Secrets of the Parish Chest with Stephen Poulter

6 week course starts Friday 18 September 14:00-16:00
Ipswich, Ages 12+, 60From the dramatic story of a family with plague quarantined to save their local community, to the construction and hanging of new church bells, or the cost of clothing, feeding and raising village orphans, the records generated by every parish church from the 17th to the 19th centuries contain a wealth of fascinating stories. Local historian Stephen Poulter investigates a variety of original documents from East Anglia including Churchwardens Accounts, Glebe Terriers, Bastardy Bonds and Settlement Examinations to demonstrate how we can use them to reclaim the lives of members of any local community at all levels of rural society - from paupers and widows up to gentleman farmers and Lords of the Manor. Attendees will have a unique opportunity to access documents in the Holds Searchroom similar to those featured in the classes.