NEWS
NEW DATA TO SEARCH
A large number of non-conformist registers have been uploaded to our site along with a few more cemetery records. Please keep an eye out as more are going on all the time - Methodist, Independent, Baptist, etc. Amazing what can be found. At the moment it is just baptisms, but they are from all over Derbyshire such as Alfreton, Melbourne, South Derbyshire etc. More will continue to be added over the coming weeks.
NEWS
Probate Register 1901-1935
Work on this has been completed
After many years of work by volunteers the index of Derbyshire probates has been completed and is being made available to members online. Extracted form the National Probate Register it lists the names, addresses and dated of death for people in Derbyshire and Burton on Trent from 1901 to 1935. In addition, the place of death if it was away from home is given and the date of probate with the office concerned.
MEETING
Framework Knitters of the East Midlands - Jane Whitaker
Wednesday 25th March 2026 2.00pm - 4.00pm. NOTE REVISED DATE
Museum of Making Silk Mill Lane Derby DE1 3AF
Zoom Codes available to Members only
Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire were the centre for the framework knitting industry in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Join Jane Whitaker from Strutt's North Mill in Belper, as she traces the industry from the years of plenty, to the downturn in prosperity in the face of new machines, and the Luddite struggle for improvement in working conditions and better pay.
MEETING
Murder in 19th Century Derbyshire plus AGM - Gay Evans
Wednesday 22nd April 2026 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Museum of Making Silk Mill Lane Derby DE1 3AF
Zoom Codes available to Members only
This presentation looks at approximately 4 19th century murders from around Derbyshire. Gay has a personal interest in the Parwich Poisoner as her ancestors were living in the village at the time of the murders. The murders will all have a motive of money.
MEETING
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway - A Remarkable Story - Eric Boultbee
Wednesday 20th May 2026 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Museum of Making Silk Mill Lane Derby DE1 3AF
Zoom Codes available to Members only
The talk is a presentation about how we turned a derelict railway into a successful {and Derbyshire's longest} heritage railway, the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway from Duffield to Wirksworth – Eric will cover its history, development, the closure and the rebuilding since EVR was acquired and how we have turned it into the enterprise it is today.
MEETING
Joseph Paxton Chatsworth Gardener and M.P. - David Adams
Wednesday 17th June 2026 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Museum of Making Silk Mill Lane Derby DE1 3AF
Zoom Codes available to Members only
Joseph Paxton, known as the busiest man in England during the early Victorian era rose from a lowly position because of his love for horticulture. He joined the horticultural society in 1820’s and quickly excelled. He attracted the attention of the 6th Duke of Devonshire who engaged him as Head Gardener at Chatsworth. The rest is history. From gardening to designing buildings but he always supported the Duke on his extensive travels. His expertise still resonates today.
MEETING
Almshouses Past, Present and Local - Robert Mee
Wednesday 16th September 2026 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Museum of Making Silk Mill Lane Derby DE1 3AF
Zoom Codes available to Members only
Almshouses have existed since the Byzantine Empire, arriving in Britain before the Norman Conquest. In this talk, Robert Mee will look at the general history of almshouses, but will then bring it up to date by going through those which survive in Derbyshire today. There are far more than you might imagine, and almshouses still play a key role in social housing in many of our communities.
MEETING
The Story of Wathall's, The Funeral Directors - Helen Wathall
Wednesday 23rd October 2026 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Museum of Making Silk Mill Lane Derby DE1 3AF
Zoom Codes available to Members only
Wathall’s – The Funeral Directors, are a 6-generation business, with Helen Wathall MBE and her daughter Charlotte, now at the helm. Helen will talk through her family’s history, and the history of funerals in Derby since 1858, when Wathall’s was formed. Wathall’s is a family business, with its roots firmly planted in Derby, having been at their current premises for over 100 years. The family history and its connections with Derby go back hundreds of years.
MEETING
Royal Crown Derby - Dr Elizabeth Woledge
Wednesday 18th November 2026 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Museum of Making Silk Mill Lane Derby DE1 3AF
Zoom Codes available to Members only
Dr Elizabeth Woledge will share over 250 years of history of porcelain manufacture in Derby. Illustrated with over 20 items from the museum which you can handle and explore. An amazing opportunity to learn about the people and productions which made Royal Crown Derby the internationally renowned brand it is today.
