Chosen by Peter Wilkinson, former member of staff The records of the diocesan courts, particularly in the period from Queen Elizabeth’s reign to the start of the Civil War, give us a unique picture of local life in Sussex. On the one hand we see the bishop and his officials trying to keep a…
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Household account book, 1656-1679 (Par 384/6/1)
Chosen by Danae Tankard, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Chichester Giles Moore (1617-1679) was rector of Horsted Keynes from 1656 until 1679. During this time he kept a household account book (catalogued as the ‘Journal of Giles Moore’), providing a detailed record of his household expenditure. His book is organised by types of expenditure,…
Continue reading ➞ Household account book, 1656-1679 (Par 384/6/1)
The Spread Eagle, Midhurst, 1902 (PH 26114/51)
Chosen by Christine Chowne, volunteer John Holland Ballet Fletcher was a local man, born in 1879 in Worthing. He was the only surviving child of William H. B. Fletcher, former mayor of Worthing and later Lord of the Manor at Aldwick, now Hotham Park House, and his wife, Agnes. John read law at St…
Continue reading ➞ The Spread Eagle, Midhurst, 1902 (PH 26114/51)
Sites of Archaeological Interest in West Sussex, mid 20th century (WDC/PL18/1)
Chosen by John Mills, Senior Archaeologist, West Sussex County Council Archival records provide a vital resource for archaeological research, as maps, plans, photographs, and many other records document the historical topography of the county. The Record Office also holds examples of the research and reports generated through archaeological study, and copies of the Sussex Archaeological Society's journal 'Sussex Archaeological Collections'. The…
Continue reading ➞ Sites of Archaeological Interest in West Sussex, mid 20th century (WDC/PL18/1)
Chichester – Parking of Cars in the Highway, 1936 (WDC/CL28/1)
Chosen by Matt Dell, member of staff Although our oldest record here at West Sussex Record Office dates to 780AD, you would be mistaken in thinking that only historic records live under our roof. In addition to the collections of religious records, military records, estate papers and more, we are also home to the Records Management Service, which manages the County…
Continue reading ➞ Chichester – Parking of Cars in the Highway, 1936 (WDC/CL28/1)
List of medicines, c.1776 (Add Mss 2122)
Chosen by Timothy J McCann, former member of staff This is, at first sight, a printed list of ‘All Sorts of Medicines and Drugs, Prepared and Sold, on the most Reasonable Terms, by E. Axford, Practitioner in Physick, Surgery, and the Eyes, at Glauber’s Head, in the East Street, Chichester.’ It is interesting as a…
‘Swing Riots letter’, 2 Dec 1830 (Goodwood Mss 1446 fA18)
Chosen by Susan Millard, member of staff This anonymous letter was addressed to the Duke of Richmond and was sent to his estate at Goodwood. We can see from the reverse page that it was considered important enough to be forwarded to his London home. Such letters, written during the agricultural disturbances in the winter…
Continue reading ➞ ‘Swing Riots letter’, 2 Dec 1830 (Goodwood Mss 1446 fA18)
‘Parham in the War’, 1940-1947 (Parham 1/4/10/3/3)
Chosen by Lady Emma Barnard This remarkable notebook was kept by my great-aunt Veronica, the daughter of Clive and Alicia Pearson, who lived at Parham. Veronica deposited it with West Sussex Record Office before her death in 1993; it is a moving record of wartime life on the estate, a vignette of an extraordinary time.…
Continue reading ➞ ‘Parham in the War’, 1940-1947 (Parham 1/4/10/3/3)
World War 2 Ministry of Food recipe leaflets (Add Mss 54,872)
Chosen by Holly Wright, member of staff These Ministry of Food recipe leaflets were produced during World War 2 to help the nation make the most of their food in spite of rationing, a necessary measure first enforced on 8th January 1940 as a result of the enemy bombing or blockading of the supply ships heading for…
Continue reading ➞ World War 2 Ministry of Food recipe leaflets (Add Mss 54,872)
Steyning School Register, 1840-1876 (Acc 10206)
Chosen by Joyce Sleight, researcher Some years ago I attended a talk on the work of WSRO at Worthing Library given by a member of the Searchroom staff. In the informal chat that followed I mentioned that as a history teacher and librarian at Steyning Grammar School I had charge of some of the school archive. He…
Continue reading ➞ Steyning School Register, 1840-1876 (Acc 10206)
West Sussex Record Office 