Overview
Birmingham Archives and Collections holds records about Birmingham's history, its people, organisations and communities.
The collections include archives, photographs, maps, local studies material and rare books. Records date from the 12th century to the present day.
You can use these collections to research family history, explore local history or understand how the city has developed over time.
Collections include:
- archives from organisations, businesses and individuals
- local studies material
- photography collections
- maps and plans
- rare books and early printed works
Records are collected and preserved in different formats, including paper, digital files, images and film. They are managed so they can be used now and kept safe for the future.
Records are:
- collected and catalogued
- preserved for long-term access
- made available with supporting information
- used as evidence for legal and official purposes
New material is added each year to reflect life in Birmingham today and to support future research.
Page last updated: 15 May 2026
