Debt has at least as long a history as the concept of money: long before personal banking became the norm, every community has had a few individuals who lent out money to their friends, family and associates.

In this the final instalment, Jean Harland continues her recollections of living in a rural village during World War

What then happened to Charlie? Charlie had concluded his letter of 22 October 1915 by informing his parents from Plymouth that “we are going at 12 o’clock this morning”. We learn later that his Unit had been posted to Egypt. He sent to his young brother Jack a Christmas card showing camels and a desert oasis but it is not until 1 March 1916 that we find in the Collection a letter from Charlie in Egypt. He is now 16 and has just heard from his father that his brother Jim has been killed. He replied:   Trpr C. C. Butler, No 2563 Squadron, Berks Yeomanry Base Post Office, Alexandria.  Egypt March 1st 1916 Dear Father  I received your letter containing such bad news on 27th Feb. You must know how I feel but I try to think as little as possible about it. It must have been an awful shock to you and Mother but it is the most noble death anyone…

In 1634, Reading was a medium sized town well positioned for trade with good water and road transport links. Woollen cloth production employed nearly one third of the town in the early 17th century and some people made a lot of money. There was a decline in this trade over the century with depressions in the 1620s and 1630s. The town population was growing rapidly from the late 16th century, and the housing was crowded. There were tensions between generations of the ruling elite in Reading as the same families had been in charge for many years and new members of the local elite wished to gain political power. The Borough of Reading in 1634 was tense and subject to internal and external pressures.   Edward Bonevant claimed William and Edith Walls had made him ill by witchcraft.  This grave accusation was made in a troubled town at a time when witchcraft was believed to be real and causing harm by witchcraft was…

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For many family historians the issues with parish registers during the English Civil War and Interregnum are a brick wall. Catherine Sampson explores these issues in the parishes in and around Reading, and also highlights a few of the many opportunities within this period.

James and Charles Butler both responded in early 1915 to the call to arms and volunteered for army service. Jim was 17 and Charlie was 15. They were amongst some 2½ million men who joined the British army voluntarily between August 1914 and December 1915. This is their story

The Reading Central Library’s illustration collection is one source of photographs that the Berkshire Family Historian uses to illustrate its articles. In case you hadn’t realised that such a thing existed, or that it is easily viewable online, and that you can have your very own copies too, here is a little bit more about it.