List of illustrations.  Preface.  Acknowledgements.  1. The local historian today.  2. English local historians.  3.

The old community.  4. Parish, manor and land.  5. Church, chapel and school.  6. Towns: topography.  7.

Towns: social and economical history.  8. Fieldwork: the landscape.  9. Fieldwork: buildings.  10. Health, disease and populations.  11.

The home and family names.  12. Some special tasks.  13. Writing and publishing.  Appendix: The ranking of provisional towns 1334-1862.  Select bibliography.  Index.