Essex cricket star Graham Napier delved into his Colchester roots during a visit to the Essex Records Office in Chelmsford.

East Anglian Daily Times: Colchester-born cricketer Graham Napier heading to the county’s Record Office to uncover his family roots back through time with expert archivists, who will have researched through records including births, marriages and deaths, census returns and settlement papers. Dating back to at least the 1700s, he will find out who his ancestors were, where they lived, and how they made their livings. Pictured with archive assistant Sarah EnsorColchester-born cricketer Graham Napier heading to the county’s Record Office to uncover his family roots back through time with expert archivists, who will have researched through records including births, marriages and deaths, census returns and settlement papers. Dating back to at least the 1700s, he will find out who his ancestors were, where they lived, and how they made their livings. Pictured with archive assistant Sarah Ensor

The all-rounder met with expert archivists who helped him explore his family history dating back as far as the 1700s.

During his visit he also looked at some the documents marking the history of Essex County Cricket Club and his own playing career.

Napier said: “I was looking forward to finding out about the history of my family, and that of Essex County Cricket Club.

“I was bowled over by what I found.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Colchester-born cricketer Graham Napier heading to the county’s Record Office to uncover his family roots back through time with expert archivists, who will have researched through records including births, marriages and deaths, census returns and settlement papers. Dating back to at least the 1700s, he will find out who his ancestors were, where they lived, and how they made their livings. Pictured with archive assistant Sarah EnsorColchester-born cricketer Graham Napier heading to the county’s Record Office to uncover his family roots back through time with expert archivists, who will have researched through records including births, marriages and deaths, census returns and settlement papers. Dating back to at least the 1700s, he will find out who his ancestors were, where they lived, and how they made their livings. Pictured with archive assistant Sarah Ensor

Stephen Dixon, Essex County Council’s archive service manager, added: “Discovering family roots can be a fascinating journey, opening up interesting speculation about what the lives of one’s ancestors’ would have been like.

“We welcome Graham at the Essex Record Office and enjoyed discovering his family’s past.”

• Watch the video of Graham Napier’s visit on our website.