2,000 Plus images of Bromsgrove of 100 years ago. Yes over 2,000 glass plate negatives, by the photographer Joseph Hughes, have been found and digitised. Taken between about 1896 and 1909 the majority are in excellent condition. They are of individuals and groups, in the studio and outdoors. A group known as Nailtown are organising their first public display on Saturday the 9th April 2005. The venue is The Methodist Centre, Stratford Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire; commencing at 11 am and running until 5 pm. In collaboration with the Bromsgrove branch of the Birmingham & Midland Society for Genealogy & Heraldry and the Bromsgrove Society the aim is to match names to pictures. A few hundred already have names, but more are needed. If you can provide information they will let you have a photograph for free. Social and family historians will have full access to the collection anyway. Unfortunately commercial enterprises will have to be charged. The extravaganza will consist of three full size studios: two as mock ups and one with a continuous slide show of the photographs. Models will be wearing period costume and they will be musical accompaniment. You will even be able to have to have your own “period photograph” taken. BMSGH will be there with their bookshop and a display of local family trees offering help and advice. No doubt many will be looking for family contacts. But who was Joseph HUGHES? He’s missing from the 1901 census. If anyone has ANY information on him please contact me. The Hughes collection is supported by a Local Heritage Initiative Grant. Mike Yegwart Bromsgrove Branch Chairman B.M.S.G.H. http://bmsgh.org bromshistory@btinternet.com