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  1. Home
  2. Leisure and culture
  3. Archives and local history

Archives and local history

In this section

  1. You are here: Archives and local history
  2. Online catalogue
  3. Archive collections
  4. Collecting material
  5. Research services
  6. Where to find us

Rotherham Archives and Local Studies Service collects, preserves and provides access to hundreds of years’ worth of informational resources that reveal the history and heritage of Rotherham.

The archive collection comprises the minute books, ledgers, departmental records and plans of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, and its predecessor authorities dating back to 1328. We also hold donated documents, including correspondence, diaries and printed ephemera, as well as oral histories and photographs, relating to local organisations, companies, businesses, schools, charities, non-conformist churches, families and individuals with connections to Rotherham

The local studies collection is made up of printed books, periodicals, newspapers and maps concerning the history of Rotherham, as well as South Yorkshire.

These unique and fascinating resources are made available for all to discover in our Search Room, which is situated at Clifton Park Museum. We also offer free use of family history resources, including Find My Past Library Edition.

Good friday

We will be closed 18 April 2025 for Good Friday.

The service will re-open as normal at 10:00am on Wednesday 23 April, 2025.

Opening times

Our opening times are as follows:

  • Monday - Closed
  • Tuesday - Closed
  • Wednesday - 10am to 4pm
  • Thursday - 10am to 4pm
  • Friday - 10am to 4pm
  • Every other Saturday - 10am to 12.30pm, 1pm to 3.30pm
  • Sunday - Closed
  • Bank holidays - Closed

Booking

Please note that if you wish to visit the Search Room, it is advisable to book an appointment in advance. This enables us to make sure the relevant resources are out ready for you.

You can book either the morning (10am to 1pm), afternoon (1pm to 4pm) or all day (Wednesday to Thursdays 10am to 4pm and Saturdays 10am to 3.30pm. Please be aware that we close for lunch on Saturdays 12.30 to 1pm).

To make an appointment, please complete the enquiry form below:

Complete our enquiry form

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