(Editor’s note): This article was originally published in August 2020. Under the current Government lockdown restrictions (effective from 4th January 2021, the Archives service remains closed to visitors. We ask that you keep any items safely until such time as we can announce that the service is due to re-open. Thank you.
Previously in May, we asked for you to consider contributing to our archives on your experiences during the lockdown, and how COVID-19 has affected your daily life. The archives are now ready to take receipt of your submissions- read on to find out more.
We all have a story to tell about the current public health crisis, and historians of the future will be interested in researching how we experienced everyday life. Your help is invaluable, and we welcome contributions from all members of the East Riding community to create a permanent record of COVID-19 experiences in our archives.
What items are we looking to collect?
- Photographs
- Diaries or Journals
- Audio recordings
- Video clips or video logs
- Poetry or stories about your lockdown experiences
- Leaflets, posters or handouts
Records can be in handwritten, printed or digital format.
We are interested in documenting how individuals and families coped with being under lockdown. We ask how much did our towns and villages change? What did your day look like? Other topics can include, but are not limited to, life events, the impact of social distancing, family life, community heroes, the Thursday evening ‘Clap for Carers’ and NHS thank you messages. We are seeking documented experiences relating to shopping, schooling, work, hobbies, your daily activities and feelings.
Contribute your story to the archives
We are pleased to announce that we are now able to take receipt of your documents by booking an appointment with an Archivist. To book an appointment or discuss requirements, you can either phone 01482 392792 or email archives.service@eastriding.gov.uk . We would be very happy to hear from you.
You can consider donating your experiences at any time in the future. Your records will be treated with sensitivity, as we appreciate that these are difficult times for many people and that some records may by highly personal. If you have any concerns or queries about access to your records, we will be able to discuss these requirements with you.
Quarantines from the past
Did you know that lockdowns have happened in the East Riding previously? Our Archives Supervisor, Helen, found this example in our 17th century Beverley Corporation minute books (Archive reference: BC/II/7/5):
The East Riding Archives hold over 800 years of East Riding history. We hope that your experiences can be preserved in the archives, just like the Beverlonians of 1665, for future generations to come.
Hannah Stamp, Archivist
Archives blog 
I have a poem I have written about the pandemic lockdown. How do I submit it? Thank you.
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Thanks Karen, if you email us at archives.service@eastriding.gov.uk we can have a look at your poem and go through the accessioning process with you. Thanks for you interest in the appeal.
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Hello I am hoping you can help me , my mum who is a 100 this week was born in West Ella , her maiden name was Josephine Slight she lived in her grannie & grandads house (grandads name was Joseph )and was also born there ,we are looking for any old photos of the house hoping you will be able to help us ? Sorry I am not able to give you more info
I do have a picture of the house which I will try and send you
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Thanks Christine, and Happy Birthday to your Mum! Our public services team may be able to help. If you send an email to archives.service@eastriding.gov.uk they’ll be able to get back to you directly via email. Many thanks.
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