The National Archives Podcast Series

An introduction to newly released files from 1980, covering subjects such as economic policy, the European Community Budget, relations with trade unions, the Iranian Embassy siege and the potential boycott of the Moscow Olympics. These files provide a fascinating insight into government 30 years ago. Presented by Mark Dunton, and introduced by Tommy Norton.

Author Daniel Gilfoyle discusses the naval medical officers' journals of ADM 101 provide a coherent view of the beliefs and practices of a body of rank and file medical practitioners during the late 18th and 19th centuries. They provide a valuable source for examining key themes in the history of medicine in the 19th century, such as encounters with tropical diseases and the changing understanding of the causes of disease.

Author Helen Rappaport discusses the subject of her newest book, Beautiful For Ever: Madame Rachel of Bond Street - Cosmetician, Con-Artist and Blackmailer. In the talk, Helen reveals Madame Rachel's startling career path - from fish fryer in Clare Market to proprietor of an exclusive 'Temple of Renovation' that promised eternal beauty but was built upon a foundation of lies, treachery and blackmail.

This talk explores how anyone with an interest in modern history can get the best out of the Cabinet Papers online resource, which provides access to historical records of the key episodes in 20th century British and international history. The talk also looks at the historical development of the Cabinet, how the Cabinet works and the main record series.

Dr Pippa Virdee of De Montfort University uncovers the hidden voices of Muslim women during the partition of the Punjab, India in 1947. Using first-hand accounts, Dr Virdee reveals how women, often sheltered from private and public spaces, created their own space during this complex and traumatising time.

Military records specialist William Spencer talks about WO 97, one of The National Archives' most popular record series. This series holds detailed and comprehensive military records of over 1.5 million soldiers who served in the British Army between 1760 and 1913.

On 17 June 1940, HMT Lancastria was sunk by a German bomber while evacuating troops from St Nazaire; over 9,000 troops were packed on board. This talk attempts to explain why so many who were lost will never be accounted for.

Bankruptcy proceedings have been taking place in England and Wales for over 400 years. In this talk, Chris Cooper describes the bankruptcy records for England and Wales held by The National Archives, indicating the best ways of researching them, and referring to related records elsewhere

Abi Husainy reveals the African American contribution to the American revolution, using documents and concrete examples found in The National Archives.

Vanessa Carr takes us through a brief history of the Public Records Office, looking at public records from 1086 to 2003.

At the age of 12, the delicate and genteelly brought up Charles Dickens was plunged into employment in a boot-blacking factory, while his father was incarcerated in Marshalsea debtors' prison. These events traumatised the young Dickens, and greatly influenced his future work. However, as an adult this difficult period was never discussed, and only after his death did his account come out. That account has never been corroborated or challenged, but author Michael Allen has discovered that Dickens' employers at Warren's Blacking were fighting each other in the Chancery Court, revealing a great deal of new information.

Find out how documents held by The National Archives can reveal a fascinating picture of the domestic lives of ordinary people living through the Second World War.

In this talk, journalist and historian Jules Stewart will guide us through the 1838-1842 period of Afghan history. Just some of the events explored include the Persian siege of Herat with Russian assistance, which Britain feared would lead to an invasion of India through Afghanistan, and the issuance of the infamous Simla Manifesto that justified the invasion.

Dr Dennis Wheeler, from the University of Sunderland, discusses the use of historical Royal Navy logbooks in studies of climate change, focusing on the archival resources rather than scientific conclusions.

Professor Peter Hennessy, Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History, Queen Mary, London University, and author of The Secret State, examines the 'particles and patterns of the past' to peer into the part of the post-war British state kept under wraps for the duration of the Cold War.

Professor Christopher Andrew introduces the 25th Security Service records release, which contains 170 files, bringing the total number of its records in the public domain to more than 4,500.

Dr Phil Withington discusses how historical research - even on the early-modern period - can be used to inform contemporary policymaking on alcohol consumption.

Professor David Edgerton considers Churchill's approach to science and technology during World War Two and looks at his relationship with the 'Cronies and Technocrats' of the time.

Dr David Clarke, author of The UFO files and senior lecturer in Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University, reveals the importance of the latest batch of UFO files to be released by The National Archives.

Paul Smith, company archivist of Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, offers a general account of the holdings of the Thomas Cook Archives, with particular reference to records that might prove useful for family historians, such as staff magazines, contracts of employment and passenger lists.