North Yorkshire Archives collects historic and current records for North Yorkshire and provides recordkeeping services for North Yorkshire Council. We preserve records of significance for the study and understanding of North Yorkshire and its communities, holding them in trust for the use of present and future generations. We encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with our collections, inspiring them to connect with their past and present, develop a sense of place, and improve health and wellbeing.
Collecting
The archive collections we hold, all connected to North Yorkshire, date from the 12th century to the present day and cover over five miles of shelving.
They include the written records of great families, houses and estates, as well as many schools and societies, charities, local government and public bodies, courts of law, businesses and community organisations, and countless individuals.
Conserving
Our conservation section, under the direction of a specialist conservator, is responsible for the care of our millions of documents which come in various formats and materials.
Through advocating good handling techniques and document storage in archival grade packaging we aim to prevent damage and preserve items for the long term and to allow safe access.
Connecting
We hold regular events and work with local groups throughout North Yorkshire to develop community heritage projects and learning activities.
Heritage projects are a great way for communities to come together to learn about their past, to take part in fun and inspiring activities, to share their experience and knowledge and to develop new skills.
Catalogue
Visit our Online Catalogue to search and view descriptions of collections in our care.
The catalogue is being updated regularly to add further information on our collections. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact us as it may not be on the online catalogue yet.
If you find an interesting entry on the catalogue, please keep a note of the document reference as this is used to locate the item.
Access
Most of our collections can be freely consulted in our public searchroom. Please contact us to make an appointment before you visit.
If you are unable to visit us in person, we offer a remote research service, allowing our staff to carry out research on your behalf.
We have an online shop where you can view and purchase digital and printed copies of selected items from our collections.
Projects
Resilient Records: an National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project to explore ways of increasing and widening audience engagement with the Record Office and its collections.
Unfolding Origins: a project with Chrysalis Arts to encourage engagement with our collections through the creation of new artworks.
Made in North Yorkshire: a series of features on important, but widely unknown people from across our county, researched using our collections.
Sign-up for our e-newsletter
To keep up-to-date with all our news and events, please subscribe to the Record Office e-newsletter using the following link: https://northyorkshire-council.com/p/4BPJ-ZEH/sign-up-to-the-record-office-e-newsletter
Find out about our upcoming exhibitions and events
Details for our upcoming exhibitions and events can be found here
North Yorkshire Archives tithe map website
You can access our tithe map website to view tithe maps from across North Yorkshire with a transcript of the accompanying apportionment.
Tithe maps, and their accompanying apportionments, are an amazing resource for local and family historians. Use them to research village history, to add depth to your family history story, to study land ownership, to discover how land was cultivated in the past, to unearth long forgotten place and field names, to explore parish boundaries and more.
Explore the Archives online shop
Own a piece of North Yorkshire’s history with our range of historic maps, photographs, publications and memories of North Yorkshire.
Research services are also available to order through the online shop.
North Yorkshire Archives Blog 