About Us

Since 1962 the Durham Record Office has accepted over 6000 (6088 at 20 March 2003) deposits of records ranging from small collections of personal papers to the records of large companies. Our earliest document dates from about 1122 and our most recent include County Council Committee Reports for the current year.




These records are stored in secure, atmospherically controlled strong rooms which help ensure they survive for another thousand years.
The Record Office still accepts deposits of records and welcomes information on the existence of records of local significance, especially if the survival of these records is in any way threatened.

Important historical documents have been found in attics, cellars and in even in dustbins and skips! We are always willing to examine records in private custody, either single items or large collections, and advise on their care and preservation.

Advice can also be given to any individual, business or organisation, on those records which should be selected for permanent preservation from among the bulk of modern papers. When considering the value of documents please remember:

• Age is not necessarily a criterion of historical value
• Many modern records and papers are of potential historical significance

If you would like further information on depositing records please contact the County Archivist.


Top of Page