Derbyshire Record Office

Hello Bluesky 😀 We're the record office for Derbyshire, meaning we hold all the historic archives for the county of #Derbyshire and the city of #Derby. We're delighted to join everyone here! Follow us if you're interested in #history, #archives, old #recipes, historic #fashion and lots more...

Feeling spooky yet? This might get you in the mood... Magpie Mine near Sheldon is one of the UK's best-preserved 19th-century lead mines. It's said to be haunted by the ghost of a former lead miner, and for bonus Halloween creepiness the site has a Widow’s Curse upon it. #EYAFolklore #Halloween

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is this photo of Dr Sidney Barwell (1861-1925), Derbyshire's first Medical Officer of Health. He oversaw the introduction of certified midwives to Derbyshire, isolation hospitals, prevention of river pollution and dental treatment of school children.

We have lots of interesting books for sale in our #LocalStudies Bookshop, covering a wide range of Derbyshire subjects and local authors. Do come in for a browse and find that perfect gift you've been looking for…

Preacher and activist Peter Nyambo (born in what is now Malawi) travelled to England in 1914 to raise awareness of British imperialists seizing land in Africa. He spent some time in Derbyshire, staying with the Wild family in Winster. #BlackHistoryMonth

In #BlackHistoryMonth we celebrate George Mighty. Mr Mighty has served the West Indian community in Derby for over 60 years as a community leader, teacher, and advocate for racial equality. Here he is in 1990 after receiving his MBE from the Queen. #PhotoFriday

Our #LocalStudies library is home to quite a collection of Derbyshire folklore: from ghostly legends to curious local tales, we’ve gathered some wonderful stories over the years. #EYAFolklore #LocalHistory

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. To mark the occasion, our latest blog post showcases some items in our collections linked to the battle: https://recordoffice.wordpress.com/2026/10/21/trafalgar-connections-in-our-collections/ #Trafalgar #19thCentury #Nelson

Packaging never looked so good! We're delighted to add these fabulous Robinson & Sons Ltd designs by commercial artist George Haydn Jensen to the collection. Created in the 1930s-40s, they're packed with vintage style. #NewAccession

Tomorrow is #AppleDay 🍎 There's still time to get organised... and what better way to celebrate than with a homemade apple pie? Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is a recipe from c.1940, found among the papers of the Burrows family of Mapperley and West Hallam. #apple #recipe

In #NationalBakingWeek we go back to the coronation celebrations in 1953. Seated are the oldest residents of Collingham Row, Newark, Elizabeth and William Duckworth. Between them is a magnificent cake – we hope there is enough for the whole street. #PhotoFriday #1950s

When the African-American GIs arrived they caused quite a stir as this letter from Bramshall in Staffordshire shows. They were good for business at the local pub and were popular with the local girls! #BlackHistoryMonth #WWII

On #InternationalDayOfRuralWomen meet Mrs Spicer of Cliff Hill Farm, Clowne and her neighbour Mrs Thickitt with her terrier. Here they are in 1938 with a couple of the farm’s sheep. Mrs Spicer is soon to discover her hem now has a sheep’s hoof print on it. #LocalStudies #1930s

On #InternationalDayOfRuralWomen meet Mrs Spicer of Cliff Hill Farm, Clowne and her neighbour Mrs Thickitt with her terrier. Here they are in 1938 with a couple of the farm’s sheep. Mrs Spicer is soon to discover her hem now has a sheep’s hoof print on it. #LocalStudies #1930s #sheep #LocalHistory

A hint of spring on this magazine cover! Our latest #NewAccession comes from the Hopwell Group of Women’s Institutes — a lovely run of magazines offering a glimpse into the group’s activities and community spirit over the years.

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is also a #NewAccession we've been waiting for since 1998: a set of deeds for Toll Bar Cottage (Froggatt) & Barn Close (Curbar), complete with maps and plans. Definitely worth the wait!

Eldon Hole is a vast 55m-deep pothole, named one of the Wonders of the Peak by Thomas Hobbes in 1636. This impressive natural feature has long inspired local folklore, with stories linking it to the Devil and other mysteries beneath the earth. Would you dare explore its depths? #EYAFolklore

Yes, these highly decorated trinkets are real eggs. You could buy one of these at the Bakewell Show in the 1980s. Or maybe it would inspire you to have a go yourself, though you’d definitely need a delicate touch. #PhotoFriday #WorldEggDay #1980s

This newspaper cutting is part of the archive of the Derby Group of the British Interplanetary Society. They were clearly excited in 1961 that 50 human made objects had made it into space - according to NASA it's more than 45,000 now… #WorldSpaceWeek #1960s #Space

How well do you know Derbyshire? ‘Derbyshire and the Peak District Quiz book’ contains 583 questions to tease the brain and jog the memory about the counties' people, customs and places. Find a copy in our #LocalStudies library. #LocalHistory

We're recruiting a Level 3 Archives Assistant apprentice. It's a great opportunity to get started in a career in libraries or archives so if you or someone you know might be interested, you can find out more here: jobs.derbyshire.gov.uk/apprenticesh... #job

Thank you to Derbyshire Archaeological Society for donating and cataloguing drawings of some inclines, structures, equipment and other elements of the Cromford & High Peak Railway, which were rescued from High Peak Junction when the line closed in the 1960s. #NewAccession

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is a menu book for Hopton Hall near Wirksworth. Dinner on 17 Nov 1868 included soup, fish, chicken, mutton, veal, hare, partridge, lobster, meringues, cabinet pudding and stewed pears. Vegetables aren't mentioned... #Victorian #FoodHist

L. du Garde Peach wrote a series of Children’s Hour radio plays in the 1930s exploring the stories behind Britain’s castles. Our latest find is his script for Hardwick Hall — a short drama blending real history with Derbyshire folklore. #EYAFolklore #1930s #drama #radio

On #WorldFarmAnimalsDay meet the Misses Robinson. Here they are at Ashover Show Ground in the1950s, with one of their prize-winning cows. By their smiles it looks like they’ve won another rosette to add to their collection. #PhotoFriday #WorldSmileDay #cow

For #InternationalMusicDay, here's a throwback to June 1978 with the Peak Dale Band performing at the Peak Dale Fete. They look a bit cramped for space, but we're sure they'll have sounded fabulous 🎺🎺🎶 #BrassBand #Music #1970s

Our latest donated book to #LocalStudies is 'Pommie Poems. To Invoke Memory and Nostalgia (A Tribute to Youlgrave)' by Elizabeth Ashmore. A poem collection about Youlgrave, its people and events, recording knowledge passed down through village collective memory. #LocalHistory #Poetry

Our latest #NewAccession are papers not only of the Tupton Hall estate, but a network of estates throughout Scarsdale from The Hill at North Wingfield to Pratt Hall, Brampton. Owners from Yorkshire became owners moving to Paris. Tupton Hall became Clay Cross Secondary School in 1936.

Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek is the library of Frederick Strutt (1843-1909) who bequeathed his entire collection of books on local subjects, including this lovely tourist guide published by William Bemrose & Sons of Derby. #LocalStudies #LocalHistory

A 1930s photograph of Ashopton Village and the Ashopton Inn, taken just before they were erased by flooding for Ladybower Reservoir. Work on the dam began in 1935 and continued through WWII. The reservoir now supplies water to Sheffield, Derbyshire, Leicester, and Nottingham. #EYAErased #1930s

We will shortly be moving to a new cataloguing system, which will include a new online catalogue - hopefully less temperamental than our current one! For more information, see our latest blog post: https://recordoffice.wordpress.com/2026/09/24/were-getting-ready-for-a-new-online-catalogue/

This lion at Chatsworth House has been on duty since 1823 so he deserves a nap. We hope he is having some sweet dreams. Better not wake him to ask though! #PhotoFriday #WorldDreamDay #lion

Mary Wiltshire and Sue Woore’s ‘Monastic Granges of Derbyshire’ explores how different religious orders utilised gifted land to support their communities, before the dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century changed everything. Find a copy in our #LocalStudies library. #LocalHistory

Woodworm and wood weevils can turn any document into a fine mesh of losses, which is why archives have policies and procedures in place - such as quarantining new accessions - to stop pests getting into the stores. #EYAErased #ArchiveConservation

Did you ever ‘go in luxury and comfort’ on the Blue Buses in and around Willington? This #ModeShift month why not leave the car at home and take the bus? Tailey and George Ltd formed in 1937; they operated their Blue Bus service until the mid-1970s. #Bus

Lead has been mined in Derbyshire since the Romans were here. Our #ArchiveOfTheWeek, this diary from John Naylor, provides a surprisingly readable glimpse of the life of an 18th century lead miner near Bakewell. #LeadMining #18thCentury

Is balancing on a big balloon an easy way to get from London to Paris?? In this caricature, George Woodward was probably depicting the French dancer Marie-Jean-Augustin Vestris, who danced at the London Opera House in the 1780s. #ModeShift

When you think of donkeys you often imagine them at the seaside giving rides to children. This one worked in Ripley, belonging to John Wood, landlord of the Albion Inn. Children used to sneak rides on the donkey, which lived in a field behind the pub. #PhotoFriday #ModeShift

If #ModeShift month has made you curious about how transport has developed, then have a delve into this fascinating book in our #LocalStudies collection. ‘Carriers & Coachmasters’ shows us how people travelled before the road networks that we have today. #LocalHistory

Another #NewAccession from the Women’s Institute collections — this time from Tintwistle! Includes Tintwistle WI Songs, capturing the musical spirit of the group 🎶 Women's Institute

If you're looking for a stylish alternative to get about, the archive of Holmes & Co, Royal Carriage Makers, may provide you with inspiration: recordoffice.wordpre... We wouldn't mind going on an office outing in the big carriage! #ModeShift #Victorian #Carriage

If you’re looking for an unusual form of transport how about a hot air balloon? This one is preparing to wow the crowds at Pimlico Recreation Ground, Ilkeston, in 1907, when it takes off into the air. #PhotoFriday #ModeShift #1900s

Roy Palmer’s ‘The Demolition of Derby’ provides an overview of a how the city evolved over the 20th century, highlighting lost buildings and streets, and their histories. Find a copy in our #LocalStudies library. #EYAErased #Derby #LocalHistory

This exquisitely produced account of 'The Guards and Batterys in Gibraltar' was an unexpected find in a #NewAccession to the Turbutt family of Ogston collection. #Gibraltar #18thCentury

If #ModeShift month has made you reach for your bicycle, you could start a cycling diary, like our #ArchiveOfTheWeek from Ashton E. Mosley in 1884. Probably better not to fall off and break the handlebars though! #bicycle #Victorian

A curious register entry from 3 June 1923 shows an unrecorded amendment: originally written as Leslie Clare, later altered to Carl. A descendant confirmed in 2023 that “Clare” was correct. The change was likely made by Leslie himself, while he was a churchwarden at Twyford. #EYAErased

On #NationalDoodleDay why not put pen to paper? Don’t worry if its not quite as ambitious a piece of art as these students in their Still Life Class, at the School of Art, Derby, in the 1890s are aiming for. It’s still fun! #PhotoFriday #art #Victorian

This photograph shows why all archives are wary of silverfish, which thrive in damp conditions: most of the image has been devoured, leaving only the linked arms of this - presumably - bride and groom. #EYAErased

Lumpy Tums, Thar cake, Bakewell Pudding, Sage Derby and Stilton & Beer are just some of Derbyshire’s regional fare explored in this book by food historian Mark Dawson, which is now in our #LocalStudies library. #FoodHistory #LocalHistory