 Amanda (left) with colleague Henni in the Reading Room at the Staffordshire Record Office
Amanda Spearman, History Centre Assistant, shares her experience of working as part of the Archives and Heritage Service which she joined in September 2021.
What does your role involve?
I work in a team with other History Centre Assistants and we have responsibility for operating the History centre including supervision of the search room and ensuring the security of the documents, microform and printed items in use by the public. I regularly have to retrieve items from the strongrooms and return them when they have been seen by the requesting visitor. We have a number of strong rooms so it is helpful if we obtain the location code for our documents when we retrieve them. Gateway to the Past is our online catalogue which can provide the Document reference number which provides the location to the document Gateway to the Past Online Catalogue: Home Page (staffordshire.gov.uk)
There is a lot to learn, so at the moment I deal with the reading room bookings and guide our users on how to visit the service and how to operate the online catalogue. Our working practice at the moment is to receive their document list prior to their visit so we can have the documents ready when they visit on the day. I am looking forward to learning more aspects of the job including answering enquiries and completing orders.
What made you choose this career?
I have always had a passion for history so my studies and working career reflects this. I have had the pleasure of working at local sites including the Shugborough Estate, the Ancient High House in Stafford, Izaak Walton’s Cottage and Stafford Castle so was excited when the opportunity arose to work at the Record Office.
What is your favourite object, document or photograph from the collection?
I am unable to single out one item from the collection as a favourite but enjoy looking at the development of an area through time so find ordnance survey maps and tithe maps fascinating.
What is your most memorable moment about working for the Service?
I was mortified on one occasion when working in the strongrooms and moving the rolling stack that the handle came off in my hand. I obviously don’t know my own strength!
Away from work, do you have a hidden talent or special skill?
I love learning new things and will try my hand to anything. I enjoy learning new crafts and have recently learnt to make a Dorset button. In September I completed a refresher archery course in Newport and I hope to join an archery club in the new year.
 Accession number 81.065.0011
There is always plenty to discover in our collections. This pair of 1930s court shoes was photographed in the costume and textiles store this week for some social media coverage. The beautifully stitched pattern, which features sweeping curves of bright red threads and black daisies with red centres, suggests that this glamorous pair was worn for evening wear. The lining is cream kid leather. The excellent condition means it is likely that they were only worn occasionally. Sadly we do not know who the owner was. The shoes were passed to the County Museum Collection from Stafford Museum in the 1980s.
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The latest from the Learning Room
Dr. Michael Faraday, postdoctoral researcher at the School of Archaeology, University of Oxford, is the latest contributor to our Learning Room blog. Michael explores the use of placenames and fieldnames as evidence for archaeological activity in the 19th century Staffordshire tithe map series - a fantastic and relatively comprehensive source of fieldname data available online which allows research to take place remotely, and at speed! You can find out more about Michael here
(image courtesy of Dr. M. Faraday)
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Asylums exhibitions on tour
The Staffordshire Asylums taster exhibition is currently visiting Biddulph Library. It will be there until Monday 7 February before moving on to Cheadle Library. For details of Library opening times please visit the website.
The main exhibition, A Case for the Ordinary: Staffordshire Asylums and the Patient Experience continues at the Museum of Cannock Chase until 25 February.
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Visiting the Record Office and Stoke on Trent Archives
Some Covid restrictions are being lifted by the Government from 27 January. We will encourage our visitors to continue to wear a face covering, unless medically exempt, whilst moving through the public areas and being assisted by staff. You are welcome to remove your face covering whilst seated at your desk.
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