Hertfordshire Archives And Local Studies

Hertfordshire Archives And Local Studies Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies is the specialist centre for the discovery of Hertfordshire's heritage from 1060 to the present day.

Its LGBTQ+ History Month. Records of LGBTQ+ people and communities are often under-represented in archive and museum col...
11/06/2026

Its LGBTQ+ History Month. Records of LGBTQ+ people and communities are often under-represented in archive and museum collections.

Representation matters, so if you are interested in donating items, creating the history of the future, or researching q***r histories, please get in touch.

Some of our volunteers have been carrying out research into LGBTQ+ individuals that lived or worked in Hertfordshire. The website holds their stories: https://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/tag/lgbtq

History
Vintage

June is Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month and here are some fascinating photos from our collections. The first pho...
09/06/2026

June is Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month and here are some fascinating photos from our collections.

The first photo shows a visitor talking to a resident of the Three Cherry Trees site in Hemel Hempstead in the 1970s (ref: Off Acc 1532).

The second image (ref: DE/X1157) shows a traditional Gypsy caravan or vardo being restored by Beckwith & Sons, an antique dealers of Hertford. You can see the craftsmanship and the beautiful fine detailing on the caravan.

The third image shows members of Gypsy family from 1902 who lived in Waltham Cross. All we know that the little girl on the left is named Loreen and the woman behind the two girls is her grandmother. Sadly, we do not have any further names for them. The girl on the right may have been Loreen's sister. This photograph is from our Library Image Collection.

The fourth image (Ref: DE/X1024/1/104/19) shows a gravestone commemorating Polly and Cornelius Smith, remembered as the beloved parents of Gipsy Smith. Markers like this offer a valuable glimpse into the lives and legacies of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families in Hertfordshire, helping to ensure their stories are not forgotten.

GATE Herts UK

With this week being volunteer appreciation week we would like to say a massive thank you to all our amazing volunteers....
07/06/2026

With this week being volunteer appreciation week we would like to say a massive thank you to all our amazing volunteers. We really appreciate the time and effort you put in to list, index, conserve and research our collections. 👏 👏 👏

06/06/2026

This Gypsy, Roma & Traveller History Month, we’re proud to continue our partnership with Hertfordshire Archives exploring fascinating discoveries from the local archives about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in Hertfordshire. ✨

Did you know? Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people have been part of life in the UK for over 500 years, with rich histories, cultures, and traditions that continue to shape and strengthen communities across the country today.

Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming posts of findings! 😁

Now it is summer, we are looking back to how people once historically travelled to the seaside using a charabanc (otherw...
05/06/2026

Now it is summer, we are looking back to how people once historically travelled to the seaside using a charabanc (otherwise known as a char-a-banc, often pronounced "sharrabang"). A charabanc was initially a type of open-topped horse-drawn coach which eventually became motorised. The ride was not especially comfortable, and the vehicle was not suited for changeable weather. As such, the vehicles were mainly used for day trips. They began to be replaced in the 1920s by enclosed coaches and buses which provided a more comfortable ride for travellers.

The first photo shows a photograph of mostly women from the Wigginton Womens Institute out on a charabanc trip in 1925. The second photo shows an unknown group, perhaps travelling to Wembley (Ref: Acc 5081)

The advertisement is from the Herts and Essex newspaper from Jul 1920 and advertises Sunday trips to either Clacton or Southend by char-a-banc from Bishops Stortford.

Still instantly recognisable from this image today, The Bell Inn, known as the Salisbury Arms since 1820, in Hertford. T...
03/06/2026

Still instantly recognisable from this image today, The Bell Inn, known as the Salisbury Arms since 1820, in Hertford. This pen and wash drawing by Thomas Frederick Luppino (1749-1845), a scene painter at Covent Garden and Drury Lane, and avid sketch artist (Image ref: DE/X1039/1/7a).

The Bell Inn was first mentioned 1431 and probably named after the market bell. The pub was renamed The Salisbury Arms in 1820, suggesting this sketch was made by Luppino before that date.

Hertford Library
Photos of Hertford, Ware and surround The Salisbury Arms Hotel - Hertford

Have you grabbed yourself a bargain yet? The Hertfordshire Record Society are holding a flash sale of a lot of their pub...
01/06/2026

Have you grabbed yourself a bargain yet?

The Hertfordshire Record Society are holding a flash sale of a lot of their publications during the months of May and June. All reduced to just £2.00 per title.

Don't sleep on it! Get yourself a bargain before they're all gone!

Look out for a travelling exhibition of classic film posters across our libraries this summer. We're collaborating with ...
29/05/2026

Look out for a travelling exhibition of classic film posters across our libraries this summer. We're collaborating with the BFI National Archive to celebrate Hertfordshire's rich heritage of filmmaking by displaying posters from 11 iconic films, along with information about local filming locations, Hertfordshire studios and film history.

There will be opportunity to view all 11 posters together in a pop-up exhibition held at Hertfordshire Archive from 11th August - 6th September 2026.

Find out more, including a list of the films and participating libraries: https://bit.ly/4dp3esS

We're lucky to have an amazing collection of bills and receipts from the Delme Radcliffe family of Hitchin. They provide...
27/05/2026

We're lucky to have an amazing collection of bills and receipts from the Delme Radcliffe family of Hitchin. They provide fascinating insights into what the family was buying and the local shops and trades around at the time. This gorgeous letterhead bill dates to 1842-1843 and shows what the family was buying from C & T L Paternoster, a booksellers, bookbinders and stationers located in Sun Street, Hitchin (Ref: DE/R/F279/13).

Shown here are purchases between Jan - Jun, including "printing 100 cards from plate", "6 sheets of tracing paper" and entries for childrens' books of " Knowledge" and "Country things".

The bill contains a detailed illustration showing the shop in Sun Street. It is interesting to see the number of functions the shop had, not only selling books, but also bookbinding and printing services, as well as music and general stationery.

Hitchin Library Hitchin Historical Society

Address

Register Office Block County Hall
Hertford
SG138EJ

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+443001234049

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hertfordshire Archives And Local Studies posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category