There is a burgeoning interest in the history of a business, expressed not only
by academic historians, but by general enthusiasts, business organisations and
those interested in the development of a particular business sector, such as
architecture or transport.
Covering businesses in England, 'Tracing the History of a Business' outlines the
principal sources available to researchers and comprehensively covers
a procedure for the search. Most importantly, it has been brought up to
date to include the recent development of online and digital sources.
Finding out what happened to a business is the first step. Is it still active or
trading under a different name? The answer could lead to the business's
archives. How to find surviving records and use the reference material provided
by organisations that give advice and maintain registers is described in
details. Additionally, there is extensive information on the sources that shed
light on a business's activities, such as records of its bankers, accountants
and solicitors and those of government agencies and trade associations. The
guide concludes with an extensive bibliography and list of relevant addresses.
A valuable reference work, this is the starting point for anyone interested in
tracing the history of a business in England.
Contents:
List of Illustrations
Illustration Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
Section 1: Locating Vital Information About a Business and Research Strategy
Formation, Dissolution, Addresses, Activities and Name-Changes
Approaching the Business
Section 2: Locating Archives of the Business
Introduction
Guides to Record Offices
Registers of Business Archives
Online Access to Archives
Business Archives Deposited in Record Offices
Business Archives Council and Business Archives Council of Scotland
Published Guides to Business Archives
Section 3: Information Sources Outside the Archives of the Business
Archives pf Suppliers of Goods and Services
Records of Government
Records of Associations
Printed Sources
Personal Records
Visual Sources
Bibliography
Addresses
Index
