Coventry Archives - Print version

Coventry Archives consists of the archives and Local Records Office and is a treasure trove of information on the history of Coventry and its citizens from medieval times to the present.

The huge range of original documents includes books, maps, newspapers, electoral registers and building plans. Photographs, oral history, microfilms and internet sources provide further evidence of the history of the city and the people who have lived here.

Whether you're researching for school or college projects, university dissertations, family history or just want to know more about the history of your house, the Coventry Archives is an invaluable free resource and an essential destination.

Visit the Coventry Archives' website [https://www.theherbert.org/history_centre/our_services.aspx] for more information.

Deposits and donations to the city

The following information is about making deposits, donations and bequests to the City Archives. It also deals with how to take out and see city records kept there.

Deposits, donations, and bequests to the History Centre

Most of our archive collections are deposited or donated by organisations and individuals either based in the city or who have a connection with it. We encourage donations of materials, but some people and organisations prefer to remain as the owner and just deposit items with us.

Our main aim is to make sure that archives are preserved as part of the city's heritage. We are also keen that local and family historians and others researching any area of the history of Coventry and its people, make use of them. Some archives, however, have to remain closed for a variety of reasons, for example, the people they refer to are still alive.

Archives come in a number of forms, such as written documents, photographs, audio and video recordings and electronic records. If you have items that you feel might be of interest for historical reasons, please let us know by using the details below. Documents held in the History Centre archives are kept in fire-protected strongrooms in carefully controlled atmospheric conditions to preserve them for the future.

All documents are held under our standard Terms of Deposit.

Withdrawal of records

A depositor can temporarily withdraw his/her records at any time if they give reasonable notice to the History Centre.

A depositor can permanently withdraw their records at any time if they give reasonable notice to the History Centre. During this period, the Council has the right to copy the records and to make the copies available for private research.

But because a long-term loan runs for at least 50 years, a depositor who permanently withdraws their records before that time might have to pay towards Council costs in storing, listing and conserving the records. Where records are withdrawn for sale, the Council asks for the first refusal to buy them.

Access to records

Records will be made available to the public for research during the advertised opening hours of the History Centre and in line with search room rules, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Archives staff will work within laws on public access to records. Depositors can discuss their own access rights with the City Archivist.

Family history

There are a huge number of resources available to help you research your family's and your city's history. In this section, you will find details of places to visit in Coventry and useful links to search for more information online. Coventry History Centre [https://www.theherbert.org/history_centre/our_services.aspx] is the main place to visit for this type of information, but all Coventry libraries have books on local history and allow free computer access to the Ancestry library.

Coventry Register Office

At the Register Office [/registeroffice] 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. You can order a copy certificate [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/applycopycertificate] online.

National Index of births, deaths and marriages

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) hold a national, central register of birth, deaths and marriages dating back to 1837. The national index references (formerly known as St Catherine's House index) are different from those used in Register Offices so quoting their reference on an application to a Register Office is of no help. However, they do confirm that the event occurred in a particular registration district, although the sub-district is not indicated. It is very helpful for marriages in particular therefore to have a connection to a place, parish or religious denomination.

The registers are fragile documents and cannot be searched or viewed by the public but it is possible for you to search indexes. There is a fee for this and arrangements should be made with the Superintendent Registrar. If you plan to visit any of the offices please call to make an appointment.

Sources of Records before 1 July 1837

Before 1 July 1837, the principal means of recording births (or baptisms), marriages and deaths (or burials) were parish registers kept by clergymen of the Church of England. The best way to trace them is to get in touch with the City Archivist at Coventry History Centre. The City Archivist also holds a number of other records useful in researching family history, including Methodist registers of baptisms, marriages and burials.

Coventry Family History Society [http://www.covfhs.org/] also has a wide range of indexes, census records and other material as well as a comprehensive store of local and background information.