I work freelance on historical research and writing projects and in 2020 became an Associate of AGRA (the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives). This mostly means working on people’s family and house histories. My work is best when I understand the local context of my research but this also fulfils a lifelong interest in the patchwork of local histories across Britain. This includes voracious reading of local histories on holidays and as an undergraduate in Glasgow a stint earning beer money taking guided tours.
Today I’m based in the richly historic county of Westmorland within modern-day Cumbria and carry out most of my research work here. I enjoy getting involved in local history projects in my community. In 2019 we erected a memorial to some workers and their families who died during the construction of a nearby section of the Settle-Carlisle Railway. We’re currently working on a village hall historical show-and-tell (restrictions permitting)!I’m also a part-time academic working on a PhD at the University of York on the book and print trade in early modern England c.1557-1666. I have an interest in this trade across Britain, especially the range of people buying, selling and reading the written and printed word in the localities. It is this exciting era of Reformation and Revolution which especially appeals to me across all my research. I have my first academic articles, on the print trade in seventeenth century England due for publication this year.
I’ve also contributed chapters on the Levellers and the Sects of the Civil Wars to a forthcoming book on the history of ‘English Radicals’ being published by Pen and Sword. As a historian interested in London (which is indeed local history!) I’ve recently contributed to a new project ‘Placecloud’ where historians present mini-podcasts on places within the city. I hope to be able to add more when they roll out to the rest of the country. Recently, I’ve joined the Viae Regiae project as a volunteer working on probate material. This initiative aims to map the transport infrastructure of England and Wales in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In this hard pandemic year I've loved working within the BALH Outreach team bringing local history to large online audiences. Becoming a Trustee is a huge honour and a great opportunity to help BALH do everything we can to inspire, encourage and support local societies and historians.
