The Amateur Historian Volume 5 Number 7 Spring 1963

By Harley, J.B.

pp 202-211

In this comprehensive article the historical background to the development of larger-scale surveys is explained, including the 'Battle of the Scales' in which among the protagonists were the private surveyors who felt their interests to be threatened by the Ordnance Survey, the 'users lobby' which campaigned for a full large-scale national survey, and those who felt that the exercise would in any case be too costly. The complex process which led to the decision to begin a complete 6-inch and 25-inch survey is described. The second half of the article consists of a thorough account of the arrangement and indexing of the two series, which were derived from the same primary surveys, and this is followed by a detailed chronological guide to the successive editions. Each of these is illustrated by key maps showing the dates at which individual counties were surveyed and published, and there are descriptions of important changes to the quality and detail of mapping in each edition. The article includes a brief notice of the post-1945 series at two-and-a-half inches to a mile, which originated in wartime emergency mapping at that scale, and it concludes with a review of the topographical content of the two series (see also 05 05 130-140; 05 08 251-259).

[Hide]

By MacMahon, K.A.

pp 212-217

The author suggests that although newspapers are richly-rewarding source for local historians, the task of searching them can be lengthy, wearisome and seemingly unending. He notes that many local libraries have begun to collect and list newspapers for their area, and some have been developing more detailed indexes, but many long runs of newspapers remain unindexed and thus difficult to access. He suggests, therefore, that a very useful local history group project could be the preparation of subject indexes for a typical run of local papers. The article gives guidelines for such a project, based upon the author's own experience and listed under main headings: the historical background; master subjects; progressing the index; indexing techniques and procedures (using index slips which require careful sorting and cross-referencing); and the creation of the finished index from the slips. There is a useful reading list concerning the value of newspapers and the use of newspapers in historical research, and titles relating to newspaper history.

[Hide]

By Higgs, J.W.Y.

pp 221-224

A general description of the state of local history in Denmark, which covers the following main themes: i) the organisation of 'voluntary' local history in the country, looking at the county societies which have a co-ordinating and 'umbrella' role; ii) subsidies for local history publishing; iii) national and local historical organisations; and iv) the archives and museums and their role in local history organisation.

[Hide]

By Gillett, E.

pp 224-230

The records of the Inquisitions held in the Middle Ages to determine proofs of age are a potentially very useful source for local historians - they were required to determine whether a minor had reached full age and therefore could be married off, or come into an inheritance. They were thus an important element in the system of wardship of minors and to establish legal proof it was necessary to take testimony from individual witnesses and the events in the life of the subject of the case were often correlated with notable occurrences such as fires, storms and other family events. The article discusses these often complex cases, noting the wealth of detail which oral testimony could provide and giving a number of specific examples which are carefully explained - those present at a birth, dates of education, apprenticeship details, statements concerning prominent events such as wars and battles, are all mentioned as appearing in the evidence. The proofs of age may therefore be seen as a fascinating source which give a rare glimpse into the mental image held by medieval people.