Barnsley Archives and Local Studies exists to preserve and make available historic records and printed material relating to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough. We aim to provide a customer focussed service, working hard to make more records available and increase the resources we offer. First established in 1987, Barnsley Archives merged with the Local Studies Library in 1998 to form a joint service.
The department holds a wealth of archives, documenting the history of the borough from the 12th to 21st centuries. We also hold copies of items held elsewhere which relate to the borough, such as parish registers, title deeds, wills, photographs, maps and newspapers. These are all available for public access. We hope that this site will answer most questions about the resources available and the work of the department. If you have any further questions or comments about the service, please do not hesitate to email us at archives@barnsley.gov.uk.
How To Find Us
We are located on the top floor of the Barnsley Central Library and our address is:
Barnsley Archives and Local Studies
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Barnsley Central Library
Shambles Street
Barnsley
South Yorkshire
S70 2JF
Location Map of Barnsley Central Library
Telephone: (01226) 773950
Fax: (01226) 773955
E-mail Archives@barnsley.gov.uk
Who Can Use Our records?
Everyone is welcome to use our Searchroom to consult our records.
They are often used by people with a wide variety of interests, including:
- the research of local and family history
- house history
- school and college projects
Opening Hours
- Monday 9.30 am - 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm - 7.00 pm
- Tuesday 9.30 am - 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm - 5.30 pm
- Wednesday 9.30 am - 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm - 6.00 pm
- Thursday 9.30 am - 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm - 5.30 pm
- Friday 9.30 am - 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm - 5.30 pm
- Saturday 9.30 am - 1.00 pm
Access is available to all members of the public.
How Can You Help?
We are always interested to hear of any documents, maps, illustrations or photographs relating to the Borough which are of historical interest. We are prepared to offer advice on their preservation and can accept records gifts or loans. Please contact us for further information. You can also help us by adhering to the following rules:
- Readers are asked to handle documents with care and not mark them.
- Pencils only must be used.
- Only a notepad and/or loose paper is allowed into the Searchroom.
- No eating, drinking or smoking.
- All bags and coats to be left in the appropriate place.
- No documents can be requested within 15 minutes of closing on an evening and all material including microfiche and microfilm must be returned 5 minutes before closing.
- No photocopying to be done within 10 minutes of closing time.
- Archive items must only be looked at on the appropriate tables.
The Barnsley Archives and Local Studies Department promise to:
- always have a member of staff available to help you when you visit our Department
- always answer your enquiries by letter or email within 10 working days or by telephone or in person within 5 working days
- produce your photocopies and reader printer copies within 5 working days
- produce your photographic and map copies within 4 weeks
- bring material in from our outstores for you to study within 2 weeks
- make any document available for you to research, or warn of any delays or restriction within 5 minutes
- take all steps possible to protect, preserve and conserve all documents deposited with us
- continue to work towards the standards for the care of all historic records laid down in British Standard 5454 and by the Royal commission on Historical Manuscripts
- provide you with indexes and catalogues and other forms of finding aids to help you identify the records you need for your research
- organise at least one exhibition every year
- continue our outreach programme by giving talks to local groups and having school classes visit the Department
- keep you advised of all the Department's activities through our Archives and Local Studies Notice Board and Newsletter
- we will check the Internet every 2 weeks for new useful websites and produce an information leaflet
We Welcome Your Comments
- on the information in these pages and how easy you found it to use
- on the services we provide
You can make your comments or complaints either by
- talking to a member of staff
- filling in one of our Comments or Suggestions forms
- filling in our Praise and Grumbles Book
- filling in an official 'Complaints against the council' form
The Archives and Local Studies Department has a User Representative Group. This Group consists of 10 members of the public who offer advice views and comments to the Archives and Local Studies Staff. This group has contributed to many of the improvements in the Department since it's formation in 1999.
As well as allowing people to come and use the materials in the search room for their own research, there are also a number of services that the departments staff can provide to make your search easier. These are listed below.
Postal Enquires
As well as putting queries to us in person, it is also possible for you to mail us with any questions, or research you would like us to carry out on your behalf. We will then post our findings back to you. However, please note that we are unable to carry out extended research.
There is a charge of £1.00 for all postal enquiries plus the cost of any prints and return postage.
Barnsley Biography
As part of the Experience Barnsley project, which will see Barnsley Archives and Local Studies moving into the Town Hall in 2012 to form part of the new Barnsley Museum and Archives Centre, we are compiling a Barnsley Biography. The biography will remember local people, past and present. Let us know about anyone you think could be included. Tell us who they are and what you know about them. They don't have to be famous! The form can be downloaded below, completed and then emailed to experiencebarnsley@barnsley.gov.uk. Alternatively, it can be handed in at any of the borough's libraries. If you do have a photograph of the person, you can attach it to the email (jpeg format preferred). An example of a completed biography form can also be found below for guidance.
Reference: PID448
