Whitehaven Archive Centre

Original historical documents dating from the twelfth century to the present day relating to the area of West Cumbria bounded by the River Derwent in the North and the River Duddon in the South. The areas around Workington, Cockermouth, and Whitehaven are amongst those for which material is available. These include:

• Businesses and industries, including British Steel, National Coal Board and iron ore mining
• Shipping registers and crew lists for Whitehaven and Workington
• Church of England parishes, non-conformist churches 
• Local Authorities and civil parishes
• Landed estates, including Curwen of Workington Hall and Pennington of Muncaster Castle, Solicitors, Societies.
•  Official records and Schools

The Local Studies Library contains an important collection of books, illustrations, journals, reports and other printed and original materials relating to all aspects of life in Whitehaven and West Cumbria up to the present day. We also hold:

• 1881 census transcript and index to Cumberland, Westmorland and the Isle of Man
• Census returns 1841-1901 for Cumberland
• Electoral rolls, 1832-2002
• Index to civil registrations of births, marriages and deaths (England and Wales), 1837-2003
• Newspapers (such as Whitehaven News and Cumberland Pacquet)
• Ordnance Survey maps
• Probate records, Deanery of Copeland, 1541-1858
• Trade directories
  Many of these records are available on microfilm/fiche.

• Two public access computers in the Archive Centre to allow brief 'look-ups' of a limited selection of useful websites containing local sources, including CASCAT, Ancestry and Find My Past
• Free, public wi-fi
• Public seating area (bring your own refreshments)
• Hearing loop