The framework for a one-place study is based on the outcomes you would like to see – this may well change as the study progresses! There is no prescriptive way of assembling a one-place study as every place is different and your interests will be equally varied.

Your place also needs to be viewed in a wider context as no community exists in isolation. For example, the parliamentary enclosure acts changed the rural landscape from open fields and common pastures to consolidated fields which were individually owned or rented.

A good place to start is by asking yourself questions about your place:

• People – Who lived in your community? Who were the principal residents? How did they shape village life? Who owned land and who rented? Who were the gentry? Were they armigerous?
• Topography – What are the unique features of your place? Did topography affect, limit or attract developing industry? Chalk hills, river, coal seams.
• Population – What caused an increase and/or a decrease in population? Who emigrated and immigrated and why?
• Occupations – What were typical trades and occupations for the inhabitants? Linen, brick-making, agriculture? Did this change over time and why?
• Poor relief – What provision was made for the poor? Was there a workhouse? Were there any Friendly Societies – Foresters, Shepherds, Druids, Gardeners, Sons of Temperance, Rechabites?
• Housing – What were the houses like? Are there any old photographs, drawings, sketches or postcards available?
• Nonconformity– Was your place a hotbed of nonconformity? Methodists, Quakers, Jews, Baptists, Huguenots? What did these groups bring to your place? Temperance? Sunday schools?
• Governance – How was your place managed? Who were the members of the vestry or manorial court and what was their influence? Who were the incumbents?
• Education – Was there a dame school or village school? Was there regular attendance? Were there any famous scholars?
• Transport – Were there roads or canals? How did the coming of the railways affect your place? How has transport changed?
• Crime – Who were the perpetrators and how were they punished? Did anyone get transported? How were crimes recorded?
• Militia – Was there a local militia? If so what happened after the Militia Act in 1757?
• Death – Were there any significant diseases? Infant mortality? Felo de se? What was life expectancy through time?

Once you decide on your preferred outcomes, then the appropriate records and maps can be researched and recorded. What questions will you ask yourself about your one-place study? Where will your journey take you?