The Local Historian Volume 8 Number 8 November 1969

By Duckham, Baron F.

Substantial article which describes ways in which local historians can research and write the history of individual collieries and colliery companies. The article recommends a variety of potentially useful sources, including i) the detailed descriptions and eyewitness accounts included in parliamentary inquiries (the so-called 'blue books'); ii) published lists of mines, which can be invaluable in tracing ownership details; iii) the reports of the Inspectors of Mines, which are particularly valuable for evidence on working conditions, safety, and labour forces; iv) periodicals and professional journals, which include much technical detail and contemporary reporting; v) local records, including estate records and leasing agreements; vi) private colliery records and accounts; vii) business records collected by National Coal Board; and viii) maps and plans, which may be highly detailed although their survival is variable. The author also advises on approaches to the writing of colliery histories.

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By Bigmore P.G.

There are more round-towered churches in the eastern counties than anywhere else in Britain. The author rejects suggestions that they may somehow be linked with the Danish occupation of the region, although he notes that similar examples are found in parts of mainland Europe. Instead, parallels are drawn with the freestanding round towers of Ireland and Scotland, and Bigmore uses the geographical distribution and specific locational topography of these churches to conclude that, given their often conspicuous positions overlooking rivers and estuaries, they may have served as watch-towers or belltowers to warn local inhabitants of the danger of the intrusion of hostile forces.

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By Hutton, Kenneth

Discussion (in the form of a reader's contribution) of the street-name element 'gate', from the Scandinavian gata, a road, track or way. The name is found largely in northern and eastern England (the greatest apparent concentration being in Yorkshire) and Hutton identifies 151 places which have a total of 469 streets with this element, though he admits that the true figure is likely to be much higher. The article includes a basic analysis of the accompanying elements (e.g. Fisher-, Friar-, Potter-, and Castle-).

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By Woodward, Donald M.

A detailed study of the procedures for wage regulation, which was one of the statutory duties of the justices of the peace but which has received little serious attention from historians. Woodward considers that the records of this procedure are a potentially very valuable source for local historians. The assessments laid down what amounted to a maximum wage level, and this was widely observed even though there are examples of the agreements being flouted where the rates set by the justices were thought to be inappropriate, or where especially good workmen were required. Market forces undoubtedly affected wages in general, but research at local level into the wages paid by, for example, individual householders and farmers, may help to indicate whether or not the assessments were followed. Other areas of potential research include comparisons between wage rates and price indexes, differentials between years and seasons, wage assessments for different trades, differences between rural and urban wage rates, and regional variations.

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By McKinley, R.A.

A progress report on the 'Survey of English Surnames', a national project which was based at Leicester University and aimed at coverage of the country in a series of regional and county volumes.