Local History Group

The local history group is interested in all aspects of local history but its current project concentrates on Wokingham in the early 1900s. Our inspiration in this was the slim booklet ‘An Account of Early Victorian Wokingham Town and Parish’ that analyses the 1851 census and describes Wokingham as it was at that time (the booklet is available to borrow from Wokingham Library but is out of print and the local history group would welcome news of any other copies, particularly if they are for sale).

The group’s current project aims to produce a similar document based on the 1901 census but not necessarily for publication. Each group member has details on the 1901 census as an MS Excel database and we use this as the basis for individual research in specific areas of people, industries, occupations, etc. We also research related issues, for example the churches, estates and agriculture.

The group meets monthly to compare research or visit sources of further material, e.g. Reading Local History Centre and National Monument Record.

We may consider further projects although there is still plenty to do on the present one. We will welcome new members and if you are interested please contact Colin Mitchell at ceefum@btinternet.com or Paul King at paul.king.wokingham@tesco.net.

August 2008