The National Archives Podcast Series

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Latest Episodes:

Fashion or ration: Hartnell, Amies and dressing for the Blitz Feb 18, 2010

Show notes

How did the fashionable woman of the Second World War and post war era manage to remain chic in a climate of rationing? Using sources from The National Archives this talk will consider the fashion industry of the time, and reveal how designers Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies not only contributed to the war effort, but made a lasting impact on British style.

Tracing ancestors in Nelson's Navy Feb 08, 2010

Show notes

An overview of the essential finding aids and documents held by The National Archives which can be used to trace ancestors who served in Nelson's Navy.

Medieval warfare: sources and approaches Jan 29, 2010

Show notes

An exploration of how records created by the crown before 1485 can be used to study medieval armies, campaigns and battles in Britain and France. The talk will focus on the records of key battles such as Bannockburn, Crécy and Agincourt.

New Britons - Immigration to the United Kingdom Jan 22, 2010

Show notes

This talk looks at immigration into Britain from the 16th to the 20th century and the relatively few sources that can be used to trace immigrants entering, and living, in this country. Records discussed can provide vital clues to the overseas origins of denizens or naturalised British citizens, as well as providing insight into their first years in their adopted country.

Shop workers: tracing your retail ancestors Jan 14, 2010

Show notes

We all go shopping, albeit with varying degrees of enthusiasm, and many of us have also worked in shops. It was the same for our ancestors, and although the records may not always be easy to find, they are out there if you know where to look. There is also a wealth of background material to show us what our ancestors' shopping and shopkeeping experience was like.

New files from 1979 Dec 30, 2009

Show notes

An introduction to newly releases files from 1979, covering subjects such as the winter of discontent, cuts to the civil service, trade union strikes, and the new Thatcher administration, providing a fascinating insight into government 30 years ago. Other subjects include the Iranian revolution and the British military withdrawal from Malta. Presented by Mark Dunton, and introduced by Frances McDarby.

From cotton spinning to coffins: specifications for patents of invention Dec 18, 2009

Show notes

Patents of invention cover a vast range of ideas, from the industrial and agricultural revolutions, to transport, domestic life and health. Many are bizarre, and some are even horrific, but they all have a fascinating story to tell. The specifications are the written descriptions of how the invention will work, with drawings where appropriate. This talk focuses particularly on the drawings, while explaining the process of enrolling the specifications themselves and exploring a remarkable range of inventiveness.

Education in 1911 Dec 04, 2009

Show notes

What was education like for the majority of children in 1911, the year when pupils staged strikes in 62 schools? This talk provides a fascinating glimpse of day-to-day life in an Edwardian school, covering such aspects as lessons, discipline, and examinations. It also touches on the dramatic resignation of the President of the Board of Education.

Transportation to Australia Nov 30, 2009

Show notes

Over 162,000 British and Irish convicts were transported to Australia between 1787 and 1868. This talk explores the reasons behind the policy of transportation and looks at the experiences of the people who were shipped beyond the seas, using case studies from the archives.

The Metropolitan Police: its creation and records of service Nov 20, 2009

Show notes

London's Metropolitan Police service was formed in 1829. This talk provides an overview of how crime was dealt with before this date, and how to trace the records of our Metropolitan Police ancestors at The National Archives.

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