#Seeking Sophie: Have you Triumphed as a Trail-blazing Time 'Tec?!

Are you a Trail-blazing Time 'Tec?! 

The answers to the Seeking Sophie challenges will go public at the end of the month (30 September). In the mean-time, if you think you've triumphed, & would like to check, you'll need to accomplish one last task, to discover the password to the digital vault in which the answers are kept:

Mary's account of the journey to Derby, & Nancy's account of the journey through & beyond the town, end & begin, respectively, at the same place: the vicinity of what was once a fine house for wealthy gentlemen. The public house that still stands (now nearly alone) close to this place has a date on the front of the building: this date is the key!

Follow this link & enter the code to see the answers!

(The answer page will remain available until the end of the month.)

#Seeking Sophie: The Story Concludes!

With this letter from the attorney, Mr. H., the Seeking Sophie story concludes : Miss. S.'s friends have gathered evidence that places the 'gentlemen' at at least one crime scene, when the supposed felon ('Nancy') was behind bars. 

We now leave our antiquarian investigators behind, to let the law take its course - or perhaps (knowing the compassionate nature of some of the players), we might imagine that the villains be given opportunity to flee to the continent to escape justice (instead of meeting their end on the scaffold, or in a convict colony).

Thank you to all those who have been following the story, & having a go at the Seeking Sophie challenges. 

Should any 'time 'tecs' wish to know the answers to these challenges, instructions on how to enter the digital vault in which they are stored will be provided on Sunday (23rd September), & the answers stored until the end of the month (September 2018).  

#Seeking Sophie: Mrs. Leach Finds Another Clue!

I append a copy of the note I sent to S. M., after finding another clue - which I suspect may prove very significant!

I now await Mr. H's report from the country, which I hope will enable us to round up our case!

#Seeking Sophie: Mrs. Leach Speaks with Nancy!

In my endeavours to investigate the Seeking Sophie mystery, I was so fortunate as to visit Nancy in the County Jail (where she awaits transportation on false conviction for theft). The following is a copy of the letter I sent to S. M., relating the young woman's testimony of the journey she made with Miss. S. & Mary through the town, & beyond to their place of confinement. 

I provide a map of the town that, in conjunction with the county map already provided, may be used to plot the journey.

I have news that Mr. H extracted further particulars on his visit to the country estate, which I shall forward tomorrow (& I anticipate may be the final piece of evidence required to ensure the release of Nancy & Miss. S. from their respective confinements). 

#Seeking Sophie: 'Nancy's Nook' Investigations!

Stratigraphy: Nancy's Nook Site

For those following the Seeking Sophie story who couldn't make it to Sunday's Heritage Open Days event (‘Antiquarian Academy’ ‘Austen Age’ Time ‘Tec Taster Tournament! - see this post for more information), here's one piece of evidence for the Case File presented at the event: the archaeological 'section' drawing of the evidence revealed through S.M.'s excavation of the hoard site on Miss. S's country estate (as mentioned in this letter).

The challenge was first to put the archaeological layers & features in chronological order (starting with 1 at the top - the most recent archaeological 'event'); a glossary was provided to explain the terms used.

Then examining the artefacts 'recovered' from this site (their position on the section marked by a white diamond shape), to provide a basic chronology for the layers & features (taking into account the 'Laws of Stratigraphy' & the notion of 'Terminus Post Quem' - or 'T.P.Q.'); again information & a glossary were provided to explain the terms used. 

The final challenge was to consider whether any of this evidence (including that revealed from examination of the hoard - also on display) might tell us anything about when the hoard was buried. This clue may be of use when considered in conjunction with evidence to be revealed this week! Mrs Leach was on hand to get participants started in their investigations, and provide help, as required.

Photos of the displays & activities can be viewed in the Flickr album.

The remaining evidence for the case will be revealed, & the antiquarian adventure conclude, this week.

‘Austen Age’ Time ‘Tec Taster Brings Antiquarian Academy Open Events to a Close for 2018

Thanks to those who supported Sunday's Heritage Open Days event - ‘Antiquarian Academy’ ‘Austen Age’ Time ‘Tec Taster Tournament! - particularly those who kindly helped with the preparation of displays.

Though still concentrating on the Regency era, this year's HOD was different to that of 2017 in presenting a smaller exhibition, in order to provide more hands-on activities.There were various opportunities for visitors to try their hand at archaeological investigation & interpretation (with lots of 'finds' to handle & examine closely); & small displays on the theme of travel in Regency Derbyshire, and the changing regional landscape at this time.

Both the displays & activities related to the 'Seeking Sophie' history mystery / 'Austen Age' story & 'e-quest' (a series of challenges that can be undertaken using digital material; and for those able to follow a local trail, gathering evidence 'in the field' - providing opportunities to enhance understanding of & actively engage with the historic environment).

By participating in some of the activities, visitors could (with Mrs. Leach's help) to reveal vital clues for the Seeking Sophie Case Files - and learn some of the methods of archaeological & historical investigations in the process. The 'Seeking Sophie' challenge concludes this week (for more information on this 'e-quest', enter 'Seeking Sophie' in the search bar at the top of the page).

More photos of the displays & activities can be viewed in the Flickr album.

This is likely to be the last open / public Antiquarian Academy event for a while. As mentioned on the Antiquarian Academy Events Page, for the remainder of 2018 & early 2019 I intend to principally provide digital learning experiences ('armchair antiquarian adventures', self-guided tours in the local landscape, & challenges); although I may if approached by small groups (or public groups, if enough people express an interest in attending) also provide talks on the subjects they cover at the 'Academy'.

#Seeking Sophie Letter 10: Brief Instructions - Time 'Tecs on the Case

The following letter (a copy of that I sent to the stalwart S.M.) outlines the brief for the Seeking Sophie Time 'Tecs, which will be explained in more detail at the Academy meeting on Sunday.

I shall place at least some of this information - & related evidence not already shared - here next week, along with Nancy's account of the journey through & beyond Derby to Miss. S.'s place of confinement, & other material necessary to conclude investigations.

It is possible that S.M. or Mr. H. might in the meantime provide me with further evidence from their visit to Miss. S.'s family seat, which I shall forward as soon as received.

Letter 10: Brief Instructions -  Time 'Tecs on the Case

#Seeking Sophie Letter 9: Destination Derby - Final Instalment of Mary's Travels Through Regency Derbyshire

In this letter, the 3rd & final instalment of Mary's recollections of her journey - entering Derby.

The Time 'Tec brief will follow tomorrow, ready for Sunday's meeting, when the Regency detective team will have opportunities to examine some of the evidence for this case.

#Seeking Sophie Letter 8: Mrs. Mary's Journey Through Derbyshire - 2nd Instalment

As part of the Seeking Sophie story, maid Mary gives an account of her journey across Regency Derbyshire (with her mistress Sophie, the young lady's servant Nancy & footman George - and the somewhat suspicious Cook & Coachman).

The principal investigator in this history mystery (who, in hoping to keep a low profile, is known simply by the initials 'S.M.') is sending Mary's account in three parts, of which this is the second. It happens to be the longest - but may contain useful clues! (Skip to the translations on pages 4-7 if short on time.)

Using the map provided in the previous post, time 'tecs can track the route the carriage took, along the coaching roads of the day (& the pubs they visited on the way that are still open today!).

This 12-year-old courageous companion to Miss. S. in her time of need speaks (& writes) in broad Derbyshire dialect - which may be quite difficult to decipher. But fear not: the attorney (Mr. H.) who assists the team of time 'tecs has provided a translation at the end of each installment.

The final installment of Mary's account will be provided tomorrow; followed by the Time 'Tec brief on Friday. 

 Letter #8:  'Mrs. Mary's' Journey Through Derbyshire - 2nd Installment

As with the previous letters, these documents are brought together with the other evidence on the Seeking Sophie Case File page.

#Seeking Sophie: Mapping Mary's Memories - Travels in Regency Derbyshire

Regency-era traveller's map of Derbyshire (redrawn from Cary, 1792)

As I mentioned in the last post, if you're following the Seeking Sophie story (& if you'd like to take part in the Tournament: see this post for further information), you can trace the journey by which Miss. S. was abducted, following her servant, Mary's account on the map of the era.

I have redrawn this map (due to the poor quality reproduction of the original copy; I have had to omit the more illegible place-names), which comes from a 1790s traveller's guide that still seems to have been used in the Regency.

It must be said the map doesn't seem particularly accurate - I can but wonder how many Regency travellers went astray with only this for their guide! So I advise modern readers to use more recent maps in conjunction - though doing so will reveal that some of the roads used in the 21st century were not yet built at this time (several being constructed over the last decade of the 18th- & early decades of the 19th-centuries).

I included this element of the story (& Tournament) as landscape studies - observing, recording & interpreting the natural & man-made environment, and particularly change over time - are an important aspect of archaeological investigation (landscapes being to all intents and purposes archaeological artefacts - being made & modified by people in the past).

Some local readers might find it fun to trace the coaching route in person - the routes survive (& public houses mentioned are still open) today! Such trails (and other guides) will form part of the digital learning packages that I intend to provide (see the events page for more information).

After the event I shall provide a similar challenge set on the streets of Derby!

#Seeking Sophie Letter 7: Abduction - Mrs. Mary Speaks (in broad 18th century Derbyshire dialect!)

In this next instalment of the Seeking Sophie story, S.M. forwards the first part of the young serving girl's (Mary's) description of the journey taken with her mistress, Miss. Sophie; Miss. S.'s waiting maid, Nancy; footman George (I'm beginning to think that there might be something between these two!); and the new cook & coachman (both of dubious character).

We now know that this journey was effectively one of abduction, in which Miss. S. was removed from her home to be more easily forced into marrying Admiral Crawford, friend of her so-called 'guardians'.

Little Mary recollects the route taken (& stops made on the way), lest this be of use in finding her young mistress. But the girl is self-taught, and writes as she speaks (in broad 18th century Derbyshire dialect!), so her account may take some deciphering! Tip: if used to hearing 'Derbicisms', the account will probably be easier to understand if read out-loud - and get grandparents on the case!

(Dr. J has said a little here about how & why she is using this format to relay Mary's testimony. In brief, this text has been compiled using contemporaneous antiquarian works on Derbyshire dialect. But in order to make this more widely accessible, she provides merely a broad popularist phonetic rendition, rather than a technically accurate 'transcription'.)

For those who find the dialect too cumbersome, translations are also supplied after each account.

If you're following the story (& if you'd like to take part in the Tournament: see this post for further information), you can trace the journey on the period map I shall supply in the following post.

Heritage Open Day 2018 Update #2

To clarify: it is no longer possible to book a place on the micro-workshops (finding myself without an assistant I must unfortunately withdraw this side of the event).

BUT the small 'Austen Age Antiquarian Detection' exhibition is still going ahead - so drop in between 6.30 - 8 pm to see how we're using archaeology to solve this and other history mysteries, and if you like have a go at archaeological methods of investigation & interpretation.

AND you can still take part in the Tournament (with the chance to win a regency-style miniature or silhouette portrait) if you register by email / post / text (or use Facebook comments / messages) before Sunday, or at the event (places are by necessity limited in number, with registration on a first-come-first-serve basis)

So I'll hopefully see some readers there!

(Please park on Broadway if driving to the event)

#Seeking Sophie Letter 6: The Game's Afoot!

Letter #6: The Game's Afoot!

This letter is the final communique regarding the discoveries of S. M. (friend of Miss. Sophie - & the driving force behind the investigation); the next batch of letters contain the testimony of servant Mary relating the journey she took with Miss. S., her waiting maid Nancy, & footman George.

#Seeking Sophie: Letter 5 - Too Late?

In today's #Seeking Sophie instalment, (Letter 5 - Too Late?) we receive bad news...

#Seeking Sophie Heritage Open Day Event Update

Please note

Apologies for any disappointment.

Tickets / workshop places are no longer available for this event (entry by ticket only).

But you can still take part in the digital taster after the event (internet access required) - resources will be posted over the following weeks.

#Seeking Sophie Letter 4: Further intelligence - and another ally!

The fourth letter in the #Seeking Sophie story brings further intelligence - and another ally!

#Seeking Sophie Letter 3: Evil Deeds

The third letter that divulges the Seeking Sophie story speaks of the evil intentions of Crawford's gang against Miss Sophie & her faithful friends: your help is needed to put a stop to such abominable plans!

The #SeekingSophie story continues in the next letter, Who's Who?:

Seeking Sophie's Secret Letters: #1 The Story Begins...

As mentioned in a previous post (& explained further on Dr J's blog, here), I'm putting many of the resources for the Antiquarian Academy's next event online, so that those who can't make it to the free workshop (& so take part in the 'Tournament', and be entered for the winning prize) can join in. (To reserve a place in the Heritage Open Days  'Austen Age' Time 'Tec Taster Tournament, tickets can be obtained here.)

The story of this history mystery challenge - and the tasks required of Mrs Leach's assistant antiquarian detectives - is presented in a series of letters, which I shall present most days running up to the event on 16 Sept.; the 'case files' will be collected together, on a webpage, here. So without further ado, here is the first: The Story Begins...

I am endeavouring to upload a PDF of the letter, for easier reading; if you would like a PDF copy in the meantime, message or email Mrs. Leach.

The story continues tomorrow!