Welcome to the Friends of Shropshire Archives

Friends at Davenport House

We are a friendly group whose aim is to support our county records office, Shropshire Archives, and promote the preservation of the records in their care.

Some of our members are regular users of the Archives, others volunteer their services to help with conservation, indexing, transcription and other activities. We all share a common interest in Shropshire’s history and the importance of preserving the amazing collections of original records held by Shropshire Archives. All our activities support their valuable work.

What do the Friends do?

Voluntary work

In person…

Volunteers are welcomed to assist the professional staff with cataloguing, digitising and conserving archives, photographs, maps and books so many skills can be useful. Also events organised by Shropshire Archives and the Friends need volunteers to help.

From home…

Take a look at the Heritage Heroes website. This is a virtual volunteering website allowing you to support the Archives from your own home by transcribing, researching or commenting on locations or events.

Fund raising

We raise vital funds to assist in the purchase of documents and specialist equipment.  If you have printed a document at the Archives, you have benefited from the print network system bought and maintained by the Friends.  Similarly individual Friends contributed to the digital magnifier in the reading room which can be used to magnify books or maps up to 14 times.

The David Parkes appeal in 2008 saved 75 19th century drawings of Shropshire buildings and locations, some of which are no longer in existence. In 2013 part of the Sandford collection (of Sandford and The Isle) came up for sale in London.  The Friends were able to react quickly and contribute to the price so that the documents could be bought for the Archives and added to the rest of the collection.

The Salopian Recorder

Our lively newsletter, the Salopian Recorder, is mailed free of charge to members. This contains news and reports of activities as well as articles, book reviews, and features on members’ research.

Walcot Hall

Events

We organise a variety of events, usually at discounted rates for members. These include local history days in towns and villages around Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, guided walks in the summer months and an annual lecture in the autumn.