Local History News

Effective Social Media For Local History

Published: 9th February 2023

Our latest webinar was another look at how to better use social media to promote your local history society or project.

From our blog

A local historian walks into a joke…

Published: 22nd January 2023

Like many of us, I really appreciate a good joke.

Sevenoaks 1790-1914: Risk and Choice in West Kent.

Published: 19th January 2023

Sevenoaks 1790-1914: Risk and Choice in West Kent seeks to tell the story of the Kentish market town 25 miles southeast of London in a somewhat different way. Iain Taylor introduces us to the book.

From our blog

Moving Local Political History Centre Stage. Joe Saunders

Published: 19th January 2023

Like it or loathe it, politics has always been, and continues to be, a key component of community life. Whether it be issues concerning public finance; schools, colleges and other educational facilities; support for those in need; parks, open spaces and provision for recreational pursuits; environmental concerns; religious observance; boundaries; the treatment of women and children; public utilities etc, etc there is usually a political dimension.

Working class writing in the nineteenth century

Published: 18th January 2023

A summary of Local History Hour for October 2022.

New Book - Somerset’s Loyalties On The Eve Of Civil War: Bishops, Ireland And Parliamentary Petitions, 1641-1642

Published: 18th January 2023

BALH trustee and Somerset local historian, Adrian Webb, has published a new book, with Sue Berry. This groundbreaking study by Adrian Webb and Sue Berry, based on original records, reveals for the first time the parishes and men who supported King Charles I, his bishops and distressed Protestants in Ireland. This volume is a key source for the history of 17th–century Somerset.

From our blog

David Dymond Memorial Winter Lecture 2022

Published: 27th December 2022

In the annual BALH lecture, Briony McDonagh, Professor of Environmental Humanities at the University of Hull spoke on the theme of Landscape, Environment and Learning Histories.

Society of Genealogists seeks new Trustees

Published: 14th December 2022

There’s never been a more interesting and exciting time join the Board of the Society of Genealogists.

Jeremy Gibson 1934-2022

Published: 1st December 2022

Jeremy Gibson is a name well known to local and family historians through his popular Gibson Guides.

From our blog

Celebrating Hampshire Historians: A Southampton Perspective

Published: 16th November 2022

For the past 18 months I have been a member of the Celebrating Hampshire Historian’s Project Team.

New Trustees Appointed

Published: 14th November 2022

The trustees of the Association are delighted to welcome two new members of the board who will be co-opted pending formal nomination and election at the Annual General Meeting planned for May 2023.

20s Streets – Local History Competition

Published: 14th November 2022

BALH is delighted to share in the launch of an exciting new Local History collaboration with The National Archives (UK).

From our blog

Old Palace School Bombing Project

Published: 7th November 2022

I have been researching my family tree for around 20 years and have strong links to Kent, Essex and East London and it was whilst I was researching my maternal line of Wootton’s, that I discovered a rather harrowing story involving one of my ancestors.

From our blog

Ways to Get Involved in BALH's Work

Published: 7th November 2022

At BALH, we are always interested in sharing the broad range of local history work being done across the British Isles. Whether you are just starting out, or you are a seasoned local historian with decades of experience, we’d love to hear from you! Below, we will explain some of the ways you can share your local history research with BALH.