The Archives and Local History Service is going through some major changes.  This page keeps you up to date with everything you need to know about using the service.

Local and Family History Collection

The majority of local history books, periodicals and microfilms are now available on request or on open shelves in the Archives and Local History department at Explore York Library. These include:

• Local newspapers (18th century - present)
• Electoral Registers (19th century - present)
• Trade Directories (18th-20th centuries, primarily for city of York)
• Transcribed and copied parish registers (primarily for city of York and surrounding area)
• Record Society publications (including the Yorkshire Archaeological Society Record Series and Parish Register Series, Surtees Society Record Series and Catholic Records Society)
• Census returns, 1841-1901 (for city of York, on microfiche)
• Civil Registration Indexes, starting from the 1st July 1837-2002 (on microfilm)
• Maps and plans of the city of York and surrounding area, including OS maps
• Marriage and marriage license indexes, including Boyd's

We are in the process of developing finding aids and guidance to the above collections. In the meantime please see What's in the Archive and Local History collections for further information.

In addition we offer access to the online library edition of Ancestry.com via any City of York Library. This can be used to search the census, civil registration records and much more. Our staff are happy to provide guidance on how to use this resource.

Our large photographic collection can be searched and viewed online via Imagine York.

Archives and Special Collections

Our archives and special collections contain information on the history and archaeology of York and the people who have lived here since the founding of the city - all kinds of people from monarchs to paupers, and butchers to members of the local Lambretta club.

Access to original archive documents and special collections is items is provided in a designated area of the Archives and Local History department on specific days of the week. The times are as follows:

• Thursday, 1.30pm-7.30pm (with an hour break between 4.30pm-5.30pm)
• Friday, 9.30am-5.30pm (with an hour break for lunch between 12.30pm-1.30pm)

Please note that on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 May 2012 the Archives service will not be available, due to ongoing developments.  Normal service will be resumed the following week.

Access to documents is by appointment only, and all materials must be pre-ordered for viewing at least 48 hours in advance. This is to allow us the requisite time to transfer requested materials to the Explore York Learning Centre, as archives are not currently held on site.

The following search-room regulations apply to all users of the designated archive and special collections area:

• Archives and special collections users must lock away all bags and coats in the lockers provided on entering the area.
• The following items only will be permitted while archives are in use: paper, pencils, laptops, measuring equipment (eg ruler) and a digital camera. The following items are strictly prohibited: erasers, pencil sharpeners, large folders or ring binders, food and drink of any kind (including water, cough sweets and chewing gum).
• Relevant preservation equipment - book rests, weights, etc - should be used at all times while using archive and special collections materials. A member of staff will provide document handling guidance on arrival.

Please note that original archives can only be produced in cases where there is no surrogate copy available on microfilm or in print. The most popular archive collections are often available on microfilm and can be used at any time (although we advise that you book a microfilm reader in advance). In addition, unlisted and un-catalogued archive collections remain closed for the present.

Paper copies of the finding aids for archive collections are available on open shelves in the Archives and Local History department, and can be viewed at any time during Explore York opening hours. Some of these finding aids are also available online via www.a2a.org.uk, or via email on request.

To make a booking and request items, or to find out more about our archival holdings, please contact an archivist by emailing archives@york.gov.uk or by calling 01904 552800.