Author Archives: cbolsterNRO

Around the World in 80 Documents

Posted on June 1, 2023 by cbolsterNRO

Just over a year ago, we began a journey ‘Around the World’ looking at the range of documents in the collections of the Norfolk Record Office. Inspired, of course, by the book and tv show ‘Around the World in 80 … Continue reading →

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Will Norwich be ready for the Coronation? 

Posted on May 5, 2023 by cbolsterNRO

The nineteenth century witnessed three coronations: George IV in 1821, William IV in 1831 and Victoria in 1838.   On May 6th, 2023, we will celebrate the coronation of a new king, Charles III. Preparations for this event have been underway … Continue reading →

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St Andrew’s County Asylum portrayed in the Cartoons of George Yates

Posted on January 9, 2021 by cbolsterNRO

Users familiar with the records of St Andrew’s, the County asylum, may be interested to know about a new collection of records that show a side to the hospital not typically seen in the official records. George Yates, attendant and … Continue reading →

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Stepping Back In Time

Posted on December 16, 2020 by cbolsterNRO

In the beginning When I first started doing my family history many years ago, I wasn’t surprised to find that most of my ancestors had gravitated to the heavily-industrialised area of Salford and then to the Bolton area of Lancashire … Continue reading →

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Golden Balls of Aylsham: A Shining Example of a Funny Name

Posted on December 5, 2020 by cbolsterNRO

We enjoy a comedy name at the Norfolk Record Office. Twins called Lemon and Orange Pitcher who were born in Great Melton, Cinnamon Man from Thompson and Snow Frost of Little Walsingham, to name but a few. But one of … Continue reading →

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The ‘eccentric female explorer’

Posted on November 24, 2020 by cbolsterNRO

 “Only ignorant fools think that because one likes sugar, one cannot like salt” Marianne North, Recollections of a Happy Life. For much of the population in 2020, travel restrictions have been a common source of discontent, despite the understandable unavoidability … Continue reading →

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A Generous Gift Compromised by Events? The will of Alice Spratt, widow, of Eccles against the Sea

Posted on November 16, 2020 by cbolsterNRO

The will of Alice Spratt [1] dated January 11th 1558/1559 [2] clearly shows counter-Reformation tendencies despite the fact that Catholic Queen Mary had died in the previous November and her younger sister Elizabeth now sat on the throne. Alice bequeaths … Continue reading →

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John Fenn – A Dereham Man: The Diaries of Sir John Fenn, 1786-1794

Posted on November 9, 2020 by cbolsterNRO

Taken from documents held at the Norfolk Record Office, NRO, MC 525/1 Sir John Fenn was a man most notably known for his publication of the Paston Letters.  But his eight engagement diaries, spanning 1786 to 1794 tell us so … Continue reading →

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