Events - Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service

Enjoy a rare opportunity to view Shakespeare’s marriage bond and entry in the Bishop’s Register, held here in Worcestershire Archives. Then join internationally renowned Shakespeare experts as they explore the mysteries of these documents, as well as marriage in the period and the plays, and cultural depictions and afterlives of this marriage in Shakespeare’s work and biographies.

Why were the Shakespeares married in Worcester? Where did the marriage take place? How unusual was the marriage, and what did it mean to the Shakespeares? Find out with Prof Nicoleta Cinpoes, Rev Dr Paul Edmondson and Tom Mandall.

Book your place for the archive viewing sessions and talk here (tickets £5).

If you would like to book a place for the talk only, click here (tickets free).

Aimed at new users, this session will give an overview of the Archive self-service area, introducing some of the sources available for Worcestershire. The aim is to give confidence to those wanting to use the self-service area, showing the type of information available and how to use the resources. There will be time afterwards to view sources of your choice, so if you have anything specific you would like to look at, please bring the information with you. Please bring your library cards with you if you wish to use the computers. Microform images can be saved to a memory stick.

The workshop is aimed at beginners and those who have used the archives before but would like help in reading script.  The focus will be on secretary hand which is used in many of our Elizabethan and Stuart documents.  It will be a practical session to introduce participants to letters, numbers and abbreviations with the opportunity to have a go at reading some short documents.

Aimed at those beginning their family history research, and based on our holdings for Worcestershire, this workshop will look to introduce you to  some of the most popular resources available at The Hive. These resources, usable in our self-service area, will  help get you started on your family history journey.

No previous experience is necessary, but please bring any information you already have about your family (names/dates/places) with you on the day, along with a Worcestershire Library card to allow access to the computers, as there will be time to view sources of your choice if you wish.

If you do not have a library card, please bring some ID to get one on the day.’