Search Durham Record Office Database

This page allows you to search the catalogues of the documents deposited in the Record Office. You can also search the placename and parish database via the DRO Site Search, or if you prefer you can search the entire Durham County Council site instead. Further instructions about searching the Durham Record Office database are available at the bottom of the search screen.

There are currently 5150 catalogues in this database.

Enter Keywords

Enter between one and three words or phrases to search for:

(to search for part of a word, enclose it between asterisks. For example *SON* would match SONNELLY, SMITHSONIAN or AMBLESON)

Limit Search

You can focus your search more precisely by selecting one or more of these options:

Search Documents or Images?

Documents Images

Include Word Variations?

No Yes (for example: ANGLING would also find references to ANGLE)

Catalogue Identifier (e.g. D/St)

Title (e.g. Strathmore Estate)

Category (e.g. Estate and Family Records)

Type (e.g. Catalogue)

Search Instructions

Enter a word(s) or phrase(s) in the keyword box(es).
You can enter the words in upper-case (CAPITALS) or lower-case or a mixture, and all occurrences of those words will be found, irrespective of the case of the letters.
All occurrences of the word you have entered will be found, exactly as you have spelt it.
You can search the entire catalogue database or you can limit your search by choosing a specific catalogue identifier, catalogue title or category of records from the drop-down lists which can be accessed by clicking on the appropriate button.
Once you have entered the word(s) you wish to find, click on the button.
The list of catalogues is shown in order of relevance, i.e. those catalogues with the most hits are at the top of the list.
You will then be shown a list of all the catalogues which contain the required word(s). The catalogue identifiers, the catalogue titles and the size of the catalogues are (in kB) are shown. To look at a catalogue click on the title.
The search will locate ONLY the first 250 catalogues which contain the word(s) you entered.
To find the precise occurrence of the word(s) within the catalogue you should hold down the Ctrl key and press the F key on your keyboard. This will bring up a small search screen into which you can type your search word(s) exactly as previously. Clicking on the button will take you to successive occurrences of the word(s).
To search for another word you should click on the button and start again.

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