Index
In person events
20 years of The Archive Centre
In person event
Free of charge
Refreshments included
In 1994 the Central Library in Norwich, the home of the Norfolk Record Office, was destroyed by fire. Following this, plans for a new Record Office started to take shape, culminating in The Archive Centre we know now. The building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in February 2004. Join us to celebrate 20 years of Norfolk Record Office at The Archive Centre.
During the session there were will be a chance to see the conservation studio, find out about the work the goes on there and discover some of the equipment bought after the fire. Next, you will be able to see some of the documents accession by the Record Office over the last 20 years. Finally you will get the chance to hear the current County Archivist talk about plans for the future.
This event runs for 90 minutes.
School holiday activity
Fun with Flags
In person event
Aimed at primary school-age children (under 8s must be accompanied by an adult).
Pay what you can. When you book this event you will have the option to give a donation. This is optional and entirely at your discretion.
Use flags and coats of arms as inspiration for creating your own hanging fabric banner. Will yours be traditional or will you go for a more modern look and design your own? Use fabric paints to add some colour before taking it home to hang in your own room.
Please book using the link below
Adult craft
Christmas Decorations
In person event
£10 per person*
Refreshments included
Join us for a festive morning of craft and company to get you ready for the Christmas period. See how the Victorians changed the shape of Christmas in this country and discover some of the more unusual objects on their Christmas Cards before trying your hand at creating origami stars, ribbon Christmas tree decorations, crackers, a large star wall hanging, and a festive wreath. No previous experience is necessary we will guide you through step by step.
All materials will be provided along with festive tunes and mince pies.
This session runs for 2 hours
*Norfolk Archives and Heritage Development Foundation supporters get 50% discount on our adult craft events. For more information and to join visit NorAH.
Please book using the link below
Skills with quills
In person event
£10 per person*
Refreshments included
Get creative with a range of inks and our quill pens to have a go at creating your very own Illuminated bookmark in this 3 hour adult craft session.
Find out how illuminated manuscripts were created by looking at a range of materials used, including prickers, ink recipes, and parchment, and take a look at a range of illuminated documents. Have a go at trying some different writing styles including secretary hand, and experiment with different techniques such as cross hatching and ink washes and a range of materials including coloured inks, dip pens and quills. Finally use some of these techniques and materials to create your very own bookmark on parchment, complete with tassel.
Please bring an apron/coverall with you if you require one.
*Norfolk Archives and Heritage Development Foundation supporters get 50% discount on our adult craft events. For more information and to join visit NorAH.
Behind the scenes tour
In person event
£7 per person*
Join us for our popular behind the scenes tour. Visit the Conservation Studio to see where our documents are repaired, experience the atmospheric conditions of the Strongroom where we store our collection, and see a display of original documents. Tours last approximately 90 minutes.
*Norfolk Archives and Heritage Development Foundation supporters get two free tickets for our Behind the Scenes Tour as part of their individual membership. For more information and to join visit NorAH.
Please book using the link below
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bolingbroke presenting Strangers’ Hall and its contents as a museum to the City of Norwich, we have the following joint event for the autumn.
Treasures under your bed
In person event at Stranger’s Hall
Free of charge
Session lasts 90 minutes and takes place at Stranger’s Hall
An introduction to caring for your own family history material plus chance to see the Strangers’ Hall archive.
Join staff from the Norfolk Record Office to think about how we record our own past including how to document, care for and store family material. Discover the first steps to find out more about your own family history and get to grips with sources available to continue creating your family tree by having a go at a number of practical exercises. Next, work with staff from Stranger’s Hall to look at the records showing the early days of the museum under Bolingbroke and curator Frank Leney, including photographs, visitor books, records of early collections, and correspondence.
Please book using the link below
The Norfolk Archaeological Trust: Past Present and Future
EXHIBITION WALKTHROUGH
In person
Wednesday 14 February, 2.15pm
Join Robin Sampson, curator of the The Norfolk Archaeological Trust: Past Present and Future exhibition, to focus on some of the stories behind the objects included in the exhibition. Over 45 minutes, discover more about the history of Norfolk Archaeological Trust, find out about its founders and learn about the sites it manages and has managed, through Robin’s knowledge of the material on display. Plus, take a delve into related archive material not included in the exhibition itself. You’ll also find out how you can support NAT and ensure its work can continue well into the future.
This event is part of the Norfolk Archaeological Trust: Its Centenary and Beyond Project (NAT 100 for short) which is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project is helping Norfolk Archaeological Trust, in partnership with Norfolk Record Office (NRO), to celebrate its first hundred years and improve its resilience for the future. Find out more about the project here.
Booking required, please use the links below
The Norfolk Archaeological Trust: Past Present and Future
In person
Tuesday 6 February- Friday 31 May. During The Archive Centre opening hours, 9.30am-5pm.
Exhibition showcasing a century of NAT’s work to secure, maintain and protect the county’s archaeological sites. The exhibition features original documents from NAT’s archives and other collections held at the NRO, archaeological artefacts which were found at NAT sites, from the Norfolk Museum Service collection, as well as copies of photographs from the Norfolk Historic Environment Record. Alongside this will be interpretations that illuminate the stories of the people and places involved.
Visitors will embark on a historical journey, exploring the remarkable achievements of the Norfolk Archaeological Trust over its first 100 years. The exhibition not only highlights past accomplishments but also sheds light on the crucial ongoing role NAT plays in preserving Norfolk’s rich heritage. As NAT looks toward the future, the exhibition also emphasises the ongoing need for support to ensure its continued success.
It’s a real collaborative effort with NAT volunteers providing research for the different themes, and the Norwich Young Archaeologists’ club curating a part of the exhibition. This is a unique opportunity to delve into the past, appreciate the present, and support the future of archaeological preservation.
This event is part of the Norfolk Archaeological Trust: Its Centenary and Beyond Project (NAT 100 for short) which is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project is helping Norfolk Archaeological Trust, in partnership with Norfolk Record Office (NRO), to celebrate its first hundred years and improve its resilience for the future. Find out more about the project here.
No booking required
In-Person and Online Events
History talks
We have a number of guest speakers talking about their own area of expertise or research.
Talks last between 30-45 minutes with additional time for questions at the end. The majority of talks can be viewed on our YouTube channel after the event.
Snapshots of the history of Coke Family of Holkham, Norfolk
In person and online
By Lucy Purvis
Wednesday 8 November, 1pm
The Coke family, later Earls of Leicester have, over the past 400 years helped to shape the north coast of Norfolk and have been influential in many villages and settlements across many counties. They have left a rich, treasure trove of archives from which Estate Archivist, Lucy Purvis, will explore snapshots in history of this intriguing family, from Sir Edward Coke’s huge Book of Conveyances to the epic Grand Tour of young Thomas Coke, that prompted the hall to be built, and not forgetting that Holkham can claim the first ‘Red Book’ of Landscape Gardener, Humphry Repton, and the forerunner to the Royal Norfolk Show, the Holkham Sheepshearings as masterminded by ‘Coke of Norfolk’. Moving through time we will see how generations have shaped the estate today.
Please book using the links below
Queer Norfolk x NRO
In person and online
By Adam Baker
Wednesday 7 February, 1pm
Drawing on Norfolk Record Office’s collection, community archivist Adam Baker talks about how Queer Norfolk is working with local museums and archives to put LGBT+ into community hands and why this is important right now.
Booking required, please use the links below
Bloodgate Hill, South Creake
In person and online
By Andrew Rogerson
Wednesday 14 February, 1pm
The only pre-Roman Iron Age hillfort in Norfolk that lies convincingly on a hill has, since 2003, been in the safe hands of the Norfolk Archaeological Trust, but in 1827, considered no more than a hindrance to agricultural improvement, it was severely damaged by levelling. Despite this partial destruction it remains a site of abiding interest and deserves to be better known. Geophysical survey and limited excavation have provided a better understanding of the sites lay-out and development than was available from its much denuded remains alone. This talk will attempt to place the site in context and summarise out present state of knowledge.
This event is part of the Norfolk Archaeological Trust: Its Centenary and Beyond Project (NAT 100 for short) which is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project is helping Norfolk Archaeological Trust, in partnership with Norfolk Record Office (NRO), to celebrate its first hundred years and improve its resilience for the future. Find out more about the project here.
Booking required, please use the links below
Reading from the archives
Dear diary…
In person and online
Thursday 29 February, 10am
Free of charge
Join us to listen to a variety of person extracts from Norfolk citizens over the past 400 years. Listen to extracts from the diaries of Parson Woodforde, Hilda Zigomala, and others. For the first time ever this event will be hybrid with the in person audience able to view the original documents after the session.
This session will last around 1 hour (30 minutes for online audience).
This event can be viewed on our YouTube channel afterwards.
Please book using the link below
Online events
Christmas colouring
Online event
Free of charge
Join us online for this Christmas themed colouring session. Staff will show you some documents as inspiration, before having a chat and relaxing afternoon colouring in a range of line drawings from the archives.
All drawings will be sent to you before the session. You just need to print them, grab your colouring pencils and a cuppa and join in.
Feel free to drop in and out at any point during the session.
This session lasts for 1 hour
Research workshops
Our research workshops help you get started or continue with your research. Focusing on resources for England and Wales, advice can occasionally be given on documents created in Scotland, and Northern Ireland too. The workshops always fill up quickly so be sure to book soon.
Each workshop includes:
- Information on a variety of sources for your research
- A chance to ask questions
- A workbook containing workshop notes and a practical activity
- A chance to view some of our Website Tutorials explaining how to use websites to locate and access the documents included
Each session lasts 1 hour
Introduction to family history
Online event
£5 per person*
Find out how to use census records, civil registration, and parish registers to get started on tracing your family tree.
*Norfolk Archives and Heritage Development Foundation supporters can enjoy our research workshops for free. For more information and to join visit NorAH.
Please book using the link below
Advanced family history- Part 1
Online event
£5 per person*
This session is aimed at anyone who has already started their family history research but is unsure how to take it further. We show you how to use electoral registers, marriage licence bonds and tithe documents.
Look out for Advanced family history- part 2 in the afternoon. Not ready for our advance sessions yet- why not take a look at our introductory session above.
*Norfolk Archives and Heritage Development Foundation supporters can enjoy our research workshops for free. For more information and to join visit NorAH.
Please book using the link below
Advanced family history- Part 2
Online event
£5 per person*
This session is aimed at anyone who has already started their family history research but is unsure how to take it further. We show you how to use probate material, school records, business records, and papers relating to the workhouse.
Look out for Advanced family history part 1 in the morning. Not ready for our advance sessions yet- why not take a look at our introductory session above.
*Norfolk Archives and Heritage Development Foundation supporters can enjoy our research workshops for free. For more information and to join visit NorAH.
Please book using the link below
Introduction to house history
Online event
£5 per person*
Find out how to trace the history of the fabric of your building using historical and modern maps before using census returns, trade directories, and wills to find out about the previous owners and occupiers of your property.
*Norfolk Archives and Heritage Development Foundation supporters can enjoy our research workshops for free. For more information and to join visit NorAH.
Please book using the link below
Tracing First World War ancestors
Online event
£5 per person*
If you have found that your ancestors were in the military, this session is for you. We will look at how to access and use the census, absent voter lists, medal cards and attestation papers.
*Norfolk Archives and Heritage Development Foundation supporters can enjoy our research workshops for free. For more information and to join visit NorAH.
Please book using the link below
Research Bloggers
STEP BY STEP GUIDE
In person event
Thursday 25 January, 1 February and 8 February
Free of charge
Join us for 3 sessions in which we teach you how to write a blog post for the Norfolk Record Office blog and help you to complete your very first post. Sessions will include:
- Session 1 Introduction to the blogs and how to find suitable documents
- Session 2 How to carry out your research including research skills and interpreting documents
- Session 3 Writing for an audience
We will talk you through the process and work with you to create a blog post, so that by the end of the 3 sessions you will have a completed post ready to publish on our blog. If, once you have completed the sessions, you would like to write another blog post in your own time you are welcome to do so.
Each session will be 2 hours.
Refreshments will be provided.
If you would like to become a Research Blogger but are unable to make the dates, or prefer to do it in your own time, please email us for a Research Bloggers Toolkit.
Please book using the link below
Norfolk Record Office 