Local History News

English Synagogues and Local Jewish Identities

From our blog

English Synagogues and Local Jewish Identities

Published: 27th September 2022

Synagogues are Jewish places of worship. However, unlike some religious buildings, they are not in themselves sacred. It is the people and the rituals which take place within them that makes the building sacred. This means that there are few, if any, religious prescriptions as to how a synagogue should be built.

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Events to Attend This Black History Month

From our blog

Events to Attend This Black History Month

Published: 26th September 2022

The theme for this year’s Black History Month, which takes place annually in October, is ‘Time For Change: Actions, Not Words.’ Indeed, the month is seen both as an opportunity to reflect on the history of Black people in the United Kingdom and around the world, it is also an opportunity to learn from the past in order to positively shape the future.

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Society of Genealogists collaboration: family and local history

Society of Genealogists collaboration: family and local history

Published: 20th September 2022

Family and local history are two parts of the same coin, inseparably linked.

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The Yorkshire Society launch a new essay competition

The Yorkshire Society launch a new essay competition

Published: 7th September 2022

The Yorkshire Society are delighted to announce the inaugural Harry Gration History Prize, an essay competition open to everyone passionate about Yorkshire heritage.

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Heritage Open Days

From our blog

Heritage Open Days

Published: 2nd September 2022

Heritage Open Days, the national festival of history and heritage now spread over more than a week in early September, is probably well known to most people in the BALH.

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How further education students can breathe new life into local history where they live

From our blog

How further education students can breathe new life into local history where they live

Published: 28th August 2022

Let’s face it, more than a few local history societies are kept running by hard working volunteers from older generations who are passionate about the lives and stories of the people who lived and worked in and around their communities. That has been my experience here in Cambridge – where our town history is inevitably overshadowed by the chapel towers of the ancient colleges.

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Railway Work, Life and Death Project

From our blog

Railway Work, Life and Death Project

Published: 5th August 2022

That the coming of the railways changed the UK is a well-known aphorism – but what impacts did they have at a smaller scale? Local historians have been wrestling with this question for a long time, thinking about population movements, life opportunities, occupational structures and more. But what of the people needed to run the railways - the workers?

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New monthly online magazine

New monthly online magazine

Published: 1st August 2022

200 Magazine reports the news from two centuries ago, but in the language of today. 

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Introducing the Chair

Introducing the Chair

Published: 8th July 2022

Paul Dryburgh formally took over as Chair of BALH at Local History Day last month.

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New Essay Prize Open

New Essay Prize Open

Published: 30th June 2022

The London Topographical Society is funding a new prize in honour of the late Dr Ann Saunders (1930–2019).

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Exploring Britain’s LGBTQ+ Histories at the UK’s first LGBTQ+ Museum

From our blog

Exploring Britain’s LGBTQ+ Histories at the UK’s first LGBTQ+ Museum

Published: 27th June 2022

In this blog, Social Media Fellow Megan Kelleher chatted with Matthew Storey, Volunteer Curator at Queer Britain as well as Art, Design and LGBTQ+ History Curator at Historic Royal Palaces. 

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Refugee Local History in Britain

From our blog

Refugee Local History in Britain

Published: 20th June 2022

There are many opportunities for the local historian in Britain to consider refugees and our research can benefit greatly for it.

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Manchester Histories Festival at Manchester Monastery

Manchester Histories Festival at Manchester Monastery

Published: 17th June 2022

BALH Outreach Coordinator Stephen Miller represented BALH at this event

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Local History Photographer of The Year Winning Images

Local History Photographer of The Year Winning Images

Published: 17th June 2022

We were thrilled by the breadth and quality of images submitted to our inaugural national photography competition

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