Tendring District Local History Recorders

Welcome to the Tendring District Local History Recorders. 

"Recording the Present for the Future."

What does a Local History Recorder do?

In brief:
We keep a diary of happenings and changes in our village or town, both written and photographic, which is submitted to the Essex Records Office for historians of the future. A LHR usually has an active interest in local history as well. 

In full:
Recorders aim to record the happenings in their communities in order that today's news becomes tomorrow's recorded history. There are four main approaches to recording identified in Valerie Norrington's Recording the Present (pub: British Association for Local History c 1989):

  1. Recording day-to-day happenings
  2. Collecting printed or handwritten material which might otherwise be thrown away, but which reflects everyday life
  3. Recording changes of all kinds, even anticipating it, so that 'before' and 'after' comparisons can be made.
  4. Conducting a systematic survey of the area and its life today, backed up by photographs and maps.

Who can become a Recorder?

Recorders are people who are interested in their own communities and who get to know them well. There is no one profile of a Local History Recorder.
Recorders in Tendring include people who are male and female, employed and retired, self-taught and university educated, shy and confident! Some do a lot, some do a little - it is up to you, and need not be onerous.

I am interested: what do I do now?

We currently have several vacancies for Recorders in several parishes. In many other places, the existing Recorder would welcome some help. If you are interested, do please contact us.