Residents in County Durham have a final opportunity to secure their spot at a special heritage talk exploring how historic registration records have shaped the county’s stories.
The event, hosted by The Story at Mount Oswald, takes place tomorrow (Thursday 2 April 2026) from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at The Story Café. Tickets cost £5 and include refreshments. Organisers have stressed that booking is essential for this final opportunity before the event.
The talk, led by Superintendent Registrar Anne Robson and Ceremony Coordination Team Leader Wendy Addison-Smyth, will delve into the origins of civil registration in England, which began in 1837. Attendees will see original historic and modern registers, including records of notable County Durham figures. These include the case of Mary Ann Cotton, Britain’s first female serial killer, who was born in Low Moorsley in 1832 and hanged at Durham County Gaol on 24 March 1873 after poisoning up to 21 people with arsenic. The talk will also highlight the stories of Sir Bobby Robson, the legendary football manager born in Sacriston, County Durham on 18 February 1933, and victims of the region’s colliery disasters, such as the West Stanley Pit disaster of 1909, which claimed 168 lives.
The Story, a restored Grade II listed manor house near Durham City, has become a hub for the county’s archives, dating back to 1122. Since opening in June 2024, it has attracted over 120,000 visitors—far exceeding initial projections. The venue houses not only archives but also the County Durham Registration Service, which has handled over 2,000 birth registrations and 2,100 marriage or civil partnership notices since its opening.
For those interested in local history or genealogy, the event offers a unique chance to explore how registration records have preserved the stories of County Durham’s past. Carolyn Ball, County Archivist and Manager at The Story, said: “With more than 40 years’ experience working as one of our registrars, Anne has seen people through some of the biggest changes of their lives, whether that be marrying the love of their life and celebrating the arrival of their children, or registering the loss of a loved one. Together, Anne and Wendy will be able to share some fascinating stories from the history of our registration documents. They’ll also have both original historic and modern registers on display for visitors to explore, making for an educational and enlightening evening.”
To book a ticket, visit The Story’s website or contact the venue directly. Tickets are limited, so early booking is advised to avoid missing out on this final session.
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