Located in the Discovery Museum in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear Archives Service holds many documents relating to the local districts of Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside.
These resources cover approximately 14km of shelving.
Their documents date from the 12th to the 21st centuries, and include building plans, church records, hospital records and school records.
The Office also holds business records, notably those of local industries such as shipbuilding, engineering and mining. Their collection, the Tyne and Wear Shipyards Collection, is internationally significant and is in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
They also show certain images in the corridor leading to the search room, and change these regularly.
Whether you are researching your family history, tracing the history of a house, conducting research for a school, college or university assignment, or studying the history of your local area, you will find the documents held of use.
The knowledgeable and helpful staff are always on hand to help should you have any questions or require assistance.
If you have any documents you would like to donate to the Archive to preserve them for future generations, they would love to hear from you.
Information about Tyne and Wear Archives Service
Tyne and Wear Archives Service
Discovery Museum
Blandford Square
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 4JA
Telephone Number:
0191 2772248
Email:
info@twarchives.org.uk
For information regarding their holdings, please go to their collections page. They also have an online catalogue, but only have paper lists for many of their collections.
Opening Hours
Opening Hours can be found by perusing the appropriate section of their visiting us page.
Location
Parking is available near the museum but this is limited. It is best to park in Grainger Town multi-storey car park situated on Waterloo Street.
Discovery Museum is situated approximately 5 minutes walk from Newcastle Central Station. National and local rail services depart from the station, and it is also possible to use the Tyne & Wear Metro service from here.
Local bus services also operate from Newcastle Central Station. If walking from the station, you should walk along Neville Street/Westmorland Road to get to the Office.
Booking
Booking in advance is advisable if you wish to use a microfilm reader which can be done by e-mail, phone, letter or by visiting the Archive. You should telephone them if your proposed visit is less than 5 days ahead.
Accessibility
The building is fully accessible, with a lift that can take you from the lower ground to the ground floor. The lift also has braille indicators. Two wheelchairs are provided for use by visitors.
If you wish to use a wheelchair, please ask staff at the Discovery Museum Welcome Desk or Archives reception. Accessible toilets are also available.
An induction loop is available at Newcastle Records Office reception desk, whilst the Discovery Museum Welcome Desk is served by a counter loop.
Research Service
If you are unable to visit in person, they offer a research service. An application form can be downloaded for their page.
For details of other record offices in Northumberland, please visit my pages regarding Berwick-Upon-Tweed Record Office and Northumberland Record Office.