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Agency Letters

The management of the Sutherland estates in England and Scotland during the nineteenth century generated a huge amount of correspondence. James Loch, Chief Agent, took a close interest in the smallest developments on the estate and was in daily contact with his local agents, as they were with him. The records the local agents kept and the hundreds of thousands of letters received and sent survive in the archive. This enormous accumulation of information provides an extraordinary insight into life on the Sutherland estates during these periods.

Volunteers at Staffordshire Record Office have examined and transcribed monthly bundles of these letters from 1815 to 1883, exploring what the letters can tell us about the Sutherland estates during this period. Their interpretation of the content and context of these fascinating documents demonstrates the variety of information and breadth of coverage that they contain. With over a thousand similar bundles still available this is perhaps the most accessible way to start your own research in the papers. Visit the Archive Service homepage to learn about making a visit.

Click here to learn more about Agency Letters in the Sutherland Papers