Aberdeen City Archives - Frequently Asked Questions

What records do you hold?
The City Archives houses the records of Aberdeen City Council and its predecessors dating back to the twelfth century. In addition the City Archives administers the records inherited by Aberdeenshire Council and some records inherited by The Moray Council at local government re-organisation in 1996. The City Archives also hold the Assessor’s records for the Grampian Joint Valuation Board. The holdings also include the records of local businesses, churches, charities, voluntary organisations and individuals. Some records are held under the Charge and Superintendence of the Keeper of the Records of Scotland. Our major holdings are:

Local authority records for the City, including those relating to the burghs of Aberdeen, Old Aberdeen and Woodside
The surviving records of local government administration in the former counties of Aberdeen, Banff & Kincardine, plus some records of county administration for Moray
Records of the poor relating to Aberdeenshire, Morayshire, Banffshire and Kincardineshire
School and education records for Aberdeenshire, Morayshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire and Aberdeen City
Burial records for some City cemeteries, as well as some in Aberdeenshire
Registers of shipping and sea fishing vessels for the Port of Aberdeen
Architectural drawings and papers relating to many (but not all) City buildings
Burgh Register of Sasines (including Town Clerk’s Protocol Books) from 1484 -1809
Kirk Session records for St. Nicholas, St. Clement’s, St. Clement’s Free, John Knox, Langstane and Greyfriars parishes in Aberdeen
Congregational, Episcopal and Methodist Church Records for a number of congregations in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Records of individuals and businesses in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire including Hall Russell and the Garden family of Troup
Valuation Rolls and Registers of Electors

Please note that we do not hold census records, Old Parish Registers, or birth, marriage and death certificates. Records of the Church of Scotland for Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Morayshire and Kincardineshire are held at the National Archives of Scotland.

Why can't I see any of your records online?
At present, we have no plans to digitise our collection. However, we do have some of our lists and catalogues available through our Catalogues page, and we are working towards having an online version of our catalogue available in 2009.

Can I park my car?
Free parking is available on-site at the Old Aberdeen House office, though spaces are limited. The Town House office is served by City Centre fee-paying car parks.

Do I need a readers ticket to visit the archives?
No tickets are required at present, but we do require all visitors to sign our readers register and adhere to the Searchroom Guidelines. Identification may be required to access certain records under the Data Protection Act. Please consult the Duty Archivist for further information.

What are your opening hours?
Both offices are open 3 days per week. Old Aberdeen House is open Monday - Wednesday from 9.30am - 1.00pm and from 2.00pm until 4.30pm. The Town House is open Wednesday - Friday from 9.30am - 4.30pm.

Do I need to make an appointment?
As spaces are limited, all visitors are asked to book a seat in advance, particularly those coming from a distance, who intend to work in either office for several days or weeks, or who wish to use a laptop. Bookings are also required for readers wishing to use the microfilm reader at the Town House office.

Is it free to use the archives?
While access to most records held by the City Archives is free to the public, users of certain classes of records for commercial purposes will be subject to charges (details available on request). Charges are applicable for various services such as copying and research carried out by members of staff on behalf of an enquirer. Please see our Table of Fees.

Can you provide copies of archives?
We can provide copies of archives, subject to copyright law and the condition of a document. We cannot always offer a same-day copying service. The use of digital cameras is permitted in both searchrooms upon completion of our copy request forms. Where records are available on microform, copies will be made from these and not from the originals. Charges for copying do apply, and please see our Table of Fees for further information.

What records are on microform?
The following records are held on microfilm:

Council Registers (1398-1883)
Indexes to the Council Registers (1398-1883)
Incoming Letter Books (1552-1846)
Propinquity Books (1637-1777)
Sasine Registers (1484 -1809)
Freedom Land Cartularies (1729-1936)
County Lands Cartularies (1729-1936)
Burgh Lands Cartularies (1876-1937)
Inventory of Charters and Papers (1851)

Photocopies will not be made from the originals of these records, but prints can be made from the microfilms. The original documents are available for viewing in the Town House searchroom.

What research can you do on my behalf?
We can, free of charge, offer advice and information about carrying out research on your behalf, and about the availability and use of our records. We also offer a paid research service and please contact us for further information on this.

Can my club, group, school or society come and visit the archive?
We offer a range of outreach activities, which includes visits to the archives. These can be done either during the day or in the evening depending on how busy we are. An exhibition of archives will be put on display and a short introductory talk will be given. A tour of the archive is also given. We are also happy to come to you and provide talks on various topics of interest, though we are unable to bring original documents with us. Again, this can be during the day or in the evening. Please contact us for further information.

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