WWI Research Forum at Treasure House

On Monday 4 August, from 6pm-8pm, the Treasure House will be holding a Great War Local History Forum to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. Join East Riding Archives for the chance to meet local historians and others researching the history of the First World War. There will be an opportunity to talk to experts and kick start your own research project - maybe you have a first world war ancestor, want to find out how your area was affected or you are interested in a local war memorial?

The Forum is a free drop-in for the public and will be opened by the chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Councillor Pat O’Neil.

Archivist Lizzy Baker said: “2014-2018 will see projects commemorating and remembering those who fought, fell and were affected by the War. We hope people will also find themselves curious about the local impact of the war and use this as an opportunity to start their own research into the people and communities of the time. Here at the Archives we want to help people to use the fascinating range of archive and books we hold.”

As part of this, the archives are publishing a free First World War Research Guide to be launched at the Forum. This guide will give people more information held at the Treasure House and suggestions on where to start their own research. Visitors to the Forum can collect their free copy of the Research Guide at the Forum as well as sign up for free workshops on how to research in the archives.

The Forum is also launching a major volunteering project at the Archives to tell the previously untold personal stories of local people involved in the First World War. The Archive Service holds hundreds of photographs of local First World War soldiers. The new project - First World War Lives - will bring to life the stories of these East Riding people. The project will be based at the Treasure House in Beverley, where the volunteers will be researching in the archive research room. Anyone who is interested in helping should contact the archives on 01482 392790 or email archives.service@eastriding.gov.uk.

After the forum, everyone is encouraged to attend the Sunset Ceremony of WWI remembrance at the Hengate War Memorial in Beverley. The ceremony will begin at 8.15pm with a walking party leaving the Forum at 7.50pm. The ceremony will include music from Beverley Brass Band and poetry by local and national writers. As the sun sets, lights will go out to symbolise the start of the war on this day 100 years ago.