Warwickshire’s Past Unlocked
The online catalogue that allows surfers to trace Warwickshire’s past has been further updated with entries now totalling in excess of 71,000.
Warwickshire’s Past Unlocked gives an outline description of some of the original archives held in the County Record Office. Charting over 900 years of Warwickshire’s past, it provides an electronic signpost to the fascinating documents that reveal the county’s history.
Staff are constantly updating the catalogue and they are pleased to announce that the details all the parish records for Warwickshire that have been catalogued can now be found through this resource . Recent additions include Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Atherstone and Central Hospital in Hatton. The current project is to include the catalogues for Warwickshire schools and many have already been added.
And surfers do not have to be family historians to enjoy the benefits of Warwickshire’s Past Unlocked. With useful tips provided online, it can help those seeking to trace all aspects of local history or simply find old photographs of their neighbourhood. The Record Office also runs short induction courses for those who want some help getting started.
Lesley Caine, archivist at Warwickshire County Record Office said: “Updating Warwickshire’s Past unlocked is an ongoing project. We now have just over 12% of our catalogues searchable on the internet through the Record Office’s website. Tracing local history or family history has never been so popular and we’re pleased to be making even more information available online to help people identify sources before they visit us to find out what happened to their ancestors or their area in days gone by.”
The original documents are kept at the Record Office, and the website provides full details of opening hours, and how to visit and view the documents. Admission is free but visitors are asked to bring ID to register for a readers’ ticket.
The next induction session for Warwickshire’s Past Unlocked is at the Record Office from 10am – 11am on Thursday 24 May. Booking is essential by phoning 01926 738959.
Those interested can log onto http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/archivesunlocked to find out more.