Berwick-Upon-Tweed Record Office

Berwick-Upon-Tweed Record Office was established in 1980 and was originally a branch of Northumberland County Archives Service.  

The Office holds resources referring to the former borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed, which extended from Berwick to Ellingham, west to Ingram and north to Carham on the River Tweed.

Their resources include Berwick’s Borough Records dating from the 16th century, business records, census returns for North Northumberland 1841-1891 and Northumberland 1901, court records, estate records, nonconformist church records and the records of former District Councils.  

The Archive also holds some family history resources relating to Scotland, which include some Irregular Border marriage registers.

Some parish registers have been indexed by volunteers, and the Office plans to make these publicly accessible in the Reading Room.

Whether you are researching your family history, tracing the history of a house, conducting research for a school, college or university assignment, or studying the history of your local area, you will find the documents held of use.  

The knowledgeable and helpful staff are always on hand to help should you have any questions or require assistance.

Information about Berwick Record Office

Collections

For information regarding their collections and their opening hours, please visit their Home Page.

The Office holds many sources, which include:

• Berwick Freemen Records 1500s-1974: includes Admissions of Freeman and Enrolements of Apprentices
• Civic Cemetery Burial Grounds 1856-1888
• Durham Diocese wills
• Electoral Registers for Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal 1835-1912, 1922-1952, 1975 to present
• GRO Indexes 1837-1955
• International Genealogical Index(IGI)
• Maps and Plans: Town Map of Berwick, Holy Island Map 1792
• Methodist Records (Small Selection)
• Monumental inscriptions from North Northumberland Churchyards
• Newspaperers
• Nonconformist registers
• Parish registers 1600s-1900
• Trade directories 19th and early 20th centuries: these include some private residents

Some Scottish resources are held by the Archive, which include:

• 1851, 1861 and 1901 census microfilms for Berwickshire
• 1881 census indexes for Berwickshire, Roxburghshire, Selkirkshire, Peebleshire, East Lothian and Haddington
• 1891 census indexes – Berwickshire and Roxburghshire
• IGI for Scotland
• Microfilm copies of pre 1855 registers are available for Coldingham, Coldstream, Eyemouth, Hutton, Ladykirk, Mordington, Sprouston and Yetholm
• Pre 1855 Monumental Inscriptions for Berwickshire
• Pre 1855 Old Parish register marriage indexes for Scottish counties
• Pre 1855 Scottish counties Old Parish register baptism indexes for Scottish counties

Some Roman Catholic Registers are held in Barrow Archive, which include:

• Berwick, Our Blessed Lady & St Cuthbert b. 1793-1946, m. 1808-1946, d. 1856-1918
• Haggerston b. 1786-1840, m. 1791-1826, d. 1790-1909
• Wooler, St. Ninian b. 1856-1887 d. 1851-1884

Other Roman Catholic Registers are held by Northumberland Archives.

Wills Indexes 1858-1899 are also available on their site.

Booking

Advance booking must be made if you wish to consult original documents so they can be made available.

Location and Directions

Photography

You can use your own camera in Berwick-Upon-Tweed Record Office, but you must first register as a camera user and sign the Camera User Registration Form.  

The Office makes a charge to people taking advantage of this service, and any photographs must be for personal or study use only.  

If you wish to publish any photographs, you must fill in a Publications Request Form. 

Photography of some records is prohibited because they are fragile and easily damaged.

Accessibility

The Archive is fully accessible to disabled visitors, with a disabled toilet also accessible on site.

Research Service

A research service is offered by the Archive for anyone unable to visit in person.

Other Information

You are able to purchase certain items on microfiche, which include:

• Berwick Apprenticeship Enrolments, 1730-1778, 1770-1851
• Berwick Freemen Admissions 1760-1780, 1780-1806
• Berwick Freeman’s Roll: 1774, 1796, 1859
• Berwick Freemason’s list 1799-1814
• Census Returns
• Nonconformist Registers
• Northumberland Poll Books, 1710, 1721, 1722, 1734, 1747-48, 1774, 1826, 1841
• Parish Registers
• Roman Catholic Registers
• South Northumberland Poll Book: 1832, 1852

Readers’ Tickets

Berwick Archives accepts the Archives Card

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For details of other record offices in Northumberland, please visit my pages regarding Northumberland Archives and Tyne and Wear Archives Service.