Records are documents which survive from earliest recorded times to the present day in a variety of forms. They were produced in the course of everyday personal, legal, business and administrative affairs, but now form a significant source of historical information for all aspects of life in Wiltshire. The Wiltshire and Swindon Archives exist to preserve these records and to make them available for research.

Finding the information you need

On the library shelves near the help desk you will find lists of our Archive collections. There are also indexes to some collections and transcripts, notably for parish registers. We have also provided a card index to subjects, people and places.

Alternatively, try our online catalogues. We have also produced a searchable database to Wiltshire Wills, containing 100,000 records and over 30,000 images.

Requesting a document

Once you have found the item you are looking for, we will ask you to complete a request slip, together with the number of your seat in the Archives Search Room, and one of our production team will bring the item directly to your seat. We do not have set document production times as we prefer to bring your requested document to you as soon as possible. If you already know the items you will require, we will be pleased to take your request via email, telephone or post in advance of your visit.