Welcome

If you have an interest in Essex history, or in supporting the county's archive of original documents in a variety of practical ways, then the Friends of Historic Essex is the group for you.

Our regular Newsletter contains news, articles, and updates on activities. The Editor, Deborah Peers, part of the ERO outreach team, welcomes letters and articles for publication.

The Friends provide funds to help the ERO purchase books, documents, materials and equipment which might otherwise be beyond its means. Most recently the Friends have supported the purchase, and conservation, of a document comprising a large bound volume containing a hand-drawn key map of the parish of Great Tey. This includes seven hand-drawn sectional maps of Great Tey, a plan of the buildings and gardens in the village of Great Tey, a plan of Pope's Farm in the parish of Chapel, and a hand-written survey. Date c. 1808. The volume will remain in the ERO with a facsimile copy being made for the parish of Great Tey.

Opportunity to help in a more hands on way comes when the ERO holds special events such as the recent one-day conference, Sad Shires and Bugles: Essex in the First World War, held in November 2008. The day marked the ninetieth anniversary of the Armistice and the publication of the book The Impact of Catastrophe: The People of Essex and the First World War by Dr Paul Rusiecki. The programme included talks on The Men of Colchester: An Essex response to the War by Dr Paul Rusiecki; 'Strong arms and stout hearts' Essex and the outbreak of the Great War by Stuart Hallifax (University of Oxford); Internment of Enemy Aliens by Grahame Harris (ERO); and Zeppelins over Southend by Ken Crowe (Southend Museum).

To get the fascinating flavour of how a detailed research project can start and be carried out, please follow the link to the Thomas Salt project.

Membership is only £10 per year with a host of benefits.

The next committee meeting will be held on Monday 10th May 2010, at the Essex Record Office.

Read 'A Review of the first 40 years'. An insight into how the friends were formed.

© 2010