West Sussex County Council: One click of a mouse and delve into history

Date: Aug 7, 2009

Press Release Number: PR3100

Press Release

West Sussex Record Office is giving people more access to the county’s history.

After the huge success of its first Tithe Map Digitisation and Preservation project, the Record Office has launched another two-year project called Joining up our Heritage.

The project will enable the historical records and information from small local archives and museums to be accessible from one central database.

The new £52,000 project is possible because of funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund, which has given £47,500 to the project, West Sussex Archives Society, which contributed £2,000, and £2,500 from the Record Office.

The first project saw 198 tithe maps digitised to be viewed on a computer in the Record Office or on CD. Information from the completed database will eventually be added to the digitised maps.

The original project involved 100 volunteers and offered them the opportunity to learn how to read old handwriting and find out more about using computers.

Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, said: “The ‘Joining up our Heritage Project’ will enable volunteers to work closely with local communities and organisations to make the history and heritage of West Sussex more available.”

For further information contact Project Co-ordinator Gillian Edom on 01243 753600 or email at gillian.edom@westsussex.gov.uk

ENDS