Category Archives: All Posts

“I never knew a better or more trustworthy man”: The Reminiscences of William Veasey.

Posted on September 2, 2024 by cbolsterNRO

One of the most fascinating forms of document held at the Norfolk Record Office is the reminiscence, where someone looks back on what has happened to them in their life. These reminiscences, which may be written or spoken, need to … Continue reading →

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THE BROWN LADY OF RAYNHAM HALL: The World’s Most Infamous Ghost (continued)

Posted on August 14, 2024 by victoriadraper24

The Brown Lady was not to remain hidden for long. The next witness to be terrorised was Captain Frederick Marryat, a friend of the family. Staying at the house in 1836, he is supposed to have asked to sleep in the most … Continue reading →

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THE BROWN LADY OF RAYNHAM HALL: The World’s Most Infamous Ghost

Posted on July 31, 2024 by victoriadraper24

If you have arrived here as a fan of history, folklore and Norfolk, I will surmise that you have heard of, and perhaps even been fortunate enough to visit Raynham Hall. Situated in West Norfolk, the Hall began construction in … Continue reading →

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Great Thorpe Railway Disaster 1874 on its 150th Anniversary

Posted on July 19, 2024 by victoriadraper24

The tenth of September 2024 will mark the 150th anniversary of The Great Thorpe Railway Disaster.  This Victorian railway collision was described by Captain Tyler, Inspecting Officer for Railways, when presiding over the Board of Trade Inquiry, as: “….. the … Continue reading →

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‘Wilfully Destroying a Geranium’ and other Crimes in 19th Century Great Yarmouth

Posted on July 9, 2024 by victoriadraper24

Great Yarmouth gaol was housed in the twelfth century Tolhouse for several hundred years until its closure in 1875. In 1819 the Borough Council purchased adjacent buildings and converted them into a House of Correction (aka the Bridewell) which was … Continue reading →

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Vaccination in the Archives

Posted on June 18, 2024 by cbolsterNRO

An interesting and under-used resource, which is perhaps unexpectedly helpful for family historians, are the series of vaccination registers (1882-1948) from Norwich City Council’s Health Department (reference NRO, N/HE 12).  Compulsory smallpox vaccination legislation was introduced in 1853 for England … Continue reading →

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Parson Woodforde and his diary: a new website 

Posted on May 28, 2024 by victoriadraper24

The famous diarist, the Revd James Woodforde (1740–1803), lived for 27 years at Weston Longville, twelve miles northwest of Norwich. He began his daily diary at the age of nineteen while at Oxford, continued it as a young curate in … Continue reading →

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Colonel William Roy and Burgh Castle Fort

Posted on May 1, 2024 by victoriadraper24

This blog will focus on how one of the most important mapmakers in British history has a link to Norfolk. William Roy was a key figure in the development of the Ordnance Survey (OS), Great Britain’s national mapping agency (so-named … Continue reading →

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