Families on the brink of war

"A genealogist's challenge under the Freedom of Information Act could unlock records providing a unique snapshot of UK families as World War II broke out..."

Specifically he wants the release of the 1939 National Registration of the UK which was a census-like survey taken at the beginning of the war.

Birmingham museum receives £4.8 million funding for history project

Birmingham Museum and Gallery has been granted £4.8 million to create a new wing dedicated to the history of Birmingham.

The museum, which also hopes to be home to the Staffordshire Hoard, was awarded the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The money will be used to boost the £9.7million project Birmingham – A City in the Making project, which includes the development of a new wing of galleries focussing on the history and development of Birmingham and its people...

This treasure stirs the West Midlands' Anglo-Saxon soul

"The Staffordshire hoard has brought history to life in modern-day Mercia – and it is here that the collection has to return."

From the Lindisfarne gospels to the Lewis chessmen, much of British heritage policy is about putting things back where they belong. Now we have a golden opportunity not to commit the original sin, and ensure the most fascinating find in a generation remains where it should...

WW1 submarine found after 93 years

The wreck of HM Submarine E18 has been found after a 10 year search and over 90 years after it was sunk in the Baltic Sea during the First World War. The Captain's hatred of using the boat's toilet facilities while submerged almost resulted in the submarine being sunk. He prefered to relieve himself over the side after ordering the submarine be surfaced in the morning and it was on one of these occaisions the submarine was spotted by a Zeppelin and nearly sunk.

Collector finds unseen Charlie Chaplin film in tin sold for £3.20 on eBay

Morace Park was footling around on eBay looking for antiques when he stumbled on an item that was listed casually as an "old film" – and even then he was really more interested in the tin it was in.

"It had a lovely look to it," said Park. But the contents of the battered container, which he bought for the princely sum of £3.20, have turned out to be a previously unknown film by Charlie Chaplin...

The film may be a propaganda film made during World War 1, it shows Chaplin making fun of Zeppelins which at the time were bombing Britain and causing a lot of terror and anger (if not that much damage).

Update : this article has more details about what is contained in the film.

A History of Christianity (TV)

The Open University and the BBC have produced this series which began showing last night on BBC4. It was quite interesting especially for me as i am probably going to be studying Religion in History next year!

Asterix at 50

The famous Gaulish warrior turns 50 this week and i should note what an inspiration Asterix was on me as a youth and fed my love of ancient history. It is amazing how much historical knowledge you can glean from reading the comic strip such as knowing who Vercingetorix was! I'm sure i am not alone is this. Most of the latin i know probably came from Asterix too though of course the image of Rome and ancient Gaul as portrayed in the comic strip is not strictly accurate!