Archive Research Services

A number of archives in the North East of England offer professional research services.    This website allows you to send a research enquiry to one or more organisations so that you can find out what they hold and any costs associated with using their services. 

If you’re new to archives, why not have a read through the structuring an enquiry and frequently asked questions (FAQ) sections.   These are aimed at helping you to structure your enquiries, increasing the likelihood of finding the information you want.

A lot of information / catalogues are online – so please check these out first which will save you time and money.   But if you can’t find what you're looking for or if you are very clear about your query then submit an enquiry is for you.

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What Are Archives?

“Archives are the records generated by a family, an individual, a business or an institution in the course of its daily activities, which have been consciously selected for preservation, either because of their importance to the organisation, or for their broader historical value.”

Changing the Future of our Past (2002) National Council on Archives

There are 39 archive sites across the region. In addition to the local authority record offices in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Teesside, archives reside within museums, libraries, universities and independent organisations.    Archive holdings range from heavy industry such as coalmining and shipbuilding, through to regimental records.

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Fascinating Fact

The Northumberland archive collections held at Woodhorn would extend for more than 4.5 miles if laid end to end.