Research in Industrial Archaeology: Approaches, Sources and Opportunities
Mike Bone and Maggie Shapland This page describes useful books for projects and new local books that have been published- Approaches
- Possible Sources
- Opportunities for research in Bristol
- Suggested Reading
- Book reviews of The Bristol Area
- Useful websites:
Approaches
Four questions- what type of project?
- is it worth doing?
- how does it relate to current knowledge?
- what is the easiest way to approach it?
Possible Sources
Your choice of project will influence sources to be consulted.- fieldwork;
- published works - bibliographies and guides to sites and industries p
- maps and plans - OS maps, tithe maps, insurance plans, estate plans;
- printed sources - directories, guides, travel diaries, newspapers, trade encyclopaedias and technical literature-
- pictorial sources - prints, photographs, drawings and archive film;
- documents/manuscript souroes - business records, letters, work of record societies and recent IT projects;
- oral history - interviews and recollections
Opportunities for research in Bristol
- port and related activity;
- transport - railways roads, aviation-
- processing imports - sugar, tobacco cocoa, wines and spirits;
- processing local produce leather, corn, brewing;
- mining and quarrying;
- manufacturing -textiles, engineering, clothing and shoes, transport equipment;
- chemicals, glass and pottery;
- paper, printing and packaging;
- construction - the industry and its products;
- infrastructure - utilities and amenities.
Suggested Reading
Industrial Archaeology in General
- Industrial Archaeology an Introduction Hudson, K (1963). The pioneering book, reissued in subsequent editions
- Industrial Archaeology in BritainBuchanan, RA., (1973). Comprehensive general study, reissued in subsequent editions .
- The BP Book of lndustrial Archaeology Cossons, N..(1975). Comprehensive general study, reissued in subsequent editions .
- The Archaeology ofthe Industrial Revolution Bracegirdle, B. (1973) provides a superb visual introduction to the subject.
- English Heritage Book of Industrial England Stratton, M. and Trinder, B. (1996). Recently-published book provides a current view
- Twentieth Century Industrial Archaeology (2000) Recently-published book provides a current view,
- Industrial Archaeology Principles and Practice Palmer, M. and Neaverson, P. (1998). Recently-published book provides a current view, has a full bibliogmphy.
- The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Industrial Archaeology Trinder, B. (ed.) (1992). Substantial reference book
- Dictionary ofindustrial Archaeology and Jones, W. (1996). Substantial reference book
- Perspectives on Industrial Archaeology Cossons, N. (ed.) (2000) is an interesting collection of essays which takes stock of the progress of the subject to date.
Book reviews of The Bristol Area
To be found on Reviews
Useful websites:
- Know your place Explore historic maps of Bristol (1840s tithe maps, 19th, 20th century ordnance survey maps, Ashmead's plans of the central area from 1828, 1855, 1874
- BBC
- University of Bristol library catalogue
- Bristol City Council Record Officein a former bonded warehouse in Cumberland Basin, has searchable computerised archives (open Monday to Thursday)
- LibrariesWest is a partnership between Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset and South Gloucestershire public library services. Search the catalogue and reserve online.
- The Central Reference Library in College Green (open every day) has all its archives in card trays still. It has a complete set of Matthews Guides to Bristol, electoral rolls, as well as newspapers on microfilm.
- National Archives of the United Kingdom
- Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society. Access to the General Index (1876-1993), the Contents Pages (1876-2002) and the full contents of eleven volumes (Vols. 95-105).
- http://www.old-maps.co.uk gives access to old OS maps of end of 19th century
- New website to promote cultural delights of English heritage cities. Click on Bristol
- History of Clifton Rocks Railway" includes pictures of the tunnel today
- Clifton Suspension Bridge website
- Pigot's Directory for 1830 With Clifton, Bedminster, Ashton, Brislington, Pill, Stapleton, etc. This transcription contains 6,501 names, occupations and addresses of the residents of Bristol England that have been extracted from the micro-fiche of Pigot's Directory of Gloucestershire for 1830. It is divided into four sections. Useful for genealogists.
- Newcomen Society.
The Society, thanks to a generous bequest, has developed an on-line archive of its Transactions dating back to 1920.
These are now available on line in Acrobat (PDF) format, to search, browse through, download and print out.