LEVERSTOCK GREEN: STUDYING OUR LOCAL HISTORY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leverstock Green Village Sign

Martin Chapman

Since February 1994, I have been researching in depth the history of the Leverstock Green Area from prehistoric times to the present day. Any information I uncover, (either from pre-published sources including books, maps, press-cuttings, census returns, magazines, directories etc.; the collective memory of past residents of the village, or from original documents) once collated, is entered into my computer documents on the Chronicle in a strictly chronological sequence, with information concerning the source of each entry. The set of documents thus created I have called The Leverstock Green Chronicle.

Because I felt it important that every item of information could be traced easily by a reader to its source, each entry has at the end a reference in a set of square brackets.  This not only satisfies curiosity, but gives recognition to the author of specific theories or information related to Leverstock Green, and enables other local historians and in particular family historians a ready means by which they can trace the information contained in the entry and use it as a starting point for further research. This is particularly helpful when original documentation from the various Record Offices has been quoted.

For much of the same time as my research, I have also collected contemporary press cuttings on the village, and albums of original and copied documents concerning the village. These now occupy several bookshelves at home and on my death are willed to DHT or, if they cannot take them, HALS.

The Leverstock Green Chronicle is therefore  an in-depth history of Leverstock Green.  Sources include information already in print, interviews with past and elderly residents, the study of many original documents, newspapers and periodicals, maps and ephemera held at The National Archive, HALS, and other specialist archives as well as information obtained from contacts all over the world who either themselves lived in the village, or who have ancestors who lived or worked in Leverstock Green.  As much as possible of the information gleaned over the years is now on the Chronicle website: www.lgchronicle.net and includes as well as Chronologically dated entries, many different articles on specific subjects and numerous images.

Because history started yesterday, the site includes many articles and photographs relating to important events in the village over the past 20 years. e.g. http://www.lgchronicle.net/21st-Century.html

Time and health have not always allowed me to update the website as I would like.  However, I continue to spend what time I can on the project and make sure that not only the information is up to date, but that quoted links also still work.

The website contains a contact form, so if you come across any errors, poor links or simply want to ask a question, please do use it to contact me.

Barbara Chapman