congratulations to Chief Archivists in Local Government Group (within @araukie.bsky.social) & @kresenkernow.bsky.social
Read more here: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sec...
📷 Kresen Kernow
Reposted by Victoria County History
Huge thanks to our friends @balhnews.bsky.social for allowing us to reblog this (and, as ever, to Sarah for all her efforts).
Reflections on launching a landmark volume for us, being our 250th and the very first for Westmorland from our wonderful colleague and friend, Sarah Rose.
In this blog, Sarah looks back on the processes of research, writing, and collaboration in the context of VCH Cumbria and its work. 🗃️
In this blog, Sarah looks back on the processes of research, writing, and collaboration in the context of VCH Cumbria and its work. 🗃️
Bringing the VCH to Westmorland: Launching Lonsdale Ward, the First Red Book for Cumbria - On History
In this blogpost, Dr Sarah Rose, Assistant Editor of the Victoria County History (VCH) project in Cumbria, describes the milestone achievement of producing Westmorland volume I, Lonsdale Ward. This is...
blog.history.ac.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Huge thanks to our friends @balhnews.bsky.social for allowing us to reblog this (and, as ever, to Sarah for all her efforts).
Reflections on launching a landmark volume for us, being our 250th and the very first for Westmorland from our wonderful colleague and friend, Sarah Rose.
In this blog, Sarah looks back on the processes of research, writing, and collaboration in the context of VCH Cumbria and its work. 🗃️
In this blog, Sarah looks back on the processes of research, writing, and collaboration in the context of VCH Cumbria and its work. 🗃️
Bringing the VCH to Westmorland: Launching Lonsdale Ward, the First Red Book for Cumbria - On History
In this blogpost, Dr Sarah Rose, Assistant Editor of the Victoria County History (VCH) project in Cumbria, describes the milestone achievement of producing Westmorland volume I, Lonsdale Ward. This is...
blog.history.ac.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Reflections on launching a landmark volume for us, being our 250th and the very first for Westmorland from our wonderful colleague and friend, Sarah Rose.
In this blog, Sarah looks back on the processes of research, writing, and collaboration in the context of VCH Cumbria and its work. 🗃️
In this blog, Sarah looks back on the processes of research, writing, and collaboration in the context of VCH Cumbria and its work. 🗃️
Reposted by Victoria County History
Tonight's the night: our LATE is here! See The MERL in a whole new light with drinks, tours, and activities themed around our displays and collections.
Head to our website to get the hottest ticket in town (possibly even the entire world): merl.reading.ac.uk/event/autumn...
Head to our website to get the hottest ticket in town (possibly even the entire world): merl.reading.ac.uk/event/autumn...
November 19, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Tonight's the night: our LATE is here! See The MERL in a whole new light with drinks, tours, and activities themed around our displays and collections.
Head to our website to get the hottest ticket in town (possibly even the entire world): merl.reading.ac.uk/event/autumn...
Head to our website to get the hottest ticket in town (possibly even the entire world): merl.reading.ac.uk/event/autumn...
Reposted by Victoria County History
Do you have a steady hand and an eye for detail? We're looking for volunteers to help us with our conservation work! This is an exciting opportunity to help us look after the past for generations to come.
If you're interested, get in touch at [email protected]
If you're interested, get in touch at [email protected]
November 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Do you have a steady hand and an eye for detail? We're looking for volunteers to help us with our conservation work! This is an exciting opportunity to help us look after the past for generations to come.
If you're interested, get in touch at [email protected]
If you're interested, get in touch at [email protected]
Reposted by Victoria County History
#ICYMI: Find out more about Hampshire's Railway workers by joining a virtual event on 19 November 2025! Speakers include this our 2025 Dymond Lecture presenter, Dr Mike Esbester.
Book your place: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-f...
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Book your place: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-f...
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Finding Hampshire's Railway Workers | Forthcoming Local History Events | British Association For Local History
Forthcoming Local History Events Finding Hampshire's Railway Workers
www.balh.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
#ICYMI: Find out more about Hampshire's Railway workers by joining a virtual event on 19 November 2025! Speakers include this our 2025 Dymond Lecture presenter, Dr Mike Esbester.
Book your place: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-f...
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Book your place: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-f...
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Reposted by Victoria County History
Couple of wills talks coming up: I'm presenting to the Devonshire Association, Tavistock & West Devon branch on Friday.
Then next Friday @bhamhistory.bsky.social & I are giving a talk at a joint Devon History Society & Devon Archaeological society workshop at Devon Heritage Centre.
🗃️
Then next Friday @bhamhistory.bsky.social & I are giving a talk at a joint Devon History Society & Devon Archaeological society workshop at Devon Heritage Centre.
🗃️
November 17, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Couple of wills talks coming up: I'm presenting to the Devonshire Association, Tavistock & West Devon branch on Friday.
Then next Friday @bhamhistory.bsky.social & I are giving a talk at a joint Devon History Society & Devon Archaeological society workshop at Devon Heritage Centre.
🗃️
Then next Friday @bhamhistory.bsky.social & I are giving a talk at a joint Devon History Society & Devon Archaeological society workshop at Devon Heritage Centre.
🗃️
Reposted by Victoria County History
Delighted everyone found this sculpture as delightful as me!
Tombs, monuments & funerals are something I will be writing about as part of my wills research project - I wonder what insights 25,000 English wills will bring?
🪦⚰️📜🗃️
All the info on the project here: sites.exeter.ac.uk/materialcult...
Tombs, monuments & funerals are something I will be writing about as part of my wills research project - I wonder what insights 25,000 English wills will bring?
🪦⚰️📜🗃️
All the info on the project here: sites.exeter.ac.uk/materialcult...
November 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Delighted everyone found this sculpture as delightful as me!
Tombs, monuments & funerals are something I will be writing about as part of my wills research project - I wonder what insights 25,000 English wills will bring?
🪦⚰️📜🗃️
All the info on the project here: sites.exeter.ac.uk/materialcult...
Tombs, monuments & funerals are something I will be writing about as part of my wills research project - I wonder what insights 25,000 English wills will bring?
🪦⚰️📜🗃️
All the info on the project here: sites.exeter.ac.uk/materialcult...
Reposted by Victoria County History
This #MapMonday let us take you back in time ⌛
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
November 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
This #MapMonday let us take you back in time ⌛
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
Reposted by Victoria County History
New archive to follow on Bluesky 🎉
Welcome to Oxfordshire History Centre @oxhistcentre.bsky.social !
Catch up with more UK and Irish archive accounts at bsky.app/profile/did:... - check the 'People' tab to see who's listed or pin for a readymade archive feed 📜📲
Welcome to Oxfordshire History Centre @oxhistcentre.bsky.social !
Catch up with more UK and Irish archive accounts at bsky.app/profile/did:... - check the 'People' tab to see who's listed or pin for a readymade archive feed 📜📲
Hello all, the Oxfordshire History Centre is now on Bluesky!
November 17, 2025 at 10:27 AM
New archive to follow on Bluesky 🎉
Welcome to Oxfordshire History Centre @oxhistcentre.bsky.social !
Catch up with more UK and Irish archive accounts at bsky.app/profile/did:... - check the 'People' tab to see who's listed or pin for a readymade archive feed 📜📲
Welcome to Oxfordshire History Centre @oxhistcentre.bsky.social !
Catch up with more UK and Irish archive accounts at bsky.app/profile/did:... - check the 'People' tab to see who's listed or pin for a readymade archive feed 📜📲
Reposted by Victoria County History
I thought I would mark the occasion by making an interactive dashboard of the London Lives Westminster Coroners Inquests. sharonhoward.github.io/mindseye_of/...
November 14, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I thought I would mark the occasion by making an interactive dashboard of the London Lives Westminster Coroners Inquests. sharonhoward.github.io/mindseye_of/...
Reposted by Victoria County History
Hi there! We’re the Archive Sector Leadership team at The National Archives UK.
We support archives of all types and sizes across England.
Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
(1/2)
We support archives of all types and sizes across England.
Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
(1/2)
November 10, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Hi there! We’re the Archive Sector Leadership team at The National Archives UK.
We support archives of all types and sizes across England.
Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
(1/2)
We support archives of all types and sizes across England.
Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
(1/2)
Reposted by Victoria County History
Does anyone have any recent reading recommendations on how people (particularly working-class people) adjusted to technological change in the long c19th?
By reading list feels a little dated...
Thanks!
By reading list feels a little dated...
Thanks!
November 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Does anyone have any recent reading recommendations on how people (particularly working-class people) adjusted to technological change in the long c19th?
By reading list feels a little dated...
Thanks!
By reading list feels a little dated...
Thanks!
Reposted by Victoria County History
This humorous addition was spotted by one of our super volunteers in a building control plan for a house on Eaton Road in Norwich, dated March 1951. It seems that the grey watercolour for the window appears elephant-like and this has been emphasised with pencil. #HouseHisto ry #NorwichHistory
November 13, 2025 at 10:26 AM
This humorous addition was spotted by one of our super volunteers in a building control plan for a house on Eaton Road in Norwich, dated March 1951. It seems that the grey watercolour for the window appears elephant-like and this has been emphasised with pencil. #HouseHisto ry #NorwichHistory
This is the sort of development-led archaeology that both informs our work, and which can draw on it to provide historical context for archaeological discoveries.
In this case, we have the whole area covered in our Somerset volumes 3 and 11.
Vol. 3 is available @bho.bsky.social. #Skystorians
In this case, we have the whole area covered in our Somerset volumes 3 and 11.
Vol. 3 is available @bho.bsky.social. #Skystorians
November 14, 2025 at 10:10 AM
This is the sort of development-led archaeology that both informs our work, and which can draw on it to provide historical context for archaeological discoveries.
In this case, we have the whole area covered in our Somerset volumes 3 and 11.
Vol. 3 is available @bho.bsky.social. #Skystorians
In this case, we have the whole area covered in our Somerset volumes 3 and 11.
Vol. 3 is available @bho.bsky.social. #Skystorians
Reposted by Victoria County History
This looks great! Just the sort of collaboration our project likes to see - well done all involved 👏
V jealous of whoever gets them - wish this had been available after my PhD!
👇
V jealous of whoever gets them - wish this had been available after my PhD!
👇
🎉We are pleased to announce new Applied History Fellowships in partnership with @royalhistsoc.org & @findmypast.bsky.social.
Join us on the 19 November at our launch event to find out more about the Fellowships and how to apply:
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Join us on the 19 November at our launch event to find out more about the Fellowships and how to apply:
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
November 13, 2025 at 1:40 PM
This looks great! Just the sort of collaboration our project likes to see - well done all involved 👏
V jealous of whoever gets them - wish this had been available after my PhD!
👇
V jealous of whoever gets them - wish this had been available after my PhD!
👇
Reposted by Victoria County History
Join us on 11 December at 7pm for our annual Dymond Lecture. This year, Dr Mike Esbester explores the hidden human stories behind Britain's Reailways.
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
November 13, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Join us on 11 December at 7pm for our annual Dymond Lecture. This year, Dr Mike Esbester explores the hidden human stories behind Britain's Reailways.
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Reposted by Victoria County History
Mapping Identities Conference 9/02/26-10/02/26 Call for Papers.
We warmly invite expressions of interest in the form of 250-word abstracts and 100-word short biographies Wednesday 17/12/25
tinyurl.com/3nnacccd
We warmly invite expressions of interest in the form of 250-word abstracts and 100-word short biographies Wednesday 17/12/25
tinyurl.com/3nnacccd
November 12, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Mapping Identities Conference 9/02/26-10/02/26 Call for Papers.
We warmly invite expressions of interest in the form of 250-word abstracts and 100-word short biographies Wednesday 17/12/25
tinyurl.com/3nnacccd
We warmly invite expressions of interest in the form of 250-word abstracts and 100-word short biographies Wednesday 17/12/25
tinyurl.com/3nnacccd
Reposted by Victoria County History
Do you hold collections that relate to the Holocaust, whether that be its prehistory, its aftermath, or the role of antisemitism before, during and after WWII?
The European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI) are keen to hear from you... (1/3)
The European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI) are keen to hear from you... (1/3)
November 11, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Do you hold collections that relate to the Holocaust, whether that be its prehistory, its aftermath, or the role of antisemitism before, during and after WWII?
The European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI) are keen to hear from you... (1/3)
The European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI) are keen to hear from you... (1/3)