Archive Discovery Zone

In days gone by, maps of Africa had large blank areas to indicate the extent of Europeans' lack of knowledge of the interior, and most visitors to the continent never ventured far from the coast. It can be like that with archives. When undertaking research it often seems easier to stick to the source materials that we are familiar with, rather than branching off in a new direction. Here we offer a variety of ways for you to explore more of what the Archive Service has to offer.

Why not go on a voyage of discovery with us?

Extract from Police document

Featured collection - The Police at War in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent

We take a look at the role of the police in wartime - monitoring civilain activity for signs of subversion and disaffection, reporting on the public mood and managing foreign nationals.

Extract from presentation volume

Featured document - Presentation volume to George Melly, MP for Stoke on Trent, 1875

The illustrations in this magnificent volume demonstrate the talents of the artists who worked in the pottery industry of the city of Stoke on Trent, and the immense amount of work that went into producing the book demonstrates the high regard in which this retiring Member of Parliament was held.

The Sutherland Collection

The Sutherland Papers are the massive archive created by the Leveson-Gower family, Marquesses of Stafford and Dukes of Sutherland. Explore the many documents now online, covering seven centuries of history and a wide range of themes.

Snippet from Anglo Saxon document

Develop your Knowledge and Skills

Could you be getting more out of your visits to the archives? Maybe your palaeographical skills need honing? Discover a variety of courses and events offered in-house by the Archive Service and online by other organisations.

Image of two people talking

Talking Points - users share their research interests

Have you ever wondered why the person next to you in the reading room is spending days working through bundles of old correspondence? Find out more about the amazing variety of research carried out by our service users.

Sources for Black and Asian History

In 2002 the CASBAH Project undertook a national survey of sources for Black and Asian history. This source list was originally compiled for that project by the Archive Service, but it has been added to as new references have been discovered. You can help develop this further.

Snippet from nineteenth century envelope

Online Exhibitions and Talks

Staffordshire Places

Here we showcase examples of archive sources available for a variety of places in Staffordshire from the many collections deposited with the Archive Service and also from the printed and graphic collections of the William Salt Library, Stafford.

Ten new places have been added in the year to March 2008 : Blore, Bucknall, Burton upon Trent, Drayton Bassett, Endon, Glascote, Ipstones, Madeley, Milton and Tean.

Staffordshire Views - discover historic views of your village

The Staffordshire Views are a unique series of images of watercolours, drawings, sketches, engravings and lithographs commissioned and collected by William Salt, a London banker whose family came from Staffordshire. Discover historic views of your village.