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 connect 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 exhibitions 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 research service, allowing our staff to carry out research in our collections on your behalf.
Online shop
We have an online shop where you can view and purchase digital and printed copies of selected items from our collections, including maps and photographs of North Yorkshire.
You can also order copies of our publications, pay for our research service or book tickets for our public tours.
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.
Public tours
Explore behind the scenes to find out how we store our archival collections, held onsite on over 5 miles of shelving. Visit our specialist conservation and reprographics studios to see how our collections are preserved and copied.
The tour will be followed by a short introductory talk about our collections and how you can start your own research. An member of the Archives team will be available to answer your questions on local history, house history, family history and much more.
Sign-up for our email newsletter
To keep up-to-date with all our news and events, please subscribe to the Archives email newsletter.
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