Lewes History Group

The National Archive will be publishing the 1921 Census for England and Wales online via Findmypast on 6 January 2022.

The 1921 Census will offer us a glimpse into the lives of individuals and communities between the two world wars, recovering from a great influenza pandemic, and embarking on a new era where everyday rights and roles were changing.

What makes the 1921 Census even more vital is that it will be the last census release for England and Wales for 30 years, with the 1931 Census lost in a fire and the 1941 Census cancelled due to the Second Wold War.

You can use Findmypast on the computers in Lewes Library, and at The Keep.

Searching the 1921 Census on Findmypast will be free but there will be a charge of £2.50 for every record transcript and £3.50 for every original record image viewed. Alternatively, viewing the digital images of the 1921 Census of England and Wales is free on the premises at The National Archives at Kew.

See Lewes History Group’s listing of research resources for family history, house history, historical images, newspapers, and much more.

Reeves Archive’s exhibition –  Lewes Town Hall: a Building in Focus – traces the history of Lewes Town Hall from 1870 to today, and includes photos of the outside of the building both before and after its conversion from hotel to town hall, and of events it has hosted over the years.

This free exhibition which includes lightboxes in the windows of Lewes Town Hall, and images in the Baxter Corridor, is curated by Tom Reeves, Tania Osband, and Brigitte Lardinois.

Venue: Lewes Town Hall, High Street, Lewes

Opening times: Mon-Fri 10:00-16:00, Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th 10:00-16:00

Image at Lewes Past Facebook Group

The Keep will be closed to the public for three weeks from the 22^nd November – 11^th December 2021. The closure will allow staff to carry out essential maintenance of the stores for collections management purposes.

The closure will only affect the Reading and Reference Rooms. Their Reprographics and Research Services will still be open and available.