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Researching Essex History
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Local Libraries Your local library is always a good place to start. Chelmsford, Colchester
and Southend libraries have a larger range of local history books than branch libraries. Ask for the Local Studies section.
It's always a good idea to ask if they have any material that is not on the shelves; some libraries hold collections of local
photographs, for example.
The Internet There is plenty of information on the web but, obviously, you have to be
careful what sites you use and make your own decisions on the validity of the information provided. Having said that, there
are some great websites out there. See my links page for some of the best.
Links to Useful and Interesting Websites Museums Museum staff don't just put on displays and wait for visitors to come -
they do actually know alot of history and have access to resources you may not be aware of. It is always worth speaking to
your local museum to see if they can help with any aspect of research.
Census Records A census of the British population has been taken every ten years since
1841. This is what you need to look at if you are researching people. The Essex census to 1901 is available to view on
microfilm at Essex Record Office and at some libraries (the 1911 census will be available from 2011). Internet sites that
offer census information usually require some payment before you can view all the details, so are really not recommended unless
you really cannot get out to ERO or the library. When using the census, be prepared to spend a lot of time trawling through
page after page of Victorian handwriting! Occasionally, some kind soul has copied out the relevant census data and donated
a copy to the local library, which will save you hours - thank you that kind lady from Wickford!
Newspapers Essex Record Office and some local libaries hold copies of old newspapers
on microfilm, which are free to view. Great for investigating town history or specific events. Very time-consuming and easy
to get side-tracked, but also a fascinating historical resource.
Illustrations It's great to have pictures to go with any research you are doing.
As mentioned, local libraries often hold collections of photos of their area. Essex Record Office has a cabinet of photographs
for many Essex villages, as well as those held in their storeroom. It's
always worth asking people what they have in their private family albums. Old postcards are often sold at antique and collectors'
fairs and, of course, there is always eBay (but see copyright advice below).
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Essex Record Office This is a must for the serious researcher. It helps if you have some idea of
what you want to look at before you get there, or you can waste a lot of time browsing. You have to be a member of Essex Record
Office to view the records but it is free to join. There are maps, census records, parish records and books that you can help
yourselves to from the shelves, but you 'order' the old and rare items from the desk and the staff bring them down
from the storeroom for you. If you haven't been before you will be amazed at the quantity of information available. You can view the catalogue online before you go: http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/ - sometimes you can get enough information just from the catalogue. ERO has a huge car park for a small daily charge, a coffee machine and somewhere to eat
your sandwiches.
Secondhand Bookshops Always worth a look. A gazetteer written in the 1920s is now a history
book; an old map may show features that are not on your new one.
Online, www.Amazon.co.uk may be your first stop for new and secondhand books. For more obscure
and out-of-print books, try www.abe.com. Kelly's Directories I have found Kelly's really useful for finding individuals after 1900,
although only the householder is listed. Also useful for pinpointing the location of significant buildings, as these are mentioned
in the street listings.
Wills, Estate Records, Diaries, Letters Original wills and estate records are held at Essex Record Office. However, look
in the library for books of Essex Wills dating from c.1500. The same applies to diaries.
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