New General Information 16/4/09 10:56 Page 1

new general information 16/4/09 10:56 Page 1

Aberdeen City Archives Aberdeen City Archives Aberdeen City Archives Aberdeen City Archives

cemeteries; and architectural drawings and papers relating to Introduction The Archives many City buildings. • the records of local government administration in the for- Aberdeen City Archives exists to collect and preserve Archives consist of documents in many forms and date from mer Counties of Aberdeen, Banff, & Kincardine, including historical records relating to the City of Aberdeen and its the earliest periods of record- collections for 19 burghs dating from the 17th century; locality and to secure significant modern records for future ed history to the present day. school and education records from 1872 onwards; and poor generations. The documents range from relief records 1845-1930. These records are held at Old charters, minutes and accounts Aberdeen House. Poor relief & education records for Moray The unit is part of the Council’s core services (Resources to maps, plans and photo- are also held at Old Aberdeen House. Management) and is staffed by professionally-qualified graphs. Originally, their func- • records held under the charge and superintendence of the archivists who ensure that the records in the City Archives are tion was of a practical and Keeper of the Records of Scotland. These include registers of housed in secure accommodation under suitable environmen- administrative nature but shipping and sea-fishing vessels for the Port of Aberdeen; View of Union Bridge over the Denburn from north tal conditions. many records now constitute the burgh register of sasines from 1484-1809; and kirk ses- a valuable source for the study sion records for St. Nicholas, St. Clement's, St Clement's of all aspects of the history of Fragile material is protected and stored appropriately and Free, Greyfriars and John Knox parishes. North East Scotland. conservation of documents is undertaken by specialists when • deposited collections which include the records of Aberdeen required. The records are sorted and catalogued by staff, and The City Archives houses the congregational churches, Hall Russell shipbuilders, NORCO, made available for use by the public in the City Archives' records of Aberdeen City Aberdeen Endowments Trust, Society of Advocates of searchrooms. Many of our catalogues are also available online Council and its predecessors Aberdeen and George Bennett Mitchell & Son, architects. dating back to the twelfth through the Scottish Archives Network website. • the records of Grampian Valuation Joint Board, comprising century. The wealth of sur- commercial and domestic property valuation rolls, 1855 - viving material for the Royal There are two public searchrooms for the consultation of orig- 1989 and electoral registers, 1911 to the present day, both for Burgh of Aberdeen makes this inal material: one at the Town House in the city centre and the former Grampian Region area. the finest medieval and early one at Old Aberdeen House, to the north of the city. As the modern burgh archive in These records are located at Old Aberdeen House. collections are split between these buildings, please consult Scotland. In addition, the City Paterson’s map of Aberdeen, 1746 with the Duty Archivist when you make your appointment. Archives currently administers Top: Burgh register of sasines the records inherited by 8, 1545-1558 Above: Council register 2, Aberdeenshire Council at Aberdeen coat of arms in stained glass 1408-1414 local government re-organisation in 1996. The Holdings As well as local administrative records, the holdings also include collections of local businesses, churches, charities, vol- untary organisations and individuals which have been deposited for permanent preservation alongside the records of the City and Shire Councils.

Our major holdings are: • local authority records for the City including those relating to the burghs of Aberdeen, Old Aberdeen and Woodside; school and education records; burial records for some city Reverse of seal of King William the Lion on a charter to the Burgh, circa 1200 new general information 16/4/09 10:56 Page 5

Aberdeen City Archives Aberdeen City Archives Aberdeen City Archives

Services to the Public Town House Old Aberdeen House The City Archives offers a full range of modern reader servic- Town House I Broad Street I Aberdeen I AB10 1AQ Old Aberdeen House I Dunbar Street I Aberdeen I AB24 3UJ es at its two buildings. However, as spaces are limited, readers Tel: 01224 522513 I Fax: 01224 638556 I Tel: 01224 481775 I Fax: 01224 495830 I are asked to book a seat in advance, particularly readers com- e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Aberdeen ing from a distance, who intend to work in either office for www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/archives www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/archives C ITY A RCHIVES several days or weeks or who wish to use a laptop. Bookings are also required for readers wishing to use the microfilm read- Searchroom opening hours I Wednesday - Friday, Searchroom opening hours I Monday - Wednesday, 9.30am 9.30am - 4.30pm Please telephone in advance to make an - 1pm, 2pm - 4.30pm Please telephone in advance to make General Information er at the Town House office. Please note that both search- I I appointment I Pencils only may be used in the searchroom an appointment I Pencils only may be used in the searchroom rooms close for stocktaking towards the end of the year.

Detailed lists of many of the collections can be consulted in both searchrooms and there is free Internet access to a range of archive websites, including the Scottish Archives Network. An archivist is on duty to advise users on all aspects of the holdings and the following leaflets are available on request:

• Starting your family history • Sources for Family History in the City Archives • Sources for the history of buildings in Aberdeen • Aberdeenshire’s Archives

Additional services offered by the City Archives include replies to e- mail, postal and telephone enquiries, a research service, historical exhibi- tions, record surveys, and public talks. Photocopies of documents and repro- ductions of original photographs and plans can be purchased subject to copyright restrictions if applicable. While access to most records held by the City Archives is free to the public, users of certain classes of records for commercial purposes will be subject to charges (details available on request).

It should also be noted that a small number of records are Town House Old Aberdeen House closed to public inspection. Facilities Facilities reference library I sources leaflets I photocopying car parking I reference library I sources leaflets I Many of the collections housed in the City Archives have been available I microfilm reader I e-mail, telephone & postal photocopying available I e-mail, telephone & postal gifted or loaned by institutions or individuals, and staff wel- enquiries answered I research service I internet access enquiries answered I research service I internet access A Guide come further deposits of historical significance. Once deposited these records are cleaned, stored, listed and made available for study. The Archives staff are also happy to provide advice on the conservation and storage of documents on request. Published by Aberdeen City Archives, April 2009 www.aberdeencity.gov.uk www.aberdeencity.gov.uk