Archival research

Unearthing archival material gives exciting glimpses into historical periods, events and/or individuals. Exploring old manuscripts such as letters and diaries, official records, images, maps, books and recorded sound or video can help to bring the past back to life in a vivid way.

There are a few thousand archival collections in the UK. These have been created by a wide variety of organisations and individuals, such as national and local governments, businesses, churches, charities and families. Together they cover a multitude of topic areas of which you can