GREATER MANCHESTER ARCHIVES:

a guide to local repositories.

This document was last updated on 02 March 2010

This page has been produced by the County and District archivists in Greater Manchester as a brief guide to the location of archives. Most repositories have leaflets or other publications explaining the use of their records. Public records less than thirty years old and certain other material are subject to restrictions on use.

It is advisable to give advance notice of a visit preferably by telephone. Repositories are unable to undertake prolonged genealogical searches, but are likely to be able to supply a list of local record agents, who make searches for a fee. Microfilm copies of certain records including census returns and parish registers are usually available in the appropriate local history library. It is often advisable to book a micro-reader in advance. Local authorities have created various classes of records that are common to most of them. They are therefore not given in detail, except where such records relating to a post 1974 metropolitan district are not in the custody of its own repository. Records of certain 19th century statutory bodies have been included. Archives of businesses and families, because of their numbers, can only be referred to selectively. Those mentioned are of particular importance or relate to records held elsewhere.

Greater Manchester County Record Office

Address: The County Archivist, 56 Marshall Street, New Cross, Manchester M4 5FU
Telephone (0161) 832 5284
Fax (0161) 839 3808
Email archives@gmcro.co.uk

Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 9.00 - 5.00; Weds CLOSED 
Sat 9.00 - 12.00; 1.00 - 4.00 (second and fourth in each month).

Records:

 
  • General Register Office index 1837-2008
  • Provisional Data for Births and Deaths for 2009

    This is provisional, unchecked data, available for consultation prior to the release of the official indexes. Provisional data is released for Births and Deaths only, not Marriages.

     

  • Civil Partnerships Index- 2005 to 2009

     

  • Overseas Civil Partnership Index 2005-2008

    •  

  • Overseas Index- Births, Deaths & Marriages from 1761 to 2007

     

  • Adopted Children Index- 1927 to 2008

 

  • Public records including :
Coroners (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale and Salford)
Hospital (Altrincham, Bury and Salford)
Motor Vehicle Licensing (Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport)
Charity Commissioners
Probate (Index to grants of wills 1858-1956)
Valuation Books (see also Manchester City Archives, below).
  • Family including Egerton family Lords Wilton, Legh of Lyme Hall and Assheton of Middleton
  • Business including Manchester Ship Canal (see also Manchester City Archives, below), Rochdale Canal (see also Rochdale Central Library, below).
  • Trade Unions
  • Solicitors
  • Societies
  • Maps

 

Guides: Information for visitors (free)
  Guide to Collections (£2)
  Records of Political Parties and related organisations in Greater Manchester (50p)
  David Holt's Victorian Walks (£1.50)
  The Expert Guide to Dating Victorian Family Photographs (£4.95 Plus £1 postage & packing)
Please make all cheques payable to 
"The Greater Manchester County Record Office"		  

Bolton Archive and Local Studies Service

Address: The Archivist, Central Library, Civic Centre, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton BL1 1SE
Telephone (01204) 332185
Fax (01204 332225)
E Mail : archives.library@bolton.gov.uk

Hours:

Monday    9.00am - 5.00pm Thursday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Tuesday   9.00am -5.00pm Friday,   9.00am - 5.00pm 
Wednesday 9.00am - 5.00pm     Saturday    9.00am - 5.00pm

Records:

Principal Collections:

  • Archives: extensive records of local government, families, estates, individuals, trade and industry, clubs, societies, nonconformist churches, charities and other groups and organisations relating to the Bolton area.
  • Local Studies: books, pamphlets, articles and other published material relating to all aspects of the local, social, political, environmental, industrial and economic development of Bolton and district from the earliest times to the present day.
  • Maps and Plans: large scale ordnance survey maps and plans (various scales and editions) of the Bolton area from 1845 to date; manuscript maps and plans of the area from 1620, including estate and enclosure, turnpike roads, railways, coalmines, industrial and private development.
  • Microfilms: Bolton area census returns, I MI 1881, local newspapers from 1823; local parish registers, nonconformist registers, Bolton burgess rolls, 1838-1900.
  • Microfiche: Bolton area census returns, 1891, International Genealogical Index, Bolton Parish Church Registers from 1837, General Register Office Index 1837-1992.
  • Oral History: tape recordings of interviews relating to the Bolton area, with transcripts, summaries and indexes.
  • Photographs: Bolton and district from about 1865 to date.
  • Whitman Collection Naughton Archive:  Notes, working drafts, proofs and correspondence of Bill Naughton (1910-1992) Bolton author and playwright, creator of Alfie, Spring and Port Wine, All in Good Time, June Evening and many other literary and autobiographical works, mainly covering the period 1950-2000 
    Please see web site at http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk

 

Guides, etc:   Several Leaflets are available :
  • General Information describing the service
  • Microfilm and fiche reader booking system
  • Lists of Record Agents and Researchers
  • Starting your Family Tree
  • Sources for Women's History in Bolton
  • Tracing your Ancestors in Bolton 
  • A Guide to Bolton Archives and Local Studies Service currently out of print but an updated version will be available soon

           

Bury Archive Service

Address: The Archivist, Bury Museum & Archives, Moss Street, Bury BL9 0DR
Telephone (0161) 253 6782
Web Site http://www.bury.gov.uk/archives

E mail :archives@bury.gov.uk

An online catalogue can be found at http://archives.bury.gov.uk

Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-4:30pm. 

 

Records:

  • Nonconformist churches 1782-date
  • Political parties 
  • Family 
  • Business
  • Trade Unions
  • Tithe maps ( parts of Bury and Prestwich parishes)
  • Schools 1726 to date
  • Clubs and Societies
  • Photographs

 
Guides etc Routes - a guide to family history in the Bury area.
Interim Guide to the Archives (also available on the web site)
 Quarterly newsletter (free)

Manchester Archives and Local Studies

Address: The Principal Archivist, Manchester Archives and Local Studies, Central Library, 
St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD (0161-234 1980)
Central Library Web Page Address http://www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries/arls

E mail :archiveslocalstudies@manchester.gov.uk 

Hours: Monday to Thursday 9am to 8pm

Friday and Saturday 9am to 5pm*

* Hours for booking and viewing material in the Archives section are Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm only. Please note that we recommend you book a place if you intend to use the archives section.

Records:

  • Local authority including Turnpike Trusts, Poor Law Unions (Manchester (see also Lancashire Record Office below), Chorlton, Prestwich).
  • Public records including Salford Hundred Court of Record, Manchester City Sessions and Petty Sessions, Hospitals, Valuation Maps (see also Greater Manchester Record Office, above), Territorial Army, School Grant Plans, Crew Agreements and Prison Records.
  • Religious including Manchester Diocese, Manchester and Stockport Methodist District (excluding Stockport circuits but including Salford, Bury (part), Oldham, Tameside, Trafford, Derbyshire (part)), Hardshaw (later Hardshaw East) Society of Friends Monthly Meeting and Preparative Meetings and other Nonconformist Churches, Jewish Synagogues and organisations.
  • Family including Carill-Worsley of Platt and the Manchester and Heaton Norris estate of Egerton of Tatton and antiquarian including Farrer MSS (co-editor of the Victoria County History of Lancashire)
  • Business including Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Manchester Ship Canal Bridgewater Department including Mersey and Irwell Navigation Company (see also Greater Manchester Record Office), Quarry Bank Mill, Calico Printers' Association, English Sewing Cotton Company, Peter Stubs, toolmaker of Warrington.
  • Trade Unions, societies and charities.
 

On-line archives catalogue at http://www.dswebhosting.info/manchester . Various guides to records and sources on web site

Oldham Local Studies and Archives

Address: Oldham Local Studies and Archives, 84 Union Street, Oldham, OL1 1DN
website:


E mail: archives@oldham.gov.uk
Telephone (0161-770 4654)
Fax (0161) 911 4654
Disabled access via a ramp at Greaves Street entrance.
Contact: The Archives Officer
Hours: Mon, Thurs 10.00am-7-00pm; Tue 10.00am-2.00pm; 
Weds Fri 10.00-5 and Sat 10.00-4.00pm

Access : Open to the public.  
Advance booking is recommended for microform readers.

Records:

Archives of Organisations

  • Records of predecessor authorities
  • Oldham County Borough
  • Urban Districts of
    • Chadderton
    • Crompton
    • Failsworth
    • Lees
    • Royton
    • Saddleworth
    • Springhead
    • Uppermill

OMajor Collections

  • Extensive record of local Co-operative Society and textile trade unions
  • Butterworth MSS including daily journal of events, 1829-43 and notes for Baines' History of Lancashire (1836)
  • Rowbottom diaries: daily events in Oldham 1787-1829
  • Personal papers of Dame Sarah and Majory Lees of Werneth Park, including suffrage material
  • Higson antiquarian collection

ORochdale Library Service

Address: Local Studies Library, Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ
Telephone (01706 864915)
E mail localstudies@rochdale.gov.uk
Web site http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/local_history_and_heritage/local_studies_library.aspx
Contact: Local Studies Librarian
Hours: Mon Closed Tue Closed, Weds & Fri 10.00-1.00; 2.00-5.30. Thurs 10.00-1.00; 2.00-7.30; 
Sat 9.30-1.00; 2.00-4.00

Records:

Archival material includes:

  • Municipal and other Administrative records
  • Trades Union and Political Records
  • Rochdale Pioneers Minutes
  • Methodist Archives
  • Industrial and Commercial Records
  • Manor Records
  • Family Records
  • Microfilms:
    • local census returns
    • parish registers
    • Burgess Rolls, 1858-1881
    • Wills 1553-1810
    • Poor Law and Landowners records.
  • Microfiche:
    • Mormon I.G.I. (England & Wales).

PLEASE NOTE THAT MANUSCRIPT MATERIAL IS CURRENTLY DIFFICULT TO ACCESS. 
PLEASE CONTACT THE LIBRARIAN TO ARRANGE VIEWING. LISTS OF MANUSCRIPT 
MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARY.

OSalford City Archives Service

Salford Museum and Art Gallery
Peel Park
The Crescent
Salford M5  4WU
Telephone : 0161-736 2649
Fax : 0161 745 9490
Email local.history@salford.gov.uk
Web Site http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/yourcom/salfordlife/aboutsalford/salfordlocalhistory/lhlibrary

Hours: Tues, Thurs & Friday 10am-5pm; Wednesday 10am-8pm

Records:
  • Local authority including Poor Law Union (Salford)
  • Religious including Nonconformist
  • Family
  • Trade Unions.
  • Societies and Charities

 

Guides   A hand list of Salford City archives (free)
Genealogical sources for the City of Salford (free)
The History of Houses (free)

Stockport Archive Service

Address: The Archivist, Central Library, Wellington Road South Stockport SK1 3RS
Telephone 0161- 474 4530
Fax 0161 474 7750
E mail :localheritage.library@stockport.gov.uk

Hours:  Mon 10.00-20.00, Tue, Fri 09.00-20.00 Wed, Thur 09.00-17.00 Sat 9.00 - 16.00.
NB it is advisable to make an appointment for visits after 5.00pm and on Saturdays.



Records :
  • Local authority
  • Public records including Borough Magistrates Court.
  • Hospitals
  • Religious including Methodist, the Stockport Sunday School
  • Family including the Bradshaw-Isherwood estate
  • Business including Christies hat manufacturers
  • Societies.

 

Guides Stockport Family History (Handlist 14)
Stockport Archives: A Guide
Guide to archive calendars, 1 -14

OTameside Archive Service

Address: The Archivist, Tameside Local Studies & Archives Centre, Central Library, Old Street,
Ashton-Under-Lyne OL6 7SG

Telephone 0161 342 4242

Web Address http://www.tameside.gov.uk/localstudies

Family History Sources: http://www.tameside.gov.uk/familyhistory/archives/material

Military Resources : http://www.tameside.gov.uk/archives/familyhistory/military

E Mail :archives@tameside.gov.uk

Fax 0161 342 4245



Monday 9am-8pm
Tuesday 9am-8pm
Wednesday 9am-5pm
Thursday 9am-8pm
Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday 9am-4pm

 

Records:
  • Local authority including Turnpike Trust (Saltersbrook)
  • Public records including Hospital
  • Religious including Nonconformist
  • Family including Clarke family of Hyde, Stamford estate
  • Business including Trade Unions
  • Electoral Registers
  • Maps
  • Local Newspapers
  • Manchester Regiment archives

 

Guides Guide to the archive collection
Tracing your family (free) 
 

OTrafford Local Studies

Address: The Local Studies Librarian, Trafford Local Studies Centre, Sale Library, 
Sale Waterside, Sale, Cheshire M33 7ZF
Telephone (0161-912 3013)
E mail trafflocals@trafford.gov.uk
Web Page http://www.trafford.gov.uk/LeisureAndCulture/Libraries/RecordsAndArchives-LocalStudies

Hours: 

Monday 9am-7.30pm
Tuesday 9am-5pm
Wednesday 9am-5pm
Thursday 9am-7.30pm
Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday 9am-4pm

Records:

  • Probate Index (on microfiche) 1853-1943
  • Census Returns for the Trafford District 1841-1901
  • Parish Registers (on microfilm) 
  • Local Newspapers
  • Maps
  • CD ROMS
  • Gas Industry Genealogical Index
  • Rate Books
  • Electoral Registers 
  • Local Societies

 

Guides Trafford Local Studies and Archives (free)
  Sources for Family History (free) 
 

OWigan Archives Service

Address: The Archivist, Town Hall, Leigh, Wigan WN7 2DY
Telephone 01942 404430
Fax: 01942 404425
E mail heritage@wlct.org
web site http://www.wlct.org/Culture/Heritage/archives.htm

Hours: Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Documents must be ordered in advance by telephone, letter or e-mail) 10 to 1.00, and 2.00 to 4.30. Other days by special arrangement

Appointments in advance

When staff are not in the building please use the telephone answering facility.


Records:
  • Local authority including Poor Law Unions (Leigh, Wigan)
  • Public records including Quarter Sessions (Wigan) Petty Sessions (Leigh, Wigan)
  • Coroner (Wigan)
  • Hospital
  • Census microfilms
  • Religious including Parish, Methodist and other Nonconformist churches
  • Family including Anderton of Ince, Crawford of Haigh estate (see also John Rylands Library, below) Holt, Leigh family, Standish of Standish
  • The Edward Hall collection of diaries (of national rather than local interest)
  • Business including Park Webb, Walker Bros
  • Trade Unions
  • Societies

 

Guides etc Guide to the Archives(1996), 
Guide to Genealogical Sources
Those Dark Satanic Mills
Wigan Through Wickham's Window
Two Athertons Murder
 Terror and Revenge the legend of Mabs Cross
Devils Hill
 Local Men at the battle of Spion Kop
A Terrible Nightmare, The Cotton Famine in Wigan & Leigh.
Standish, 800 Years of History
Around Leigh (1996)
"The Wigan Coalfield" ( 2000 )  

OWigan History Shop

Address Rodney Street, Wigan WN1 1DG

Hours: Mon-Tue & Thu-Fri, 10-4 and Sat, 10-1, closed Wednesday and Sunday. Appointment Advisable
Email heritage@wlct.org

Web Page http://www.wlct.org/Culture/Heritage/historyshop.htm

Records:

  • Microforms of church registers formerly made available at Wigan Archives Service.
  • census microforms
  • Wigan local library collections.

SPECIALIST COLLECTIONS

OChethams Library

Address: Chethams Library, Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB
Telephone 0161-834 7961
Fax 0161 839 5797
E mail       archivist@chethams.org.uk
Web site : http://www.chethams.org.uk

Hours: Mon - Fri 9.00 - 12.30, 1.30 - 4.30
An Appointment is required to view the archives

 

Records:
  • Chetham Family Papers, Hospital and Library Minute books, Nicholls Hospital Minutes.
  • Religious including Manchester Sunday School, Bishop Fraser Collection, Hulme Trust deeds
  • Business including Belle Vue and Jennison collections.
  • Family and antiquarian including F.R.Raines, J.R.Bailey, W.T.Watkin MSS.
  • Societies.

ODocumentary Photography Archive

Address: See web page: Documentary Photography Archive 
 

Records:

 
  • Photographs, contemporary and historical relating to the North West, detailed documentation of same and oral history recordings relating to the history of photography.
Guides: leaflet (free)
exhibition catalogues
guidelines on documentation & archival processing for photographers

OGreater Manchester Museum of Science and Industry

Address: Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester. M3 4JP
Telephone 0161-832-2244 


Records:
  • Business including engineering, machine tool, mill engines, electrical engineering, locomotive and motor car manufacture, textile (with fabric samples)
  • photographic materials and chemical firms, photographs National Paper Museum
Guides  General guide (typescript, free) 
   
 

OJohn Rylands University Library of Manchester

Address: Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL
Telephone 0161-275 3738

Contact: Main Library Archivist

Web Page Address :http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/

Hours: Mon - Fri 9.00am - 9.30pm; Sat 9.00 - 1.00. 
NB there may be some variation in the hours during the vacation. 
A Manchester University Library card is needed and visits should preferably be by appointment.

Records:
  • University archive, including papers of former staff
  • Business including Guardian and other newspaper archives
  • English textile companies
  • Manchester Medical Society
 

Address: Deansgate Building, Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH
Telephone 0161-834 5343

Contact: Administrator

Hours: Mon - Fri 10.00 - 5.30, preferably by appointment; Sat 10.00 - 1.00. 
NB a Deansgate reader's ticket or Manchester University Library card is needed.

Records:
  • Western and Eastern MSS (ancient, mediaeval and modern)
  • Family including papers of many Cheshire and Lancashire families Business

Address: Methodist Archives and Research Centre, John Rylands University Library Record Office, Deansgate Manchester M3 3EH
Telephone (0161-834 5343)

Contact: Methodist Church Archivist

Hours: Mon - Fri 10.00 - 5.30; Sat 10.00 - 1.00. NB written application is needed

Records:

 
  • Methodist records excluding Circuit and Chapel records. (see also Manchester, Stockport and Wigan Record Offices, above)

ONorth West Film Archive

Address: Manchester Metropolitan University, Minshull House, 47-49 Chorlton Street, 
Manchester M1 3EU
Telephone 0161-247 3097

Fax 0161-247 3098

Web site www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk

E mail: n.w.filmarchive@mmu.ac.uk

Hours: Mon - Fri 9.00 - 5.00 viewings by appointment only;


Records:
  • 21,000 items showing life in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside from 1896 to the present. The collection includes cinema newsreels, documentaries publicity films, television programmes and home movies. Complimentary collections of photographs, taped interviews and ephemera related to the history of the region's film and cinema industries are also held.

 

Guides:     General Leaflet (free)
The Picture House a photographic album of North West Film and Cinema (pub 1988 £6.95) 
 

ONorth West Sound Archive

Address: Clitheroe Castle, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 1AZ
Telephone 01200 427897

Web Address: http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/education/record_office/about/archive.asp

E mail: nwsa@ed.lancscc.gov.uk

Contact: Sound Archivist

Hours: Mon - Fri 9.00 -12.30, 1.30 - 4.45 preferably by appointment

100,000 recordings largely relating to the North West. 
By prior arrangement many recordings can be made available at 
The Greater Manchester Listening Centre based at G.M.C.R.O.

Records:

 
  • Collections of regional and national significance, e.g.. Solidarity, Radio Astronomy.
  • Large collections of BBC and ILR programmes, and regional oral history material, dialect and western classical music.

 

Guides:  Various regional publications & monographs
free computer information search service
leaflet on archive available.

OLancashire Mining Museum

This Museum has now closed and the records have been re-deposited at  the Greater Manchester Museum of Science and Industry (see above)

Records:

 
  • Coalmining, Metalliferous Mining, Quarrying.
  • The Mining Reference Library has 15,000 volumes, including early works. It is the largest of its kind in Greater Manchester.
Guides:   
         
  • A brief guide to the research collections (free)
  •  Salford Museum of Mining: a guide
 
 

OSalford University Library

Address: Salford University Library, Information Services Division, Clifford Whitworth Building, 
University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT
Telephone 0161 295 2444

Hours: Term Mon-Fri 08:30-21:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00-1600
Vacation. Mon - Fri 08:55-1700, Sat and Sun: 10:00-16:00

 Access: By appointment only

 

Records: As well as material relating to the history of the University, a number of other important collections are held, including:

 

Records:
  • Duke of Bridgewater Archive

 

  •   Arthur Hopcraft Archive
  •    Stanley Houghton Collection
  • Walter Greenwood Papers

Detailed lists of these collections are available at: http://www.ils.salford.ac.uk/library/resources/special/

ADJACENT COUNTIES

OCheshire and Chester Archives & Local Studies

The City of Manchester, and Metropolitan Boroughs of Stockport, Tameside and
Trafford include areas which were formerly in Cheshire.

Address: Cheshire Record Office, Duke Street, Chester CH1 1RL
Telephone 01244 602574

Monday 1.00pm - 5.00pm 
Tuesday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Wednesday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Thursday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm
3rd Saturday in the month 9.00am – 4.00pm


Web Address: http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/recoff/home.htm
Email : recordoffice@cheshire.gov.uk

 

Records:
  • Local authority including Altrincham Borough, Bucklow Rural and Hale Urban District Councils, Poor Law Union (Bucklow)
  • Public records including Quarter Sessions
  • Coroner from 1922,
  • probate (Cheshire only)
  • Religious including Chester Diocese, Cheshire parishes, Methodist and other Nonconformist Churches
  • Business Records
  • Estate Records
  • Family History

 Guides:   See http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/recoff/publicat.htm for more details
        
         
 

ODerbyshire

In 1936 Ludworth & Mellor civil parishes were added to Marple Urban District. 
In 1974 the Urban District became part of Stockport Metropolitan Borough

Derbyshire Record Office, Ernest Bailey Building, New Street,
Matlock, Derbyshire

Telephone numbers:

Search Room bookings: 01629 538347
General Record Office enquiries: 01629 539202
Fax 01629 57611

Web site : http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/record_office

All correspondence to County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG

Hours: 9:30-4:45 Mon-Fri

Public records including quarter sessions: 16-20 cent probate 1858 to 1928 Religious including 
Derbyshire parishes, Methodist and other non-conformist churches. Local Authorities, estates 
and businesses. Parish and nonconformist register guides are also available for free download from the above mentioned website

Guides:  Information for users (free)

OLancashire Record Office

Lancashire formerly included all or part of every city and metropolitan district in Greater Manchester

Address: Bow Lane, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2RE
Telephone 01772 533039
Fax 01772 533050

Opening hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 8.30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5 pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday

Open on the second Saturday of each month from 10 am – 4 pm
View Saturday opening dates for 2007

Web Address: http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/education/record_office/
E-mail: record.office@ed.lancscc.gov.uk


Records:
  • Local authority including Boroughs (Ashton-under-Lyne,  Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale, Stretford), Rural District (Barton-upon-Irwell), Urban Districts (Littleborough, Milnrow, Turton, Urmston, Wardle, Whitworth)
  • Turnpike Trusts
  • Poor Law Unions (Barton-Upon-Irwell, Bury, Rochdale)
  • Public records including Quarter Sessions
  • Coroner (Salford, Rochdale and Bury)
  • Taxation
  • Probate ( Chester Diocese, Lancashire south of the Ribble and including Saddleworth)
  • Privately deposited records including families and businesses
  • Religious including Manchester Diocese (tithe awards and bishops transcripts) (see also Manchester City Archives), Blackburn and Liverpool Dioceses
  • Methodist and other Nonconformist Churches.

 

Guides,  Advice to users (free)               
Finding Folk (handlist of genealogical sources) £8.50
Guide £12.75
Guide Supplement £14.95
[Guide and Supplement together £25]

 

OMerseyside

Merseyside Record Office

Address Central Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW

Tel: (0151) 233 5817
Fax: (0151) 233 5886
Email: recoffice.central.library@liverpool.gov.uk

Monday– Friday 9.00-18.00
Saturday 9.00–17.00
Sunday 12.00-16.00

Annual closure for stock-taking and special projects 3rd and 4th weeks in June

Car-Parking: No

Appointments: Advised

Records:
  • Merseyside County Council; 
  • Merseyside Residuary Body
  • Liverpool, Southport, Wirral coroners. 
  • Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive;
  • Merseyside Fire Service (from mid 19th century).
  • Merseyside Development Corporation.
  • Hospital Records. 
  • Methodist and United Reformed churches.
  • Social agencies e.g. Child Welfare Association; League of Welldoers. 
  • Business Records. 
  • Some Family and Estate Records.

Finding Aids:

Paper based lists and indexes. Guide to holdings. Information sheets.

Authorised Readers Tickets needed to consult archives, available by personal application only with proof of identity (name and address).

Liverpool Record Office, Local Studies and Family History Service

Address Liverpool Record Office, Local Studies and Family History Services, 4th Floor, Central Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW

Tel: (0151) 233 5817
      (0151) 233 5811 (bookings)

Fax: (0151) 233 5886

Email: recoffice.central.library@Liverpool.gov.uk

Monday– Friday 9.00-18.00
Saturday 9.00–17.00
Sunday 12.00-16.00

Annual closure for stock-taking and special projects 3rd and 4th weeks in June

Car-Parking: No

Appointments: Strongly advised for material on microfilm; advance booking fee for microfilm readers but no fee charged if a reader is available at the time of visit without advance booking.

Records:
  • Local Authority records from 1207 (minute books from 1550). 
  • Ecclesiastical records: Anglican parishes (from 1586)
  • R.C. parishes (from 1741); non-conformist records (from 1787); 
  • Liverpool Diocesan Registry; Jewish Records (from 1804). 
  • Boards of Guardians and other statutory bodies. 
  • Hospitals. 
  • Family, estate (including manorial) and personal papers include :

    Moore of Bank Hall, Plumbe Tempest, Marquess of Salisbury, Norris of Speke Hall, William Roscoe, Earls of Derby (see also Lancashire Record Office) 
  • Business
  • Trade Unions
  • Charities
  • Associations and Societies
  • Literary manuscripts
  • Other material includes newspapers (from 1756) and newscuttings, directories (from 1766). Census returns, slides, photographs, engravings, prints, watercolours, maps. Sound material (including the library of BBC Radio Merseyside). The reference library of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire is housed in the department.
  • Sources for family history, including indexes of births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales 1837-1996, national probate indexes 1858-1940s, and 1881 census index for England and Wales.

Please Note: no passenger lists or other records of immigration and emigration are held.

Finding Aids & Publications:

Lists, catalogues and indexes. General information sheet, Brief Guide for Family Historians, Handlist of Church of England Parish Records, Map of Church of England Parishes, Liverpool and district, c1900 etc., Hand List of Roman Catholic Parish Records, Hand List of Cemetery and Burial Records, Handlist of Non-conformist Records.

Authorised Readers Ticket needed to consult archives, rare printed books and audio-visual material, available by personal application only with proof of identity (name and address).


 

 

OWest Yorkshire Archive Service

Prior to 1974 Saddleworth was in the West Riding of Yorkshire

Please address general enquiries about the West Riding to WYAS, Wakefield

Web Address http://www.archives.wyas.org.uk
Email :archives@wyjs.org.uk.

Research Service available - contact WYAS, Wakefield.

Members of the CARN Readers Ticket scheme

Usually closed the first full week of November and March for collections work.

WYAS, Bradford

Bradford Central Library, Prince’s Way, Bradford, BD1 1NN
Tel 01274 435099
e-mail bradford@wyjs.org.uk		 Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30 -5.00. First and third Thursday of the month 9.30 – 7.30
Microfilm available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30-7.30. Saturday 9.00-5.00
WYAS, Calderdale
Central Library, Halifax, Northgate, Halifax,HX1 1UN
Tel 01422 392636
Fax 01422 341083
e-mail calderdale@wyjs.org.uk		 Opening hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30 – 5.00

Microfilm available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9.30 -7.00. Saturday 9.30-5.00
WYAS, Kirklees
Huddersfield Library and Art Gallery, Princess Alexandra Walk, Huddersfield, HD1 2SU
Tel 01484 221966
Fax 01484 542297
e-mail kirklees@wyjs.org.uk		 Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30 – 5.00. Third Saturday in the month 9.00-1.00

Microfilm available Monday, Tuesday 9.30-8.00, Wednesday 9.30-5.00 Thursday, Friday 9.00 -8.00. Saturday 9.30-4.00
WYAS, Leeds
2 Chapeltown Road, 
Sheepscar, Leeds,
LS7 3AP
Tel 0113 214 5814
Fax 0113 214 5815
e-mail leeds@wyjs.org.uk		 Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30 – 5.00

Currently closed to the public first full week of every month. During this time staff are working on improving our collections information.

This office will be closed to the public during the following weeks in 2009:
6th to 10th April, 4th to 8th May, 1st to 5th June, 6th to 10 July, 3rd to 7 August, 7th to 11th September, 5th to 9th October, 2nd to 6th November, 7th to 11th December
WYAS, Wakefield
Registry of Deeds,
Newstead Road, 
Wakefield, WF1 2DE
Tel 01924 305980
Fax 01924 305983
e-mail wakefield@wyjs.org.uk		 Opening Hours
Monday 9.30-8.00, Tuesday and Thursday 9.30 – 5.00. (Closed during the Lunch Hour between 1pm-2pm)

Second Saturday in the month 9.30-1.00

 

Online Catalogue available- see website

Records:
  • local authority including registered deeds
  • Public records including Quarter and Petty Sessions
  • Bradford, Ripon and Wakefield Parish records, non-conformist, estate records (especially Leeds)
Guides:  Services and facilities (free)

Collections guides:

Parish Registers
Nonconformist Registers
Roman Catholic Registers 
Bishop's Transcripts 
Wills 
Police Records and Health Records

are available to download from their web site.

Search Guide to the English Land Tax
Guides to Bradford Archives, Calderdale Archives, Kirklees Archives
Guide for family Historians 

Other Useful Addresses:



Salford Catholic Diocese
The Presbytery
3 Todmorden Road
Burnley
Lancashire BB10 4AU

Tel 01282 422007
Fax 01282 424622
Web site www.churches-online.org.uk/salfordarchives/

Greater Manchester Police Museum
Newton Street, Manchester M1 1ES
Telephone 0161-856 3287

Including police records relating to the county

From Monday 11th January the archives and search room facilities are being extensively refurbished and therefore archive enquiries will be deferred until completion in June 2009. For any urgent request please contact the curator directly by phone on 0161 856 3287.

Harris Library, Market Square, Preston PR1 2PP (01772 404010) 
The Baines MSS - Notes on Lancashire Parishes
Basis of topological vols. of Baines' History of Lancashire

Jewish Museum
190 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester. M8 8LW
Telephone 0161-834 9879

Website : http//www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com/

Including deposited records of the Jewish communities in the Greater Manchester region. For records of official Jewish organizations see Manchester City Archives, above

Manchester Metropolitan University Library,
All Saints Building,
Oxford Road,
Manchester M15 6BH
Telephone 0161-247 6100

Barnett Freedman, Jimmy Deane and Parry archives.
Cotton Collection, Aytoun Library (20th Century Cotton Trade in Lancashire)

Methodist Connexional Archive
See John Rylands University Library

Probate Registry,
Manchester Probate Registry
Manchester Civil Justice Centre
Ground Floor
1 Bridge Street West
PO BOX 4240
Manchester 
Greater Manchester
England
M60 1WJ
Tel 0161-240 5700
Email : manchester.dpr@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk
For printed probate index 1858-1956 see Greater Manchester Record Office, above.

University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology,
The Librarian, UMIST, PO Box 88, Manchester M60 1QD
Telephone 0161-200 4933
UMIST records
JP Joule scientist
Trade Unions

© The Greater Manchester County Record Office 2008
© GMCRO. The copyright for pages on this web site rests with the Greater Manchester County Record Office. You may download and read this material. However, you may not alter the information, repost or sell it without the permission of Greater Manchester County Record Office.  

Send E-mail to : archives@gmcro.co.uk