Volunteers Support Local History Research

You may know the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteers from their wonderful exhibitions and publications that they research and create.  One example is their Portraits, Pastimes and Parades from the glass slide collection, which exhibited March to May 2023 at Loughborough Library.

When they aren’t producing exhibitions however, they also help members of the public with their research on the local areas as well as family history. Hear what this individual had to say about the support he received;

“I would like to thank you and your volunteer team for what I can only describe as extraordinary support.

Several weeks ago I met Sharon Gray just as the local history section of the Library was closing. I had travelled from America specifically to search for information about 17th century English emigrants to New Jersey where I live.

Sharon and I only spoke for a minute or two and she promised to follow up with me.

I’ve been gratified by her subsequent correspondence. She’s sent a flurry of emails with records of the Hartshorne family of Hathern to me. This new information is vital for my research into these people and provides much needed material for a book I’m preparing.

Thanks so much for such terrific people on your team.”

It is fantastic to see how volunteers can make a difference to even those across the other side of the world!

We have a vast variety of volunteer roles at Leicestershire County Council, enabling people to actively participate in their community, make friends and improve their wellbeing. You can find some of these roles here.