COVID-19
Following the government’s latest Coronavirus restrictions the Lincolnshire Archives are temporarily closed.
About the Lincolnshire Archives
We provide access to resources that can be used to research history and culture in Lincolnshire.
You can use our search room to consult:
- original archives
- microfilm resources
- library material relating to the county
We hold records from the former Lindsey, Kesteven and Holland county councils. We also hold records from Lincoln Diocesan Record Office.
We have collections of national and international significance, such as the Bishops Rolls and Registers. These date from 1214 and form the core historical records of the diocese of Lincoln.
Our search room is open from 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
What you can find in the archives
Primary sources include:
- ecclesiastical archives and parish records (Church of England), including:
- registers of baptisms
- marriages and burials
- Banns Books
- Overseer of the Poor records
- Bishops' transcripts
- tithe and enclosure
- non-conformist records (for example, Methodist, Quaker etc)
- Poor Law Union, or workhouse, records
- electoral registers
- wills and administrations
- Lincolnshire Estate records
- public records, including manorial and court records
- local authority records, including parish councils and school records
- drainage and court sewer records
- asylum hospital records
Secondary sources and indexes include:
- Foster library, including county directories, historical journals and parish histories
- Census records
- birth, marriage or death records
- Lincolnshire Family History Society indexes
Book archive resources
We recommend that you book our search room in advance.
You can order up to six documents in advance of your visit. You must provide us with the full reference for each document. You can find these on Lincs to the Past.
We are open 10am until 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, except Bank Holidays.
You must make advance requests by 2pm the day before. Advance requests for Tuesdays must be made by 2pm on Friday.
For advice, email [email protected].
You can also call 01522 782040 and ask to speak to the search room staff.
Inside the search room
You may take notepads smaller than A4, pencils, sheets of paper, glasses, maps, charts and reference books.
You are not allowed to take pens, bags, coats, folders, files or plastic wallets.
Lockers are provided for belongings and phones must be put on silent.
Accessibility
Our facilities include:
- a fully accessible search room
- a bookable and drop-in computer on height adjustable tables
- magnifying glasses
- an induction-hearing loop at reception
- an accessible toilet
- two accessible spaces in our car park. Blue Badge holders must give us 24 hours’ notice to reserve these
- assistance dogs permitted in all areas of the search room
There is a free car park in Rosemary Lane to the rear of the building for visitor use.
Fees and charges
Our staff reply to general enquiries about the archives and library material free of charge.
There is no charge for using the search room resources other than the self-service microfiche and computer print-outs.
Museum collection and archives enquiries and research
- Search of catalogues, registers and indexes: £17.00 per hour (maximum one hour)
- Research enquiry (basic - single source): £17.00 per hour (maximum one hour)
- Research enquiry (detailed): £34
- Research enquiry (complex): £42.50
- Access to stored collections or assisted research: £34-£186
- Advice and guidance (third party): £62 per hour
Reprographics and copying services
- Self service microfiche print-outs (A4, black and white): 75p per sheet
- Camera pass (use of own camera): £11.00 per day or £109 per year
- Provision of Baptism certificates: £14.00
- Certification or copies: £10.80
- Supply: Collection in person – free, posted – POA
Digital photography orders (staff facilitated)
These charges apply to our normal response time of completing orders within 28 days.
Where we receive a request for a rush order, prices are three times standard charge, subject to the availability of staff.
- Minimum order (applies to all orders): £5.20
- Copy of existing digital image: £2.10
- Creation of a new digital image: £5.50 per document, plus £6.20 per shot for documents up to A2 or £8.80 per shot over A2. Oversize documents POA.
- Supply of digital images: £3.90 email order, £9.00 for CD
Paper Prints (staff facilitated)
These charges apply to our normal response time of completing orders within 28 days.
Where we receive a request for a rush order, prices are three times standard charge, subject to the availability of staff.
- Minimum order (applies to all orders): £5.20
- Photocopy - black and white: £5.50 handling charge per document plus £1.30 per page for A4 or £1.75 per page for A3
- Creation of a copy- colour: £5.50 per document plus £1.90 per page for A4 or £2.35 per page for A3
- Supply of printed images: Free during opening hours
Publications and reproductions
Books, e-books and CDs (per image, per use)
- Non-profit local publications (Lincolnshire) up to 1,000 copies: Inner page £21, cover £52
- Non-profit local publications (Lincolnshire) over 1,000 copies: Inner page £42, cover £103
- Publications up to 1,000 copies: Inner page £52, cover £129
- Publications over 1,000 copies: Inner page £103, cover £258
Newspapers/magazines (per image, per use)
- Lincolnshire publications: Inner page £38, cover £93
- National/international publications: Inner page £52, cover £129
Commercial posters/advertising/merchandise (per image, per use): £258
Websites
Educational websites (not for profit): £31
Commercial websites: £62
Broadcasting (per image, per use)
Regional broadcast (1 transmission) £78 single country broadcast (1 transmission) £103
World broadcast (1 transmission) £155 five-year use/multiple transmission £309
Displays and exhibitions (up to A3 size) (per image, per use)
Free entry (non-profit) exhibitions: £20 temporary, £40 permanent
Commercial (charged entry) exhibitions: £60 temporary, £120 permanent
Unpublished use (per image, per use)
- Educational use in classroom only: Free
- Personal use (without publication): Free
- Use in official report or survey: £15
- Lincolnshire County Council reproduction of images: Free for internal use/ not for profit up to five images. POA on other requests.
Donations
We enrich our collections through:
- donations
- purchases
- wider collecting of items of historical significance
The cost of caring for collections is high. We must collect our material carefully. This means that we are not able to accept everything offered to us.
We accept donations based upon our collections, priorities, legislation and policy.
If you would like to offer a donation, email [email protected].
We will not accept any material that:
- does not have a Lincolnshire connection
- has not been agreed by a collections officer in advance
- arrives via unsolicited post
If we are unable to contact you, we will dispose of it
Free collections access days
We allow free access to collection items on monthly dates throughout the year.
You can book a one-hour appointment for up to two people. We will provide a curator or archivist to support you where possible.
Free access dates
Our 'Managed Access to Collections' scheme has been suspended until further notice due to COVID 19 restrictions. Free access dates for 2021 will be published as soon as the scheme is reinstated. Please check our website for updates.
Booking closes two weeks before each date.
If you book access outside of these dates, fees and charges will apply.
You will need to travel to the location where we hold your requested item. This could be at:
- The Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Lincoln
- The Collection, Lincoln
- Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln
- Stamford Stores, Stamford
To book, email [email protected].
What happens next?
If we can meet your request, we will send you a booking confirmation.
We will give you the venue details and a point of contact for your visit.
If we cannot meet your request, we will tell you why. Where appropriate, we will invite you to resubmit a request for an alternative date.