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West Sussex Archives Society
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 West Sussex Record Office (WSRO). Everyone is welcome and you don't have to be an historian or an 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
Join us now!
If you are interested in helping to preserve the County's archival heritage and would like to help the Record Office in doing the same please join us in the West Sussex Archives Society. All you have to do is to print out and complete the membership application form at the top of this page and return it with your remittance to the Honorary Treasurer via the Record Office.
Annual membership is £13 single / £15 joint (at the same address) , £25 Society, or life membership at £150, plus a donation if you wish.
Previous Events
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.
Regular Meetings
Twice a year a day-long workshop is held at WSRO concerning archives held there. 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) , 'Maritime Sussex' (2008) and 'Manhood Peninsula' (2009).
In December we have an informal symposium with short talks and a quiz. Mince pies, tea and coffee are provided.
Details of the Society's events programme for 2010, and other news, can be found in the November 2009 Bulletin which can be downloaded via the link at the top of this page.
IMPORTANT: The date of the March workshop, "Some Tudor documents for West Sussex" led by Caroline Adams and Sue Millard, has been changed to Saturday 27 March 2010, 10am at the Record Office.
The West Sussex Archives Society publishes the West Sussex History journal once a year. It is free to members of the society, while non-memers can buy single copies from the reception desk at the Record Office. If you would like more information about writing for the journal please contact the editor, Philip MacDougall, on 01243 573782.
If you have a query about the holdings or work of West Sussex Record Office, or want information about undertaking research, please go to the Record Office website or ring 01243 753602, fax 01243 533959 or e-mail : records.office@westsussex.gov.uk.
Page created:
13 October 2003
Last reviewed: 24 February 2010
Last reviewed: 24 February 2010