Jenny Tatton: A volunteer’s tale

Jenny exploring the Aladdin’s Cave at Islington’s Local History Archives in March 2020

Volunteering for the ‘Tales’ Project was a voyage of discovery, through the streets of Barnsbury 200 years ago.

I had already discovered The Cloudesley Association website and done some local research. Then through them, I learned about a funded Project looking into those buried in the Crypt of Holy Trinity, and that this research would support a National Heritage Lottery bid to restore the building and bring it back to life. I have lived near the church for some 40 years, watching it deteriorate - I couldn’t wait to sign up.

Training was offered and this was invaluable. We received an excellent introduction to Finsbury Local History Centre’s resources - a visit to their Archive “stacks” was like being let loose in Aladdin’s Cave. Local Rate Books were unknown to me and proved the key to identifying the past homes of residents.

We visited the LMA (London Metropolitan Archives) and there I discovered Insurance Policies and the Metropolitan Board of Works Re-numbering of Streets Records which revealed the earlier names of Islington streets. The Jigsaw was coming together!

Fellow researchers brought skills, humour and imagination to the party and some of the most enjoyable aspects of the Project were working together and generally offering and receiving support, often over a glass in The Crown.

I was fortunate to take part in researching, curating, and finally welcoming the public to the Exhibition. Meeting the Visitors and learning more about the area was a most rewarding experience.

Now I walk the streets that I call home, imagine the clip-clop and trundle of horse-drawn vehicles, hurrying footsteps and the voices of children – sometimes drowned out by the tolling of that “Noisy” Church bell.