- Estate papers of the Duke of Buccleuch, reflecting the local iron ore industry c1854-1963 (BDBUC).
- Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. including gun mounting drawings c1898-1950 (BDB 16 and others).
- Hodbarrow Mining Company Ltd 1824-1969 (BDB 21) and Millom Hematite Ore and Iron Company Limited (and associated companies 1824-1970 (BDB 47).
- Original historical documents relating to the area of Furness (Lancashire North of the Sands) and South West Cumberland, particularly for Barrow, Ulverston and Millom, including Church of England parishes, non-conformist churches, local authorities, civil parishes, schools, businesses and industries, landed estates, solicitors, societies.
- Ordnance Survey maps
- Local studies collection of photographs, slides, postcards and pamphlets.
Barrow Archive Centre
Image
Image
Contact details:
Barrow Archive Centre
Ramsden Square
Barrow-in-Furness
Cumbria
LA14 1LL
Telephone: 01229 407377
Email: barrow.archives@cumberland.gov.uk
Opening hours:
Archive Centre: Open Wednesday to Friday: 9.30 am to 1 pm, 2 pm to 5 pm (closed 1pm to 2 pm). Final productions of original documents from strongrooms: 30 minutes before lunch and evening closures.
Local Studies Library: Open Monday to Thursday, 9.30 am to 6 pm, Friday 9.30 to 5 pm; Saturdays, 10 am to 4 pm.
More about Barrow Archive Centre
Sources available at Barrow Archive Centre
Barrow Local Studies Library
Microfilms of Church of England and non-conformist churches registers of baptism, marriage and burial. Cemetery records (on microfiche) and some indexes for Barrow, Dalton, Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands.
Newspapers (on microfilm) including:
- Soulby's Ulverston Advertiser, 1848-1914
- Barrow News, 1883-1985
- North Western Daily/Evening Mail, 1898-current
- Lancaster Gazette
The library holds books relating to Barrow, Furness and the counties of Lancashire, Cumberland and Westmorland. A selection will be available in the library but the rest can be requested. There is also a collection of periodicals, most of which need to be requested:
- Chetham Society
- Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society
- Fell and Rock Climbing Club Journal
- Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire
- Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society
- Lancashire and Cheshire Naturalist
- Lancashire Parish Register Society
- Northern History
- Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire
- Surtees Society
- Census returns for Furness and Cartmel areas, and South Cumberland including Millom, 1841-1901, with some printed indexes.
Other facilities at Barrow Archive Centre
- One public access computer in the Archive Centre and one in the Local Studies Library 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
- Wheelchair access
- Vending machine and seating area available in adjoining library
Finding Barrow Archive Centre, parking and access
Location | Access | Parking | Buses | Trains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town Centre next to Barrow Library | Disabled access available | Parking in the area limited to 2 hours. Free parking available at west end of Duke Street; pay and display car park behind Town Hall on Duke Street. | Buses to Barrow stop on Duke Street across the road from the Archive Centre. | 5-10 minute walk to train station. Trains run to Barrow from Carlisle, and from Preston and Lancaster. |