Researching Derbyshire Canals

As long ago as the period of the Roman occupation, the Fosse Dyke from the River Trent to the River Witham had been constructed.  But, the first canal with locks was not cut until 1567 at Exeter.  There were no further major developments until the 18th century, when a series of technical innovations such as …

Transport archives

A short guide to archives available for researching the history of transport routes and methods in Derbyshire, from roads to airports and vehicle manufacturing to hauliers and carriers. More detailed guides, including for roads, canals and railways will follow in the coming month. No particular mention is made below of material in the local studies …

Finding Derbyshire Business archives

A guide to finding the archives of Derbyshire businesses. Derbyshire Record Office holds nearly 1000 collections for businesses and trades across the county and city of Derby, primarily for the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, although some date as early as the 16th century.  Amongst the largest of these collections are: D1851 Bryan Donkin and …

Treasure 40: a plan of Derby’s canals, 1792

This treasure (Q/RP/1/79) is a 1792 plan of canals around Derby, from Smithy Houses near Kilburn to the Erewash Canal at Sandiacre. It also shows the branches from Coxbench to Smalley Mill and from Derby to the Grand Trunk Canal at Swarkestone. There are dozens of canal plans and books of reference in the Quarter …

One book, three centuries: Derby Canal Company minutes arrive

We have just received a single volume containing Derby Canal Company minutes from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries.  As you can see from these pictures, they start with the inaugural "General Assembly" in 1793, and end with the 150th such assembly in 1940.  Just for good measure, we have included shots of the meetings held 100 …