The life and work of 19th-century geologist Martin Simpson is the topic of this blog post. An exhibition of related archive material originally formed part of our 2026 Archives Discovery Day, ‘North Yorkshire: A Living Landscape’ and is on display at North Yorkshire Archives from 1 September to 27 November 2026.… Read More Martin Simpson – North Yorkshire Rocks
This blog post explores records in North Yorkshire Archives reflecting the popularity of natural history and floriography in the 19th and 20th centuries. An exhibition of related archive material originally formed part of our 2026 Archives Discovery Day, ‘North Yorkshire: A Living Landscape’ and is on display at North Yorkshire Archives from 1 September to 27 November 2026.… Read More Botanical Notes and Sketches: Natural History and Floriography in the Archives
This blog brings together the results of several years’ research into the North Riding Quarter Sessions records at North Yorkshire Archives. It traces the lives of some of the younger faces that appear in the late-19th-century Police charge book of early mugshots [QP]. Sophia Constable, the youngest female recorded as an inmate at the old Northallerton Prison, is one of these faces.… Read More Juvenile offenders in the North Riding Quarter Sessions
Illustrated with maps, plans and historic photographs, this post looks at the history of the piers and harbour in Whitby. Particular focus is given to alterations and improvements that were made in the 19th century using records and reports held in the Record Office collections. … Read More Whitby piers and harbour from 1781-1906
Descriptions of the weather can be found in a wide variety of records held in the Record Office collections. In this blog, you can see examples from the past 350 years, ranging from impromptu remarks made in early diaries, travel journals and parish registers, through to the methodical, late-19th-century daily observations of lighthouse keepers and a 1920s sunshine recorder.… Read More Whether the weather be fine, or whether the weather be not…
Following our two previous posts about Arctic explorer Thomas Blanky, read more about his life that has come to light through further research.… Read More More on Arctic voyager Thomas Blanky…
Read all about a 1794 plan of the defences of Whitby, made by Francis Gibson, who commanded the first Whitby company of volunteers formed at a time when Britain was under threat of invasion by France, which had declared war in 1793. … Read More Francis Gibson’s plan of the defences of Whitby, 1794
This post by Gwyneth Endersby continues our series on Criminal Women by exploring the life and times and Mary Ann Stonehouse of Whitby through her many appearances at the Quarter Sessions court. … Read More Criminal Women: The Life & Times of Mary Ann Stonehouse of Whitby
This post explores some of the letters in the Whitby Shipowners collection relating to Smuggling Laws and the Impressment of Sailors in 1790s.… Read More Collection Highlights: Committee of Whitby Shipowners
By Tom Richardson, Record Assistant We hold a wide range of sources for maritime history spread across a number of the collections in our custody. This article will focus on some of the records of merchant ships and their crews found amongst these collections. Scarborough’s Company of Shipowners and Master Mariners Within the Scarborough Corporation… Read More Introduction to Shipping Records
