Now is your chance to find out if you're related to the Sheriff of Nottingham as historical records of Nottingham’s Lord Mayors and Sheriffs dating from the 13th century including a pictorial history of holders of these civic posts from 1897 go on display at Nottingham’s Council House from 24th to 26th April 2007.

The Frank Dennett MBE Memorial Exhibition will also be displaying historic Nottingham Charters from the County Archives dating from 1155 – the first time these historic items have been openly displayed together in this way.

In addition, the exhibition will be displaying:

• photographic records of previous Lord Mayors and Sheriffs carrying out their official duties together with photographs of Royalty from King George V onwards taken during their visits to Nottingham

• a picture of Richard Birkin who gave the mayoral chain to Nottingham in 1850 – the chain is still in use today
• Three newly produced albums providing, for the first time, a historical record of Nottingham’s Lord Mayors and Sheriffs from as long ago as 1284 which visitors to the exhibition can look through and perhaps find long forgotten family connections.
• The Sheriff’s medieval robes and Robin Hood exhibits as well as paintings from Thomas William Hammond depicting Nottingham scenes.

The exhibition recognises the work of Frank Dennett who passed away last year. Frank was previously a Sheriff of Nottingham and Honorary Alderman of the City and spent many years with his wife Francis cataloguing the history of Lord Mayors and Sheriffs of Nottingham as well as other items of Nottingham’s civic heritage.

City Council Leader Jon Collins says:

"We are very proud of Nottingham’s civic heritage and this is fantastic opportunity to see examples from the city’s past up close, some for the very first time in this way.

"It’s a fitting tribute to Frank Dennett for the tireless work he did for the city both as Sheriff of Nottingham and in recording Nottingham’s civic past.

"I’m sure there are many people who have family connections to former Lord Mayors and Sheriffs contained in the records which will be on display at the exhibition. I would encourage them and anyone else who is interested in seeing these examples of Nottingham’s history to come along and have a look."

The exhibition is open from 10.00am – 7.00pm on Thursday 24th April and 10.00am – 5.00pm on Friday and Saturday 25th and 26th April 2007. Admission is free of charge. Just turn up.