Herefordshire Record Office

Herefordshire Record Office has approximately 7800 archive collections relating to the history of the area.  

Dating from the 13th century, these cover two miles of shelving and include documents relating to Hereford, Herefordshire and the diocese of Hereford. 

Parishes in Herefordshire, South Shropshire and parts of Worcestershire, Monmouthshire and Powys are covered by the diocese of Hereford. 

These parishes include Old Radnor, Presteigne and Discoed in Powys, and Dixton and Wyesham in Monmouthshire.

They hold resources on a wide range of medium, from books and microform to electronic databases and indexes. 

Historic records of Herefordshire Council are also held by the Office.

Whether you wish to study your family history, research the history of a house, discover more about your local area or community or conduct research for a school, college or university assignment, you will find the documents held of use.  

The staff are always on hand to help should you need advice and assistance.

Information about Herefordshire Record Office

Collections

For information about their collections, please visit their collections page.  From this page it is possible to access a wills index, which includes entries extracted from Hereford Diocese Probate Act Books 1700-1858 and Hereford Deanery Probate Act Books 1660-1858.

Their collections include:

• Court Books (Instance) 1491-1636, 1662-1829 (cases brought by one lay person against another)
• Court Books 1407-1639, 1662-1882 (Cases brought by the church authorities against an individual)
• Diocesan Probate records
• Electoral registers
• Glebe Terriers 1589-1636
• Hereford Diocese Bishop’s Transcripts
• Herefordshire Census records 1841-1901
• Herefordshire parish registers
• Herefordshire Quarter Sessions

Collections also incorporate:

• Land Tax records
• Local Government Records
• Maps
• Marriage bonds and allegations 1661-1982
• National Probate Calendars 1858-1935
• PCC Wills Indexes 1853-1857
• Poor Law records
• Tithe maps and apportionments 1836-1850s
• Wills pre 1858

It is also possible to search their collections using their online catalogue.  They also have Diocesan documents which include:

• Bishop’s registers 1275-1992
• Bishop’s transcripts 1650-1850
• Court books (instance) 1491-1636, 1662-1829
• Court books (office) 1407-1639, 1662-1882
• Faculties
• Glebe terriers
• Marriage bonds and allegations for Hereford Diocese (marriage licences) 1661-1982
• Tithe maps and apportionments 1836-1850s
• Wills pre-1858

The Archive also holds parish registers, but some parish registers are unavailable, which include:Bosbury (Microfilm)Donnington (in Gloucestershire Record Office)Hereford St John the Baptist (in Hereford Cathedral Archives)Tupsley

Booking

It is prudent to book before visiting because some of their Collections are held off-site. Booking is also necessary if you wish to use a microfilm or microfiche reader.

Opening Hours

Opening hours can be found by going to their visiting Herefordshire Archives and Record Centre page. 

Location and Directions

If you are travelling by car, a car park is available adjacent to the archives, where there are also spaces for blue badge holders. 

Accessibility

The Office has a height-adjustable desk that is available for use by visitors to the Archive.  

A loop system is installed in their Learning Room.

Photography and Photocopying

You can take photocopies of documents, but must ask the permission of a member of staff before doing so because some documents cannot be photocopied if doing so could damage them and because of copyright laws.

You are able to use your own camera in the Office, but must obtain a photography permit before taking any photographs.  Some documents cannot be photographed because they are fragile and easily damaged.

Refreshments

There is an area where you may eat and drink, but no cafe is available on-site.

Research Service

If you unable to visit personally, the Office offers a research service, which includes genealogical enquiries, transcriptions of documents, local history research, house histories and photocopying of documents.

Facebook Account

The Archives has a Facebook page, @herefordshirearchives, where they provide information regarding the Office and any future events.  They also answer visitors’ queries.

Readers’ Tickets

Herefordshire Archives accepts the Archives Card