Manchester City Council

Please note that the Archives Service is now closed as a result of Central Library's temporary closure for renovation and refurbishment in Spring 2010. However the Local Studies Library and Microfilm Unit is open until 1 April 2010.

Information about Archives and Local Studies services while Central Library is closed.

More information about Central Library's temporary closure.

Archives Catalogue

• Our Archives Catalogue is now available to search on-line

Collection Guides

Official and Public Records

• Manchester City Council and its predecessors (pdf guide)
• Rate Books (pdf guide)
• Court and Prisons
• Cemeteries
• Hospitals
• Poor Law and Workhouses (also covers Industrial schools)
• Schools and School Boards (pdf guide)
• M2002 Ltd (Commonwealth Games)

Church Records

For church registers see our on-line Church Register List for full details

• Church of England Parishes (opens catalogue) 
• Non-conformist Churches (opens catalogue). Includes:
  • Methodist
  • Congregationalist
  • Unitarians
  • Society of Friends / Quakers
  • Baptist
• Diocese of Manchester Registry (opens A2A catalogue)

Community Archives

• Manchester Jewish Community (pdf guide). Please note we also created a list of archives useful for Jewish Genealogy.
• LGBT community
• Ethnic minorities

Private Deposits

• Businesses (pdf guide)
• Political and Trade Union
• Associations, societies, and clubs (opens catalogue)
• Personal, family and, estate (opens catalogue)