 Tithe Map showing Tixall Hall
Tithe maps are an excellent source for local, family, landscape and environmental history. The maps were originally commissioned in the 1840s by the Tithe Commissioners as the old system of paying a tenth of your produce was commuted into a rent charge. To calculate the rent maps were drawn up of parishes numbering each plot. The accompanying award listed the owner, occupier, acreage, name of the field, or property and value. They are beautifully drawn maps with three copies made. The first was kept by the Tithe Commissioners (now in The National Archives) the second by the Diocese of Lichfield, and the third by the parish (both these copies are at Staffordshire Record Office).
Ten years ago, our volunteers started the mammoth task of indexing all of the Staffordshire tithe awards which they completed in 2017. The indexes are on the Staffordshire Name Indexes website. The Friends of Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archives (FoSSA) spent three years raising almost £15,000 to digitize the maps that accompany the awards. During the autumn the maps were digitized. A solution was developed to make the maps available using the Staffordshire Past Track website. This required adaptation of the zoom feature and some of the images were split to enable them to be viewed more easily. The online maps were launched on 5 June 2020 to coincide with Volunteers Week. Initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:
‘Fantastic wish this had been around years ago’
‘Thank you for making our heritage more accessible, it is really appreciated’
 Louise working from home
This week we meet another member of the team at Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service. This week we find out about the role of Archivist Louise Ferriday, who is based at Stoke-on-Trent Archives in Hanley.
What does your role involve?
I began my career at Shropshire Archives where I worked on the Dukes of Sutherland Lilleshall Collection and then came to work at Stoke-on-Trent Archives working on their Trentham estate records in 2007. I then went to work on a project for Birmingham Archives and Heritage, returning to Stoke in 2010 as a permanent member of staff.
When did you start working with Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archives Service?
I began my career at Shropshire Archives where I worked on the Dukes of Sutherland Lilleshall Collection and then came to work at Stoke-on-Trent City Archives working on their Trentham estate records in 2007. I then went to work on a project for Birmingham Archives and Heritage, returning to Stoke in 2010 as a permanent member of staff.
What made you choose this career?
I discovered that there was something fascinating about what contemporary records reveal when I was studying history. Although I knew I wanted to work in the heritage sector, it took me a while to decide to become an archivist. I grew up near the Ironbridge Gorge Museums which captured my imagination, so much so that later I completed a Master’s Degree in Industrial Archaeology based there, so working with archives in the Potteries definitely appealed to me and continues to do so.
What is your favourite object, document or photograph from the collection?
It’s a few documents that shine a personal light on what life was like working at the Minton Factory. It started with the apprenticeship indenture of 13-year-old Enameller Eliza Smallwood, we also found her in a Register of Apprentices. Then there was an extraordinary development when these records were featured on the Minton Archive website - one of her descendants got in touch and generously shared her photograph and items decorated by her. This was why I became an archivist, to share collections and enable connections like this to be made.
What is your most memorable moment about working for the Service?
Undoubtedly my work with Archive of Royal Doulton PLC. Our Team worked so hard packaging and basically listing the collection over the hot summer of 2015. We then put the collections in order, catalogued and launched the Minton and Doulton catalogues online. We have also created the Minton Archive website. The greatest reward is now seeing the collection accessed and enjoyed.
Away from work, do you have a hidden talent or special skill?
During lockdown I have discovered that I can do a reasonable job of cutting my husband’s hair. It’s amazing what you can achieve with a comb, scissors and a YouTube video!
 Staffordshire Vintage Bakeoff
This week’s vintage recipe comes from a Ministry of Food leaflet from 1949. The Cookery Calendar encouraged people to make use of seasonal ingredients and make the most of what they had. It wasn’t until 1954 that rationing ended in the UK, nine years after the end of the war. These often brightly coloured leaflets gave people options and variety even when their food was rationed. Let us know how you get on with savoury fingers and tag us on Twitter or Instagram with #StaffordshireVintageBakes
Spot the Difference
Can you find 6 differences between the original images of the South View of Tixall Hall (above) and the altered image below? This sepia wash drawing was created by J. Buckler in 1842. It is part of the collection of Staffordshire Views held at the William Salt Library.
 Images courtesy of the Trustees of the William Salt Library
 Photography Crossword Solution
Down
1. Glass Plate Negative, 2. Cartes de Visite 3. Kodak 4. Zeiss 6. Silver Nitrate 10. Tripod
Across
5. Focus 7. Digital 8. Lens 9. Daguerrotype 11. Box Brownie 12. Print
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