Key Takeaways
- Louise Cocker has photographed almost half a million gravestones in Norfolk, creating a comprehensive dataset of 615,000 names.
- Amateur historians like Cocker are the "hidden engine room" of Britain’s genealogical research, providing valuable datasets to websites like Findmypast.
- Private passions and obsessions of individuals are crucial in telling the fuller story of history, beyond official records.
- Datasets collected by amateurs can include information on apprentices, court cases, wills, and civilian casualties of war.
- These datasets can provide a more detailed and nuanced understanding of historical events and the people who lived through them.
Introduction to Amateur Historians
The autumn sunlight filtering through the quietly falling leaves sets the scene for Louise Cocker’s passion project. She stands in front of the gravestone of James Henry Payne, taking a quick photograph to add to her collection. Over 24 years, Cocker has captured almost half a million gravestones in Norfolk, driving around the county on her weekends and days off from her job at the local Lidl supermarket. This remarkable dataset of 615,000 names is considered one of the most comprehensive photographic records of gravestones and memorials in England. Cocker’s passion for photography and history has led her to create this extensive dataset, which is now being used by experts and amateur historians alike.
The Importance of Amateur Historians
Cocker’s hobby may seem idiosyncratic to some, but she is just one of many amateur historians whose private passions are driving the boom in genealogical research. According to Mary McKee, UK archives manager of the family history website Findmypast, "the foundation of our entire industry is independent genealogists." These individuals are providing valuable datasets that are being used to tell the fuller story of history. McKee explains that while official records such as birth, marriage, and death records are important, they only provide a limited view of the past. It is the private obsessions of individuals like Cocker that are helping to fill in the gaps and provide a more nuanced understanding of historical events.
The Diverse Interests of Amateur Historians
Amateur historians like Cocker are not limited to photographing gravestones. Cliff Webb, a former insurance broker, has compiled a wealth of datasets, including an index of hundreds of thousands of apprentices and their employers dating back to 1442. He is currently working on a detailed directory of court cases heard in Surrey between the 14th and 19th centuries. Webb’s passion for history was sparked by his interest in family history, which he found to be a useful skill in his professional life. He believes that wills are a particularly valuable source of information, providing a unique insight into the lives of ordinary people. By compiling an index of up to 300,000 wills, Webb hopes to provide a more detailed understanding of life in the Elizabethan period.
The Impact of Amateur Historians
The work of amateur historians like Cocker, Webb, and Mark Peel is having a significant impact on our understanding of history. Peel, a retired academic, has spent decades compiling a dataset of civilian casualties of the second world war in Britain. By combining the names recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with contemporary street maps, burial registers, and other sources, his data provides a more detailed and nuanced understanding of the people who died during the war. Peel’s work is a testament to the importance of remembering the stories of ordinary people who were affected by historical events. He believes that each person has a story to tell, and that it is our responsibility to remember them, not just as heroes, but as individuals who were caught up in extraordinary circumstances.
The Future of Genealogical Research
The work of amateur historians like Cocker, Webb, and Peel is helping to drive the boom in genealogical research. As more people become interested in tracing their family history, the demand for detailed and accurate datasets is increasing. Websites like Findmypast are providing a platform for amateur historians to share their datasets, making it easier for people to access the information they need. The future of genealogical research looks bright, with new technologies and resources becoming available all the time. However, it is the private passions and obsessions of individuals like Cocker, Webb, and Peel that will continue to drive the industry forward, providing a more detailed and nuanced understanding of the past.
