Records and archives

Welcome to the Bristol’s City Record Office home page, your access to over 800 years of Bristol’s historic archives.

Industrial Action - July 2008

Due to industrial action the Bristol Record Office will be closed on 16 & 17 July 2008. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Please note the Bristol and Avon Family History Society Research Room will be open as normal on both days.

Who we are and what we do

We look after the documents, maps, plans, photographs and film which tell Bristol’s story. You can find out more on the 800 Years of Bristol's History web page.

Now available online -
Handlist of Parish Registers, Nonconformist Registers and Bishop's Transcripts

This handlist gives the dates of the registers of baptisms, marriages and burials of all the Anglican parishes and nonconformist chapels and the Bishop's Transcripts held at Bristol Record Office. Click here for more details

Artist in residence 2007

Keep up to date with our third artist in residence, Colin Higginson, by visiting his regularly updated blog. Join him on his journey through the archives and contribute to his thoughts and processes by commenting on his latest findings.

Visiting in person

You are welcome to visit our spacious searchroom to consult documents yourself. Friendly staff are on hand to advise. You can arrange a visit and view our opening hours.

Online catalogue

Our catalogue is online 24 hours a day to enable you to find out whether we have the records that you need. Please read the help section for tips on how to maximise your success of finding a document. If you are unable to visit the Record Office we may be able to copy the item you wish to see. Please contact us stating the reference number and we will send you a quotation.

Research Service

Many of our existing visitors and enquirers will be aware that for many years we operated a Research Service for people who were unable to visit the Record Office in person. Unfortunately, we have had to temporarily suspend this service. Please click here for details.

Community, Outreach and Inclusion

Bristol Record Office is committed to being socially inclusive and ensuring that its services are accessible and relevant to all people in Bristol. Click here to find out about the work of our Outreach, Learning and Inclusion Archivist.

Bristol Black Archives Partnership

The Bristol Black Archives Partnership is an alliance of African-Caribbean organisations and individuals; the City's Museums, Galleries and Archives Service, Libraries Service and Equalities Unit; the England's Past for Everyone (EPE) history team at the University of the West of England; HM Lord Lieutenant of Bristol and others committed to protecting local black history.

Bristol Wills Index 1792 - 1858

*NEW* These pages previously only featured a name index to wills proved at Bristol between 1793 and 1858. Now we have added the index for the year 1792. The years included on these pages will be added to regularly, working backwards in time from 1792. Click here to see the index.

Digitisation Bureau

The Bristol Digitisation Bureau can provide digital copies of documents that interest you. Email bro@bristol.gov.uk if you would like to make use of this service.

Bristol and Avon Family History Society

The Bristol and Avon Family History Society Research Room is based at Bristol Record Office. Click here for more details.

Desert Island Docs

We invite an archivist or special guest of the Record Office to pick a document and tell us why it's their favourite. Find out about some of the quirky and exciting treasures you may not have even known existed. Click here to discover the first document to be chosen...

Contact us

Bristol Record Office
'B' Bond Warehouse
Smeaton Road
Bristol
BS1 6XN

Tel: 0117 922 4224
Fax: 0117 922 4236
Email: bro@bristol.gov.uk

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records and archives