Latest news

  • 2nd December 2024
Introducing the Sandys Family of Ombersley, Part Two

Born in 1764, Mary Marchioness of Downshire and Baroness Sandys (1764-1836) was the middle child of Colonel The Honourable Martin Sandys (1729-1768) and Mary Trumbell (1741-1769). Playmate to the Prince of Wales, she knew little of her parents as they died young. An orphan aged six, and with her maternal grandparents also deceased, Mary and...

  • 18th November 2024
Introducing the Sandys Family of Ombersley, Part One

This blog contains a reference to slavery. The complex lineage of the Sandys family begins with Edwin Sandys born in 1518. A Protestant Cleric to King Edward VI, he later fled the country to avoid a sentence of death upon the Catholic Queen Mary’s accession to the throne. Under Elizabeth I, he served as Bishop...

  • 23rd October 2024
What do you know about Sheila Scott?

We are looking for help to find out more about Worcester born Sheila Scott and expand our archive collections for future researchers. Join us at The Hive to share your knowledge or let us know via our online enquiry form. Perhaps best known as a female aviator who in her lifetime broke over one hundred...

  • 21st October 2024
Marriage Registers at The Hive

The latest records catalogued as part of the New Burdens project are duplicate copies of marriage registers held on behalf of the Worcestershire Registration Service. In this blog we explain the General Register Office (GRO) and how Birth, Marriage and Death certificates held by the GRO can help you trace your family history. Amongst the...

  • 23rd September 2024
Milestone Ground Broadway – Open Day

Join our archaeologists to see the exciting excavation, which is uncovering 8,000 years of human history, from prehistory to the medieval period in Broadway. On Saturday 12th October the team will be offering free guided tours from 11am-3pm to allow local residents to see this fascinating site. No booking required, just drop-in to see finds...

  • 8th July 2024
From petty crimes to ‘poor man’s bread’ – the surprising value of watercress revealed in the Worcestershire Petty Sessions

  Stealing of watercress recorded in the Stourport on Severn-Petty sessions at Ref 499.1 BA8470/28 p.73 Petty Sessions and Magistrates Court records are amongst some of the huge variety of public records held with Worcestershire Archives on behalf of Worcestershire County Council as part of The Public Records Act. The Public Records act requires certain...

  • 5th July 2024
Brass Bands

While enjoying Pershore Midsummer Brass Festival this month we thought we would look through the archives for material on brass bands. Pershore Midsummer Brass is held on the first Saturday of July each year, in various venues through Pershore, Worcestershire. It has been running now for over 20 years. We know that many people in...

  • 25th June 2024
Celebrating Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Roots in Worcestershire

This Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, we look back at the lives, histories and culture of a community crucial to the development of our county. Established in June 2008, the month celebrates, educates and raises awareness of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community across wider society to tackle prejudice and challenge misconceptions. Nomadic peoples...