Local History
Missing Pieces is a new u3a local history learning activity for u3a groups, inspired by the national project from Historic England. It invites members to explore the stories behind listed buildings in their area by sharing memories, carrying out research and uncovering the people and events connected to them. Working together as a group, you can investigate a local building and contribute your discoveries to the wider heritage record.
Come along to one or more of the Missing Pieces online events below to find out more. All events are via Zoom.
- The Missing Pieces project: connecting people and place (Historic England)
Thursday 23 April 2026, 2.00–3.30pm
- Kingsmeadow House: the inside story of a modest country house
Friday 1 May 2026, 2.00–3.30pm
- SAVE Buildings at Risk: Empowering communities (SAVE Britain’s Heritage)
Thursday 7 May 2026, 2.00–3.30pm
- The Legacy of Edinburgh’s Victorian Swimming Baths (Historic Environment Scotland)
Friday 15 May 2026, 2.00–3.30pm
- The People's Collection Wales: Exploring the public archive of Welsh history
Friday 28 May 2026, 2.00–3.30pm
Events can be booked from six weeks before via the u3a Online Learning Events page. Look for the events which are highlighted in green.
The 2026 Stephen Croad Prize, run by Historic Buildings & Places, offers a wonderful opportunity for anyone with an interest in local or architectural history to share their research. With a £600 prize and no age limit, the competition welcomes well-researched essays on historic buildings, conservation, or heritage crafts across the UK. It’s an ideal chance for u3a members to develop existing projects or showcase new discoveries—so if you’ve been researching a building or local site, why not consider submitting your work by 31 May 2026? Click here to find out more.
Introduction
There’s plenty of help around if you’re thinking of setting up a new group or looking to try something different.
- Get in touch! Perhaps you’d like to talk things through?
- Have a look at the miniguides. They provide a quick overview of many activities you could consider, including examples. I hope that they spark a few ideas.
- Check the Online learning events. I arrange occasional talks by experts such as the National Archives which I hope will inspire you and your group.
- All members are welcome to join us at the Local History Interest Groups Online group. Perhaps you cannot access a local history group, or there is insufficient interest? Or can’t get enough local history?
- Or perhaps you would like to invite a speaker to your meetings? Here's the link to a range of history talks and speakers.
About me
I’ve facilitated my Local History Group for about eight years, experimenting with a wide range of approaches and preferences. There isn’t much we haven’t tried.
My interest in local history grew out of researching my family history, and I wanted to learn more about the town I live in. I love researching, using both online sources and archive documents.
I have collaborated with national and local heritage groups. I write historical fiction and nonfiction.
Local history miniguides - tips & ideas
To read all the documents below in one complete download, please click here:
| Online Research Archives | |
| Heritage hubs & research centres e.g. | |
| History, heritage and archaeology socs e.g. | Community Archive & Heritage Group |
| Landed estates e.g | Argyll Estates at Inverary Castle |
| Schools, e.g. | Fettes College |
| Members’ clubs e.g. | Glasgow Art Club |
| Individual businesses e.g. |
House of Fraser (University of Glasgow) Oil & Gas Archive ‘Capturing the Energy’ at the University of Aberdeen |
| Games e.g. | Commonwealth Games Scotland at University of Stirling Archives and Special Collections |
| Theatre e.g. | Scottish Theatre Archive at University of Glasgow Special Collections |
| Finding material, help and tips | |
| Use online catalogues, indexes, subject guides e.g. |
The National Archives Discovery Scottish Archive Network Archives Hub National Register of Archives for Scotland (historically significant papers in private hands) |
| Online catalogues, indexes, subject and research guides on individual websites e.g. | Uni of Edinburgh Centre for Research Collections catalogue |