Visiting HSBC’s archives
I paid a visit to HSBC’s archives the other day. It doesn’t sound like one’s idea of an enthralling visit, but it was. Many of our oldest and largest firms have huge archives, including those from companies they have taken over along the way. What I didn’t realise of course is that they are a rich source of historical material. Managers posted overseas had ringside seats at some of history’s great events, and reported back to head office. Sara Kinsey, the keeper of the archive, showed me some fascinating letters from one manager who reported daily on the progress of the Russian revolution. Archives are proving more and more popular as local and family history take off, and it was fascinating to see such a fine example.