Category Archives: Snapshots from the Archive

Bicycle Journeys through Norfolk in the tyre tracks of Leonard Bolingbroke

Posted on October 5, 2019 by

The Bolingbroke Bicycle Journal (NRO, BOL 1/87, 739X2) is an intriguing find. It documents cycle rides throughout Norfolk, and further afield, with instructions on bicycle care and repair bills. The journal begins in 1878 and records to 1884.

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King’s Lynn’s burning issue

Posted on September 26, 2019 by

Much has been said about King John, and he is frequently named as Bad King John, although it has to be said it was John who granted various concessions to Lynn, and indeed its charter. But there was among his … Continue reading →

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Norfolk’s ‘Downton Abbeys’, and recruiting for below stairs

Posted on September 13, 2019 by

With the Downton Abbey movie released in September 2019, and the relationship of masters and servants vividly brought to life on the big screen, it was with interest that I reflected on the experiences of Rachel Ketton of Norfolk’s Felbrigg … Continue reading →

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Great Yarmouth’s Battle against Herring Piracy during the English Civil War

Posted on September 7, 2019 by

I have spent nearly a decade of my life researching and writing about Great Yarmouth’s Civil War history, something which has been rewarding and endlessly fascinating because of the quality of Great Yarmouth’s civic records held at the Norfolk Record … Continue reading →

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The Diary of Paul E. Homan: stories of WWII from an American Aviation Cadet who hoped his diary would keep the heritage alive.

Posted on September 5, 2019 by

Paul E. Homan was born in the U.S state of Pennsylvania in 1922. His life before his enrolment into the United States Army Air Force is unknown, but from his Diary of Service During WWII (2nd Air Division Memorial Library … Continue reading →

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Disaster recovery: The impact of the fire at Norwich Central Library and the creation of The Archive Centre

Posted on August 21, 2019 by

This August marks 25 years since the fire at Norwich Central Library which took place on 1 August 1994. At the time the archives of the Norfolk Record Office were kept in the basement strongroom of the library with some … Continue reading →

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Carrying Coals to King’s Lynn

Posted on August 2, 2019 by

Before I wrote off my last motorbike and became an ex-biker, I frequently enjoyed cruising on my Harleys along certain sections of the A47 and A10, where, to my fascination, my head seemed to be below the level of the … Continue reading →

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From Victorian Corsetry to 50s fashions: The life of Annie Hardy

Posted on July 31, 2019 by

In a brown non-descript cardboard box in the Norfolk Record Office, I discovered the uncatalogued accumulated photos and papers of Annie Hardy (NRO, ACC 2001/120) . In 2001, these physical memories were handed in for preservation, and as the first person … Continue reading →

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