Archive

In our final blog exploring how licensing files can assist research into how entertainment venues in Worcestershire may have undergone changes through time, we investigate the amazing story of Malvern Theatres. We explore the history of the theatre from the 19th century which began life as the ‘Assembly Rooms’ to the present day, using archives...

Mary Marchioness of Downshire and Baroness Sandys (1764-1836) was the middle child of Colonel Martin Sandys (1729-1768) and Mary Trumbull (1741-1769). Known as ‘the Little Marchioness’, she grew up as part of the extended royal circle – her father being an Equerry to the King’s uncle – yet her childhood was one of tragedy. An...

Welcome to Dig Diaries We’re excited to share the beginning of our excavation with you. In this first post, we’ll take you back to what was known about the site before we began digging in the summer of 2024, as well as our discoveries from the first few months on site. The Story Behind the...

The 1921 census is now available on Findmypast.co.uk which can be accessed by customers in The Hive for free, and on Ancestry which can be accessed for free within all Worcestershire Libraries. What a great time to take another look at your family history and add the next level of information. Taken in June 1921,...

As we begin #LGBTQ+ month, we look at the records that shed light on a community whose story is not often heard in the narrative of the past. In 2012, Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service were delighted to receive a deposit from Hereford & Worcestershire Lesbian & Gay Switchboard (ref BA15404). This collection of minutes,...