The Local Historian Volume 8 Number 1 February 1968

By Tillott, Peter M.

pp 2-10

A methodology for the analysis of census data. The author comments on the development of demographic studies and emphasises the application of demographic studies at local level, since not only is the data available, but computers will help in analysing the information. He reports on collaborative activities amongst local history groups in the field of population studies and suggests that the following major elements should be incorporated in the framework of any transcribing or analytical exercise; i) clear definition of the community under study in order to reduce error and ambiguity; ii) data collection should be designed for the appropriate social and economic groupings to avoid disparities between categories of population; iii) data entry should be undertaken using carefully-designed forms; iv) data sorting and analysis can involve using simple counting of facts such as birthplace data, family structure, or household structure; v) interpretation could include comparative topographical studies; and vi) it is crucial to define as clearly as possible the key topics which are under investigation.

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By Richards, P.S.

pp 10-15

Critical review of studies which have looked at railway history, with comment on the approaches adopted, followed by an assessment of the source material which is available for historians and potential problems with its use. The author considers the following types of material and indicates their strengths and weaknesses: i) existing 'traditional' histories of railways and railway companies, which he criticises as being often inaccurate; ii) railway literature including guidebooks and the large numbers of journals, magazines and other regular publications, often aimed at the 'railway enthusiast'; iii) modern histories of railways and companies, which may be highly specialised and include a great deal of esoteric detail, but which may lack context and overview; iv) maps and plans, which can be highly informative and are usually accurate, but are of questionable value when analysing the routes which were taken; v) company plans; vi) financial records, which are rarely used as source material but may be very informative about the traffic and business of the companies; vii) company minute books, which should be very full and often give much detail about construction; viii) newspapers; and ix) academic theses, which tend to be very detailed and are rarely used.

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By Ramsey, A.R.J.

pp 16-21

In this article Ramsey looks at a range of craft industries which are identifiable from place-name evidence. Many familiar trades and crafts have produced place-names, though they are not particularly numerous and often only one or two examples may be found. He notes: i) blacksmithing, with names such as Smeaton, Smeeth, and Smethwick; ii) ironworking and forges, which produce minor place-names such as Forge Farm and Furnace Wood; iii) crafts such as 'wrights', again giving minor place-names; iv) shoemaking, with the example of the name Sutterby; v) coopers and cutlers; vi) tilemaking (Tilehurst); and vii) charcoal-making (Cowden, Coldridge, and Cinderford). The article includes a substantial list of crafts and the place-name evidence for their existence (see also 07 05 146-148; 07 06 192-195; 07 08 250-252).

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By Parry, Bryn R.

pp 22-27

Description of the formation of the Caernarvonshire Record Office and review of its main archive collections, including Quarter Sessions records, newspapers and industrial records.