Category Archives: Snapshots from the Archive

From Tram Conductor to Chief Inspector: The Police Registers of Great Yarmouth and Kings Lynn

Posted on November 24, 2022 by nroeando2017

From Norfolk Record Office documents C/PO 1/58 & C/PO 1/46 Brief History of the Police Force The first official police force was the London Metropolitan Police set up by Sir Robert Peel in 1829.  The County and Borough Police Act … Continue reading →

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The Ghostly Mystery of Mannington Hall

Posted on October 31, 2022 by nroeando2017

With the nights drawing in and a distinct chill in the autumnal air, our thoughts turn towards all things ghoulish, ghostly and spectral. If you’re looking for a spine-chilling tale to tell by the fireside on a dark winter’s evening, … Continue reading →

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Snuff in 19th Century Norfolk

Posted on August 23, 2022 by victoriadraper24

Snuff, high society’s choice of tobacco inhalation, first appeared in England in the middle of the sixteenth century, along with tobacco imports from America.  Sir Walter Raleigh is usually supposed to have been the first to bring it home to … Continue reading →

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Caught Red Handed: Duck Feathers and all!

Posted on August 10, 2022 by victoriadraper24

Looking through the archives can lead to some interesting stories. Take, for example the case of Robert Goffin. He was convicted of larceny at the Norfolk Quarter Sessions in January 1843 .  A contemporary report from the Norwich Mercury newspaper … Continue reading →

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‘Too common amongst young people’

Posted on July 2, 2022 by nroeando2017

These words relate to having sex outside of marriage. They were written in a letter of support, dated 3 May 1760, for a James Lacey of Scarning. The letter is just one of several thousand documents which form the archive, … Continue reading →

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Shenanigans in Southrepps: Adultery in the Norwich Consistory Court Depositions

Posted on June 17, 2022 by nroeando2017

The jurisdiction of church courts used to cover many aspects of human activity. They heard causes, the church court term for cases, on such matters as marriage, defamation and probate. As part of their activity, the courts collected witness statements, … Continue reading →

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King’s Lynn Golden Jubilee procession identity parade

Posted on June 3, 2022 by victoriadraper24

One of the more eye-catching items from the records of civic events is a photograph of the mayoral procession that took place as part of the celebrations for Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. They are photographed standing on the Saturday Market … Continue reading →

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‘He will have the Dance of Swing’: Norfolk’s Involvement in the Swing Riots of 1830s England

Posted on May 7, 2022 by victoriadraper24

When the harsh winter of 1830 followed a poor harvest and caused reduced wages for labourers, agricultural riots spread across Norfolk and throughout the south and east of England. The labourers wanted to stop the spread of new threshing machines, … Continue reading →

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