A trilogy of literature donations
Brian Philp. KAS Magazine, Issue 123 (Winter 2024). Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society.
Library and Archive Update
Craig Campbell – Kent Archaeological Society Archivist. KAS Magazine, Issue 123 (Winter 2024). Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society.
Archivist’s Update
Craig Campbell, KAS Magazine, Issue 122 (Summer 2024). Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society.
Introducing the KAS Archivist, Craig Campbell
KAS Magazine, Issue 121 (Winter 2023). Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society.
Manorial Documents Register
The Manorial Documents Register (MDR) is the official index to English and Welsh manorial records and provides brief descriptions of documents and details of their locations in public and private hands. The National Archives at Kew now provide online access to this resource. Manorial documents include court rolls, surveys, maps, terriers, documents and books of every description relating to the boundaries, franchises, wastes, customs or courts of a manor.
Randall Manor, Shorne Woods
Randall Manor, once home to the de Cobhams of Randall, is situated within what is now Shorne Woods Country Park, near Gravesend in Kent. This talk covers the community excavations between 2006 and 2015 and the history of the site.
Kent Estate Plans being digitised
The Library is currently involved in a project to digitise the estate plans held within the Gordon Ward archives.
Portrait of Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder
Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder was born c.1503 and died 1542. The son of Sir Henry Wyatt, he became a Sheriff of Kent in 1522, and by 1524 held positions at court, including that of Privy Councillor. He undertook foreign diplomatic missions from 1526, becoming High Marshal in Calais from 1528 – 30, achieving a knighthood in 1535.
Portrait of Elizabeth Golding
The KAS collection includes a number of Twysden/Twisden family portraits that are currently housed at Bradbourne House. When, in November 1937 Sir John Ramskill Twisden died leaving no heir these portraits were bequeathed mainly to the Kent Archaeological Society, with others going to the National Portrait Gallery.
Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project reports online
Reports from the "Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project" are currently available to download online, via the Historic England website.
A History of the County of Kent (Vol. 2)
British History Online provides a digital version of "A history of the County of Kent: volume 2", originally published in 1926. This volume deals with the religious houses of Kent, including accounts of the early history of Canterbury and Rochester cathedrals.
Free to View Monographs
A collection of monograph titles have been opened up in their entirety, free to view, during October.
1989 Day out in Kent
I came across this video (slightly dated) on the weekend where the London and Surrey 'Earth Mysteries' groups have a day trip around some of the Kentish prehistoric sites.
The Library as it once was
Here are a couple of photos of the library room as it was before the fire in 1977.
Oxford Dictionary of Family Names during Lockdown
For a short period of time the Oxford Dictionary of Family Names has made its database available for free. "This huge, new dictionary is the ultimate reference work on family names of the UK, covering English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Cornish, and immigrant surnames. It includes every surname that currently has more than 100 bearers, and those that had more than 20 bearers in the 1881 census."
Free access to digital record from Kew
The National Archives are making digital records available on their website free of charge for as long as our Kew site is closed to visitors. Registered users will be able to order and download up to ten items at a time, to a maximum of 50 items over 30 days. The limits are there to try and help manage the demand for content and ensure the availability of our digital services for everyone.