British Association for Local History
Encyclopedia
The study of the past has become ever more popular across the United Kingdom since the 1950s. This reflects an increasingly educated public with more time to spend on educational pastimes within an increasingly affluent society, with the time and money to develop such interests. More recently the rising availability of computer based links, particularly the World Wide Web and the growing use of word processing and electronic storage systems accessible to members of the general public, means that studies that once would have been too expensive and time consuming are now far more readily available. Capitalising upon such growing interests many commercial and thematic groups have appeared, particularly in the related fields of family history
and genealogy
. Many of these new practitioners are amateur, and often only interested in their own family, family name, or clan. This has produced a reaction in some quarters, most notably in the founding of the British Association for Local History (BALH) to provide those who consider themselves more committed to the study of the past a more professional standing. Created in 1982 as the successor to earlier organisations which had previoulsy supported the study of local history
its purpose is to encourage and assist the study of local history
throughout Great Britain
as an academic discipline and as a rewarding leisure activity for both individuals and groups.
To this end the association serves as a national body representing local and regional historians; hosts a Local History Day, an annual event open to all, with discussions, presentation of awards, AGM, and a specially commissioned lecture based on current research; publishes the quarterly journal The Local Historian, published since 1952, which includes regular features on themes, sources, websites, with a copious reviews section; produces a quarterly members' magazine Local History News reporting on up to date developments and examples of best practice from around the country; and makes annual awards to individuals who have made a significant contribution to local history and its promotion. The association also guided visits to places not easily accessible otherwise and collaborates with other organisations to arrange conferences and similar events around the country. It also publishes specialist handbooks, and provides a website (http://www.balh.co.uk) providing details of the association. The Association's headquarters are located in Ashbourne, Derbyshire
. The postal address is PO Box 6549, Somersal Herbert, Ashbourne DE6 5WH.
From small beginnings, often associated with W G Hoskins at the University of Leicester in the 1950s, the modern (non-antiquarian) study of local history remains an increasingly vibrant field of study, one where professional historians, local enthusiasts and the general public are often engaged together in a manner that few other fields can rival. The British Association for Local History, like the History Association and the Geographical Association
each in their own way, seeks to further the engagement of enthusiasts with each other and with the wider world of the professional study of the world around us.
Family history
Family history is the systematic narrative and research of past events relating to a specific family, or specific families.- Introduction :...
and genealogy
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
. Many of these new practitioners are amateur, and often only interested in their own family, family name, or clan. This has produced a reaction in some quarters, most notably in the founding of the British Association for Local History (BALH) to provide those who consider themselves more committed to the study of the past a more professional standing. Created in 1982 as the successor to earlier organisations which had previoulsy supported the study of local history
Local history
Local history is the study of history in a geographically local context and it often concentrates on the local community. It incorporates cultural and social aspects of history...
its purpose is to encourage and assist the study of local history
Local history
Local history is the study of history in a geographically local context and it often concentrates on the local community. It incorporates cultural and social aspects of history...
throughout Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
as an academic discipline and as a rewarding leisure activity for both individuals and groups.
To this end the association serves as a national body representing local and regional historians; hosts a Local History Day, an annual event open to all, with discussions, presentation of awards, AGM, and a specially commissioned lecture based on current research; publishes the quarterly journal The Local Historian, published since 1952, which includes regular features on themes, sources, websites, with a copious reviews section; produces a quarterly members' magazine Local History News reporting on up to date developments and examples of best practice from around the country; and makes annual awards to individuals who have made a significant contribution to local history and its promotion. The association also guided visits to places not easily accessible otherwise and collaborates with other organisations to arrange conferences and similar events around the country. It also publishes specialist handbooks, and provides a website (http://www.balh.co.uk) providing details of the association. The Association's headquarters are located in Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Ashbourne is a small market town in the Derbyshire Dales, England. It has a population of 10,302.The town advertises itself as 'The Gateway to Dovedale'.- Local customs :...
. The postal address is PO Box 6549, Somersal Herbert, Ashbourne DE6 5WH.
From small beginnings, often associated with W G Hoskins at the University of Leicester in the 1950s, the modern (non-antiquarian) study of local history remains an increasingly vibrant field of study, one where professional historians, local enthusiasts and the general public are often engaged together in a manner that few other fields can rival. The British Association for Local History, like the History Association and the Geographical Association
Geographical Association
The Geographical Association is a Sheffield, United Kingdom-based subject association with the core charitable objective of furthering the study, learning and teaching of geography. It is a lively community of practice with over a century of innovation behind it and an unrivalled understanding of...
each in their own way, seeks to further the engagement of enthusiasts with each other and with the wider world of the professional study of the world around us.