Individual researchers and local history groups are invited to enter ‘fascinating local history stories’ in a new competition for a chance to win prizes including a Findmypast subscription and a bespoke tour of The National Archives (TNA).
TNA and the British Association for Local History are appealing for individuals and groups to enter “local history stories that capture the imagination and show what local history is all about” in the 20sStreets Competition.
The competition was announced following the launch of the 1921 census for England and Wales on Findmypast in January, so all local history stories must have a link to the 1920s and relate to the areas covered by the 1921 Census of England & Wales (England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands).
On its website, The National Archives said: “Do you have a story about a place or locality that grabs your attention? Do you want to keep reading to find out the outcome? Do you think people will react with amazement to your tale? If any one or all of these is a ‘yes’, it sounds like you’ve got a fascinating story!”
It added that the stories don’t have to be local to the person or group submitting them.
A panel of local history experts from The National Archives, the British Association for Local History and external historians will score entries based on the criteria of good evidence of a range of sources being used; quality of exposition; an engaging story that can be easily shared with audiences; and a link to the 1920s.
The prizes for the individual winners are:
• Winners – 5x 1 year Premium subscriptions to Findmypast
• Runners up – 10x goodie bags to include a British Association for Local History publication and The National Archives census merchandise.
The prizes for the group winners are:
• Winner – 1x expenses-paid afternoon at The National Archives for up to 10 people, plus a goodie bag for each person to take away (expenses paid up to a reasonable agreed cost).
• Runners up – 2x tailored online talk for the group about sources relating to their local area by The National Archives/ British Association for Local History experts.
To enter, submit a story of 500 to 1500 words on TNA’s website. You can include photographs or web links in your entry.
The closing date for entries is 11:55 on Tuesday 31 January 2023, with winners and runners-up announced in May 2023.
Rosemary Collins is the features editor for Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine