Posts by Debbie Lister
Plymouth Castle and Castle Street
This is not a history of Plymouth Castle but a signpost to a handful of local documents and information for anyone wishing to undertake the task and build on the current research (of which there is plenty). The documents listed are held in The Box, Plymouth Archives and can be accessed by making an appointment…
Read MoreA Grand Terrace…not so grand
A Grand Terrace – South Devon Place I’ve always admired this terrace on Embankment Road in Plymouth. It has a grandure about it. This is just a little potted history and certainly by no means the full story. So, when was it built? According to a couple of newspaper adverts in 1847, no.…
Read MorePrerogative Court of Canterbury – Good Will Hunting
I’ve just finished transcribing a Prerogative Court of Canterbury (commonly known as PCC) Will dated 1710 for a client. These documents are always interesting. In this one, there is reference to Sir Lancelot Lake who was a politician, lawyer and landowner (great name!) and a female servant receiving a small legacy who is described as…
Read MoreIt’s just circumstantial – Sawrey Street, Plymouth
I thought I would share with you an example of lateral thinking, knowing the documentary sources, and just pure good luck (even the experts need a bit of that occasionally) when it comes to historical research. It is not always possible to prove a theory absolutely, but the circumstantial evidence may be strong enough to…
Read MorePlymouth Town Clerks – just a flavour
Town Clerks of Plymouth – just a flavour. This is not a history of the town clerk’s responsibilities within the council, nor is it a full list of these men. Little is written about the administrative organisation of the borough of Plymouth or the people who undertook the task, despite its being the first borough…
Read MoreThe Revd Swete finds tragedy in Noss Mayo
Information for house, local and social history can be found in the most unexpected places. Between the years 1997 and 2000, Devon Books published the diaries of the Reverend John Swete in four limited edition volumes. He was born in 1752 in Ashburton to, surprisingly, the surgeon Nicholas Tripe. On condition that he changed his…
Read MoreAmy B Cross – the workaholic, vegetarian, poultry farmer
May I introduce you to Miss Amy B Cross. ‘Who?’ I hear you say. Read on. I discovered Amy whilst trawling through the newspapers online looking for articles relating to the history of Elburton, a village on the eastern edge of Plymouth. I kept seeing her name pop up, then in ‘Ann’s Deputy’s Corner’ in…
Read MoreHouse & Property Research – getting started
Every property, whatever its age, has a story. You might want to know for interest, or because you want to apply for planning permission or listing. Whatever the reason, whether it’s the property itself, the people who lived there or the land it is built on, there is always information to discover. Like any research…
Read MoreAncestral Delvings – some guidance
Tracing your ancestors and discovering your roots can be an incredibly rewarding way to spend time with family, discover fascinating stories and meet new people. Like everything in life, some simple preparation will make the process run more smoothly. Here are some basic tips to get you started: Draw up a simple family tree with…
Read MoreEmploying a researcher – some guidance
Not many people have ever used the services of professional researcher, so I thought it might be useful to answer some questions, giving you some useful hints and tips. YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED What do we do? We research anything historical. From your family history, to information for planning applications and listing, to local village history,…
Read More