Staffordshire Record Office

Staffordshire Record Office collects and preserves documents and other materials relating to the history of Staffordshire and the city of Stoke on Trent over the past 1000 years and makes them accessible to the public. 

The Office collections were awarded Designated Status.  Any collection must be evidentially, aesthetically, scientifically, historically, culturally, literally, or economically important to achieve this status.

These records include documents, manuscripts, maps and photographs.

The Office also holds records from public authorities.

The Archive is situated in Eastgate Street, behind the William Salt Library.  It is accessible via the archway located across from the end of Tipping Street.

Whatever the reason for your visit, whether you wish to research the history of a house, conduct research for a school, college or university assignment, study your family history or are interested in local history, you will the documents held of use.  

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

If you have documents relating to the history of Staffordshire you would like to donate to the Archive, they would love to hear from you.

Information about Staffordshire Record Office

Collections

For information regarding their collections, please peruse their sources for family historians.  Sources held by the Office include:

• Cemetery Records
• Census Returns and Indexes
• Divorce Indexes
• Electoral Registers
• GRO Index 1837-1960
• IGI (International Genealogical Index)
• Nonconformist Registers
• Parish Poor Law Records
• Parish Registers
• Records of Poor Law Unions, 1837-1930
• Roman Catholic Registers

Staffordshire Names Indexes are also available, which include:

• Calendars of Prisoners at Staffordshire Quarter Sessions 177-1880
• Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry Wills 1650-1730
• Manor of Newcastle Copyhold Tenants 1700-1832
• Staffordshire Apprentices 1600-1900
• Staffordshire Police Force Registers 1842-1920
• Workhouse Admissions and Discharges 1836-1900

Opening Times

To discover more about their Opening Hours, please visit the appropriate section of the Office’s overview page.

Location and Directions

No car park is available at Staffordshire Records Office.  The nearest long-stay car park is off North Walls. There are however 2 parking spaces available at the Office for orange or blue badge holders.

Further parking is available for disabled readers at the nearby councillor’s car park, but only if circumstances allow.  If you are disabled, or have mobility issues, you are advised to contact the Office in advance to see if there are parking spaces available.

If you cycle to the Archive, three bicycle racks are available for Office users.

Staffordshire Records Office is approximately ten minutes walk from Stafford railway station.

Buses have to stop at different points around the town centre because Stafford does not have a bus station.

Booking

It is necessary to make an appointment to visit Staffordshire Record Office, and also to ensure the resources you are interested in are held as some resources are held off-site and 48 hours notice is required if you wish to consult them.

It is important to tell them what medium the documents you wish to consult are on, whether you plan to consult a map or use a laptop.  You also have to tell them how many people are coming, and whether you have any special requirements such as wheelchair access.

Photography and Photocopying

You are allowed to use your own camera in Staffordshire Record Office, but before taking any photographs you have to purchase a camera permit.  

Flash photography and the use of tripods is not permitted.  If you wish to use a tripod or other photographic equipment, you have to make arrangements with the reading room staff.  

Some documents cannot be photographed because they are fragile and easily damaged.  Copyright legislation also applies, so you have to complete a Copyright Declaration form.

If you wish, Office staff can take photographs on your behalf, but they make a charge to people taking advantage of this service.  

Scanning of documents can also be carried out by their Digital Reprographics Officer; they can provide a digital image or high quality print.  

Scanning of case-bound volumes, parchment documents, maps, large documents and fragile documents is unavailable.

Photocopying of documents can be carried out by office staff, but restrictions apply because of copyright laws and the condition of the document concerned. 

They are not able to copy case-bound volumes, multi-membrane parchment documents, maps and documents exceeding 60cm x 90 cm.  

The Office makes a charge to people using this service.  You also have to complete an order form before copies can be made.

If you wish to publish an image on a website, exhibition, display or in the media such as a television program, you have to obtain permission from the County Archivist, who will then attempt to obtain permission from the owner of the document. 

Staffordshire Record Office makes a charge to people using this service.

If you wish to obtain a printout of your own baptism, confirmation or marriage, this can also be arranged, on payment of a fee.

Accessibility

Disabled readers are asked to please use the rear entrance gate off North Walls.  So the car park barrier can be lifted, you have to use the intercom system at this entrance.

Refreshments

Eating establishments are available in Stafford, approximately 10 minutes (½ mile) walk from the Office.

Research Service

The Archive offers a research service for anyone unable to visit in person, in which, for a fee, they are prepared to conduct research on your behalf.

Staffordshire Archives Shop

Staffordshire Record Office has a shop where some publications are available for sale, which include:

• Advanced Guide to Family History
• Air Force Record for Family Historians
• Army Service Records of the First World War
• Family History for Beginners
• Guides to Sources
• List of Families in the Archdeaconry of Stafford, 1532-3
• Places in Peculiar Jurisdictions within the Diocese of Lichfield
• Staffordshire Advertiser – Index to Births, Marriages and Deaths 1795-1820
• Staffordshire Census Returns in Libraries and Local Studies Centres
• Staffordshire Registration Districts
• The Parish Chest
• Tracing Ancestors in North Staffordshire
• Tracing Your Naval Ancestors
• Tracing Your Second World War Ancestors

Readers’ Tickets

Staffordshire Record Office does not accept Archives Cards, so you will have to bring proof of identity and address with you when you first visit.

Acceptable documents include a driving licence, utility bill or official letter.

You also have to fill in a registration card, so that they can issue you with a reader’s ticket, which is valid for two years.

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For further details regarding Record Offices in Staffordshire, please visit my pages regarding Dudley Archives, Sandwell Community History and Archive Service, Stoke on Trent City Archives and Walsall Local History Centre.