The Herts Memories network.
Websites for the people of Hertfordshire.
By Daphne Knott
The Herts Memories network of websites is a growing resource for discovering the history of Hertfordshire.
The Heritage Lottery funded project, led by staff from Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies, was started as a way of collecting and preserving the memories of local people which might otherwise be lost. Local libraries have helped the project by providing local expertise and meeting places. In particular, the stories of newer communities in the county, which have not been the subject of formal historical studies, were in danger of being lost from the historical record.
The Herts Memories network of websites
Herts Memories is the umbrella site for a network of local websites throughout Hertfordshire. Memories, pictures and research about anywhere in Hertfordshire can be included on the Herts Memories website. Local communities from around the county have been helped through this project to develop their own local websites. The original websites are shown below. Click on the links to go to the websites.
Our Broxbourne Photos memories and research about Broxbourne, Hoddesdon and Cheshunt. Memories and impressions of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Civil defence exercise in Cheshunt
Our Dacorum Photos, memories and historical research about Berkhamsted, Bovingdon, Chipperfield, Flamstead, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley, Markyate and Tring. This website has been developed in partnership with the Dacorum Heritage Trust.
Adeyfield, Hemel Hempstead
Our Hatfield Photos memories and research about Hatfield old and new towns and the University of Hertfordshire.
De Havilland Building, Hatfield
Our Hertford and Ware Photos memories and research about Hertford and Ware. This website has been developed in conjunction with the Hertford and Ware U3A.
County Cinema, Hertford 1971
Our Letchworth Photos memories and research about Letchworth, the First Garden City. This website has been developed with help from the First Garden City Heritage Museum.
Our Oxhey Photos and memories about Carpender's Park, Oxhey Hall, Oxhey Village and South Oxhey. This website has been developed in conjunction with South Oxhey Library.
Oxhey Estates football team 1952
Our Stevenage Photos, memories and research about Stevenage Old and New towns. This website has been developed with the help of staff from Stevenage Museum and Stevenage Library.
Mike's caravan barbers shop, Chells, Stevenage, 1961
Our Welwyn Garden City Photos memories and research about Welwyn Garden City, Digswell and Welwyn village. This project has been developed with the help of Hertfordshire Library staff.
Panshanger, Welwyn Garden City, 1968
New websites in the network
Since the project began, new sites have joined the network:
Harpenden History Photos, memories and historical research about the people and places that make up Harpenden. this website has been developed by the Harpenden Local History Society.
Ashwell Museum The Ashwell Village Museum website wherein you will find all manner of wondrous curiosities relating to the village of Ashwell.
Ashwell Quaker Burial Ground
J Embury
Out of Sight Out of Mind A record of the former mental hospitals around St Albans: Hill End, Napsbury, Cell Barnes, Harperbury, Leavesden and Shenley.
Hill end Hospital chapel, St Albans
Searching the sites
All the websites can be searched from the main Herts Memories website by using the search box at the top right of the page.
Would your community like to be part of the network?
We are always happy to welcome new communities to the Herts Memories network. If you would like to find out more about setting up your own community archives website, please contact us. We are always pleased to help and welcome new groups.