Archives, manuscripts, rare books and other fragile and irreplaceable items are produced in the search room at Shropshire Archives.
If you want to look at archives and other rare material, you will need to register with us and get a Shropshire Archives' Reader's Ticket. This is available if you bring identification showing your name, address and signature and two passport sized photographs.
Items produced in the search room need to be handled carefully. Please read through and follow the guidelines provided with your Reader's Ticket. More information is given in the publication at the bottom of the page.
In particular, please note that you cannot bring bags or coats into the search room and you should make notes in pencil only. A member of staff will need to release the door to let you into the search room. You should hand your Reader's Ticket to a member of staff when you enter the search room.
Sources available in the search room
- official records - including records of the court of Quarter Sessions, ancient boroughs, local authorities, Poor Law Unions and schools
- ecclesiastical records - records from Church of England parishes, Methodist and other non-conformist chapels
- private records - including the archives of landed estates and families, solicitors, businesses, clubs and societies
- Shropshire wills from 1858 to 1940
- photographs dating from 1842 to present
- prints, drawings and water-colours
- electoral registers
Catalogues and indexes
An increasing number of our archive catalogues are available on-line. Please select the link to What we hold at Shropshire Archives for more information. You can search these catalogues on the Internet or at Shropshire Archives on the People's Network computers.
There are printed catalogues to the archive collections in binders on the search room shelves. There are also some card/microfiche indexes - please ask staff about these and be aware that they are incomplete and may be misleading. If you do not know which catalogue or index you need to use, please ask a member of staff for assistance.
How to order documents
1. You will need to complete a Document Request Slip for each item you want to see.
2. Please place your completed document request slips (up to three at a time) in the box provided. Your request will be dealt with as soon as possible. When your order has been brought out, you will be issued with one item or bundle at a time.
3. When you have finished with an item, please inform a member of staff who will collect the document from you.
4. Before leaving the search room, please let a member of staff know that you have finished. Your reader's ticket will then be returned to you. A member of staff will need to release the security door before you can leave.
Ordering documents in advance
Most of the time we are able to get out documents on demand however you will need to pre-order items for Saturdays and Thursday evenings.
Also, most of our District Authority records from 1835 to 1974 are now housed at an outstore and will need to be ordered in advance.
For more information and an online ordering form, please visit our advance booking and document ordering page (select 'Request to view documents at Shropshire Archives' under Related information on this page).
Photocopying and photography
Please select the Guide to photocopying and photography at Shropshire Archives if you would like more information on making copies.