Scotch Street
Whitehaven
Cumbria
CA28 7NL
Telephone: 01946 506420
Original historical documents dating from the twelfth century to the present day relating to the area of West Cumbria bounded by the River Derwent in the North and the River Duddon in the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
- Church of England Parishes
- Civil Parishes
- Landed Estates, Solicitors, Societies.
- Local Authorities
- Nonconformist Churches
- Official records
- Schools
- Shipping registers and crew lists
- 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.
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.
- 2 public access computers to allow brief 'look-ups' of a limited selection of useful websites containing local sources, including CASCAT, Ancestry and Find My Past
- Refreshment area
- Toilets
- Wheelchair access and hearing loop.
Our Prior Ordering page gives details of collections which require advance ordering before a visit to our Archive Centres. If you would like to deposit/donate records, please visit our Depositing Records webpage before making your visit.
If you want to see original archives you will need to obtain or already have a valid Archives Card.
Researchers intending to use the microfilms at Whitehaven Archive Centre are advised to book a microfilm reader in advance.
| Location | Disabled Access | Car Parking | Buses | Trains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town Centre adjacent to Police Station | Yes (customer lift) | Yes (own car park behind building). Please note: no parking available onsite between Mon 9 Jan and Mon 30 Jan | 5 minute walk to bus stops on Lowther Street + Duke Street | 10 minute walk to train station |
