Sources
of Manchester, Regional & National Records
including Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Northwest
Regional and National Records
Archive Services & Sources of Genealogical Research
Family trees, history
searches and public cecords for the Northwest region of England,
Lancashire, Greater Manchester
as well as National Records & Archives.
PLEASE
NOTE:
We receive literally dozens of requests from people searching
for lost relatives or doing personal family genealogy searches.
However, because we have neither the time, staff nor resources
to undertake the amount of work such searches would entail, regrettably,
we are unable to help.
Below are all the resources we have been able to discover that
might help you with your research. You are welcome to use them,
but please don't ask us to do the work for you!
Listed
alphabetically:
- A-Z
of British Genealogical Research
A
guide to researching British ancestry both locally and at a distance.
Information for the family historian wanting to know about the
IGI, using parish registers, Civil Registration system, the 19th
century Census returns and dozens of other archives. Website:
www.genuki.org.uk/big/EmeryPaper.html.
- Access
to Archives
The A2A database contains catalogues describing archives held
throughout England and dating from the 900s to the present day.
Website: www.a2a.org.uk ...which is soon to be changed to: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a.
- AgLab
Family History Research
Service searching the Family Record Office in London including
GRO certificates, census returns and wills. Website: www.aglab.co.uk.
- Ancestors
Reunited
A collection of photographs of ancestors gravestones located anywhere
in the UK.
Website: www.ancestorsreunited.com.
- Ancestral
Eye
Photographic service providing exclusive, tailor made portfolios
of subjects relating to your family heritage. Based in England
and covering the British Isles. Website: www.ancestraleye.com.
- Ancestral
Links
Links to websites researching family history in the United Kingdom.
Website: http://uk.geocities.com/ancestrallinks.
- Ancestry
UK
- Beginning
Genealogical Research for England & Wales
A
befginners guide to the basics of English & Welsh research.
Website: www.oz.net/~markhow/ukbegin.htm.
- Big
Family
Family history research for English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh
ancestry. Certificates of Births, Marriages and Deaths as well
as professional research. Website: www.bigfamily.co.uk.
- Bolton
Archive & Local Studies Service
The Archivist, Central Library, Civic Centre, Le Mans Crescent,
Bolton BL1 1SE.
Tel: 01204-332185. Fax: 01204-332225. Email: archives.library@bolton.gov.uk
Archives: extensive records of local government, families, estates,
individuals, trade and industry, clubs, societies, nonconformist
churches, charities and other groups and organisations relating
to the Bolton area, as well as maps and microfilms of Census returns.
Website: www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gmguide/reposit.htm
- British
Army Records at Ancestry.Com
Website: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory.
- British
Isles GenWeb
Comprehensive help for family research in England, Scotland, Wales,
Ireland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of
Man and St Helena. Part of the WorldGenWeb Project.
Website: www.britishislesgenweb.org.
-
Britain Forces Regiments
Information and search facility on Britsh, Empire and
Commonwealth military history including details of regiments and
corps, uniforms, badges and wars. Links to internet resources
related to British Forces and foreign campaigns. Website: www.regiments.org/milhist/uk/uk.htm.
- British
Telephone Directories from 1880
Website:
www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gmguide/reposit.htm.
- Burke's
Peerage
Burke's Peerage & Gentry - the definitive genealogical guide
to the family histories of the British Isles.
Website: www.burkes-peerage.net.
- Bury Archive
Service
1st Floor, Derby Hall Annex, Edwin Street, Bury BL9 OAS
Telephone 0161-797 6697. Email: archives@bury.gov.uk.
Records of Local Authorities 1675 to the present including Poor
Law, Electoral Registers, Rate Books, Building Plans, Nonconformist
churches 1782-date, Political parties, Trade Unions, Tithe maps
of parts of Bury and Prestwich parishes and Schools from 1726
to the present.
Website: www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gmguide/reposit.htm.
- Census
Searches
Research services by the well-known genealogist, Lady Teviot,
including family history and probate searches. Website: www.census-searches.co.uk.
- Cheshire
& Chester Archive & Local Studies
Their service collects and preserves historical records relating
to both the ancient and modern county of Cheshire, the diocese
and the City of Chester. It makes the records available for study
free of charge by members of the public. It also provides a records
management service for Cheshire County Council and houses the
Local Studies Library. Website: www.cheshire.gov.uk/recoff/home.htm.
- Cheshire
Family History Society
The Family History Society of Cheshire (FHSC) was founded in 1969
to advance the study of family history and genealogy, and helps
researchers whose ancestors originated in Cheshire.
Website: www.fhsc.org.uk.
- Commonwealth
War Graves Commission
The Commission's database lists the 1.7 million men and women
of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars
and the 23,000 cemeteries, memorials and other locations worldwide
where they are commemorated. The register can also be searched
for details of the 67,000 Commonwealth civilians who died as a
result of enemy action in the Second World War. Website: www.cwgc.org/cwgcinternet/search.aspx.
- Discover
Military History
Medal cards, service records & more online at The National
Archives.
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk.
- English
Parish and Probate Records
A database of historical parish and probate registers in England.
Records date from the early 16th century to the late nineteenth.
A few documents date from the twelfth century. Parish records,
baptisms, marriages, and burials, etc. Website: www.ancestry.com?db=5877.
- English
Genealogy Directory
Website: http://www.gendir.com.
- Entertainer
Genealogy
Resources for research of entertainer's families including circus,
showmen, theatre and music hall. Mainly United Kingdom but also
worldwide. Website: www.entertainer-genealogy.org.uk.
- Family
History Services
Offers genealogical research services for families originating
in England and Wales. Links to genealogy sites. Website: www.angelfire.com/sd/education4u/index.html
.
- Family
Tree Magazine
List and extracts of current month's articles as well as ifnroamtion
on how to subscribe.
Website: www.family-tree.co.uk.
- FamilyLine
UK family history researchers. Website: www.family-line.co.uk.
- Federation
of Family History Societies
An international organisation based in the UK which represents,
advises and supports over 220 family history societies and genealogical
organisations worldwide. Website: http://ffhs.org.uk.
- FamilySearch
Based on, and provided by, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints (Mormons) database, another good place to start researching
family history and genealogy.
Website: www.familysearch.org
- Federation
of Family History Societies
An international organistion whose principal aims are: to coordinate
and assist the work of societies or other bodies interested in
family history, genealogy and heraldry; to foster mutual cooperation
and collaborative projects to help researches, and to represent
the interests of our members, and family historians generally,
especially in the preservation and availability of archival documents.
Website: www.ffhs.org.uk
- Find My
Past
1914-1918 War Records. Death indices for all WWI battles, army
lists, roll calls & records.
- First
World War Records
Find your ancestors for free - Search 350 million records
Website: www.GenesReunited.co.uk/war/records.
- Genealogy
& Family Reseach UK
Online application form to apply to have the research done for
you.
Website: www.genealogyfamilyresearch.com.
- Genealogy
Guide
A useful and friendly directory of where to start looking for
those wishing to learn more about their family history and provides
useful advice regarding tracing their family trees. What documents
are available and what information do they hold? How to set about
researching your family history? .
Website: www.genealogy-guide.org.uk.
- Genealogy
Help for Private Researchers
Genealogy Help provides help for UK family tree researchers. Includes
census and parish records, also village histories and photographs.
Website: www.genealogyhelp.co.uk.
- General
Register Office for England & Wales
(GRO)
Contains records of births, marriages and deaths for the UK. The
GRO can often provide guidance and information if you are investigating
your family genealogy, etc., and has a Traceline aimed at re-establishing
contact between family and friends. Website: www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content.
- Generation
Link
Professional company which helps to trace ancestors in the United
Kingdom.
Website: www.generationlink.co.uk.
- Genes
Connected
GenesConnected - UK family tree and genealogy website where you
can search for ancestors and build your family tree for free.
English, Irish or Scottish ancestry search in a database of millions
of names.
Website: www.GenesConnected.com.
- GENUKI
- UK & Ireland Genealogy
The Genuki web site provides an excellent starting point for those
beginning to research their family history in the United Kingdom
and Ireland. Website: www.genuki.org.uk/gs
- Greater
Manchester County Record Office
GMCRO stores historical records relating to the Greater Manchester
area, and to make them available for members of the public for
research. Some records date back to 1197. Contains records of
estate papers, birth, marriage or a death certificates, vehicle
registration records, and can carry out searches via the post
at an hourly research charge. Microfilm records available to the
public. Website: www.gmcro.co.uk.
- Greater
Manchester Museum of Science and Industry Archives
Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4JP. Tel: 0161-832-2244.
Keeps Business records including engineering, machine tool, mill
engines, electrical engineering, locomotive and motor car manufacture,
textile (with fabric samples), photographic materials and chemical
firms, photographs National Paper Museum, and offers a typescript
guide to its collections. Also now keeps the Mining Reference
Library, formerly kept by the Lancashire Mining Museum at Buile
Hill, now closed, (See Main Entry). This collection has 15,000
volumes, including early works, as well as Coalmining, Metalliferous
Mining and Quarrying records.
- Greater
Manchester Past Finder (GMPF)
Record Offices of the ten metropolitan councils in Greater Manchester.
They are Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford,
Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan councils - together with
the Greater Manchester County Record Office (GMCRO) which is run
jointly by the councils. The Record Offices collect, preserve
and make accessible to the public important records of the life
and history of their areas. The GMCRO provides certain technical
services and cares for archives relating to the conurbation as
a whole. Website: www.gmcro.co.uk/hlf/past_finder.htm.
-
Greater Manchester Record Office - Will & Probate
Records include probate records, wills, inventories and the letters
of administration granted to an executor where the deceased has
not left a will. Indexes to probate granted in England and Wales
1858-1951 only.
Website: www.gmcro.co.uk/family_history/wills.htm.
- Irish
Immigrants Search
New York Port Arrival Records, 1846-1851 at Ancestry.Com.
Website link: www.ancestry.com?db=5969.
- Irish
& UK Ancestors Search
- Isle
of Man Genealogy - Gedcom files
Website: www.isle-of-man.com/interests/genealogy/gedcom/index.htm.
- Jewish
Genealogical Society of Great Britain
Manchester Regional Group Chairman: Lorna Kay. Email: lorna.kay@talktalk.net.
- Jewish
Museum Archives
190 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester M8 8LW. Tel: 0161-834 9879.
Retains deposited records of the Jewish communities in the Greater
Manchester region. For records of official Jewish organizations
see Manchester City Archives (above).
Website: www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com
- John Rylands
University Library of Manchester
1). - At Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL. Contact: Main Library
Archivist Tel: 0161-275 3738.
Please note that a Manchester University Library card is needed
and visits should preferably be by appointment. Keeps University
archive, including papers of former staff, Business records including
Guardian and other newspaper archives, records of English textile
companies and of the Manchester Medical Society.
2). - At Deansgate Building, Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH. Tel
Administrator: 0161-834 5343
Keeps Western and Eastern manuscripts - ancient, mediaeval and
modern, as well as Family records including papers of many Cheshire
and Lancashire families Business.
Website: http://rylibweb.man.ac.uk/data1/dg/text/jrulmdg.html
- Lancashire
Family History & Heraldry Society
The main aims of the Society are to
advance the study of genealogy, heraldry, and family history,
to find, publish, and make accessible relevant documents and records,
to promote the preservation of these documents and records, especially
by transcribing original sources, to collaborate with organisations
and bodies who have custody of records and to operate an information
service and build up a library.
Website: www.lfhhs.org.uk
- Lancashire
Online Parish Clerk Project
This site aims to extract and preserve the records from the various
parishes of Lancshire and to provide online access to that data,
free of charge, along with other data of value to family and local
historians conducting research. Website: www.lan-opc.org.uk.
-
Lancashire Record Office
Vast holdings of archives dating from the early 12th Century to
the present day - general information for genealogists. Website:
www.lancashire.gov.uk/education/d_lif/ro/index.asp.
- Land
Forces of Britain, the Empire & the Commonwealth
Information and search facility on military history, regiments
and corps, uniforms, badges and wars. Links to internet resources
related to British Forces and foreign campaigns.
Website: www.regiments.org/milhist/uk/uk.htm.
- Manchester
Archives and Local Studies
The Principal Archivist, Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester
M2 5PD. Tel: 0161-234 1980.
Manchester Archives and Local Studies, on the first floor of the
Central Library, is home to a wide range of materials relating
to the history of Manchester, its organisations, its buildings
and its people. Anyone studying the city and its history is welcome
to use the range of reference facilities available. Collection
includes microfilms of Parish Registers, Census Records, Electoral
Registers, Town & City Directories, etc. Website: www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries/arls
-
Manchester
& Lancashire Family History Society
Founded in 1964 as the Manchester Genealogical Society, the Society
encourages and supports family history research in the Greater
Manchester area including Bolton and Oldham. Based at Clayton
House in central Manchester. Website: www.mlfhs.org.uk
-
Manchester
In Touch
A facility
available on the 'Manchester Online' website (by the Manchester
Evening News newspaper). Specialises in reunited Mancunians,
Lancastrians and ex-pats and in publicising reunions.
Post your message free at www.manchesteronline.co.uk/intouch
- National
Archives - Military History Records
Medal cards, service records & more online at The National
Archives
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
-
North West
Film Archive
Manchester Metropolitan University, Minshull House, 47-49 Chorlton
Street, Manchester M1 3EU.
Tel: 0161-247 3097. Fax: 0161-247 3098. Email: n.w.filmarchive@mmu.ac.uk
By appointment only. The Archive keeps 21,000 items showing life
in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside from
1896 to the present. The collection includes cinema newsreels,
documentaries publicity films, television programmes and home
movies. Complimentary collections of photographs, taped interviews
and ephemera related to the history of the region's film and cinema
industries are also held. Website www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk
- North
West Sound Archive
Clitheroe Castle, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 1AZ.
Contact - Sound Archivist Tel: 01200 427897. Email: nwsa@ed.lancscc.gov.uk
100,000 recordings largely relating to the North West. By prior
arrangement many recordings can be made available at The Greater
Manchester Listening Centre based at GMCRO (above). Collections
of regional and national significance - Solidarity, Radio Astronomy.
Large collections of BBC and ILR programmes, and regional oral
history material, dialect and western classical music. Free computer
information search service and leaflet on archive available. Website:
http://lancashire.gov.uk/education/lifelong/ro
- Oldham
Local Studies and Archives
84 Union Street, Oldham OL1 1DN. Email: archives@oldham.gov.uk
Tel: 0161-911 4654. Fax: 0161-911 4654.
Holds records of predecessor authorities as well as Urban Districts
of Chadderton, Crompton, Failsworth, Lees, Royton, Saddleworth,
Springhead and Uppermill. Details of local Cooperative Society
and textile trade unions, Higson antiquarian collection, Personal
papers of Dame Sarah and Majory Lees of Werneth Park, including
suffrage material, and the Rowbottom diaries: daily events in
Oldham 1787-1829.
Website: http://www.oldham.gov.uk/community
- Parish
the Thought
www.parish-thethought.us
A free record source for a growing list of parish and other record
transcriptions of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Sussex, with links
to other sites of interest to genealogists. Many of the Lancashire
transcriptions can be found indexed under their various parish
names on the Lancashire OPC website:
www.lan-opc.org.uk/index.html.
- Peoples'
History Museum: Labour History Archive & Study Centre
The Labour History Archive and Study Centre (LHASC) is the only
specialist repository for the political wing of the Labour movement.
It holds records for working class political organisations from
the Chartists to New Labour. Website: www.peopleshistorymuseum.org.uk.
- Public
Record Searches
A service offered by a professional researcher who will search
records held by the London Public Record Office for family histories
of individuals who served in the military, the navy or in colonial
positions in 17th to 19th centuries. Website: www.users.dircon.co.uk/~searcher.
- Quaker
Family History Society
Information on the records held by the Society of Friends, a British-based
society.
Website: http://www.qfhs.co.uk.
- Rochdale
Local Studies Library
Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ.
Tel: 01706-864915. Email: localstudies@rochdale.gov.uk
Archival material includes Municipal and other Administrative
records, Trades Union and Political Records, Rochdale Pioneers
Minutes, Industrial and Commercial Records, Manor Records, Family
Records. They also carry, on microfilm, local census returns,
parish registers, Burgess Rolls, 1858-1881, Wills 1553-1810, as
well as Poor Law and Landowners records.
Website: www.rochdale.gov.uk/living/libraries.asp?url=lslocs
- Salford
City Archives Service
Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford
M5 4WU.
Tel: 0161-736 2649. Fax: 0161-745 9490. Email: salford.museum@salford.gov.uk.
The Archive holds a huge collection of photographs, documents
and newspapers relating to Salford's past. These include Local
authority records including Poor Law Union, Public records including
Quarter Sessions, Coroner (Salford City) transferred to Greater
Manchester County Record Office, Religious including Nonconformist,
Family records, Trade Unions and details of societies and charities.
Website: www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gmguide/reposit.htm.
- Scottish
Record Offices and Archives on the Web
Arranged alphabetically by county. Website: http://www.oz.net/~markhow/scotsros.htm.
- Society
of Genealogists
Our Library is the foremost in the British Isles with a large
collection of family histories, civil registration and census
material, and the widest collection of Parish Register copies
in the country (over 9,000). They are arranged with local histories,
poll books and directories, other topographical material, and
the publications of county records. Website: www.sog.org.uk.
- Stockport
Archive Service
The Archivist, Central Library, Wellington Road South, Stockport
SK1 3RS.
Tel: 0161- 474 4530. Email: localheritage.library@stockport.gov.uk.
Keeps Local authority records, Public records including Borough
Magistrates Court, Hospital records, Family records including
the Bradshaw-Isherwood estate, and publishes a Guide to Stockport
Family History. Website: www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gmguide/reposit.htm
.
- Tameside
Archive Service
Closed on October 9th 2004 for 3 months during move to a brand
new building next to the Central Library, Old Street in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Tel: 0161-338 2708 and 3831. Fax: 0161-303 8289.
Email: archives@mail.tameside.gov.uk
Keeps Local authority records including Turnpike Trust (Saltersbrook),
Public records including Hospital, Religious records including
Nonconformist, Family records including Clarke family of Hyde,
Stamford estate, Business including Trade Unions and Manchester
Regiment archives. Also offers a free guide to the archive collection:
"Tracing your Family".
Website: www.tameside.gov.uk/leisure/new/lh23.htm.
- Trafford
Library Local Studies Service
The Local Studies Librarian, Trafford Local Studies Centre, Sale
Library,
Sale Waterside, Sale M33 7ZF. Tel: 0161-912 3013. Email: trafflocals@trafford.gov.uk.
Records include St. Catherine's House Index 1837-2000, Census
Returns for the Trafford District 1841-1901, Parish Registers
on microfilm, Local Newspapers, maps, Gas Industry Genealogical
Index, Rate Books, Electoral Registers, Local Authority records,
Local Societies and a photographic collection. Offers 2 guides
for free: "Trafford Local Studies and Archives" and
"Sources for Family History".
Website: www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gmguide/reposit.htm .
- UKBMD
- UK Births, Marriages & Deaths
This site provides links to many websites that offer online details
of births, marriages and deaths and offers links to many UK census
transcriptions. You can also select and search for websites that
are dedicated to providing online information for genealogists
researching births, marriages and deaths in the UK. Website: www.ukbmd.org.uk.
- UK
Family History Online
Links to public records, registers, plus news, events, and advice.
Website: www.familyrecords.gov.uk.
- UK
Family History Research
A comprehensive genealogy service, tracing family history throughout
UK.
Website: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/gordonh/index.html.
- UK
Family Search
Free online search databases and other resources for those researching
their family tree.
Website: http://users.breathe.co.uk/mjack/
- UK Genealogy
- Lancashire
Includes old maps, UK genealogy search facility, Electoral Roll
search, Birth Adoption Records and other useful information for
family searches. Website: www.ukgenealogy.co.uk/lan.htm.
- UK
Genealogy
Portal for UK research. Website: www.ukgenealogy.co.uk.
- UK
Genealogy, Heraldry & History
Free United Kingdom genealogy resources online including parish
registers, herald's visitations and a name database. Website:
www.uk-genealogy.org.uk.
- UK
Genealogy Webring
Containing an index of Web pages relating to genealogy or family
history, site submit facility and contact information. Website:
www.kbnet.co.uk/brianp/webring.html.
- UK
Place Names
Searchable database comprising more than 60,000 UK placenames.
Website: www.digital-documents.co.uk/archi/placename.htm
.
- UK
Ancestor
A family and local history directory, specific to the UK. Includes
forums, projects, transcriptions and extracts, links & more.
Website: www.ukancestor.com.
- United
Kingdom & Ireland Records
United Kingdom and Ireland Records. Searchable database contains
records of births, marriages, deaths and censuses, etc. Website:
http://userdb.rootsweb.com/uki.
- Universities
Consortium of Research Libaries (COPAC)
Copac, based at the University of Manchester, is a union catalogue
which provides free access to the merged online catalogues of
24 major university research libraries in the UK and Ireland,
as well as the British Library, the National Library of Scotland,
and the National Library of Wales/Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru.
Website: http://copac.ac.uk.
- Wales
- The Family Business
A genealogical and historical research service for North Wales
and the surrounding region.
Website: www.thefamily-business.co.uk.
- War Records
1914-1918
Death indices for all WWI battles, army lists, roll calls &
records. www.findmypast.com.
- Webster
Genealogy Research Site
Search facilities of the 1881 census and links to websites in
the UK.
Website: www.webby1.fsnet.co.uk.
- Wigan
Family & Local History Society
Wigan
Family History Society now meet at the Lady Bowes Lyon public
house (the old Labour Club) at Beech Hill, Wigan every third Tuesday
of the month (7.30 for 8.00 pm start) except July and August.
External speakers on history related topics and members' evenings
with a mini-talk. Our aim is to provide support, help, ideas and
advice for members and non-members alike. Attendance fee is £1.00
for members and £1.50 for visitors. Light refreshments are
served after the meeting which usually last about one hour.
Tel: Sharon
Weir (Hon Secretary): 01942 740369.
Email: sharon.weir@blueyonder.co.uk. Website: www.wiganworld.co.uk.
- Wigan
Record Office
Contact: The Archivist, Town Hall, Leigh, Wigan WN7 2DY.
Tel: 01942-404430. Fax: 01942-404425. Email: heritage@wlct.org
Collection includes Local authority records including Poor Law
Unions for Leigh and Wigan, Public records including Quarter Sessions
and Petty Sessions, Coroner reports, Hospital records, Census
microfilms, Religious records including Parish, Methodist and
other Nonconformist churches, Family records including Anderton
of Ince, Crawford of Haigh estate, Holt, Leigh family, Standish
of Standish, The Edward Hall collection of diaries, Trade Unions
records and societies. Offers a range of guides to the archives
and specialist local topics. Website www.wlct.org/Culture/Heritage/archives.htm.
- World
War I Records
Find your ancestors for free - Search 350 million records. www.GenesReunited.co.uk/war/records.
- Yorkshire:
Huddersfield & District Family History Society
The Society caters particularly for those researching and with
interests in the Metropolitan District of Kirklees, which comprises
Batley, Colne Valley, Denby Dale, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Holme
Valley, Kirkburton, Meltham, Mirfield and Spen Valley. Within
its boundaries lie the 11 ancient parishes of Almondbury, Batley,
Birstall, Dewsbury, Emley, Hartshead, Huddersfield, Kirkburton,
Kirkheaton, Mirfield and Thornhill. Website: www.hdfhs.org.uk.
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