Thu, 17 May 2012 16:00:28 +0100Exploring Surreys Past Newshttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.ukThu, 17 May 2012 16:00:28 +0100Orangeleaf Systems Ltd SiteSync 6en-gbhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001038.htmlhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001038.htmlMilitary memorabilia explained by a panel of experts Do you have medals, uniforms or photos from your family's military past? Our panel of experts will help you identify them and discover the truth about your family's military history 12.30pm-4pm Surrey History Centre 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking, GU21 6ND 01483 518737 www.surreycc.gov.uk/surreyhistorycentre Free admission http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001041.htmlhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001041.htmlWhy now, why heritage? A time of change in Roma communities Against a background of conflict, poor relationships, discrimination A non-confrontational medium An opportunity for people to meet and talk Roma Routes is an EU funded project working across five countries in Europe, Greece, Germany, Slovenia, Romania and the UK. Members of the Romany community are working with museums and heritage organisations to put their culture on the map, and to find ways of telling non-Romany people about their way of life. www.romaroutes.eu Click here for more information about the Roma Routes Project         With the support of the Culture Programme of the European Union http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001024.htmlhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001024.html Every April, Surrey Museums Month celebrates Surrey's 44 amazing museums and galleries and their many fun events, exhibitions and activities for all ages and interests. For 2012, we are also showcasing people around the county who have played an important role in shaping Surrey's history. We are calling these our Surrey Heroes. From the very well known to those less so, we hope to share different aspects of Surrey's history and encourage visits to discover more about our 'Stars'. Click on an image below to see the full events listing Copies can be obtained from Surrey History Centre, participating museums or downloaded as a pdf document using the link below. Click here to download a pdf copy of the full events lisiting (24 pages). http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001040.htmlhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001040.htmlLewis Carroll (Courtesy of Surrey History Centre) Dr Will Brooker, head of Film Research at Kingston University and author of the book Alice's Adventures: Lewis Carroll in Popular Culture, wants your help for a new book project. Will is researching the way the anniversaries of the life of Lewis Carroll (C L Dodgson) and the publication of Alice were marked in Guildford and the surrounding areas on three key dates - 1932, 1965 and 1998 - to find out what Carroll meant to Surrey throughout the 20th century. Dr Brooker will be bringing a film crew from Kingston University to the Surrey History Centre and Guildford Museum - during the latter's current exhibition: Victorian Child - aspects of childhood in the time of Alice (showing 26 March-19 May). The project will result in a half hour documentary celebrating the importance of Lewis Carroll to Guildford and Surrey, in the words of local people, Lewis Carroll's living descendants, and leading Carroll experts. Lewis Carroll's Alice (Courtesy of Surrey History Centre) If you, or anyone in your family, remembers the Alice anniversaries of 1932, 1965 or 1998, Dr Brooker would love to hear from you - and if you'd be willing to take part in filmed interviews, please let him know. Alternatively, if you have a particular memory you'd like to share by email, or videos, photographs, documents or souvenirs from any of the anniversaries, please get in touch on drwillbrooker@gmail.com. Surrey History Centre, 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking, GU21 6ND 01483 518737 email: shs@surreycc.gov.uk http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001036.htmlhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001036.htmlAn online index to the register of deaths, 1798 – 1878, in the prison is now available. The gaol in Horsemonger Lane, Newington, was Surrey's principal prison and place of execution up to its closure in 1878.   The gaol housed both criminals and debtors, and had a a capacity of around 300 inmates. The index contains the inmate's name, age, occupation and date of death; the original register (ref QS5/4/7/24) also gives the offence and the cause of death (including executions). Click here to see the new index here. The original records and other related documents can be seen at the Surrey History Centre, click here to visit their website for information on opening times. Click here to find out more about the Surrey Quarter Sessions records. http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001035.htmlhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001035.htmlDr Joe Flatman's book 'Becoming an Archaeologist' has won the Current Archaeology Magazine's 'Book of the Year' competition 2012. That the book won the prize against stiff competition from the works of some very distinguished authors, including Sir Barry Cunliffe, Prof. Niall Sharples and Prof. David Breeze. The book draws on the author's work with the Surrey County Council Heritage Conservation Team, Historic Environment Record and Exploring Surrey's Past website. The book was published by Cambridge University Press in August 2011 and can be purchased online at www.cambridge.org/9780521734691 Dr Joe Flatman, MIfA, FSA is: County Archaeologist Surrey County Council 130 Goldsworth Road Woking GU21 6ND  and Senior Lecturer Institute of Archaeology 31-34 Gordon Square London WC1H 0PY http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001033.htmlhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001033.htmlWho Do You Think You Are? Live 2012, Olympia. Dr Nick Barratt, Lead Consultant for BBC’s ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ and Editor in Chief of Your Family History presented Julian Pooley, Surrey History Centre Manager, with the Archive of the Year Award 2012. Your Family History Magazine Archive of the Year Award 2012 Julian Pooley, Surrey History Centre, with Nick Barratt, Colin McFarlane and Laura Berry, Editor of Your Family History with Award Surrey History Centre has been voted the outright winner of the Archive of the Year Award 2012 by readers of Your Family History Magazine.  Record Offices across the entire United Kingdom were eligible for the award and members of the public were asked to nominate and vote for the archive service which offered the best service from staff the best facilities in the search rooms the most accessible and highest quality finding aids and catalogues the best range of services provided online, including access to digitised records the widest range of documents available for consultation the strongest connections with the local community the best facilities for disabled people The staff at Surrey History Centre are very proud to have been given this award and wish to thank everyone who voted for the Centre. The following video features Dr Nick Barratt and Colin McFarlane presenting the Award to Julian Pooley from the Surrey History Centre  at Who Do You think You Are? Live 2012 at Olympia. The video was shot by, and presented here courtesy of Sebastian Sharples. Click the play button on the bar above to start the video. Surrey History Centre has also been recognised to be a 4 Star service by The National Archives. Surrey History Centre now has its own Facebook page and Twitter feed (@SurreyHeritage) so please Like and Follow Us. During the coming months the Exploring Surrey's Past website will be upgraded with the aim of delivering even better on-line services. The following comments have already been received, send yours to shs@surreycc.gov.uk: 'A thousand congratulations to all involved.' Dame Sarah Goad, Lord Lieutenant of Surrey 'Absolutely wonderful news! Well done to everyone. A huge vote of confidence all round. I am so proud.' Heather D Hawker MBE DL, Former Chairman of the Surrey History Trust 'Many congratulations.' Mrs Lavinia Sealy, Chairman of Surrey County Council 'Another Award!  How absolutely fantastic. Please congratulate everyone who would have been involved.' Mrs Angela Fraser DL, Vice Chairman of Surrey County Council 'This is wonderful news! Congratulations to all concerned.' Mrs Denise Saliagopoulos, Cabinet Member for Community Services and the 2012 Games 'That is brilliant news. Huge credit to you and your colleagues. Please pass on my thanks and appreciation to all your colleagues for this outstanding achievement. Well done.' Dr David McNulty, Chief Executive of Surrey County Council 'Absolutely wonderful news and congratulations all round.' Dr David Taylor FSA, Chairman of Surrey History Trust Photographs featuring the Award taken at Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2012 at Olympia on Saturday 25th February. Surrey History Centre group with Nick Barratt, Colin McFarlane and Laura Berry Surrey History Centre staff at Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2012 stand Jill Hyams, Jane Lewis and Di Stiff (Surrey History Centre) with Award Julian Pooley, Surrey History Centre, with Award, Nick Barratt and Colin McFarlane Jane Lewis (Surrey History Centre) with Award, Nick Barratt, Colin McFarlane and Laura Berry http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001030.htmlhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001030.htmlVisit Surrey Heritage on Facebook, click on the logo below: Find out what's new in the archive, information on events and lots more. http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001029.htmlhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001029.htmlDid your ancestor do time in the Surrey County Gaol? Was he or she tried for coining, conspiracy or criminal damage? Was he publicly whipped, sentenced to hard labour or transported to Australia?? A new CD will provide the answer. For the past few years Surrey History Trust has been working with Surrey Heritage to record on a database the details of the 20,000 or so cases relating to people hauled up before the magistrates of the Surrey Court of Quarter Sessions for a very wide range of offences between 1780 and 1820. The data is now available on CD with an introduction to the work of the court and a name index of the 54208 defendants (and aliases), accusers, victims and witnesses. The project has been entirely carried out by volunteers who have worked with great dedication and enthusiasm on very complicated records in their own homes. All human life will be found on the CD. Searching through this index will introduce William Baker, aged only 15, who was sentenced to transportation to Australia for 7 years in 1820 for stealing a pair of stockings, or the quartet of Aram Ball, Jeremiah Mahoney, John Rice Lewis and John Collings who in 1816 were all fined for exposing themselves naked and in an indecent posture on the public highway in Camberwell. Then there is William Winter, a particularly zealous magistrate, who in 1783 committed 13 women for being 'common night walkers and picking up men and committing other acts of lewdness'. And it is not just crime and indecent behaviour. There are men who refuse to maintain their illegitimate offspring, fraudsters and hucksters playing confidence tricks on their neighbours, workers striking for better wages, people endeavouring to supply prisoners with gin and even body snatchers. At a time when France had fallen into revolutionary turmoil and the Surrey magistrates were fretting that the contagion might spread to England you can see them coming down hard on Giles Barratt in 1790 for playing the role of Henry du Bois in a play called the Triumph of Liberty or the Destruction of the Bastille. The Surrey Quarter Sessions 1780-1820 CD is produced by the Surrey History Trust and can be purchased from the Surrey Heritage online shop or from Surrey History Centre, 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 6ND. Price ?10 plus ?2.40 postage and handling or ?4.00 for overseas. Click here to find out more about the CD and for a link to the Surrey Heritage on-line shop. Click here to find out more about the Quarter Sessions records held at the Surrey History Centre. http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001010.htmlhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001010.htmlFind out more about the Inspire Mark programme. Surrey Heritage is very pleased to announce that the Surrey's Sporting Life 2012 programme of events and the Our Sporting Life display have been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark. The Surrey's Sporting Life 2011 programme of events and the Our Sporting Life display were also awarded the Inspire Mark and it is fantastic to have the continuing recognition. The programme of events and displays is close to being finalised. Surrey’s Sporting Life 2012 Re-enactments of historic sporting events. The Olympic torch route and the cycling race through Surrey are once-in-a-lifetime events. This programme of events will connect with and build on these historic events. The public will be inspired by, enjoy and learn about Surrey’s rich and diverse sporting heritage. The events will focus on locally and nationally significant sporting firsts and events, and famous or forgotten sporting heroes. The aim is to build a sense of pride in, and community around the County’s sporting achievements, heritage and culture. Opportunities to try sports will run in parallel with re-enactments and talks. Exhibitions. At least ten venues will host the Our Sporting Life exhibition. This will link to, and give more information about the events to further inspire and strengthen the sense of pride and community and encourage exploration of Surrey’s heritage. In April, Surrey’s museums will focus on Local Heroes, including sporting personalities. This will be a combination of exhibitions, talks, workshops and other activities, in particular there is a planned collaboration with Go Surrey at the Albert Hall event Sports on-line. Linked pages on the Exploring Surrey’s Past website will provide access to museums and archives with more information about the County’s sporting heritage and provide opportunities for involvement. Events The programme of events is being finalised but is expected to include: Torch festival, Guildford, 20 July 2012 including the re enactment of the 1755 baseball match in Guildford Re-enactment of the Caesars’ cricket match in Godalming Dorking, Cotmandene, re-enactment cricket match. Golfing re-enactment in Elmbridge. Cycling re-enactments at various locations including Go Surrey, Surrey Arts Festival, Royal Albert Hall, 29th May 2012 Woking Party in the Park, 7 July 2012 Surrey Hills Road Cycle Race Festival 2012, 27-29th July 2012; Brooklands Cycle Festival, 16th September 2012. Gypsy vardos as part of, and along the route of the Olympic torch run. Exhibitions Camberley Library, 13-19th February 2012 Banstead Library, 3rd-18th March 2012 Caterham Valley Library, 2nd-8th April 2012 Godalming Library, 7th-13th May 2012 Cranleigh Library, 15-20th May 2012 Guildford Library, 21st-27th May 2012 Go Surrey, Surrey Arts Festival, Royal Albert Hall, 29th May 2012 Surrey County Show, 4th June 2012 Banstead Library, 11-17th June 2012 Haslemere Educational Museum, 1st-26th, 30th, 31st July, 1-31st August 2012 Woking Party in the Park, 7 July 2012 Torch festival, Guildford, 20 July 2012 Surrey Hills Road Cycle Race Festival 2012, 27-29th July 2012 http://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001009.htmlhttp://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/news/001009.htmlA rare and unique photograph of John Springfield, a Zanzibar slave and later resident of Guildford (1847-1891), is one the winners in the 100 Images of Migration competition organised by The Guardian newspaper and The Migration Museum. The John Springfield collection is part of the Surrey History Centre archive (Ref.1714) and his story was researched and digitised for display on the Exploring Surrey's Past and Surrey History Centre websites as part of ongoing work into Surrey's diverse communities. A selection of winners will be published some time soon in the Guardian Weekend magazine (no precise date yet) and the image is featured on the winners' gallery on the museum website (about half way down page 2). It is hoped there will also be an exhibiton of all the winning entries. However, if you can't wait to discover John Springfield's story you can find out how the Surrey History Centre researchers became history detectives to unearth his extraordinary story by visiting the websites: Exploring Surrey's Past - John Springfield – From Zanzibar to Guildford Surrey History Centre - John Springfield a Guildford cobbler from Zanzibar