Joe Saunders
@joesaunders1.bsky.social
Freelance Historian | Part-time PhD English print trade networks 1600-50 📚 Vice-Chair, British Association for Local History 📜 Tutor, Pharos Tutors. Co-editor How-to History. www.joesaundershistory.co.uk
Pinned
Do come along to listen to Dr Mike Esbester of the Railway Work, Life & Death project giving our BALH annual Dymond Lecture. #LocalHistory 🗃️
#ICYMI: Join us on 11 December at 7pm for our Annual Dymond Lecture. This year's speaker is Dr Mike Esbester, who will be exploring the hidden human stories behind Britain's railways.
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
November 23, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Do come along to listen to Dr Mike Esbester of the Railway Work, Life & Death project giving our BALH annual Dymond Lecture. #LocalHistory 🗃️
Reposted by Joe Saunders
🚨ONE MONTH'S TIME!🚨
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
November 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
🚨ONE MONTH'S TIME!🚨
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike is privileged to give the 2025 @balhnews.bsky.social Dymond Lecture!
‘Heads – you lose!’ Working for the railways in Britain before 1939
Thursday 11 December 2025, 7pm, online
#LocalHistory #Railway200
www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
Reposted by Joe Saunders
#ICYMI: Join us on 11 December at 7pm for our Annual Dymond Lecture. This year's speaker is Dr Mike Esbester, who will be exploring the hidden human stories behind Britain's railways.
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
November 20, 2025 at 7:01 AM
#ICYMI: Join us on 11 December at 7pm for our Annual Dymond Lecture. This year's speaker is Dr Mike Esbester, who will be exploring the hidden human stories behind Britain's railways.
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Find out more: www.balh.org.uk/dymond2025
#WeAreLocalHistory #LocalHistoryForAll
Reposted by Joe Saunders
Take your dragon out for a fly.
This is an #earlymodern advice (from Athanasius Kircher), on how to and when to use your private #dragon to make an impression. The image is part of Kircher's 1678 "Mundus Subterraneus" (access: www.digitale-sammlungen.de/de/view/bsb1... ), and ...
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This is an #earlymodern advice (from Athanasius Kircher), on how to and when to use your private #dragon to make an impression. The image is part of Kircher's 1678 "Mundus Subterraneus" (access: www.digitale-sammlungen.de/de/view/bsb1... ), and ...
1/2
November 18, 2024 at 7:16 AM
Take your dragon out for a fly.
This is an #earlymodern advice (from Athanasius Kircher), on how to and when to use your private #dragon to make an impression. The image is part of Kircher's 1678 "Mundus Subterraneus" (access: www.digitale-sammlungen.de/de/view/bsb1... ), and ...
1/2
This is an #earlymodern advice (from Athanasius Kircher), on how to and when to use your private #dragon to make an impression. The image is part of Kircher's 1678 "Mundus Subterraneus" (access: www.digitale-sammlungen.de/de/view/bsb1... ), and ...
1/2
Excellent research trip to Cardiff and Hereford last week including visits to the Mappa Mundi and chained library at Hereford Cathedral, and to Cardiff Castle and markets. 🗃️
November 12, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Excellent research trip to Cardiff and Hereford last week including visits to the Mappa Mundi and chained library at Hereford Cathedral, and to Cardiff Castle and markets. 🗃️
Reposted by Joe Saunders
We’re launching our new catalogue on Monday 8 December.
To keep our collections safe while we do this, access and ordering will be suspended for a week before launch and all requests for 8 December onwards must be made on the new system when it launches.
Find out more: bit.ly/CollectionSu...
To keep our collections safe while we do this, access and ordering will be suspended for a week before launch and all requests for 8 December onwards must be made on the new system when it launches.
Find out more: bit.ly/CollectionSu...
November 11, 2025 at 12:54 PM
We’re launching our new catalogue on Monday 8 December.
To keep our collections safe while we do this, access and ordering will be suspended for a week before launch and all requests for 8 December onwards must be made on the new system when it launches.
Find out more: bit.ly/CollectionSu...
To keep our collections safe while we do this, access and ordering will be suspended for a week before launch and all requests for 8 December onwards must be made on the new system when it launches.
Find out more: bit.ly/CollectionSu...
Reposted by Joe Saunders
#SpeakerSaturday and we are highlighting @joesaunders1.bsky.social
@pharostutors.bsky.social are sponsoring Joe's presentation 'Migration and early modern England'. Remaining conference places are limited, pay a deposit now to secure a place www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...
@pharostutors.bsky.social are sponsoring Joe's presentation 'Migration and early modern England'. Remaining conference places are limited, pay a deposit now to secure a place www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...
50th Anniversary Residential Conference - Devon Family History Society
2026 marks fifty years since the foundation of Devon Family History Society. As part of the celebrations, we will be holding a very special anniversary conference from 9-11 October 2026. This will be ...
www.devonfhs.org.uk
November 8, 2025 at 4:44 PM
#SpeakerSaturday and we are highlighting @joesaunders1.bsky.social
@pharostutors.bsky.social are sponsoring Joe's presentation 'Migration and early modern England'. Remaining conference places are limited, pay a deposit now to secure a place www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...
@pharostutors.bsky.social are sponsoring Joe's presentation 'Migration and early modern England'. Remaining conference places are limited, pay a deposit now to secure a place www.devonfhs.org.uk/devon-fhs-co...
Reposted by Joe Saunders
UK PUBLICATION DAY 🇬🇧
A year ago I went to London to visit some grand, old, complicated museums, and track down some big pieces of the puzzle that become my second book #TheButterflyThief 🦋
A year later, pretty much to the day, it’s out now: scribepublications.co.uk/books/the-butterfly-thief
A year ago I went to London to visit some grand, old, complicated museums, and track down some big pieces of the puzzle that become my second book #TheButterflyThief 🦋
A year later, pretty much to the day, it’s out now: scribepublications.co.uk/books/the-butterfly-thief
November 6, 2025 at 12:35 PM
UK PUBLICATION DAY 🇬🇧
A year ago I went to London to visit some grand, old, complicated museums, and track down some big pieces of the puzzle that become my second book #TheButterflyThief 🦋
A year later, pretty much to the day, it’s out now: scribepublications.co.uk/books/the-butterfly-thief
A year ago I went to London to visit some grand, old, complicated museums, and track down some big pieces of the puzzle that become my second book #TheButterflyThief 🦋
A year later, pretty much to the day, it’s out now: scribepublications.co.uk/books/the-butterfly-thief
Reposted by Joe Saunders
Really pleased to announce the launch of the all-new, all-dancing, London Lives website - www.londonlives.org It has been thoroughly re-engineered to facilitate more types of search, and redesigned for phones and tablets. The team very much hopes peope like it. 1/
London Lives
www.londonlives.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Really pleased to announce the launch of the all-new, all-dancing, London Lives website - www.londonlives.org It has been thoroughly re-engineered to facilitate more types of search, and redesigned for phones and tablets. The team very much hopes peope like it. 1/
Reposted by Joe Saunders
The Price of purchasing a copy of a will will increase from £1.50 to £16 this month. What will this mean for family historians? #genealogy
www.family-tree.co.uk/news/probate...
www.family-tree.co.uk/news/probate...
Probate price shock: What it means for family historians — and how to stay ahead
From 17 November the fee for a copy of a will increases from £1.50 to £16. Read on for practical advice from Fraser & Fraser to help you plan and budget.
www.family-tree.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 9:03 AM
The Price of purchasing a copy of a will will increase from £1.50 to £16 this month. What will this mean for family historians? #genealogy
www.family-tree.co.uk/news/probate...
www.family-tree.co.uk/news/probate...
Never say the English aren't inventive with our placenames. Gardeners Garden, Shoreditch, London (Ogilby & Morgan map, 1676). 🗃️ www.layersoflondon.org/map/overlays...
November 3, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Never say the English aren't inventive with our placenames. Gardeners Garden, Shoreditch, London (Ogilby & Morgan map, 1676). 🗃️ www.layersoflondon.org/map/overlays...
Reposted by Joe Saunders
Monsters, by Thomas Wood. Sharing an old post on All Hallows Eve! 'Wherever they appear, monsters act as embodiments of those things that humanity should fear'. how-to-history.com/2024/10/30/m...
October 31, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Monsters, by Thomas Wood. Sharing an old post on All Hallows Eve! 'Wherever they appear, monsters act as embodiments of those things that humanity should fear'. how-to-history.com/2024/10/30/m...
Reposted by Joe Saunders
Title Deeds, by Joe Saunders. Deeds are legal documents concerning the ownership or possession of property, usually regarding the transfer of land or a house from one person to another. how-to-history.com/2025/10/29/t...
Title Deeds
Joe Saunders Deeds are legal documents concerning the ownership or possession of property, usually regarding the transfer of land or a house from one person to another. They have been in use since …
how-to-history.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Title Deeds, by Joe Saunders. Deeds are legal documents concerning the ownership or possession of property, usually regarding the transfer of land or a house from one person to another. how-to-history.com/2025/10/29/t...
Many thanks to the Tools & Trades History Society for granting me a Salaman Award in support of my PhD studies. Do check out this great organisation. www.taths.org.uk
October 29, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Many thanks to the Tools & Trades History Society for granting me a Salaman Award in support of my PhD studies. Do check out this great organisation. www.taths.org.uk
Reposted by Joe Saunders
To reiterate Joe’s post: the value of yesterday evening was really demonstrated by speaking with people interested in the map from different disciplinary backgrounds - helped to underpin its wide potential applications and alerted us to uses we hadn’t yet considered #Skystorians 🗺️
Great event yesterday with the Historic Town's Trust talking about our research work on an atlas of London on the Eve of the Great Fire. So pleased to be helping this fantastic project. @historictownstrust.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 2:07 PM
To reiterate Joe’s post: the value of yesterday evening was really demonstrated by speaking with people interested in the map from different disciplinary backgrounds - helped to underpin its wide potential applications and alerted us to uses we hadn’t yet considered #Skystorians 🗺️
Great event yesterday with the Historic Town's Trust talking about our research work on an atlas of London on the Eve of the Great Fire. So pleased to be helping this fantastic project. @historictownstrust.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Great event yesterday with the Historic Town's Trust talking about our research work on an atlas of London on the Eve of the Great Fire. So pleased to be helping this fantastic project. @historictownstrust.bsky.social
Reposted by Joe Saunders
Excited to be teaching two online short courses starting next week; one on local history and the other on using manorial records. Spaces still available on both!
#LocalHistory #FamilyHistory 🗃️
www.pharostutors.com/progressing-...
www.pharostutors.com/manorial-rec...
#LocalHistory #FamilyHistory 🗃️
www.pharostutors.com/progressing-...
www.pharostutors.com/manorial-rec...
October 17, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Excited to be teaching two online short courses starting next week; one on local history and the other on using manorial records. Spaces still available on both!
#LocalHistory #FamilyHistory 🗃️
www.pharostutors.com/progressing-...
www.pharostutors.com/manorial-rec...
#LocalHistory #FamilyHistory 🗃️
www.pharostutors.com/progressing-...
www.pharostutors.com/manorial-rec...
Excited to be teaching two online short courses starting next week; one on local history and the other on using manorial records. Spaces still available on both!
#LocalHistory #FamilyHistory 🗃️
www.pharostutors.com/progressing-...
www.pharostutors.com/manorial-rec...
#LocalHistory #FamilyHistory 🗃️
www.pharostutors.com/progressing-...
www.pharostutors.com/manorial-rec...
October 17, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Excited to be teaching two online short courses starting next week; one on local history and the other on using manorial records. Spaces still available on both!
#LocalHistory #FamilyHistory 🗃️
www.pharostutors.com/progressing-...
www.pharostutors.com/manorial-rec...
#LocalHistory #FamilyHistory 🗃️
www.pharostutors.com/progressing-...
www.pharostutors.com/manorial-rec...
Reposted by Joe Saunders
#ICYMI: Join us on 4 November at 7pm to learn how LiDAR technology is transforming local history, as high-resolution aerial data from the Beacons of the Past project is uncovering hidden traces of human activity across the Chilterns.
Book your place: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-a...
Book your place: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-a...
October 16, 2025 at 7:02 AM
#ICYMI: Join us on 4 November at 7pm to learn how LiDAR technology is transforming local history, as high-resolution aerial data from the Beacons of the Past project is uncovering hidden traces of human activity across the Chilterns.
Book your place: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-a...
Book your place: www.balh.org.uk/event-balh-a...
The City of London in a picture. The medieval church tower of All Hallows Staining. An historic island amidst skyscrapers and construction. 🗃️
October 14, 2025 at 10:26 AM
The City of London in a picture. The medieval church tower of All Hallows Staining. An historic island amidst skyscrapers and construction. 🗃️
Reposted by Joe Saunders
At @ihr.bsky.social we can now offer PhD by Publication in History! For those with a substantial body of existing published research (within past 10 years), but without a PhD, should be of particular interest to #heritage professionals and independent scholars!
October 14, 2025 at 8:53 AM
At @ihr.bsky.social we can now offer PhD by Publication in History! For those with a substantial body of existing published research (within past 10 years), but without a PhD, should be of particular interest to #heritage professionals and independent scholars!
Reposted by Joe Saunders
Progressing Your Local History Research. Students will be encouraged to work on a local history project of their choosing during this course. www.pharostutors.com/progressing-...
September 18, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Progressing Your Local History Research. Students will be encouraged to work on a local history project of their choosing during this course. www.pharostutors.com/progressing-...
Reposted by Joe Saunders
Only available on microfilm
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
rm -rf ~/
rm -rf ~/
"The chancellor approved it"
October 12, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Only available on microfilm
Reposted by Joe Saunders
New on CollectionsCaptured is a wonderfully illustrated set of 17 proof copies of early 17th Century maps, later included in John Speed's 'Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine'.
All 17 pages can be seen here on CollectionsCaptured: collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...
[Ref. Freinds/JSM]
All 17 pages can be seen here on CollectionsCaptured: collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...
[Ref. Freinds/JSM]
October 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
New on CollectionsCaptured is a wonderfully illustrated set of 17 proof copies of early 17th Century maps, later included in John Speed's 'Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine'.
All 17 pages can be seen here on CollectionsCaptured: collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...
[Ref. Freinds/JSM]
All 17 pages can be seen here on CollectionsCaptured: collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...
[Ref. Freinds/JSM]
Reposted by Joe Saunders
A striking thing about articles I’ve read claiming to “study the effects” of generative AI on student writing skills and consumption of information is that (1) they nearly always find the effects are negative and (2) most “conclusions” are still written assuming that we must use AI, for some reason.
October 9, 2025 at 11:49 AM
A striking thing about articles I’ve read claiming to “study the effects” of generative AI on student writing skills and consumption of information is that (1) they nearly always find the effects are negative and (2) most “conclusions” are still written assuming that we must use AI, for some reason.