Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology

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DOING A PARISH HISTORY

A GUIDE TO LOCAL BOOKS AND OTHER SOURCES

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14. Guidance by example

Browsing in the places sections of the Local Studies Collection is as good a way as any to find examples to follow - and sometimes to avoid! This list makes a few suggestions as to contrasting approaches, some written by academics, some by amateur individuals, some by amateur groups, and some by adult classes with greater and lesser input by their tutors.

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See List 1b for vol. XII of the History of Lincolnshire - chapters on Welbourn in the twentieth century and on separation of workplace from home; and List 6 for Obelkevich - excellent on the nineteenth century village community.

BINBROOK - one of the best researched Lincolnshire villages, resulting in three publications:

R. J. Olney, ed. Labouring Life on the Lincolnshire Wolds: a study of Binbrook in the mid-nineteenth century Sleaford, 1975. The product of an evening class
C. Rawding, ed. Binbrook in the 19th Century Binbrook WEA, 1989
C. Rawding Binbrook 1900-1939 Binbrook WEA, 1991

SPILSBY - a small market town, but part of rural society all the same:

R. Gurnham Georgian Spilsby Spilsby WEA, 1989
R. Gurnham Victorian Spilsby Spilsby WEA 1984
R. Gurnham Edwardian Spilsby Spilsby WEA, 1987
B. Walker Spilsby 1914-39 Spilsby WEA, 1994

OTHER EXAMPLES

P. Baumber and D. Mills, eds. Kirkby Green and Scopwick: historical sketches of two Lincolnshire parishes Scopwick, 1993. The 'sketches' cover selected topics from early times to the twentieth century. The product of an evening class, published by the Local History Group.
E. Bennett Brackenborough: the story of a manor Louth, 1995. Brackenborough estate contains a deserted medieval village site. For a DMV study, this book makes unusually full use of documentary sources from earliest times to the end of the twentieth century. Published by the Louth Naturalists', Antiquarians' and Literary Society.
S. D. Bingham et. al., eds. Willingham-by-Stow: an historical summary for the Millenium Celebrations, 2000 AD Willingham-by-Stow, 2000. One of the best examples of its kind. Pages 1-7 demonstrate how the references included in this bibliography can be used for parish history down to the nineteenth century.
J. N. Clarke Belchford: the history of a Lincolnshire Wolds village Belchford, 1984. Well referenced and indexed; published by the author.
D. Edmonds and D. Cox My Village - Pinchbeck Pinchbeck, 1986. Well illustrated. A series of sketches of mostly recent history, with many extracts from sources, including oral recollections.
M. J. Elsden Aspects of Spalding villages in words and photographs Spalding, 2000. From LHA 35, p. 71 - work on Holland is sparse and this book of 262pp seems promising.
R. Foers The history of Castle Bytham (update 2000), Castle Bytham, 2000. LHA 35, p.72
C. W. Foster A history of the villages of Aisthorpe and Thorpe-le-Fallows Lincoln, 1927. Probably the best of the older parish histories, and very strong on manorial history.
S. R. Garner Burnham: the story of an Axholme village Skellow, Doncaster, 1994. Mostly recent history; good use made of directories, censuses and maps. Published by Old Granary Publications.
J. M. Goodwin Uffington in Lincolnshire Stamford, 1997. Well indexed; 165 illustrations.
P. M. Greatorex Reflections on the life and history of Morton by Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Morton, 1984. Has well defined chapters and is well illustrated.
Kirton-in-Lindsey Writers' Group Kirton-in-Lindsey: historical aspects Kirton, 1993. A distinctive approach, being a collection of well sourced essays by nine authors.
M. Newton South Kyme: the history of a Fenland village South Kyme, 1995. A well illustrated book covering all periods with general success. Published by Kyme Publications.
B. M. Pask Allington: the story of a Lincolnshire village Newark, 1990. Excellent illustrations, indexed. Published by the author.
Pickworth Local History Group Pickworth, a south Lincolnshire village Pickworth, 2009
J. Platt Withern: the story of a Lincolnshire parish Louth, 2005. (LHA, 40, p.71).
G. W. Robinson The Parish of Burton-upon-Stather, Normanby and Thealby Burton, 1996. Essentially a picture book, but very well done; published by the Parochial Church Council.
R. C. Russell and E. Holmes Two hundred years of Claxby parish history: 1801-1901 (RCR) and 1901-2000 (EH), Claxby, 2002. Demonstrates Rex's view that parish history starts in the eighteenth century! Unusual in its emphasis on 20th century. LHA, vol. 37, p. 76.
C. Rothery Mablethorpe, Trusthorpe and Maltby-le-Marsh scrapbook of times past Sutton-on-Sea, 1994. What it says, but jolly and attractive.
R. C. Russell, ed. Aspects of the history of Barrow-on-Humber c1713 to 1851 Joyce Martin, 1988. The aspects are the Barrow town book, 1713 (a marvellous set of rules for the administration of the fields); an eighteenth-century diary; the enclosure; social change 1801-1851; and a census study for 1851. The product of an evening class.
A. Rogers, ed. Stability and change: some aspects of North and South Rauceby in the nineteenth century University of Nottingham, 1969. The product of an evening class.
D. I. A. Steel Lincolnshire Village: the Parish of Corby Glen in its historical context London, 1979. An excellent comparison of a modern (1970s) village with the same village in the past, and a recommended text at the national level.
Witham-on-the-Hill Historical Society A piece of the puzzle: the journey of a village through history With am-on-the-Hill, 2000.

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