Welcome to Birmingham Archives and Heritage Service
We collect and preserve both original and printed records of historical significance relating to the city of Birmingham, its people, its businesses, institutions and societies, dating from the 12th to the 21st century.
Birmingham Archives and Heritage
Central Library
Chamberlain Square
Birmingham
B3 3HQ
Tel: 0121 303 4549
Email: archives.heritage@birmingham.gov.uk
Location map | New!Opening Times | Closure Details for Public Holidays
Birmingham Archives and Heritage online catalogue - learn more
Our Service is split into two areas:
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Open Access Area for printed local and family history, genealogy, maps, local newspapers Current open access area opening times from December 12 2011 Wednesday 10am – 6pm
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Archives Searchroom for archival collections, photographs, early printed material ( Reader’s Ticket required ) It is now essential to book an appointment to use the archives searchroom. Current Archives Searchroom opening times from December 12 2011: We currently offer two sessions each of the days we are open, 10am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm, closing for lunch between 1pm – 2pm. Appointments can be made via email at: archives.appointments@birmingham.gov.uk Or by telephone : 0121 303 2468
The Birmingham Archives & Heritage online catalogue now has over 1500 collections for you to browse. Search the online catalogue now in preparation for your visit: http://calmview.birmingham.gov.uk |
What's new in Archives and Heritage?
Important notices
New! Revised Opening Arrangements
'The Iron Room' - a new blog from Birmingham Archives & Heritage
Written by the staff of Birmingham Archives & Heritage, the blog will reveal aspects from behind the scenes, showcase material from the collections, and keep you up-to-date with relevant news and information on events and projects connected to the city's heritage and its archives.The title of this blog comes from the name of a two-storey strongroom in the Old Reference Library, where the many treasures were safeguarded. The Iron Room was reached by a spiral staircase "up and down which... staff members charge each day in relentless search for knowledge" (Birmingham Post, 9 July 1966).
Parish Registers
A list of the Anglican parish registers held by Birmingham Archives and Heritage is now available below. If you are planing a visit to use the parish registers, please check the attached document to see if you need to book a microfilm reader or make an appointment to use the archive searchroom.
Parish Registers at Archives and Heritage
Genealogy Paid Research Service
Birmingham Archives and Heritage are no longer able to offer a paid genealogy research service. This is due to our current genealogist leaving her post, which will result in the post being vacant for the foreseeable future. We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause.
We are happy to handle basic genealogical queries, for example, advising you what records we hold and making recommendations for your visit. These can be directed by e-mail to archives.heritage@birmingham.gov.uk, or by post to the address above.
More information about family history research.
Access to archive collections in off-site storage
Please note that the following archival collections are now stored off-site and are unavailable:
MS 944 Records of Severn Trent Water Company
WMCC Records of West Midlands County Council
MS 2680 Records of Webster & Horsfall Ltd., spring steel wire manufacturers
For more details, please follow this link: Access to archive collections in off-site storage
Archives and Heritage Document of the Month
'Bulletin - Birmingham Public Libraries May 1963
Camera use in Birmingham Library and Archives
From 1st April 2011, Birmingham Library and Archives will introduce a small charge for self-service photography of library and archive material. This charge is being introduced to ensure compliance with copyright legislation. Users wishing to take photographs with their own camera can purchase a day permit from the enquiry counter. The charge for a day permit is £2.00. More details about using a camera in Archives and HeritageSelf Service
This is now in place for General Register Office [GRO] indexes, the International Genealogical Index [IGI] and Census returns. More details about self service in Archives and Heritage
Now on Sale! £5 - Journey to your past: a guide to family history sources. Purchase your copy of our new family history pack via post or from Birmingham Archives & Heritage, floor 6, Birmingham Central Library.
Events
Lunctime Local History Lectures - Every second Tuesday of the month between 1-2pm
Archives and Heritage-Document of the month
Newsletters - Read all our latest news in the Archives and Heritage Newsletter
The British Organ Archive is moving
The British Organ Archive [administered by BIOS] is moving to a new home in the Cadbury Research Library at Birmingham University. This Collection is now closed to the public until the move has been completed.
Want to get involved?
FOBAH
Want to get involved? Become a Friend of Birmingham Archives and Heritage -www.fobah.org.uk
Information You Need
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What to do before you visit: Planning your visit, User’s Checklist Archives & Heritage on floor 6 is split into two areas: The Open Access Area has printed local and family history sources: Open Access Area, Family History, Local History, Maps The Archives Searchroom has archival collections, photographs, early printed material: Our collections in Archives and Heritage, Archives Searchroom - about us, Access to Closed Records, Archives - Ticket Requirements Appointments can be made via email at: archives.appointments@birmingham.gov.ukor by telephone : 0121 303 2468 We welcome enquiries about our services and the records in our care. Please follow the links for information about how we will handle your enquiries: Genealogy and Family History, Archives and Heritage Enquiry Service For information about Outreach and online heritage resources generated using our collections, please follow the links: Archives and Heritage Projects and Outreach, Our Collections in Archives and Heritage |