View this item or order copies
Like an online shop, our catalogue describes what we hold in the collections, but most items cannot be viewed online. You are welcome to visit us in person to view the original records free of charge. Please see our website for information about opening hours and making a booking. Alternatively, we can supply print or digital copies. Please complete our online order form to receive a quote for copies or research.
To help you find want you are looking for, we catalogue the archives by collection (usually according to the person or organisation that created them) and then divide the records into categories, often by the type of record, e.g. church registers, council minutes, photographs. This means there are lots of entries in the catalogue that do not relate to individual documents. If you want to view a record or purchase a copy, please ensure you have the reference number that relates to the entry described as a File or Item.
There are some records that may not be available to view or to order copies of. Often this is because they contain personal information about individuals who may still be alive, and the information can only be released to the person they relate to (or someone acting on their behalf). For more information please see our Data Subjects in Archives Privacy Notice. Occasionally, some items are in very poor condition and cannot be used until they have been repaired.
I can’t find what I’m looking for
Our online catalogue contains nearly 400,000 entries relating to the archives and local studies collections we hold. The first thing to know is that the catalogue describes the records not their contents. For example, if you want a map showing your house, you won’t be able to search for your house, street or postcode, because the map will probably cover the whole town.
Usually, the best way to search is to look for the type of record that will contain the information you want or the organisation that created the record rather than to search for the information itself. Our research guides provide advice to help you navigate the different collections, records and the catalogue.