Berkshire Archives and Libraries

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Archives and Libraries

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.]

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

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.

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

For a long list of Berkshire museums, go to List of museums in Berkshire in Wikipedia.

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

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 (a login is required but it is free to register and search). However, in some cases research can be more efficient working with the more narrowed-down records of county registry offices.

For a list of the historic and current registration districts in Berkshire, see UKBMD: Registration Districts in Berkshire.

Bracknell Forest Registry Office
Time Square
Market Street
Bracknell
RG12 1JD
England

Website

Reading Registry Office
Civic Offices
Bridge Street
Reading
RG1 2LU
England

Website

Slough Registry Office
The Curve
William Street
Slough SL1 1XY
England

Website

West Berkshire

Windsor & Maidenhead

Wokingham