The Local Historian Volume 20, Number 3 August 1990

By John Marriott

The 20th century is now seen as major period for local history research and analysis. This study looks at the inter-war years in West Ham, London, a period during which few significant records apparently survive, and it considers the ultimate fate of the influential radicalism evident in the area in the late 19th century in the context of the growth of the Labour Party. There is discussion of the socio-economic record: the Victoria County History and census records show the decline of West Ham as an industrial area but give little data on social change. The New Survey of London Life and Labour (1928-32) is used to provide much more information on the experience of unskilled workers and the efforts made to relieve their plight. The inter-war period saw major political changes and the author uses a range of sources to trace the rise of Labour, including local newspapers and minute books of Socialist societies. Trade union activity is poorly-represented among local archive sources so national records and those of trades councils and co-operative societies were employed. Oral techniques are discussed, including the difficulties encountered in this approach.

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By Ned Williams

The history of leisure and entertainment is a subject of growing interest and importance. This review considers research into local cinema history and the author outlines a methodology for research projects. This is based upon: i) defining boundaries and highlighting the existence of cinema chains; ii) identifying sites through such sources as trade directories and year books; iii) tracing cinema company records; and iv) using local newspapers, especially in relation to the advertising which they carried. Williams suggests way of presenting the results of research, commenting on continuing areas of development including out of town 'multiplexes' and the rapid growth of the Asian film scene.

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By Catherine Moriarty

The National Inventory of War Memorials, which is based at the Imperial War Museum, was established in 1989 to provide a comprehensive catalogue of all war memorials in the UK. The author comments on the wide-ranging types of memorial on record, and on their potential use in other fields of historical investigation, such as family history.

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By Christopher Harrison

Review of the current uses of information technology in historical research, including: i) tabulating and analysing large data sets; ii) the computerisation of census returns; iii) the application of database techniques to historical records and research projects; and iv) the digitisation of rare or unique paper-based source material. The author comments on the range of innovation, but also highlights the problems in dealing with fast-changing technologies.

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By Angus McInnes

A particularly detailed account of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, in the 17th century, a period when the town enjoyed considerable prosperity. The author provides extensive evidence of Uttoxeter's local and regional status, including analysis of population levels using data from parish registers and street plans. It grew rapidly in size during the 17th century and the population stood at about 3000 in the 1690s (equivalent to that of Wolverhampton). Poverty and wealth are analysed, revealing that despite the presence of a significant number of poor (those exempt from Hearth Tax) many townspeople were relatively wealthy. The evidence of the prosperity of widows also indicates high levels of wealth and inventories show high standards of living. Uttoxeter's wealth was founded on its position as centre of the local leather industry, as well as a secondary specialism in cattle and dairy products. There is also evidence of a wide range of other crafts which accompanied the leather industry, and of a major role in the market network. The author comments on the relative failures of other towns in Staffordshire, as well as the evidence for similar patterns in other 'favoured' English market towns.