Montgomeryshire Record Office

Montgomeryshire Record Office is situated in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, and is the official repository for documents relating to the history of Powys.

Powys was created in 1974 from Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and Breconshire and became a unitary county in 1996.  

The Office collects and preserves resources relating to this area, and then make these resources accessible to the public.

Dating from the fourteenth century, these resources cover many different topics, so are useful to anyone interested in conducting research of any type.

Whether you are interested in history of property, village history or conducting genealogical research, the friendly and supportive staff are always prepared to offer guidance if required.

If you have a document you wish to donate, they would love to hear from you.  Documents may be given to the Archive or can be loaned to them if they fall under their collection policy’s criteria.  

The documents will be kept in a controlled environment, the aim being to preserve them permanently to preserve the area’s heritage.  

Information about Montgomeryshire Record Office

Collections

For information regarding their collections, please visit their Home Page.

They hold public records, official records, parish and nonconformist records, deposited and miscellaneous collections and additional and popular records held by the Archive. 

Collections held by the Office incorporate:

• Bishops’ Transcripts
• Census Returns
• Coroners Records
• Electoral Registers
• Estate Records
• Family Papers
• Hospital Records
• Land Tax Records
• National Coal Board Records
• Nonconformist Records
• Parish Registers
• Petty Sessions
• Quarter Sessions
• Trade Directories

Opening Hours

Opening Hours can be found by perusing the appropriate section of their Opening Hours page. If you go to County Hall reception, staff will direct you to the Office.

Location and Directions

A parking permit is required in County Hall Car Park for visitors to Montgomeryshire Record Office. These may be obtained from County Hall Reception or Powys County Archive.  Some disabled spaces are available near to the building.

Booking

Booking is necessary before you visit because of the search-room size.  This is especially important for people travelling some distance.  If you have not heard from them within 5 working days, please contact them by telephone.

Photography

You can take a camera into the Search-room, but they make a charge to people wishing to take advantage of this service, and you are required to fill in a photography permit form.  Restrictions are placed on taking photographs of certain documents become some are fragile and can be easily damaged.

If you wish to publish or exhibit images commercially, you have to fill in their licence for the use of images form and pay the required fee.

Computers

People wishing to use a laptop are also advised to mention this when booking because restrictions may be put into place if many people are using the searchroom.

Accessibility

The building is fully accessible to the disabled.  Disabled toilet facilities are also available.

No hearing loop is installed in the building at present.

Research Service

The Archive offers a research service for anyone unable to visit in person. Information regarding their resources and how they can be used to help with your research is free.  

If you wish the Office to conduct more detailed research on your behalf, they make a charge.  You should fill in the application giving clear information regarding the search you would like them to undertake.

Facebook and Twitter Accounts

Powys Archives is on Facebook, @powysarchives.  They provide details of their collections, events and images using this page.  They also respond to visitors’ queries.

The Office also has a Twitter Account, @PowysArchives.  Using this page, they provide information regarding family history and local history related news, give details of their collections, and interact with their followers.

Readers’ Tickets

Powys County Archive is part of the Archives Wales reader’s ticket scheme.  You will need to bring ID when you first visit, including evidence of your signature, in order to be issued with a card.