The Friends of Wolverhampton Archives is a volunteer group based at Wolverhampton Archives and Local Studies at the Molineux Hotel in Wolverhampton. Lisa Hale introduces the group and its activities
SPOTLIGHT ON
The aims of Friends of Wolverhampton Archives are to promote and support the Wolverhampton Archives and this takes many forms, including attending local fairs and history events; we take along a selection of historical material, which is displayed on attractive boards and seek to introduce members of the general public to the exciting material available to view at the Archives. Talking to the residents of our local area is an interesting and illuminating experience, for many have fascinating stories and facts, as well as interesting documents and photos.
We also help out at any events which the Archives run. Recently we ran a café at the Local History Fair, providing people with refreshments and home-made cakes. Members raise money through events throughout the year and, with these funds, they purchase documents for the Archives. The documents purchased, often by auction, are chosen to aid research into previously unknown areas, such as prominent individuals and local businesses.
Volunteer work
We support the Archives by promoting and encouraging volunteers. An Archive service is now very reliant on volunteers to help with anything from sorting and cataloguing documents to scanning photographs and they are always looking for volunteers. As many of the Friends are volunteers themselves or have volunteered, they are in an excellent position to advise and help prospective volunteers and this is an area of the work we all enjoy.
Some of the Friends who are knowledgeable about family history hold a help desk on a Saturday morning to assist people who are interesting in researching their family history but need a little help to get started. In addition, our chairman runs a six-week family history course which is designed to help those who want to continue with their research.
Our Facebook site and website (https://friendsofwca.org) are useful for keeping members up to date with forthcoming events and these are a portal into their home town for members and past residents who no longer live in Wolverhampton but want to reminisce. of being a member of the Friends of Wolverham
