A WEALTHY and influential family which was responsible for the creation of Seaham Harbour and other landmarks will be the focus of a series of talks.

Durham County Record Office will host talks on County Durham landowners the Marquesses of Londonderry over the next few weeks.

Participants will learn more about Durham County Council’s ‘Londonderry Collection’, which contains historical documents relating to the family, as well as the families which worked for them and who lived on their land.

Dawn Layland, the council’s archivist, said: “The talks will look at the family, but focus on the records we hold here at County Hall.

“The history of the Marquesses is fascinating, and touches on both national and international politics, as well as local families and the building of Seaham Harbour by the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry.”

The talks will be held twice, today, from 6pm-8pm, and on Thursday from, 10am to noon. The March instalment of the Third Thursday talks will also touch on the Londonderry Collection: the Londonderry-Burghersh correspondence between the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry and Lord Burghersh.

Entitled ‘Two soldiers, two diplomats, one girlfriend’, it will be given by Londonderry expert Alan Heesom on Thursday, March 15, from 6.30pm to 8pm. To book, contact 03000 267626. For more information, visit durhamrecordoffice.org.uk