Borthwick Institute for Archives
@uoyborthwick.bsky.social
The Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York, for records of the archdiocese, local parishes, businesses, hospitals etc. borthwick-institute@york.ac.uk
None of us had to skate to work this morning, but otherwise this is an accurate description of York today!
The picture is taken from the scrapbook of young Laura Hannam, begun in 1819 and now part of the university's Rare Books collection.
The picture is taken from the scrapbook of young Laura Hannam, begun in 1819 and now part of the university's Rare Books collection.
January 6, 2026 at 10:41 AM
None of us had to skate to work this morning, but otherwise this is an accurate description of York today!
The picture is taken from the scrapbook of young Laura Hannam, begun in 1819 and now part of the university's Rare Books collection.
The picture is taken from the scrapbook of young Laura Hannam, begun in 1819 and now part of the university's Rare Books collection.
A very Happy Christmas to those who celebrate from all of us at the Borthwick!
This festive card was sent by First World War soldier Herbert Williams to his sweetheart Eva Hill back home in Manchester and is taken from the recently catalogued Alfred Peacock Archive: borthcat.york.ac.uk/pea-1-23-23
This festive card was sent by First World War soldier Herbert Williams to his sweetheart Eva Hill back home in Manchester and is taken from the recently catalogued Alfred Peacock Archive: borthcat.york.ac.uk/pea-1-23-23
December 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
A very Happy Christmas to those who celebrate from all of us at the Borthwick!
This festive card was sent by First World War soldier Herbert Williams to his sweetheart Eva Hill back home in Manchester and is taken from the recently catalogued Alfred Peacock Archive: borthcat.york.ac.uk/pea-1-23-23
This festive card was sent by First World War soldier Herbert Williams to his sweetheart Eva Hill back home in Manchester and is taken from the recently catalogued Alfred Peacock Archive: borthcat.york.ac.uk/pea-1-23-23
And that's us done for the year! Thank you for all your enquiries and your visits over the past 12 months, we'll be back on the 5th January for all your archive needs 😊 In the meantime you can always drop us an email at the usual address: borthwick-institute@york.ac.uk
December 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
And that's us done for the year! Thank you for all your enquiries and your visits over the past 12 months, we'll be back on the 5th January for all your archive needs 😊 In the meantime you can always drop us an email at the usual address: borthwick-institute@york.ac.uk
Calling any Skipton based followers here! As we work through the archive of architect George Pace, we've come across a whole stack of rather lovely ink sketches of all the buildings on Skipton High Street made as part of a 'street improvement plan' in the early 1960s.
December 17, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Calling any Skipton based followers here! As we work through the archive of architect George Pace, we've come across a whole stack of rather lovely ink sketches of all the buildings on Skipton High Street made as part of a 'street improvement plan' in the early 1960s.
This year we have been running the Mentally Fit York funded project 'Stories of Mental Health from York: Past, Present and Future.' Working with two brilliant local artists, we have engaged target groups across York with archives from The Retreat. #EYAInclusion @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 10:26 AM
This year we have been running the Mentally Fit York funded project 'Stories of Mental Health from York: Past, Present and Future.' Working with two brilliant local artists, we have engaged target groups across York with archives from The Retreat. #EYAInclusion @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social
#DidYouKnow over the course of 2025 we have been building Discover, our new Digital Library platform? We'll be adding to the site over the coming months, making more of our collections available wherever you are in the world! discover.york.ac.uk #EYADigital @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 10:26 AM
#DidYouKnow over the course of 2025 we have been building Discover, our new Digital Library platform? We'll be adding to the site over the coming months, making more of our collections available wherever you are in the world! discover.york.ac.uk #EYADigital @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social
If you want to see our Keeper of Archives @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social talking about our Galton and Simpson archive, look no further!
Enjoy the first of our Winter Warmers as we celebrate the comedic genius of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson - the legendary writing duo behind Hancock’s Half Hour and Steptoe and Son. Discover how these comedy icons reshaped British humour.
https://ow.ly/UGuC50Xxn0g
https://ow.ly/UGuC50Xxn0g
December 2, 2025 at 2:27 PM
If you want to see our Keeper of Archives @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social talking about our Galton and Simpson archive, look no further!
This deed of King Richard III from January 1485 came to us on deposit earlier this year. It's granting Sir James Tyrell (yes, that one!) the Lieutenancy of Guines Castle in the Marches of Calais. This meant he didn't take part in the Battle of Bosworth. #EYAMedieval
@exploreyourarchive.bsky.social
@exploreyourarchive.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 4:32 PM
This deed of King Richard III from January 1485 came to us on deposit earlier this year. It's granting Sir James Tyrell (yes, that one!) the Lieutenancy of Guines Castle in the Marches of Calais. This meant he didn't take part in the Battle of Bosworth. #EYAMedieval
@exploreyourarchive.bsky.social
@exploreyourarchive.bsky.social
It's time for the last Borthwick newsletter of the year - this month featuring Quality Street, the art of gurning, breeches in the Garden of Eden, and (of course) another sneak peek into our brand new Terrance Dicks Archive...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
December 1, 2025 at 10:39 AM
It's time for the last Borthwick newsletter of the year - this month featuring Quality Street, the art of gurning, breeches in the Garden of Eden, and (of course) another sneak peek into our brand new Terrance Dicks Archive...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
In March we completed the conservation of an 18th-century parish register from Nevis. The register has been cleaned, repaired and digitised, and returned to Nevis in a special ceremony with dignitaries, parish representatives and the local community. youtu.be/yex_Br6t0ak?... #EYAConservation
The Figtree Register Project: Conservation and Community
YouTube video by Borthwick Institute for Archives
youtu.be
November 29, 2025 at 10:27 AM
In March we completed the conservation of an 18th-century parish register from Nevis. The register has been cleaned, repaired and digitised, and returned to Nevis in a special ceremony with dignitaries, parish representatives and the local community. youtu.be/yex_Br6t0ak?... #EYAConservation
Another sneaky look inside our new Terrance Dicks Archive!
Ok, ok, ONE more
The original scripted ending for The Deadly Assassin, which would have ended with this BRILLIANT roller caption and they should have kept it in!
#doctorwhoday #doctorwho
The original scripted ending for The Deadly Assassin, which would have ended with this BRILLIANT roller caption and they should have kept it in!
#doctorwhoday #doctorwho
November 23, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Another sneaky look inside our new Terrance Dicks Archive!
It’s a very happy #DoctorWhoDay from us - we’re delighted to announce we’ve successfully acquired the archive of Whoniverse legend Terrance Dicks 😲 Read more at the link:
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
November 23, 2025 at 10:49 AM
It’s a very happy #DoctorWhoDay from us - we’re delighted to announce we’ve successfully acquired the archive of Whoniverse legend Terrance Dicks 😲 Read more at the link:
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
Not to get ahead of ourselves but we are just putting the finishing touches to a VERY exciting announcement for Doctor Who Day on Sunday. Watch this space... (pun absolutely intended).
a man with curly hair and a scarf around his neck
ALT: a man with curly hair and a scarf around his neck
media.tenor.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Not to get ahead of ourselves but we are just putting the finishing touches to a VERY exciting announcement for Doctor Who Day on Sunday. Watch this space... (pun absolutely intended).
Did you know gurning, or 'pulling a face', has a long and fascinating history? You can find out more in our guest blog from @uoylibrary.bsky.social colleague Simon Batchelor who takes a closer look at one of the rare books in our Cooper Abbs Collection.
blogs.york.ac.uk/borthwick-in...
blogs.york.ac.uk/borthwick-in...
November 21, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Did you know gurning, or 'pulling a face', has a long and fascinating history? You can find out more in our guest blog from @uoylibrary.bsky.social colleague Simon Batchelor who takes a closer look at one of the rare books in our Cooper Abbs Collection.
blogs.york.ac.uk/borthwick-in...
blogs.york.ac.uk/borthwick-in...
If you missed out on the UK snow this morning feel free to make your own, courtesy of this 18th century recipe from the archive of the Earls of Halifax. All you'll need is a quart of cream, 6 egg whites, rose water & sugar, and the crucial 'Cloven stick' or 'bunch of twiggs' for the beating.
November 19, 2025 at 9:11 AM
If you missed out on the UK snow this morning feel free to make your own, courtesy of this 18th century recipe from the archive of the Earls of Halifax. All you'll need is a quart of cream, 6 egg whites, rose water & sugar, and the crucial 'Cloven stick' or 'bunch of twiggs' for the beating.
And here's the baptism record of 'Guye Fawxe', son to Edward Fawxe. Taken from the parish register of St Michael le Belfrey which is held here at the Borthwick. He was baptised on the 16th April 1570.
Fun fact: the entry below Guy's is a little faded from all the fingers run across it!
Fun fact: the entry below Guy's is a little faded from all the fingers run across it!
November 5, 2025 at 10:10 AM
And here's the baptism record of 'Guye Fawxe', son to Edward Fawxe. Taken from the parish register of St Michael le Belfrey which is held here at the Borthwick. He was baptised on the 16th April 1570.
Fun fact: the entry below Guy's is a little faded from all the fingers run across it!
Fun fact: the entry below Guy's is a little faded from all the fingers run across it!
November has arrived and so has our latest newsletter! This month including thousands of historic hospital records digitised for free online, a glimpse inside the Galton and Simpson archive, and a fascinating First World War collection (featuring this beautiful card).
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
November 3, 2025 at 10:12 AM
November has arrived and so has our latest newsletter! This month including thousands of historic hospital records digitised for free online, a glimpse inside the Galton and Simpson archive, and a fascinating First World War collection (featuring this beautiful card).
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
You might think a Rowntree's Easter catalogue could have nothing to do with #Halloween, but that's because you haven't seen the two-sided chocolate twin face egg of 1932. A bargain at 1 shilling.
October 31, 2025 at 10:46 AM
You might think a Rowntree's Easter catalogue could have nothing to do with #Halloween, but that's because you haven't seen the two-sided chocolate twin face egg of 1932. A bargain at 1 shilling.
Whilst it might not count as one of your 5 a day, we think the Terry's Dessert Apple is worth a mention on #AppleDay! Launched in 1926, this Terry's of York product looked like an apple, but didn't taste like one. It was made of dark chocolate and intended as an after-dinner novelty.
October 21, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Whilst it might not count as one of your 5 a day, we think the Terry's Dessert Apple is worth a mention on #AppleDay! Launched in 1926, this Terry's of York product looked like an apple, but didn't taste like one. It was made of dark chocolate and intended as an after-dinner novelty.
On 3rd November The Rowntree Society will be shining a light on a little known aspect of Rowntree history - their newspaper ownership in the early 20th century. You can find out more (& get your free tickets) at the link below, or scan the QR code on the poster!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rowntree-n...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rowntree-n...
October 16, 2025 at 8:44 AM
On 3rd November The Rowntree Society will be shining a light on a little known aspect of Rowntree history - their newspaper ownership in the early 20th century. You can find out more (& get your free tickets) at the link below, or scan the QR code on the poster!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rowntree-n...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rowntree-n...
Perceptions of mental health and its treatment have changed enormously over the past 250 years. This #WorldMentalHealthDay we're pleased to announce you can now view records from 3 of York's historic psychiatric hospitals online: Bootham Park, Clifton and The Retreat
discover.york.ac.uk/collections/
discover.york.ac.uk/collections/
October 10, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Perceptions of mental health and its treatment have changed enormously over the past 250 years. This #WorldMentalHealthDay we're pleased to announce you can now view records from 3 of York's historic psychiatric hospitals online: Bootham Park, Clifton and The Retreat
discover.york.ac.uk/collections/
discover.york.ac.uk/collections/
Reposted by Borthwick Institute for Archives
Explore the strange, unsettling tale of Hannah Beswick, the 18th-century woman whose body was preserved and placed on display in Manchester. Long wrapped in folklore as the 'Manchester Mummy', author Hannah Priest reveals the truth: open.spotify.com/episode/4hsi...
@uoyborthwick.bsky.social
@uoyborthwick.bsky.social
Hannah Beswick, The Manchester Mummy - with Hannah Priest
open.spotify.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Explore the strange, unsettling tale of Hannah Beswick, the 18th-century woman whose body was preserved and placed on display in Manchester. Long wrapped in folklore as the 'Manchester Mummy', author Hannah Priest reveals the truth: open.spotify.com/episode/4hsi...
@uoyborthwick.bsky.social
@uoyborthwick.bsky.social
New Podcast Alert!! Out of the Archive Box, our Borthwick podcast, is BACK! Join Access & Digital Engagement Archivist @Lauray-archives.bsky.social as she chats to Hannah Priest, author of 'Unburied: The True Story of Hannah Beswick, the Manchester Mummy' about her research! buff.ly/HHS9V4o.
October 3, 2025 at 3:32 PM
New Podcast Alert!! Out of the Archive Box, our Borthwick podcast, is BACK! Join Access & Digital Engagement Archivist @Lauray-archives.bsky.social as she chats to Hannah Priest, author of 'Unburied: The True Story of Hannah Beswick, the Manchester Mummy' about her research! buff.ly/HHS9V4o.
It's 1st October and time for the latest edition of the Borthwick Newsletter! This month we feature 4 new catalogues, 3 new podcasts, some early comedy scripts, and a look behind the scenes of the famous Jorvik Viking Centre.
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
October 1, 2025 at 9:03 AM
It's 1st October and time for the latest edition of the Borthwick Newsletter! This month we feature 4 new catalogues, 3 new podcasts, some early comedy scripts, and a look behind the scenes of the famous Jorvik Viking Centre.
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
Our new Borthwick Paper podcast is now available for your listening pleasure - Ruby Hogan examines changing conceptions of childhood, 1870-1914, through the archives of the Mount School, York, here at the Borthwick.
open.spotify.com/episode/0S8P...
open.spotify.com/episode/0S8P...
September 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Our new Borthwick Paper podcast is now available for your listening pleasure - Ruby Hogan examines changing conceptions of childhood, 1870-1914, through the archives of the Mount School, York, here at the Borthwick.
open.spotify.com/episode/0S8P...
open.spotify.com/episode/0S8P...