History on offer at West Sussex County Record Office

The record office, in Orchard Street, holds mid-morning sessions on the first Wednesday of each month.

The sessions are for people wanting to learn about family history in a relaxed atmosphere over a cup of tea or coffee.

Next week’s session, held on Wednesday, August 3, from 10am will focus on old school records.

The one-hour session will include information on Victorian school life and archive sources such as head teachers’ log books, admission registers, punishment books and school photographs.

West Sussex County Council deputy leader Lionel Barnard, with responsibility for the record office, said: “In recent years family history has become one of the fastest growing recreational interests in the country.

“If you’ve watched celebrities unravel their past on BBC’s Who do You Think You Are, now is your time to join in the fun.

“The coffee time sessions at our County Record Office are a chance for you to speak to professionals who will help you discover your past in an informal manner.”

Sessions so far have included army records and dating old photographs.

Future sessions include introducing computer sources and quarter sessions court records.

Tickets are £7.50 and need to be booked in advance.

Anyone who would like to book can call 01243 753602 or email [email protected]