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Archives and local history

photo: an illuminated manuscript

There are a huge number of resources available for you to research your family and Coventry's history. On this page you will find details of places to visit in Coventry and useful links to search for more information on the internet.

Coventry Archives

Coventry Archives will be closed from 28 April 2008 until the opening of the new History Centre in August 2008.

The last date for production of documents from offsite storage areas is 11 April 2008. The closure will enable staff to prepare collections for the move. 

For further information, call 024 7678 5164.

Coventry Archives offers a wealth of information with access to:

  • City charters and other archives of the local authority
  • School, hospital, business and church records
  • Property plans submitted for local planning approval
  • Building and architects plans, Ordnance Survey and local maps
  • Sources for family historians including census and IGI
  • Electorate rolls
  • Cards for cancelled vehicle registrations

Coventry Archives have relocated to the Canal Basin whilst the new History Centre is being constructed as part of the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum development.

Information on deposits, donations, and bequests to Coventry Archives.

Further information:

Address: Coventry Archives, John Sinclair House, Canal Basin, Coventry, CV1 4LY
Telephone: 024 7678 5164
Fax: 024 7655 1617
e-mail: archives@coventry.gov.uk
Website: Coventry Archives

Please ring 024 7678 5164 to check opening times and availability of documents before visiting.

Coventry Local Studies Library

From 1 April 2008 a limited service is available please visit our History Centre page for details.

Local Studies houses the Coventry and Warwickshire Collection which contains books, pamphlets, newspapers, photographs, maps on the history of the city and the county of Warwickshire before 1974.

Further information:

Address: Local Studies Library, Central Library, Smithford Way, Coventry CV1 1FY
Telephone: 024 7683 2314
Minicom: 024 7683 2395
Fax: 024 7683 2440

Coventry Register Office

At the Register Office you will be able to find out information on births, marriages and deaths registered in Coventry since 1837. For marriages you need to know the parish before applying for a copy certificate. 

Address: Coventry Register Office, Cheylesmore Manor House, Manor House Drive, Coventry CV1 2ND
Telephone: 024 7683 3129
E-mail: registeroffice@coventry.gov.uk
Website: www.coventry.gov.uk/registeroffice

Useful local history and heritage links

Coventry Family History Society

Coventry Family History Society specialises in research in the Coventry area and can supply a wide range of books and CDs to help with your research.

Website: www.covfhs.org (external)

Historic Coventry

An interesting website produced by local Cov Kid Rob Orland featuring plenty of history on Coventry with maps, photos and links to other local sites to visit.
Website: www.historiccoventry.co.uk (external)

Birmingham and Midlands Genealogy Society

The Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry is the principal family history society for the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
Website: www.bmsgh.org (external)

Family Record Office

This site, provided by the Family Records Consortium, aims to help you find the government records and other sources you need for your family history research. The site is divided into two main sections, where you can find information on births, marriages & deaths, census, migration etc. and information on each member of the Family Records Consortium.
Website: www.familyrecords.gov.uk (external)

Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Family History Society

Website: www.nnwfhs.org.uk (external)

Warwickshire County Record Office

Warwickshire County Record Office has just launched its online catalogue, Warwickshire's Past Unlocked which describes many of the original archives held at Warwickshire County Record Office. Charting over 900 years of Warwickshire's documentary past it provides an electronic signpost to these fascinating documents.

Website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/archivesunlocked. (external)

Warwickshire Family History Society

Established in 1986 to help people everywhere conduct research into their Warwickshire ancestors. They cover the entire county and are the only Family History Society devoted solely to the whole of Warwickshire.
Website: www.wfhs.org.uk (external)

Major Genealogy sites

The 1901 Census for England and Wales

The official genealogy site of the Welsh and English census information for 1901.
Website: www.1901census.nationalarchives.gov.uk (external)

Genuki

A library of genealogical information for England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
Website: www.genuki.org.uk (external)

Roots Web

This site contains extensive interactive guides and numerous research tools for tracing family histories.
Website: www.rootsweb.com (external)

Military Records

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The commission's database listing the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars and the 23,000 cemeteries, memorials and other locations world-wide where they are commemorated. The register can also be searched for details of the 67,000 Commonwealth civilians who died as a result of enemy action in the Second World War.
Website: www.cwgc.org (external)