The Local Historian Volume 10 Number 7 August 1973

By M.K. Ashby

Study of the vernacular architecture, occupancy and status of cottages dating from the 17th and 18th centuries in the village of Bledington, Oxfordshire. The author categorises the cottages in two groups: those which were characteristically occupied by labourers, and those usually inhabited by more prosperous families. The article traces the life cycles of some of the inhabitants and charts the changes in the cottages themselves over time.

[Hide]

By Larch S. Garrad and W.J. Scatchard

A brief note which introduces the history of rope-making in the Isle of Man in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and points to its extremely close relationship with the seafaring and maritime traditions and economy of the island.

[Hide]

By Howard Newby

Oral history has become an important approach to the study of local history. In this article Newby considers its value in researching agricultural history, and highlights the considerable problems encountered in using this source. He notes, particularly, the often distorted or misleading perceptions which individuals express about the nature and organisation of society in the past, illustrating these problems with examples from work done in East Anglia. He suggests that while coherent evidence may be obtained from the untypical individual, particularly those who had been engaged in distinctive or specialised work or who had held a prominent or specific place in the community, the evidence derives essentially from their particular and clear view of society. Less useful evidence, he argues, comes from individuals who react to false or spurious cues. Oral history evidence, while valuable, must be treated with great caution.

[Hide]

By G. Needham

Study of church brasses, with examples from Cumbria. Needham suggests that although in one instance a brass appears to show the marriage of Sir Roger Bellingham and Margaret Aske, a range of other evidence suggests that they were not married at all. Does this, he queries, indicate that these monuments may deceive the researcher?

[Hide]

By David P. Dymond

Review of approaches to church history which can culminate in the publication of a short guidebook. Subjects covered include i) contents and information, including the dedication, status, and patrons of the church; ii) analysis of the main periods of building and development of the church; iii) significant architectural and structural features and their interpretation; iv) the exterior of the building; v) the furnishings and fittings; vi) special features such as masons' marks and tooling marks; vii) plans and surveys of the church; viii) illustrations and other portrayals of different phases of church interior; and ix) church records as a key source in the research process.

[Hide]

By James Batley

A bibliographical guide to picture and photograph collections and their locations, including suggestions on ways to identify and investigate the work of specific artists.