Welcome to Cumbria Archives

Cumbria Archives is a service provided by Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council. We care for and make available historical records of Cumbria, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Cumbria Archive Centres

Visitor information, opening hours, contact details, holdings, locations.

Cumbria Archive Centres

Browse the collections

Discover more about the collections by category, links into the catalogues and useful family history and research indexes.

Catalogues and Guides

News and Events

Temporary closure of Kendal Archive Centre from 23 March 2026

Pauper letters workshops at Carlisle Archives, 15-16 April 2026: booking now open!

All News and Events

Enquiries and Copies

Copy ordering, searches and charges.

Enquiry and Digitisation Services

Depositing records

Shipping records, crew lists from Whitehaven Archives

Donate or deposit records of historic importance into safe custody.

Deposit records with Cumbria Archives

Learning and outreach

Find out about services for schools and students. View the exhibition gallery featuring documents in the custody of Cumbria Archives showcasing aspects of the county’s history, customs and culture.

Learning and Education

Your Family, Your House

Researching the history of your family or your house are two of the most popular and important reasons people use the collections. Find out more using the guides below:

Family History

Property History

Paying for Research

Browse the list of private researchers who will undertake work on your behalf in Cumbria Archive Centres.

Private Researchers

About Us

Photo of Kendal Record Office strongroom in 1963

Find out more about Cumbria Archives, including:

Services we offer
Volunteering
Talks and exhibitions
The Curwen and Kirby Archives Trusts grant schemes
Policies
History of the service

About Cumbria Archives

Banner illustration: Passengers on Windermere Steam Yacht Swan, c. 1925, Sankey Family Photograph Collection (BDB 86/1/2553). Cumbria Archives