North Yorkshire County Record Office provides record keeping services for North Yorkshire Council and its communities. It collects, preserves and makes accessible historic and current records of significance for the study of North Yorkshire and its people and holds them in trust for the use of present and future generations.
Collections
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.
Conservation
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.
Outreach
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.
North Yorkshire County Record Office 