Shropshire Routes to Roots

4. Using documents (Written Sources)

Finding out more

Postcard of Llanymynech village, the western terminus of the Potts line.

Llanymynech Larger image, in a new window [49kb] [Shropshire Archive reference: MI 1706/1-2]

Primary sources

We can investigate written documents to discover how a local area was used in the past. Secondary sources such as books, magazines and articles can tell us much, but we can also use primary sources: letters, reports, plans and any original material written during the historical period you're investigating. We're using sources housed at Shropshire Archives (opens in a new window), such as the one below.

This is a primary source, because it was written by someone who was actually there, using the evidence of the site as he or she saw it.

THE STEPHENSON LOCOMOTIVE SOCIETY
MIDLAND AREA
VISITS TO SHROPSHIRE & MONGOMERYSHIRE RAILWAY -- SEPTEMBER 1958 BRIEF NOTES ON THE LINE AS IT IS TODAY

SHREWSBURY (ABBEY) Station remains in fair order. The old station buildings remain, one main and a shorter bay-platform from which track has been removed. Water Tower at the end of the Platform. All signals have been removed. Run-round loop from Platform line. Still a daily civilian goods trip into the station daily. Most of the traffic consists of Esso oil traffic and, at least 3 or 4 wagons are brought in daily. Note old S & M van in use as a Stores vehicle. Leaving the station the line climbs at 1 in 50 to cross the SEVERN VALLEY RLY. and the SHREWSBURY & HEREFORD RLY. On this section note the ex G.W.R. loco shed (right) soon after leaving station and the earthworks of the old spur to Abbey Foregate (left). The remains of the spur are quite clear and a good view is obtained looking back near to the old junction point. The Severn Valley and Hereford lines are crossed by simple flimsy-looking girder bridges.

[Shropshire Archive reference: MI 1771/2]

Read the source, and answer these questions:

• When was this report written?
• Why would we consider this information reliable?
• What has changed at the Abbey Station site since this document was written?

Newspaper reports

Local newspaper reports, listings and advertisements are also good sources of information about how an area has been used in the past:

The Potteries Railway re-opened. Shrewsbury Chronicle article, Friday 21st April, 1911. Click the image to read a full transcription of the article.

Potteries Railway Re-Opened Transcription, opens in new window

Opening of the line Larger image, in a new window [42kb]

Announcement of the opening of the Potteries, Shrewsbury and North Wales Railway. Shrewsbury Chronicle, Friday August 10th, 1866.

Announcements and timetable for the opening week of the Potteries, Shrewsbury and North Wales Railway. Showing fare prices. Shrewsbury Chronicle, Friday August 10th, 1866.

Potteries timetable Larger image, in a new window [58kb]

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