KNOWLE LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
SERVICES
As our store of historical information has grown we are able to answer the frequent requests for help from genealogists, students and organisations. Over the last 30 years we have spent many hours perusing Knowle records. We therefore have a vast store of experience and local knowledge which is unsurpassed. We also have many members who were born here and have personal knowledge, which is essential..
The following guidance shows what the Society has to offer to individuals, students and local societies and businesses. However, as a small group with limited time, larger undertakings must fit into our schedule and we need adequate notice. Enquirers should look at the Knowle Records page.
Research
Although we are not professional researchers and our time is restricted we are willing to do a limited amount of research, particularly for those enquiring from a distance. Any information is supplied in good faith.
The Society is happy to search for relevant information in both its own material and at Knowle Library, where there are numerous photographs, programmes, newspaper cuttings, etc., which may be relevant. There are also many fascinating anecdotes in the Knowle Oral History records. These sources can be useful for organisations preparing their own projects.
We regret that we cannot undertake to visit go to the Warwickshire County Record Office or elsewhere; but as we have good working knowledge of what is there and a copy of the Record Office listing for Knowle we are able to point people in the right direction. See Knowle Records for a summary of some of the most useful records. See Links for the contact details of various local repositories.
Copies
We can provide images or prints from our image library subject to any copyright restrictions.
Speakers
We are often asked to provide speakers for talks on village history. They are normally of up to one hour’s duration and illustrated by pictures from our image library. We have our own equipment, including a digital projector and laptop computer, although a screen and stand would be helpful to minimise carriage. Several talks are already prepared; but for new ones we do need plenty of notice, although short, more informal talks can be prepared more quickly.
Exhibitions
In principle we are happy to mount exhibitions for local organisations, particularly for special occasions such as anniversaries, etc., provided they will fit into our programme and are of interest to the general public. This is time-consuming and again we need ample notice. We may also be able to produce short articles, for instance on the history of a building.
Guided Tours
We can provide conducted tours round the village for organisations from both Knowle and elsewhere. Tours round the oldest part of the village take at least one hour. If parties wish to go inside our early 15th century church and Guild House and/or our timber-framed library, this may be possible provided they are not in use. However, extra time needs to be allowed. Please note that the library is closed on Wednesdays. There is also a regular service in church on Wednesday mornings, which finishes about 11 a.m. and is followed by coffee in the Guild House.
Publications
We may be able to produce small publications on request, usually in the standard ⅓ A4 format.
Names for Roads & Buildings
If you are looking for a name for a new development we can usually make a suggestion. Our old field names, or well known local families are frequent sources of inspiration. For instance, Brisker Court is named after the Brisker family, who ran a shoe shop on the site for about 60 years.
Schools, Colleges & Students
The Society is pleased to supply information and material and to help with projects at all levels. School students need to pick their project carefully - ‘something about the history of Knowle’ needs to be crystallised into something more specific before we can help. One or two students have chosen Middlefield and Knowle since the 1939/45 war is a popular subject. The sports clubs and other organisations might be suitable subjects, or perhaps a single road. The directories or the Parish Magazines may yield further ideas. It is worth noting that tracing the history of small buildings from primary sources is extremely time consuming.
Services to Genealogists
The Society is happy to help those looking for their house & family in Knowle. In the past we have answered queries from all over the country and from as far afield as the United States, often coming by e-mail. Readers should consult the Knowle Records page to see what is available. However, the scope of this site relates only to the specific help we can give from local sources: it does not extend to the national records, such as census returns. This information can be found on any good book or web site on genealogy. Many researchers have given us a copy of the fruits of their labours for our records. If you would be kind enough to do this we would be grateful. Copies of photographs from family albums would also be welcome, particularly from 1945 onwards.
answered queries from all over the country and from as far afield as the United States, often coming by e-mail. Readers should consult the Knowle Records page to see what is available. However, the scope of this site relates only to the specific help we can give from local sources: it does not extend to the national records, such as census returns. This information can be found on any good book or web site on genealogy. Many researchers have given us a copy of the fruits of their labours for our records. If you would be kind enough to do this we would be grateful. Copies of photographs from family albums would also be welcome, particularly from 1945 onwards.
Expenses
The Society charges for material, but not for exhibitions and talks. We do, however, welcome donations, without which we cannot continue to offer a service to the community, as we are a voluntary group operating on a tiny budget and rely on income from subscriptions, etc.. We are willing to do a small amount of research free of charge, but where we need to spend considerable time there will be a fee. Cheques should be made payable to Knowle Local History Society.