Kieran Garvey: A Volunteer’s Tale

I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Tales from the Crypt research project, and having the opportunity to discover something about the people who inhabited the streets of Barnsbury in the early 1800's.

My part in the project began with a barely legible reference to Henry Buckler in the burial records. I was quickly hooked on discovering that I shared a connection with my subject, as I had worked for some years in Basinghall Street in the City, which was also the site of Henry's childhood home.

Rediscovering the story of Henry and his family took me on a fascinating journey from the Rate Books held at the Local History Centre, and then onto the insurance and other records of the London Metropolitan Archives, the National Archives at Kew, the Lambeth Palace Archives, the City Business Library and the British Library. And of course the many online resources were an invaluable tool for research. 

I should add that it was also a pleasure to help curate the recent exhibition, and to be part of the team welcoming visitors to the Cloudesley Centre.