Do you share our enthusiasm for the history of Northamptonshire and its records? Here are some of the ways you may be able help take things forward. If so, please reach out by sending an email to the relevant Contact.
Write an article for Northamptonshire Past and Present
The Editor welcomes original research on all aspects of history in Northamptonshire. The maximum length is 7,000 words; shorter items are very welcome. See examples of recent issues of the journal for ideas and refer to our Notes for Authors and Style Guide (PDF).
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Write a book for publication
The Society publishes a variety of excellent quality books relating to the history of Northamptonshire. See examples of our hardback books and paperbacks.
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Material for digital publication
We are pleased to hear from authors with work more suitable for digital publication than in Northamptonshire Past and Present or as a printed book, perhaps because of its length, format or very specialist subject matter.
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Research and writing
Compose Your Own History provides general guidance on these subjects, whether or not you are planning to write something for us to publish.
Running the Society
We are looking for people who can volunteer to help the Record Society operate and improve (whether or not you are already a member).
Skills we particularly need include accountancy, contractual or editorial experience as well as digital and social media expertise.
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Record Society copyright
The items available to download from this site which are subject to copyright that is owned by Northamptonshire Record Society are licensed via CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Looking backwards and forwards
The 2021 issue of Northamptonshire Past & Present contains the articles listed below about how the Record Society and the Archives service have developed as well as issues that affect the future of local history in the county. Each one can be found in the free PDF that is available from the link for that issue.
- The Finances of the Society by Peter H McKay. Reviews the financial history of the Record Society from its launch in 1920 (pages 16-28).
- Memories of Northants Record Office at Delapré, 1963–1991 by C E Tongue. Recollections of the author's experiences working there - as gently entertaining as they are erudite (pages 33-36).
- Exploring Archives: Changing Experience and Perspective by Daniel Williams. Discusses changes in technology and expectations as traditional archives have encountered the Internet (pages 37-38).
- Reflections on Writing Recent History – Especially During Lockdown by Margaret Hawkins. Draws on the experience of research and writing a history of South Northamptonshire District from its formation in 1974 to abolition in 2021 (pages 80-82).
- History and Community: Who do we think we are, and why does it matter? by Drew Gray. Reflects on the changing nature of terms such as 'community' and 'local', the democratisation of research and writing about the past and scope for broader engagement to develop a sense of place and belonging (pages 60-65).
- Stuck in a groove? How will record societies survive? by John Chandler. A thoughtful and challenging article about difficulties facing the customary activities of such societies and ways in which they may adjust to the present-day world (pages 29-32).