History enthusiasts in Eden will be able to find out more about their heritage at a series of events to mark Local History Month in May.
A host of activities organised by Cumbria County Council at libraries next month, reflect the growing interest in local and family history.
Throughout the month, Penrith and Shap libraries will be displaying photos from days gone by where local people can pop in and see how buildings in both communities has changed over the years.
Penrith will be offering family history hunters free taster session on a new library internet service - Ancestry.co.uk - with the chance to uncover valuable facts about their forebears' lives and times. Places are limited and people are advised to book in advice for the session which takes place on Wednesday 2 May from 2:30pm to 3:30pm.
Shap library has organised a special drop-in event where people can come along to get advice on how to start tracing their ancestors on Thursday 17 May from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Penrith library will be holding its own session on Sunday 20 May from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. The Penrith event is a ticket-only and again people are advised to book early through the library.
Other branches delving into the past include Appleby library which has arranged a family history talk on Thursday 10 May from 2:00pm to 3:30pm; Alston library is offering two drop-in advice sessions with a local historian on Thursday 17 May at 10:30am and 6:30pm; and Kirkby Stephen has organised a local history walk around the town on Thursday 7 June from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
Penrith library is also looking for local people who are willing to talk about their experiences of life during World War Two as adults or children. The library would like to record the stories to keep as a special local archive with the help of Penrith Museum. Please contact Judith Clarke at Penrith Museum 01768-865105 or Jane Metcalfe at Penrith Library 01768-242103 for more information.
Councillor Roger Bingham, cabinet member responsible for Library Services in Cumbria, said: "Eden's libraries are putting on an array of interesting events for Local History Month.
"This is a great opportunity for library users to learn more about the the history of their local community."
For more information on events taking place in Eden libraries during Local History Month, people can contact their local branch or visit the county council's website at www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries
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