Here are some of the resources we have found useful when researching local heritage, histories and mysteries about the Stoke, Morice Town and Ford neighbourhoods of Plymouth.
National Library of Scotland – Side-by-side mapshttps://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/
This application allows you to compare historical georeferenced maps (from the 1840s to the present day) with modern maps in a side-by-side viewer. Great for finding out what was in a particular local area at certain points in history (and what is there now!)
Historic England – search the list (map)
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/map-search/
This website allows you to search Historic England’s official, up to date, register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites in England – included listed buildings, scheduled monuments, protected wrecks, registered parks and gardens, and battlefields. You can click on different local sites to see more information about them.
Old Devonport website archive
Although the Old Devonport website is officially “closed” – you can still find archived pages via the Wayback Machine’s archive – https://web.archive.org/web/20180125171652/http://www.olddevonport.uk/AZ%20Contents.htm This is a treasure trove of detail and pointers to other sources and ways of investigating local information!
Stoke Damerel Parish Church
https://www.stokedamerel.church/Groups/349050/History.aspx
Stoke’s Church Historian Tony Barnard has written extensively about the church and the ancient parish of Stoke Damerel. You can find many of his writing on the Stoke Damerel Parish Church website. Lots of great information here, not only about the church itself, but also about the local area and people who have lived here.
Derek Tait’s Plymouth Local History Blog
https://plymouthlocalhistory.blogspot.com
Local historian and author Derek Tait has collected many useful and interesting stories about Plymouth, some of which focus on Stoke, Ford, Morice Town and the surrounding area.
He has also published an extensive collection of old photographs on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/derektaitoldphotos
Local History Facebook groups
There are a large number of Facebook groups sharing local history photographs and information. Here are some that you might find particularly useful:
- Cyberheritage Stephen Johnson – https://www.facebook.com/stephen.johnson.54379236
- Cyberheritage with Hidden Heritage– https://www.facebook.com/hiddenheritageofficial
- Ford, a step back in time – https://www.facebook.com/groups/544576027318263
- Plymouth History – https://www.facebook.com/groups/455447842727807/
- Historical Association – Plymouth Branch – https://www.facebook.com/groups/PlyHA/
- Devon Radical History – https://www.facebook.com/groups/devonradicalhistory/
- Plymouth After Dark – The Box, Plymouth – https://www.facebook.com/groups/plymouthafterdark
- Plymouth Artefacts – found on the Sea Floor and shore – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554543214471
- Devon and Cornwall heritage – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1674846832812604/