There are thousands of different archives in the United Kingdom at a national, local and private level. The most commonly used for genealogical research are national archives as well as county record offices. You may also find diocesan archives, university archives and libraries useful for the same purpose. There are hundreds of collections held by various museums and heritage sites which can also be of great use.
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National archives in the UKNational archives in the UK
There are many national archives within the United Kingdom. The main ones are:
- The National Archives in London boasts a large catalogue of history mostly from England and is the official archive for England and Wales.
- National Records of Scotland and the National Library of Scotland, both in Edinburgh, hold documentation relating to Scottish history.
- National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth holds archival material relating to the history of Wales and its people.
- Public Record Office of Northern Ireland in Belfast contains the archives for Northern Ireland
Other national archives include the Parliamentary Archives (currently in the process of being transferred to The National Archives), National Maritime Museum Library and Archive, Imperial War Museum Archive and Black Cultural Archives. There are also numerous specialist archives based within the UK. These are focused on a particular subject, such as a particular occupation or religion. Examples of these include the BT Group Archives relating to the telecoms company, Postal Museum Archive and Scottish Catholic Archives.
National archives within the UK all have websites and a majority have catalogued their collections. This means they can be searched online in their catalogue. Keywords could include a person's name, a place name or an occupation but are limitless. TNA's catalogue is entitled Discovery and this can be used to search a wide range of archives within the UK such as CROs, as well as their own collection.
Diocesan ArchivesDiocesan Archives
A majority of diocesan archives are held within county record offices. There are some exceptions, including Westminster Diocesan Archives. These hold archival material relevant to the diocese and may include parish records, documentation relating to the ordination of ministers, records relating to religious property and financial papers. A majority of diocesan archives have catalogues which can be browsed online.
County Record Offices (CROs)County Record Offices (CROs)
County Record Offices (CROs), also referred to commonly as local archives, contain records relating to the people and property within the county or local area. The list of what they contain is extensive and includes parish registers, parish records, maps, school registers, medical documentation, title deeds, criminal registers and personal correspondence amongst many others. CROs are used by genealogists as they contain crucial records for their research, a majority of which are not available online.
CROs also contain records which relate to people and property living outside their county boundary. This can be confusing for researchers. Before visiting a particular CRO it is recommended to view their online catalogue to make sure they have the record you are interested in.
CROs are only open selected days of the week and a majority require you to book your visit in advance. If you are unable to visit in person to see a record you can request a copy direct from the archive for a fee. You can do this via their website.
Other archives in the UKOther archives in the UK
There are many other archives and libraries within the UK. If you are interested in a particular place, location or subject it is recommended that you carry out an online search to see what relevant archives there are. Some are open for public visiting whereas others are held privately. Some further examples can be seen below:
- England - Dr Williams’s Library, Longleat House Library and Archives, National Theatre Archive and The Royal Archives
- Wales- Gladstone’s Library, Richard Burton Archives and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Archives.
- Scotland- Moving Image Archive, Scottish Jewish Archives Centre, Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives and Glasgow Women’s Library.
- Northern Ireland- Museum of Free Derry Archive, Special Collections and Archives at Queen's University Belfast and Belfast Exposed.
See alsoSee also
Explore more about Archives in the United KingdomExplore more about Archives in the United Kingdom
- UK National Archives: Free Family History Podcasts on the MyHeritage blog
- Church Records in Archives at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Using Archives to Fill the Gaps in Your Ancestor's Timeline at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- It's Not All Online: Researching in Archives at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
References