Latest news with #archives
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
The dark secrets of Bolton's past uncovered to mark National Crime Month
The intriguing dark chapters of Bolton's history have to come to light once again to mark National Crime Month. Bolton Library is marking the month with a series of events, including visits by crime authors - and a trip to the archives where secrets of the town's past dating back to the 1500s are kept. (Image: Leah Collins) The tour, which was led by archivist Caroline Furey, shows Bolton Library and Museum's collection of historical, court, business and church records taking back to 1525. READ MORE: Located under the Grade II listed building on Le Mans Crescent, the Bolton archives currently have two miles worth of shelving, with about three miles in total when combined with Bolton documents stored at other sites. The tours are led by archivist Caroline Furey. (Image: Leah Collins) Other records include old newspaper articles from the Bolton Chronicle, including detailed court coverage of previous crimes of the past. Caroline said: 'These sessions are ongoing to get people interested in the work we do here at the archives. A lot of people don't even know that they exist under here. 'Bolton library was actually the third public library in the country, so people here really did have a thirst for knowledge.' One of the documents in the collection include an indictment file relating to a 15-year-old pickpocket, James Costello, who was prosecuted for stealing a silver box containing coins from a lady in Bolton. The tours are proving popular with residents for National Crime Month. (Image: Leah Collins) Old court records show that he pleaded guilty to the offences and was transported for ten years to Tasmania. Police records describe James as 'bad and idle, bad in every respect' with records from his time in Tasmania describing an incident when he purposefully damaged his boots so that he couldn't work. Other records detail an Anges Lawless, who stole £5 from her employer in Bolton in 1881 and was sentenced to six months of hard labour as a result. Records from an old police book detail the crimes of James Costello. (Image: Leah Collins) A rather unusual case detailed in the records was Betty Eccles, an elderly lady from Bolton who was convicted for poisoning children with arsenic. Caroline said: 'We have lots of information on the criminals here in Bolton. With James, we know that he passed away in 1892 aged 66, which is a long life for someone of the time. 'We are keen to get in contact with anybody in Tasmania who might be part of his ancestry. The Bolton Library archives have about two miles of shelves in total. (Image: Leah Collins) 'All the information kept in the archives has to be original, and it must be about Bolton. We are keen not to have information that is duplicated and, in the case, when collections become too big to store, we would have to keep a sample. 'It is not all digitalised, this would be a massive job. Some stuff has been digitalised, it's normally external companies that come and do this for us, but it is a long and slow process.' Also discussed was the 1838 murder of Scotch traveller, George Henderson, on Winter Hill. He had set off early one morning across the cloud-shrouded hill, but never arrived at his destination. Later that day, a young boy found him moaning in a ditch, grievously injured by a gunshot to his head, which hours later claimed his life. The man charged with his murder was acquitted, so it's a crime that remains unsolved to this day. Crime author Shari Lapena will be at Bolton Library on July 16 and free tickets available on Eventbrite.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Science
- Arab News
King Abdulaziz Foundation launches Darah Documents initiative for greater accessibility to records
RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives has unveiled the Darah Documents initiative, a project designed to broaden public access to Saudi Arabia's historic records and deepen national awareness of their significance. The initiative, which was launched on Monday, seeks to connect new generations with their heritage and enhance the role of historic documents as primary sources for helping to understand the Kingdom's past. At the heart of the initiative is a digital portal and beneficiary services center, which together offer researchers, historians and interested individuals streamlined access to a diverse range of archival materials. These collections span local and foreign documents, manuscripts, photographs, oral histories and more, covering topics from politics and the economy to society, culture and education. Darah Documents features a digital system that supports browsing and advanced search capabilities. Users can request documents electronically or explore them directly at the beneficiary services center. The platform also provides descriptive information and translations for non-Arabic content, making the archives more accessible to a broader audience. As a nationally recognized authority on historic preservation, the foundation is committed to collecting, organizing, cataloging and digitizing documents according to rigorous scientific and archival standards. This phased initiative includes ongoing indexing and the release of high-value historic records, ensuring their preservation and optimal use for research and cultural enrichment. Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, Darah Documents reinforces national identity and supports the Kingdom's digital and knowledge transformation by making historic content more widely available.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
History hub has 'key role in present and future'
More than 120,000 people have visited a history centre in its first year of operation. The Story, in the restored Grade II listed Mount Oswald Manor House on the outskirts of Durham city, houses the county's archives going back nine centuries. The hub has a permanent, interactive exhibition space telling the story of the county and its people as well as being a venue for weddings and civil partnerships. Councillor Lyndsey Fox, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "The Story may be the gateway to County Durham's past, but the last year has demonstrated its important role in our present and future too." The oldest document in the collection dates from 1122 and is a deed of land transfer from the Bishop of Durham. The centre also houses 15,000 objects from the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) following the closure of a dedicated museum in 2016. The collection includes the medals awarded to four brothers, thought to be one of the most-decorated families of World War One. Since 14 June last year, more than 2,000 births have been registered at the facility with more than 2,100 notices of marriage or civil partnership granted. Fox added: "I'm delighted The Story has enjoyed such a successful year and I would like to thank the staff and volunteers for their hard work. "I know the team has some amazing plans in store for future so this really is just the start. "It's state-of-the-art facilities and exhibitions are empowering people to discover more about their personal histories and connect with our region's heritage in new and exciting ways." Mount Oswald was built in the early 19th Century and was most recently used as a golf club before planning permission for The Story was granted in 2020. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. WW1 hero's medals reunited with family archive History hub with records spanning 900 years opens Service commemorates museum closure The Story
BBC News
14-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Durham history hub The Story welcomes more than 120,000 people
More than 120,000 people have visited a history centre in its first year of Story, in the restored Grade II listed Mount Oswald Manor House on the outskirts of Durham city, houses the county's archives going back nine hub has a permanent, interactive exhibition space telling the story of the county and its people as well as being a venue for weddings and civil Lyndsey Fox, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "The Story may be the gateway to County Durham's past, but the last year has demonstrated its important role in our present and future too." The oldest document in the collection dates from 1122 and is a deed of land transfer from the Bishop of Durham. 'Just the start' The centre also houses 15,000 objects from the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) following the closure of a dedicated museum in collection includes the medals awarded to four brothers, thought to be one of the most-decorated families of World War 14 June last year, more than 2,000 births have been registered at the facility with more than 2,100 notices of marriage or civil partnership added: "I'm delighted The Story has enjoyed such a successful year and I would like to thank the staff and volunteers for their hard work."I know the team has some amazing plans in store for future so this really is just the start."It's state-of-the-art facilities and exhibitions are empowering people to discover more about their personal histories and connect with our region's heritage in new and exciting ways."Mount Oswald was built in the early 19th Century and was most recently used as a golf club before planning permission for The Story was granted in 2020. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Secret trove of 'UFO evidence' hidden in Vatican archives revealed
Following the death of Pope Francis, UFO activists are intensifying calls for the Vatican to open its secret archives. Many believe the archives contain long-hidden evidence of extraterrestrial visitations that have been framed as divine visions in centuries past.
