January 2012
Report on Collections Weeks Oct-Dec 2011
We have now had another three ‘collections
weeks’, when we have been closed to the public in order to
concentrate on cataloguing and other work vital to making our
collections available to current and future users. During
these weeks, we have catalogued:
- 0911 Letters of the McLean family of
the West Indies and England
A collection of letters sent to various
members of the McLean family, including letters sent from Bath by
Maria Brown Mill to Margaret Mclean in the West Indies,
c.1831-c.1902
- SP Sales Particulars and Auction
Notices
With the help of volunteers, we have completed
a catalogue of sales particulars and auction notices. These
can provide fascinating information to house historians,
particularly where they include photographs and plans, or detailed
lists of furniture and contents.
- QS/3 Quarter Sessions Papers
A volunteer who is a retired archivist is
engaged on a major project to catalogue nearly 100 boxes of
‘Quarter Sessions papers’. These papers, usually tied in bundles
relating to each sitting of the court, can include a wide range of
documents, such as lists of juries, cases brought against
individuals or groups, statements of witnesses or accusers, and
writs and warrants. They provide a fascinating insight into
crime and wrongdoing in Bath, as well as naming criminals, victims,
witnesses and jurymen – a cross-section of Bath society. The
first batch, covering the years 1776-1829, is now complete.
- A small collection of guide books to Bath,
dating from the 1930s, which have been added to our ‘reference
library’
Catalogues are available in hard copy in the
searchroom and on our online
catalogue.
We would like to
thank all our users for their continued support.