Planning a visit
Staffordshire History Centre
If you're planning a visit to our Research Room, please visit the Staffordshire History website.
You can also get in touch via email: Staffordshire Record Office
Stoke on Trent City Archives
Stoke-on-Trent City Archives – Temporary Closure
Stoke on Trent City Archives’ reading room will be temporarily closed due to building work at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. (For more information please see Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s announcement.)
The closure period will be from Saturday 20 December 2025 until March 2026
However, the following services to the public will continue during the temporary closure:
- email, postal and telephone enquiry services free of charge
- paid for copying and research services
- services for owners of archives – we will continue to collect archives from existing and new depositors
For all enquiries please contact us at stoke.archives@stoke.gov.uk and see our Enquiries, Research and Copying Services page.
In addition, access to some online resources, such as www.ancestry.com and www.findmypast.co.uk continue to be available at Stoke-on-Trent City Libraries, Staffordshire Libraries and at the Staffordshire History Centre.
For urgent statutory legal or other time-sensitive requirements, where no digital or remote service is suitable, we will offer limited onsite access. Each request will be carefully considered by staff against set criteria. If your request meets the criteria for public access the team will arrange an appointment for you
If you are planning a visit, please visit the Staffordshire History website.
Lichfield History Access Point
The History Access Point (HAP), based in Lichfield Library, is home to a range of resources to assist with family and local history research.
Alongside a reference collection of works on the history of Lichfield, the HAP has physical and digitised copies of primary source material such as parish records, electoral registers, and trade directories.
Digital databases can also be accessed for free in the HAP through the library’s subscription. This includes Ancestry, FindMyPast, and The British Newspaper Archive. We advise prior booking to use computer facilities to ensure their availability.
To book, email lichfield.library@staffordshire.gov.uk or telephone 01543 334539. You will need to be a library member to book.
History Access Point Opening Times
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9am to 4pm
Wednesday: 9am to 4pm
Thursday: 9am to 4pm
Friday: 9am to 4pm
Saturday: 9am to 3pm
Sunday: Closed