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{{Berkshire-sidebar}}<br>''[[England Genealogy|England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Berkshire Genealogy|Berkshire]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' '''Archives and Libraries'''
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| link2=[[Berkshire, England Genealogy|Berkshire]]
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== Record Offices ==
__TOC__
 
*'''Archives''' collect and preserve '''original documents''' of organizations such as churches or governments. '''Libraries''' generally collect '''published sources''' such as books, maps, and microfilm.
=== Berkshire Record Office ===
*'''If you plan to visit a repository, contact them''' and ask for information about their collection, hours, services, and fees. Ask if they require you to have a reader’s ticket (a paper indicating you are a responsible researcher) to view the records, and ask how to obtain one.
 
*Although the records you need may be in an archive or library, the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog '''FamilySearch Library'''] may have microfilmed and/or digitized copies of them.
9 Coley Avenue<br>Reading, Berkshire RG1 6AF UK<br>Telephone: +44 (0) 118 937 5132<br>Email: [mailto:www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk/ContactUs/ www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk]<br>Website: [http://www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk] <br>Catalogue: [http://www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk/search-archives/ www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk/search-archives/] <br>
----
 
[https://collections.reading.ac.uk/ '''Museums and Collections'''] - '''University of Reading'''
:The Berkshire Record Office is the archives of the Royal County of Berkshire. We look after nearly nine hundred years of the County's history. On this website you can discover more about our holdings and how to use us, as well as see some of the treasures from our collections.
::'''A website giving you access to a variety of collections held by museums, archives and libraries.''']
----
== Archives==
'''Berkshire Record Office'''<br>9 Coley Avenue<br>Reading, Berkshire RG1 6AF UK<br>Telephone: +44 (0) 118 937 5132<br>Contact: [https://www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk/contact-us Online Form]<br>[http://www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk Website] <br>[https://www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk/search-catalogue Catalogue]<br>
[https://www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk/family-history/parish-registers-and-other-records Parish Registers and Other Records]
:"There are around 200 ancient parishes in Berkshire: we hold the registers for all but one. Taken together with around 100 Victorian or later parishes, if you have Berkshire ancestors, you may be able to discover nearly 500 years of family history.
:The English parish church was a key secular institution until the Victorian period. It was responsible for poor relief, running local charities, and even local roads and law enforcement. As a result, the 'parish chest' contains a lot more than just the registers. A small number of other parish records are listed on our [https://www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk/search-catalogue online catalogue], but the majority are not, so please do [https://www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk/contact-us Contact Us] if you are interested in other parish records.<ref>"Parish Registers and Other Records", at Berkshire Record Office, https://www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk/family-history/parish-registers-and-other-records, accessed 14 February 2023.</ref>


== Libraries ==
== Libraries ==
 
{|
=== Eton College  ===
|-
 
|style="padding-right:100px"|
Eton College Library<br>Eton College<br>Windsor SL4 6DB UK<br>Telephone: 01753 370 590<br>Email: [mailto:archivist@etoncollege.org.uk archivist@etoncollege.org.uk]<br>Website:
'''Bracknell Library'''<br>Town Square<br>Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1BH UK<br><br>Telephone: 01344 423149<br>Email: [mailto:customer.services@bracknell-forest.gov.uk customer.services@bracknell-forest.gov.uk]<br>[http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/localhistory Website]
[http://www.etoncollege.com/CollegeLibrary.aspx www.etoncollege.com]  
----
 
'''Eton College'''<br>Eton College Library<br>Windsor, Berkshire SL4 6DB UK<br><br>Telephone: 01753 370 590<br>Email: [mailto:archivist@etoncollege.org.uk archivist@etoncollege.org.uk]<br>
:College Library is a rare book and manuscript library of international importance. Established soon after the foundation of Eton College, it houses more than 150,000 items, ranging from the 9th to 21st centuries. These include printed and manuscript volumes, literary manuscripts, autograph letters, and prints and drawings.
[http://www.etoncollege.com/CollegeLibrary.aspx Website]  
 
----
=== Reading Central Library ===
'''Reading Central Library'''<br>Abbey Square<br>Reading, Berkshire RG1 3BQ UK<br><br>Telephone: 0118 901 5950<br>[http://www.reading.gov.uk/centrallibrary Website]
 
|style="padding-right:100px; vertical-align:top"|
Abbey Square<br>Reading, Berkshire RG1 3BQ UK<br>Telephone: 0118 901 5950<br>Website: [http://www.reading.gov.uk/centrallibrary www.reading.gov.uk/centrallibrary]&nbsp;
'''Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead'''<br>Maidenhead Library - Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead<br>St Ives Road<br>Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1QU UK<br><br>Telephone: 01628 796 969<br>Email: [mailto:libraries@rbwm.gov.uk libraries@rbwm.gov.uk]<br>[https://www3.rbwm.gov.uk/directory/7/find_a_library Website]
 
----
=== Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead ===
'''Wokingham Libraries'''<br>Wokingham Borough Council<br>Shute End<br>Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1BN UK<br><br>Telephone: 0118 974 6000<br>
 
Email: [mailto:websitefeedback@wokingham.gov.uk websitefeedback@wokingham.gov.uk]<br>[http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/ Website]
Maidenhead Library - Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead<br>St Ives Road<br>Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1QU UK<br>Telephone: 01628 796 969<br>Email: [mailto:libraries@rbwm.gov.uk libraries@rbwm.gov.uk]
|}
 
Web site:&nbsp;[https://www3.rbwm.gov.uk/directory/7/find_a_library www3.rbwm.gov.uk]


== Museums ==
== Museums ==
*For a long list of Berkshire museums, go to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_museums_in_Berkshire '''List of museums in Berkshire'''] in Wikipedia.
{|
|-
|style="padding-right:100px"|
'''Maidenhead Heritage Centre'''<br>18 Park Street<br>Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1SL UK<br><br>Telephone: 01628 780 555<br>Email: [mailto:info@maidenheadheritage.org.uk info@maidenheadheritage.org.uk]<br>[http://maidenheadheritage.org.uk Website]
----
'''Museum of English Rural Life'''<br>University of Reading<br>Redlands Road<br>Reading, Berkshire RG1 5EX UK<br><br>Telephone: 0118 378 8660<br>Email: [mailto:merl@reading.ac.uk merl@reading.ac.uk]<br>[https://www.reading.ac.uk/TheMERL Website]
----
'''Reading Museum'''<br>Blagrave Street<br>Reading, Berkshire RG1 1QH UK<br><br>Telephone: 0118 937 3400<br>Email: [mailto:mail@readingmuseum.org.uk mail@readingmuseum.org.uk]<br>[http://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/museum-contact-us Website]
|style="padding-right:100px; vertical-align:top"|
'''West Berkshire Heritage Service - Newbury'''<br>West Berkshire Museum<br>The Wharf<br>Newbury, West Berkshire RG14 5AS UK<br><br>Telephone: 01635 519562<br>Email: [mailto:museum@westberks.gov.uk museum@westberks.gov.uk]<br>[http://www.westberkshireheritage.org/west-berkshire-museum Website]
----
'''Windsor and Royal Borough Museum'''<br>The Guildhall<br>High Street<br>
Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1LR UK<br><br>Telephone: 01628 685 686<br>Email: [mailto:museum@rbwm.gov.uk museum@rbwm.gov.uk]<br[https://www3.rbwm.gov.uk/info/200199/museums_and_galleries/871/windsor_and_royal_borough_museum Website]
|}


=== Berkshire Medical Heritage Center  ===
==Civil Records Offices==
 
Sometimes research might be required to determine where a town or parish was in a former registration district, or even its current district. For a list of the historic and current registration districts in Berkshire and their parishes, see [https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/BRK.html UKBMD: Registration Districts in Berkshire].
Level 4<br>Main Entrance<br>Royal Berkshire Hospital<br>London Road<br>Reading, Berkshire RG1 5AN UK<br>Telephone: 0118 322 8478<br>Email: [mailto:sherkiela.corbin-browne@royalberkshire.nhs.uk sherkiela.corbin-browne@royalberkshire.nhs.uk]
----
 
The [https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/faq.asp#GROIndexReferences '''General Register Office'''] holds a central copy of all birth, marriage, and death registrations in England. These certificates can be ordered from their website: [https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/ General Register Office] (a login is required but it is free to register and search).  
Web site:&nbsp; [http://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/get-involved/medical-museum.htm www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk]&nbsp;&nbsp;
----
 
However, in some cases research can be more efficient working with the smaller, more specific records collections of county/district registry offices.
:The Royal Berkshire Medical Museum is part of the Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre which was founded in 1997.
 
:Our aim is to preserve and display items of historical medical interest particularly those with a local connection.
 
:We do this by means of our museum, peripheral displays at other sites in the Royal Berkshire Hospital, photographic exhibitions, by recording oral histories and by publishing and promoting books on local healthcare history.
 
=== Museum of English Rural Life  ===
 
University of Reading<br>Redlands Road<br>Reading, Berkshire RG1 5EX UK<br>Telephone: 0118 378 8660<br>Email: [mailto:merl@reading.ac.uk merl@reading.ac.uk]
 
Web site:&nbsp; [https://www.reading.ac.uk/TheMERL www.reading.ac.uk/TheMERL]&nbsp;
 
:The new museum aims to challenge perceptions about rural England by revealing the historical and contemporary relevance of country life.
:Come and discover our new interactive, immersive galleries which explore questions of identity, environment, technology, culture and health.
 
=== The Museum of Berkshire Aviation Trust  ===
 
Mohawk Way<br>(off The Bader Way)<br>Woodley<br>Nr. Reading, Berkshire RG5 4UE UK<br>Telephone: 0118 944 8089<br>Email: [mailto:MuseumBerksAv@gmail.com MuseumBerksAv@gmail.com]  
 
Web site:&nbsp; [http://www.museumofberkshireaviation.co.uk www.museumofberkshireaviation.co.uk]&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
:Berkshire's dynamic contribution to aviation history is graphically re-captured at the museum.
:Run as a charitable trust, the museum is at the historic site of Woodley Airfield, near Reading, U.K. - once the centre of a thriving aircraft industry.
:Miles and Handley Page aircraft built at Woodley are being re-constructed and exhibited along with fascinating pictorial records and priceless archives.
 
=== West Berkshire Heritage Service - Newbury  ===
 
West Berkshire Museum<br>The Wharf<br>Newbury, West Berkshire RG14 5AS UK<br>Telephone: 01635 519562<br>Email: [mailto:museum@westberks.gov.uk museum@westberks.gov.uk]
 
Web site:&nbsp; [http://www.westberkshireheritage.org/west-berkshire-museum www.westberkshireheritage.org/west-berkshire-museum]&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
:Our permanent exhibition tells the story of West Berkshire. From the rocks under our feet to the stories of the people who have lived here; our early ancestors, to well-known characters like Jack of Newbury to our most recent family: they have created the towns and villages, roads and canals, fields and farms, industries, pastimes and organisations that we know today.
 
== Collections ==
 
=== Collections Gateway <span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1310139840168_204" /> ===
 
Web site:&nbsp;&nbsp; [http://www.collectionsgateway.org.uk/index.asp www.collectionsgateway.org.uk]  
 
:A website giving you access to a variety of collections held by museums, archives and libraries. We believe collections enrich independent learning and research for a wide range of age groups and interests.
:The site offers:
:*A single ‘first point of call’ for anyone seeking to locate information on research collections held by Berkshire and Reading institutions
:*A search facility that allows users to locate specific information across the whole site
:*Descriptions of individual collections, recent research and research priorities
:*User information on access arrangements and research facilities
:*Guidance on further sources of information, including links to object level information and other data sources


{{Place|Berkshire|Archives and Libraries}} {{England Archives and Libraries}}  
===Registry Offices===
{|
|-
|style="padding-right:100px; vertical-align:top"|
'''Bracknell Forest Registry Office'''<br>
Time Square<br>
Market Street<br>
Bracknell<br>
RG12 1JD<br>
United Kingdom<br>
[https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-ceremonies Website]<br>
[https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/bracknell%20forest.html Parishes Covered]
----
'''Reading Registry Office'''<br>
Bridge Street<br>
Reading RG1 2LU<br>
United Kingdom<br>
[https://www.reading.gov.uk/life-events/ Website]<br>
[https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/bracknell%20forest.html Parishes Covered]
|style="padding-right:100px; vertical-align:top"|
'''Slough Registry Office'''<br>
The Curve<br>
William Street<br>
Slough SL1 1XY<br>
United Kingdom<br>
[https://www.slough.gov.uk/births-deaths-ceremonies Website]<br>
[https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/slough.html Parishes Covered]
----
'''West Berkshire Registry Office'''<br>
Shaw House<br>
Church Road<br>
Newbur, West Berkshire RG14 2DR<br>
United Kingdom<br>
[https://www.westberks.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages Website]<br>
[https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/west%20berkshire.html Parishes Covered]
|style="padding-right:100px; vertical-align:top"|
'''Windsor & Maidenhead Registry Office''']<br>
Town Hall, St Ives Road<br>
Maidenhead SL6 1RF<br>
United Kingdom<br>
[https://www.rbwm.gov.uk/home/community-and-living/births-deaths-and-ceremonies/registrars Website]<br>
[https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/windsor%20and%20maidenhaed.html Parishes Covered]
----
'''Wokingham Registry Office'''<br>
Shute End<br> 
Wokingham <br>
Berkshire <br>
RG40 1BN<br>
United Kingdom<br>
[https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-marriages/ Website]<br>
[https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/wokingham.html Parishes Covered]
|}
-----
-----
{{Place|Berkshire}} {{England Archives and Libraries}}  


[[Category:Berkshire, England]]
[[Category:Berkshire, England]]
[[Category:Counties of England]]

Latest revision as of 16:36, 16 February 2023

Berkshire Wiki Topics
File:Flag_of_Berkshire.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Berkshire Background
Local Research Resources
  • Archives collect and preserve original documents of organizations such as churches or governments. Libraries generally collect published sources such as books, maps, and microfilm.
  • If you plan to visit a repository, contact them and ask for information about their collection, hours, services, and fees. Ask if they require you to have a reader’s ticket (a paper indicating you are a responsible researcher) to view the records, and ask how to obtain one.
  • Although the records you need may be in an archive or library, the FamilySearch Library may have microfilmed and/or digitized copies of them.

Museums and Collections - University of Reading

A website giving you access to a variety of collections held by museums, archives and libraries.]

Archives

Berkshire Record Office
9 Coley Avenue
Reading, Berkshire RG1 6AF UK
Telephone: +44 (0) 118 937 5132
Contact: Online Form
Website
Catalogue
Parish Registers and Other Records

"There are around 200 ancient parishes in Berkshire: we hold the registers for all but one. Taken together with around 100 Victorian or later parishes, if you have Berkshire ancestors, you may be able to discover nearly 500 years of family history.
The English parish church was a key secular institution until the Victorian period. It was responsible for poor relief, running local charities, and even local roads and law enforcement. As a result, the 'parish chest' contains a lot more than just the registers. A small number of other parish records are listed on our online catalogue, but the majority are not, so please do Contact Us if you are interested in other parish records.[1]

Libraries

Bracknell Library
Town Square
Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1BH UK

Telephone: 01344 423149
Email: customer.services@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Website

Eton College
Eton College Library
Windsor, Berkshire SL4 6DB UK

Telephone: 01753 370 590
Email: archivist@etoncollege.org.uk
Website

Reading Central Library
Abbey Square
Reading, Berkshire RG1 3BQ UK

Telephone: 0118 901 5950
Website

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Maidenhead Library - Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
St Ives Road
Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1QU UK

Telephone: 01628 796 969
Email: libraries@rbwm.gov.uk
Website

Wokingham Libraries
Wokingham Borough Council
Shute End
Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1BN UK

Telephone: 0118 974 6000
Email: websitefeedback@wokingham.gov.uk
Website

Museums

Maidenhead Heritage Centre
18 Park Street
Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1SL UK

Telephone: 01628 780 555
Email: info@maidenheadheritage.org.uk
Website

Museum of English Rural Life
University of Reading
Redlands Road
Reading, Berkshire RG1 5EX UK

Telephone: 0118 378 8660
Email: merl@reading.ac.uk
Website

Reading Museum
Blagrave Street
Reading, Berkshire RG1 1QH UK

Telephone: 0118 937 3400
Email: mail@readingmuseum.org.uk
Website

West Berkshire Heritage Service - Newbury
West Berkshire Museum
The Wharf
Newbury, West Berkshire RG14 5AS UK

Telephone: 01635 519562
Email: museum@westberks.gov.uk
Website

Windsor and Royal Borough Museum
The Guildhall
High Street
Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1LR UK

Telephone: 01628 685 686
Email: museum@rbwm.gov.uk<brWebsite

Civil Records Offices

Sometimes research might be required to determine where a town or parish was in a former registration district, or even its current district. For a list of the historic and current registration districts in Berkshire and their parishes, see UKBMD: Registration Districts in Berkshire.

The General Register Office holds a central copy of all birth, marriage, and death registrations in England. These certificates can be ordered from their website: General Register Office (a login is required but it is free to register and search).

However, in some cases research can be more efficient working with the smaller, more specific records collections of county/district registry offices.

Registry Offices

Bracknell Forest Registry Office
Time Square
Market Street
Bracknell
RG12 1JD
United Kingdom
Website
Parishes Covered

Reading Registry Office
Bridge Street
Reading RG1 2LU
United Kingdom
Website
Parishes Covered

Slough Registry Office
The Curve
William Street
Slough SL1 1XY
United Kingdom
Website
Parishes Covered

West Berkshire Registry Office
Shaw House
Church Road
Newbur, West Berkshire RG14 2DR
United Kingdom
Website
Parishes Covered

Windsor & Maidenhead Registry Office]
Town Hall, St Ives Road
Maidenhead SL6 1RF
United Kingdom
Website
Parishes Covered

Wokingham Registry Office
Shute End
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 1BN
United Kingdom
Website
Parishes Covered

v • d• e
Links to Berkshire-related articles
v • d• e
England Archives and Libraries by county
Help-content.png FamilySearch England Research Forum Help-content.png
  1. ↑ "Parish Registers and Other Records", at Berkshire Record Office, https://www.berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk/family-history/parish-registers-and-other-records, accessed 14 February 2023.
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