The Worthing typhoid epidemic of 1893 killed around 200 people and turned the town into a “city of the dead”.  The recent COVID pandemic gave 21st century residents a vivid glimpse of the terror that gripped our Victorian forefathers who drank water tainted by sewage.   Newspapers of the day were filled with reports of the unfolding tragedy and its acrimonious aftermath.  But to date nobody has brought together a comprehensive account of “Typhoid Year”.  

This book does exactly that, forming a vital record for posterity courtesy of Colin Reid, Mary Mckeown, Chris Hare. Malcolm Linfield, Caroline Nelson and Marion Woolgar.  

Christopher Whittick, a very good friend of the Sussex Family History Group and Friend of the Keep Archives gives us a talk entitled,

Where there’s a will – Testamentary Records and probate records for the Family Historian

On behalf of Friends of the Keep Archive ‘ (Fotka) The life and times of a Sussex yeoman’s farmstead and its people 1500-1950 This copiously illustrated account shows how 1, Coppard’s Bridge, Chailey – a late medieval hall house – revealed its secrets and the lives of its occupants over five centuries. Research included above-ground building recording, scouring the archives, and a little archaeology. Questions remain: did Agemond of Eckington (Ripe) hold the land at Domesday? Did Charlie Thorn, employed deep in Newick’s Royal Observer Corps nuclear bunker (one of 1,500 underground posts until 1968) ever get a 5-minute warning? Peter’s talk cheerfully mixes the results of meticulous research with glimpses of characters from Coppard’s past. Peter, a FoTKA member, is also a member of the Wealden Buildings Study Group and former committee member of the Vernacular Architecture Group. His published articles include ‘From trees to timbers: a comparative study of timber quantities in houses’ VA 46(2015). He and his late wife Sally published In An Old House: The 500-year history of a Sussex yeoman’s farmstead and its people, Pomegranate Press (2017). He is currently researching the fabric and fittings of St Thomas à Becket Church, Cliffe, Lewes.

DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND MY CONTROL THE TALK HAS

NOW BEEN CANCELLED. PLEASE ACCEPT MY SINCERE

APOLOGIES

 

In 1871 the people of Paris declared independence from the French national government. The city was governed as a revolutionary state, creating shock and excitement across Europe. Although it was brutally suppressed after two months, the memory of the Paris Commune has inspired political radicals ever since.

The Keep holds one of the largest collections in the world of material relating to the Paris Commune. Collected by Eugene Schulkind, a former University of Sussex academic, these posters, newspapers and other records capture the hope, energy and violence of this brief political experiment.

Kevin Bacon will introduce the collection and tell the story of the Commune and its origins in the Franco-Prussian War. Was the Paris Commune a first version of the communist revolutions of the 20th century? Or was it the furious reawakening of a lost past? How does it resonate in today’s world?

And how can you understand any of this if you can’t speak a word of French?!

The Speaker

Kevin Bacon is Collections Senior Manager at the University of Sussex and part of the Keep Management Team. He joined the university in 2023 after 20 years working at Brighton & Hove Museums. He holds Master’s degrees in Political Philosophy and Digital Media.

I am a retired professional genealogist with considerable experience in English research. I currently serve as the vice chairman and education officer of the Family History Federation (Federation of Family History Societies). I am a Fellow of AGRA (The Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives) the body which represents professional genealogists throughout England and Wales and was a former Chairman.

I am a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists and previously served as a trustee and chairman of the Society Education Committee. I have authored several books in the Society’s “My Ancestor” series including My Ancestor was an Agricultural Labourer, My Ancestor was a Mormon, My Ancestor was in the Royal Navy and My Ancestor was a Leather Worker and have also written “Family History Research Challenges and how to solve them” and “Introducing Manorial Records” published by Family History Books.

I taught Family History at both basic and advanced levels at various adult education centres in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and currently lecture and run workshops at many family history societies, U3A Groups and other organisations interested in local, social and family history

Debbie Bradley has been a professional genealogist and speaker for over 10 years and has a Postgraduate Certificate from the University of Strathclyde.  Debbie a member of AGRA (Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives)

This talk is aimed at those who are either starting to research their Family History or who have started and would like guidance on what to look for and where to look as well as hints and tips based on experience. Although aimed at ‘beginners’, more advanced researchers usually find items of interest or ones forgotten.

Roy Winchester has been a member of SFHG for over 20 years and held a number of positions in the group.  He has given versions of this talk to SFHG meetings, U3A groups and other societies etc.  

Open to members and non members

The History of Chailey Heritage.

Janice has have completed many courses on genealogy, and have the PG Certificate in Genealogy from the University of Strathclyde, but would still describe myself as an ‘enthusiastic amateur’. My interests range from Devon and Cornwall to Wales, Scotland, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. I have a one name study – Rowlings - one of my 3 x Gt Grandfathers from that last marriage certificate.