Finding out: Local history and long lost people

I have been asked a couple of times recently about more historic events in Shepton Mallet, including pictures of them, and also about locating relatives and friends from times gone by.

For general information (and some invaluable pointers), and also to buy local history books, you can try Shepton Mallet’s Tourist Information and Heritage Centre.  Alternatively, Martins the Newsagents often has a stock of local history books at cover prices, which I have personally seen for sale at well over the odds on Amazon. (£50 for a Shepton Mallet Camera...I don’t think so!).

Quick Tips for looking for people:

-    Start with the telephone directory - some people from your childhood might not

     have even moved!

-    Try Google - you might be surprised...

-    Move onto other more specific online resources - Friends Reunited

     or  Genes Reunited

-    Try the local library: Most local history books will be there and if you  

     then want to buy one when you have found what you were looking 

     for, you can, and you will also be able to look at the electoral register

     (an appointment may be needed)

Don't overlook the Somerset Studies Library in Taunton either (currently closed for relocation to the new Heritage Centre).  Here you can trawl to your hearts content through microfiche'd Shepton Mallet Journals, back to the very first one, and registers of birth/marriages/deaths, as well as a whole host of reference-only almenacs.  Census returns which started in 1810 are accessible up until 1910, at present, and are available here, or online.  Equally useful are the parish records, which are now kept at the afore mentioned Heritage Centre.

Once you have explored the books/lists/websites, then it might be time to approach someone more specific; perhaps the family history society? (Telephone: 01749 890261).  They may initially point you to some of the places listed above anyway, so you might as well do that first.  Beyond that though, they might have information that will help, but will be able to offer more detailed pointers as to how you may be able to help yourself find the answers you seek.

If the more general options have been exhausted, you might find yourself stuck

and looking for a local expert.  There are a number of local people who

are unique resources; For 'all things Shepton', two names that immediately spring to mind are Fred

Davis, and Alan Stone.  

Fred, by his own admission, is 'getting on a bit' now, and less able to help everyone who asks, as he may have done in the past (to a fault).  He has been described as ‘Mr Shepton’ by the media, has written

numerous books, been a local correspondent for ITV and advised on TV

programs for UK Living, among others.  He was awarded an MBE in the 2002/3 New Years

Honors list for services to heritage, having donated the

proceeds of all of his early publications towards saving local buildings

during the so-called ‘Decade of Destruction’.

Alan Stone is youthful by comparison (he’ll like that!) and seems to be

endlessly taking groups on walks, doing exhibitions and answering

questions for the local press.  He has also written books on both local

history and cider making.  Alan not only has a vast knowledge, but an

immense energy and passion for his subjects.

If you have a special area of interest you may well find another more specific expert

is on hand.  Francis Disney, for example, has made it his business to

know all that there is to know about the Prison. He may know names, and

will certainly have answers if you are looking more at buildings/places

than individuals. 

Similarly, Peter Leach is a name worth looking for in

local shops and online, if your area of interest is Romans in

Somerset and Shepton Mallet.  Indeed, he has recently completed a book

specifically on Shepton Mallet’s Fosseway Site. 

The Church has its’ own website and in this town, where there is a historical building, an expert is never too far away.

If it is pictures you are looking for, it is worth looking at the Francis Frith Collection online (don't forget - Shepton has two picture framers for when you find your perfect picture, Great Ostry Picture Framing and Collingwood Picture Framing). 

The local experts often have huge collections too, so if it is

something very specific you are after, do not lose heart too soon!

Good luck in your search and always feel free to use this site to make appeals for people by name or year or occupation etc.  Let us know if you have any success, also, let us know if you can offer any other tips or resources.