May is Local and Community History Month, an opportunity to celebrate and explore Aberdeenshire’s rich and varied past. This year’s theme, Crime and Punishment, delves into one of the darkest chapters in our local history: the Aberdeenshire witch trials.
Throughout the month, we are offering a varied programme of events, including a special talk in partnership with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives, an Open Day at our Local Studies Centre, and a hands on workshop for anyone keen to Get to Grips with Local History Research, and so more.
See below for further details.
Witch Trials talks will be held across Aberdeenshire during May with one of our Local Studies volunteers.
Stonehaven Library 13th May, 2pm – 3pm
Oldmeldrum Library 18th May, 2pm – 3pm
Aboyne Library 21st May, 2pm – 3pm
Kintore Library 26th May, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Discover the darker side of local history with a fascinating journey into historical crime in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.
Join a member of the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Archives team at Fraserburgh Library on 25th May from 2pm - 2.30pm as they reveal how the region’s rich archival collections shed light on real cases, forgotten stories, and the justice systems of the past.
Join our Local Studies team for a friendly, introductory workshop session that will help you take your first steps in local history research.
The workshop includes a tour around the Local Studies Centre followed by a talk with the team where they will tell you all about the wide range of resources, books, photos, maps, newspapers and so much more that can be accessed at the centre.
You can also get started with your own research project with the support of the staff.
This workshop is perfect for anyone curious about the past and unsure of where to begin. No experience needed but basic computer skills are essential.
Price £25 or £15 Low-income benefits
Come and join us for a day of local history at the Local Studies Centre in Oldmeldrum on 14th May, from 10am – 7pm.
Whether it’s researching your home’s history or your local area, find out how our staff and resources at the Local Studies Centre can help you.
Access our newspaper archives, browse our photo collections and visit the ‘vault’, where our ‘precious’ items are stored. Take a tour of the department and see what our staff’s favourite things are.
There will also be a sale of withdrawn local history books and old Ordnance Survey maps.
Listen to the stories behind the Witch Trials talks with a series of podcasts throughout May.
If you have enjoyed listening to our volunteers Witch Trials podcast, you might be interested to listen to Dane, one of the Local Studies team share his research into various Aberdeenshire local history stories. Some you may find interesting, amusing and sometimes insidious truths, about the people and places of Aberdeenshire.
Click the button below to access our full playlist available on Youtube!
We have a huge range of books relating to local people, places and crimes. A small selection of them has been curated into a list. Click here to browse the collection and reserve your copy:
