One of the largest gatherings of local historians in recent years met on 31st May at Winchester in Hampshire Record Office.
They were there by invitation of the Hampshire Archives Trust to launch its new website, hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk
They included representatives of the Hampshire Field Club, the Hampshire Cultural Trust and the Hampshire Genealogical Society.
Opening the meeting, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson (pictured), said: “I suggest to you that archives represent our heritage, our families, our buildings, our villages, towns and cities – indeed our very roots, the fabric of our lives. In today’s world, families have become increasingly mobile and there is an ever-increasing interest in knowing more about, and identifying with, their roots.”
The meeting drew together all the archive-related interests of Hampshire and demonstrated the resolve of the Hampshire Archives Trust to support in a variety of ways the heritage of the county, according to Trust chairman, David Livermore.
He said: “Our new website is a treasure trove of stories from the archives that cover Hampshire’s rich heritage. It provides a new window on all these resources and will, we hope, encourage more groups to pitch for grants. As a charity, we also need more members and volunteers, as well as donations and legacies. What many people don’t realise is that archives are fun and exciting and full of surprises. And they’re generally free!”
The website was a nine month project developed by a small team of members of Hampshire Archive Trust’s board. Project coordinator David Spurling said: “The website will appeal to anyone with Hampshire connections interested in their family history or local heritage. It will be a one stop shop for information on the over one hundred sources of archives in Hampshire.”
The sources range from the three record offices through to local history groups and societies with invaluable information on the people and places of Hampshire. The project was programmed by Dadun Designs of Wilton.
