Links to Sections

• West Sussex Archives Society/Friends of West Sussex Record Office
• West Sussex Archives Society Application Form

West Sussex Archives Society (WSAS) was founded in 1973 as a registered charity (number 266997), and currently has over 200 members. It acts as a 'friends' organisation and aims to support the work of the Record Office. Everyone is welcome and you don't have to be an historian or expert - just a good friend. The society's president is Lord Egremont.

What does WSAS do?

• Stimulates interest in historical records

• Seeks out archives for safe keeping

• Persuades owners to ensure the preservation of records

• Fosters an interest in the history of West Sussex

• Raises funds to assist the Record Office primarily to purchase documents

• Keeps Friends in touch through the Newsletter and the West Sussex History Journal

• Organises visits to places of historical interest

• Provides an annual programme of workshops and talks on archives and historical topics

Members meet on Saturday afternoons at different venues around the county or at WSRO in Chichester. Previous events have included:

• A narrow boat cruise on the Wey and Arun Canal with an illustrated talk The lost route to the sea.

• A visit to Shipley, with a talk on the history of the parish church and a guided tour of the windmill.

• A tour and talk about the Mass Observation Archive at Sussex University.

• A walk to Clapham parish church followed by tea and a talk at Castle Goring.

• A visit to Marlipins Museum, Shoreham

• A barge trip along the Chichester Canal, with a talk about its history.

Twice a year a day-long workshop is held at WSRO concerning archives held at the record office. Previous themes have included tithe maps, taxation records, quarter session records, manorial documents and probate inventories.

We hold an annual day conference on a single topic, with several speakers. Previous topics include 'Wartime Sussex' (2006), 'Woman in History' (2007) and 'Maritime Sussex' (2008).

In December we have an informal symposium with short talks and a quiz. Mince pies, tea and coffee are provided.

West Sussex Archives Society - Programme for 2009

Fees are for WSAS members/guests & non-members.

Saturday 14 February 2009 2 pm at the Records office

Geology/Sussex geologists - a lecture by Anthony Brook

(Free/£3)

Saturday 28 Match 2009, 10am at the Records Office

Photographs & Photographic collections–  all day workshop led by Caroline Adams/Sue Millard

(£5/£8 to include refreshments, but not lunch)

Saturday 18 April 2009, 10am at Worthing Museum for refreshments

AGM begins at 1030am, followed by

1130am Worthing the Victorian Seaside Resort - talk/walk by Chris Hare (£3/£6)

1pm Lunch at The Swan Inn (payable on the day).

Sunday 31 May 2009 2pm at the St John the Baptist parish church, Lindfield  - joint Meeting with FESRO

Walk around the village led by Annabelle Hughes, finishing with tea at The Tiger Inn.

(£7/£9)

West Sussex Archives Society telephone contacts:

Chairman & Journal Editor: Philip MacDougall tel: 01243 573782

Was your last visit to the Record Office useful?

If so, why not share your research findings with others?

The West Sussex Archives Society publishes the West Sussex History journal once a year. It is free to members of the Society while non-members can buy single copies from the reception desk at the Record Office. If you would like to share your research please contact the editor, Philip MacDougall, on 01243 573782