Hellesdon History is proud to be inviting another three wonderful local historians to discuss their research on local history. Find them at 2pm at Hellesdon Library, on the fourth Saturday of September, October, and November. All the talks are free, and tea and biscuits are provided.
21 September The Mystery of the Disappearing Paston Letters Or, ‘The Paston Letters: fiction or fact?’
In this talk Lucy Care, local artist and historian, will discuss the history of the Paston family’s letters. In 1865 the world of antiquarians were rocked by an article by Herman Merivale claiming that the Paston Letters were made up by John Fenn!
When they tried to find the letters – the Queen herself had lost some of the originals and the rest had also disappeared…. How could they investigate their authenticity? And where did the letters go?
26 October Where there’s a Will …
Dr Sandra Browne will be presenting her research on Norwich wills. The wills of single women in the Norwich diocese in the seventeenth century give us a chance to hear their voices and to see the practical realities of the lives of a section of society which has been overlooked in standard histories.
23 November Meet Your Ancestors: Shake Hands with The Past
In this talk Alan Harper from the Norfolk Family History Society will introduce you to two of his ancestors and reveal their fascinating lives. Meet a baker from Victorian Norwich and hear about the unsavoury things which found their way into his bread, and an emigrant to Australia seeking her fortune in the gold rush. Alan will give some pointers on how you too can find out about the amazing lives your ancestors lived!
