When people think of archives, they often imagine endless shelves of boxes filled with official reports, handwritten letters, and fading photographs. While those are certainly an important part of any collection, archives are also full of surprises, and The Salvation Army International Heritage Centre is no different.

From personal keepsakes to unusual artefacts, humorous items, and evidence of public controversy, these unexpected finds offer glimpses into the lives of the people who shaped the movement in ways that official records alone cannot. In this blog for EYA Surprise, Rose Urmston will take a look at some of the most surprising items found in the Heritage Centre’s archive, and explore what they can teach us about The Salvation Army’s rich and often unexpected history.

A lock of hair

Perhaps one of the most surprising items to discover in an archive is a small lock of hair. At first glance, it may seem rather odd to modern eyes. However, in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, it was a common and deeply meaningful keepsake. People often preserved hair as a token of affection or remembrance. Unlike flowers or paper, hair does not decay, making it a powerful symbol of enduring memory. In The Salvation Army Heritage Centre, we have several pieces of hair kept by loved ones after an individual’s Promotion to Glory (death). One such piece is that of Consul Emma Booth-Tucker, daughter of Salvation Army founder General William Booth. She tragically died in a train accident in 1904 (pictured above).

Children’s dolls

Another of the more unexpected objects in the archive are dolls, dressed in miniature versions of The Salvation Army uniform complete with bonnet or cap, or everyday wear. At first glance, it may seem little more than a charming toy, but it reveals much about how the movement became part of everyday family life. Dolls were often given as gifts, sold at fundraising events, or used to foster a sense of identity and belonging among children. They also reflect the recognisable public image that The Salvation Army had developed by
the early twentieth century.

Beyond their novelty, the dolls remind us that the Army’s history was lived not only by officers and soldiers, but also by the children who grew up within the movement. They are small objects with a big story, illustrating how people passed on faith, community, and tradition from one generation to the next.

A Skeleton Army

Finally, perhaps one of the most intriguing items in the archive is a small pin associated with the Skeleton Army (pictured below). Groups who opposed The Salvation Army during the 1880s adopted this name. While modest in size, the pin represents a turbulent period in the movement’s early history, when Salvationists frequently faced organised hostility, ridicule, and even violence as they marched through towns and cities.

Objects linked to the Skeleton Army are comparatively rare. Their survival is a reminder that archives preserve more than the story an organisation tells about itself – they also preserve evidence of the challenges it faced. This small pin invites us to explore the social and religious tensions of Victorian Britain, and reminds us that The Salvation Army’s early years were marked not only by rapid growth but also by determined opposition.

These unexpected treasures remind us that history is not only found in grand events and famous names. It is also preserved in the everyday objects that people chose to keep; objects of love, childhood, opposition, identity, and faith. Together, they help us build a richer and more personal understanding of The Salvation Army’s story. So, the next time you imagine our archive, don’t picture shelves of old documents. Imagine the hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, each with a story that is just waiting to be told.

Further information

Written by Rose Urmston, The Salvation Army International Heritage Centre

Edited by Isabel Lauterjung, Blog Coordinator for Explore Your Archive

Find out more about the International Heritage Centre here: International Heritage Centre | The Salvation Army.

Browse the online catalogue here: Archive catalogue | The Salvation Army