I'd just like to point out something incredibly useful I've found on the net, that would help anyone hoping to research Britain or it's (former) colonies.
http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/collections/
It has thousands of online prints of primary sources through hundreds of years. I'm currently looking at the Caribbean and found a map of a harbour, barracks, printed records of a sugar/rum accounts and a diary of a seaman, all of which are really really useful for my potential novel.
Examples of things you can find:
--> Maps of London through three centuries!
--> Maps of Britain through eight centuries
--> Diary Extracts
--> Thousands of pictures from accross the world
There are also virtual exhibitions, sound-bites and themed tours.
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