Rationing began in the early stages of the Second World War, but it's impact was immediate and long lasting. What restrictions were there on meat, petrol, sugar, fabric, and - most important of all - tea? And how long did it last?
Author: West Sussex Record Office
Celebrating our collections dating from 780AD to the present day, and keeping you up to date with Record Office events
Looking back at the Women’s Institute in West Sussex
By Alison Merriman, Archivist to the West Sussex Federation of Women's Institutes To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the West Sussex Federation of Women's Institutes, Alison delves deeper into the origins of the WI - an organisation that has been present in West Sussex ever since its arrival in England in 1914. To illustrate her…
Continue reading ➞ Looking back at the Women’s Institute in West Sussex
Documenting Fascism in 1930s West Sussex
By Alice Millard, Research Assistant You may not have considered that the sleepy South coast of West Sussex had to confront fascist activity head on during the decade prior to the Second World War. Yet, we recently stumbled across some records held in the archive which tell a very different story, and prompted further exploration…
A Gloucester Garden Party
Something light and fluffy this time, a diary entry of sorts of trip north west to some colleagues, catching the last of the good weather and enjoying endless amounts of cake!
William Penn in West Sussex
By Martin Hayes, County Local Studies Librarian William Penn is best known as the founder of Pennsylvania, among the most successful of all American colonies, and as a leader of the fledgling Society of Friends, better known as Quakers. He was the only man in the 17th century to achieve as much in ‘Olde England’…
Historic records and architectural histories: Selsey Maps
By Tim Hudson (guest blogger) What types of historic documents do architectural historians use? Continuing with our guest written series, the once Editor of the Sussex Victoria County History and co author of the updated Pevsner guide to West Sussex, Tim Hudson, will be exploring the types of records used when researching built heritage. Each blog, Tim will look at a significant West Sussex building through a variety of historic documents available at the Record Office. Today we look at the maps of Selsey.
West Sussex and its London Evacuees
Adjusting to a new home, integrating (or lack thereof) with the local children, and living with complete strangers... It was a lot to ask of the evacuees that came to London 80 years ago this month!
Historic records and architectural histories: Arundel Castle
By Tim Hudson (guest blogger) What types of historic documents do architectural historians use? Over the next few months the once Editor of the Sussex Victoria County History and co author of the updated Pevsner guide to West Sussex, Tim Hudson, will be exploring the types of records used when researching built heritage. Each blog,…
Continue reading ➞ Historic records and architectural histories: Arundel Castle
Chichester Cathedral Archives Reach New Audiences in Sweden
In 2017 the Sussex Record Society published a fascinating volume of church court proceedings taken from the Diocesan Archives held at the Record Office. Depositions, which can be found in the Ep/I/11 series, are the accounts of cases held at the Bishop of Chichester’s Consistory Court. These courts covered a plethora of local issues and disputes including quarrels over wills, tithe disputes, matrimonial disagreements, and the ever amusing defamation cases. However they can be difficult to read and interpret for the modern reader, which is where the Sussex Record Society and Peter Wilkinson got involved.
2018/2019 Accessions
By Abigail Hartley, Searchroom Archivist One of the most crucial aspects that our volunteers tirelessly work towards is the accessioning of our smaller collections. AM (Additional Manuscripts) contain some of our most visually interesting and varied documents. Within the last 12 months, here is a quick overview of just some of the items we have…
West Sussex Record Office 