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Local information about Bedfordshire | Local Studies and Family History

• The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a voluntary scheme to record archaeological objects found by members of the public. Thousands of objects are discovered by people everyday. The scheme was established to promote the recording of chance finds and broaden public awareness of the importance of such objects for understanding the past.  Each area has a Finds Liaison Officer who will help identify finds and record them. In Bedfordshire the Finds Liaison Officer is based at Verulamium Museum.

 How to find out more about archaeology in the county:

• Bedford Central Library. This library houses the county local studies collection and the Bedfordshire Heritage Library. Bedford Central Library has many local archaeological books and journals including the Bedfordshire Archaeological Journal and the Manshead Magazine. Contact the Local Studies Librarian for more information.

• Bedfordshire Libraries Virtual Library On the Virtual Library you will find short articles, bibliographies, extracts from local publications and images relating to Bedfordshire archaeology.

• The Historic Environment Record is the key source of information on the County's 18,000 plus archaeological sites, and historic landscape features, buildings and structures. It covers 125,000 years from prehistoric times to the twentieth century. The Record is available to everyone from members of the public to those with a professional interest. It is an ideal source for students studying local history and gives people the opportunity to learn more about the parish, town or village in which they live. The Record is a key source for planning and management purposes.

• Museums. For information about local museums see the Tourist and Leisure area of this website.  Bedfordshire is particularly rich in museums chronicling the World War II history and archaeology of the county.

 Want to join an local archaeological society?

• Ampthill and District Archaeological and Local History Society (direct link)

• Bedford Archaeological and Local History Society (direct link)

• Manshead Archaeological Society of Dunstable (direct link)

 Excavation units based in the county:

• Albion Archaeology. Undertakes archaeological services as a business unit of Bedfordshire County Council.  Offers outreach services including talks and displays.

 Where to find lists of web sites about Bedfordshire archaeology:

• Links to web sites about Bedfordshire archaeology can be found on Bedfordshire Libraries Gateway to the Internet