Researching Local History

Researching Local History written by Stuart A. Raymond and published by

Pen & Sword Books - £16.99 - Softcover - Pages 240

How has the place we live in changed, developed, and grown over the centuries? That is

the basic question local historians seek to answer. The answer is to be found in the sources

of information that previous generations have left us. The records of parish, county, and

diocesan administration, of the courts, of the national government, and of private estates,

all have something to tell us about the history of the locality we are interested in. So do old

newspapers and other publications. All of these sources are readily available, but many

have been little used.

Local historians come from a wide diversity of backgrounds. But whether you are a student researching a dissertation, a family historian interested in the wider background history of your family, a teacher, a librarian, an archivist, an academic, or are merely interested in the history of your own area, this book is for you. If you want to research local history, you need a detailed account of the myriad sources readily available. This book provides a comprehensive overview of those sources, and its guidance will enable you to explore and exploit their vast range. It poses the questions that local historians ask, and identifies the specific sources likely to answer those questions.

This has to be said that as someone who has done lots of different jobs in my time involving local history, I can highly recommend this book. Why should I start with this stark statement? This book does exactly what you want when you want to learn about doing local history research, this book shows you how to research people, local government, agriculture, trade, business and leisure records and occupations. Of course one of the best things this book and the series does, is present a wide array of sources and links for you to get direct to the records system you need both via ‘old’ communications or via the internet. The book is well written and presented and fits in nicely to this series dedicated to the local history or genealogy world.

The British Bonapartes

The British Bonapartes written by Edward Hilary Davis and published by

Pen & Sword Books - £22.00 - Hardback - Pages 200

A hitherto unexamined history of the wider Bonaparte family, presented in a new way and

shedding fresh light on their eventful lives in Britain. From duels on Wimbledon Common and

attempted suicides in Hyde Park, to public brawls and arrests in Shropshire and the sexual

adventures of a princess who rescued Freud from the Nazis and brought him to Britain, this

book exposes the curious events surrounding the family’s exploits in England, Scotland and

Ireland. Originally an island family themselves, the Bonapartes have had a surprisingly good

relationship with the British Isles. In just two generations, the Bonapartes went from being

Britain’s worst enemy to one of Queen Victoria’s closest of friends. Far from another mere

history of Napoleon Bonaparte, this book is divided into different branches of the Bonaparte

family, detailing – in an anecdotal and amusing way – their rather scandalous lives in Britain.

For example, few will know that Napoleon III was once a volunteer constable in London and arrested a drunk woman; or that Princess Marie Bonaparte sponsored Prince Philip’s education as well as conducted her own research into the clitoris in her quest to achieve an orgasm; or that Napoleon IV fought for the British army and was killed by the Zulus; or that one Bonaparte was even made a High Sheriff in a British town. Today, the head of the family is London-based and works in finance. The Bonapartes are known to most as the enemies of Britain, but the truth is quite the opposite, and far more entertaining.

This was an entertaining look at the wider family of the British Bonapartes, and although I went into the book expecting something prim and well-to-do, the book was actually quite an entertaining read. Some of the little stories were shall we say a little surprising but overall the book was quite humorous, appealing and informative. I always find it amazing to find out the various activities, events and sometimes scandals that go on in some families. I enjoyed this book very much and would happily recommend it.