06 June 2020
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Explore the 330,000 photographs in the Francis Frith collection to see historic pictures of your place of interest
Looking at old photographs, and perhaps even film footage, documentaries or virtual tours, is a great way to explore the places, buildings and communities of the past.
If you’re a family history enthusiast, they’ll help you learn about the places your ancestors once lived. And if you’re keen on local history, they’ll give you vital clues about how the place looked in times, the businesses that were run there, the architecture, street furniture and so much more. Here are some ideas of resources to feast your eyes on on your quest to learn about the #StoryOfOurStreet.
Francis Frith
A Victorian photographer, Francis Frith toured England documenting the scene with his camera. Today the Frith collection includes 330,000 photographs featuring 7,000 cities, towns and villages. Browse the images (and historic maps) for your places of interest.
The Museum of the Home
The collections of the Museum of the Home (formerly the Geffrye Museum) ‘record people’s everyday experiences of home’.
Black Country Living Museum
Explore the 80,000 items held by the museum, via the catalogue – many of the things are domestic utensils and furnishings that are sure to spark memories too.
Tune into the telly
Series 3 of ‘A House Through Time’ has recently started – watch and catch up here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000jjn8/a-house-through-time-series-3-episode-1
Plus browse YouTube for other social history programmes that will inspire your understanding of the way life was led in the past. For instance:
The National Archives’ ‘What was your area like in Victorian times? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AjmxETKkNk
Lucy Worsley’s If Walls Could Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK6mwqw0FqQ
And Michael Wood’s ‘The Story of England’ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_pFSNmSveg
And to find out more about your street history, receive a FREE copy of Pen & Sword's Tracing your house history book when you subscribe to Family Tree magazine today. Click here to claim this offer today!