Archivist Eve Bickerton is based at the Somerset Heritage Centre, but she is also the North Somerset Archivist. Here’s what Eve has to say about her quarterly visits to Weston super Mare Library.
North Somerset Archive Service
Four times a year, (usually) on the first Thursday in March, June, September and December, the North Somerset Archivist visits Weston super Mare Library to provide an ‘archive searchroom’ environment for users to consult original documents and resources.
Somerset Archives and Local Studies has a long history of providing this service with North Somerset Council, and as such has built up a contingent of loyal and dedicated researchers. The last visit, September 2024 was no exception, and we were delighted to welcome some familiar faces.
Research topics vary, from family history to local history about a particular parish. We have attendees who come to improve their own personal knowledge to help with their own collections, or researchers who visit on behalf of local history groups or organisations. But whoever you are and whatever the purpose of your visit, our intention is the same – to guide you and bring documents or resources which might be able to help you. For those unable to travel to Taunton, the service can provide a valuable opportunity to access Somerset Archives and Local Studies’ resources and expertise.
We can bring original documents to Weston super Mare Library for you to consult, and during the visit can provide some additional help and support. Only one archivist visits, so must balance their time between all the researchers. But the friendly nature of the service means that we can spend a bit more time than we might normally be able to, finding out about your research and suggesting new avenues. Combine that with the impressive knowledge of the Weston super Mare Library staff, and we make a very helpful team!
So far this year 86 documents have made the journey up to Weston super Mare, and over the last 12 months 119 documents have been consulted as part of the service. We’ve had 31 happy researchers over the last 12 months, with an average ‘dwell time’ of 90 minutes, which means they’re really enjoying their visits and making the most of their time.
A member of staff recently attended her first North Somerset visit, and she had this to say:
“My main takeaway from my visit to Weston super Mare Library was how warm and welcoming the atmosphere in the Local Studies room was – despite the torrential downpour of rain outside! I was struck by the range of topics visitors were working on; the documents brought along by the archivist included 20th-century photograph collections and council minutes, 19th-century minute books and building plans, and 17th-century churchwardens’ accounts.
The Local Studies room can get a little crowded during the beginning of each session, but everybody was very patient in dealing with the logistics of a single archivist handing out documents – and the library staff were also on hand to help answer any queries. It was really satisfying to see the end results of a service that I’d only previously dealt with from behind the scenes and I’m looking forward to any potential future visits that I can tag along to!”
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If you would like to make use of the North Somerset Archives visits to Weston super Mare library, we’d love to see you. You can contact us on our usual contact details (01823 278805, somersetarchives@swheritage.org.uk).
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If you have an idea of what you would like to research, then you might wish to have a look at our online catalogue first. If you’re not sure, we can help you work out where to start.