Local Archives and Other Research Facilities
There are a number of facilities around Coventry which hold records of interest to family historians. This page includes details of what each archive holds, its location and opening times.
Please scroll down the page or use the buttons to go straight to the archive of interest.
Coventry Archives, The Herbert
Holdings include a vast collection of documents relating to Coventry dating from 12th century to the present day. Card index of Coventry people compiled from local books and documents.
- Parish registers (microfilm copies) for Coventry & district plus some printed indexes.
- Non-conformist registers (some original, some copies) for Coventry & district.
- Burial and grave registers for London Road Cemetery, Coventry.
- Apprentice registers and Freeman lists for Coventry, with some indexes.
- Court Leet, Quarter Session & Magistrates Court records.
- Microfilmed indexes to Wills held at Lichfield Joint Record Office (see below).
- Census returns for Coventry area 1841-1901
- Street, Trade & Telephone directories
- Poll books & Electoral registers
- Local newspapers on microfilm
- Large collection of books & pamphlets relating to Coventry
- Early maps of Coventry and Warwickshire
- UK IGI (fiche), GRO Indexes (1837-1997)
Contact Details
Address: Coventry Archives, The Herbert, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QP
Telephone: 024 7623 7583
e-mail: archives@culturecoventry.com
Web-site: http://www.theherbert.org
Catalogue search: www.coventrycollections.org
Opening Hours: Coventry Archives opening hours are Wednesday to Friday and alternate Saturdays 10.30 a.m to 3.30 p.m. closed Sunday to Tuesday.
The Research Room is only open on Saturdays for researchers who have ordered documents in advance.
A readers’ ticket (CARN) is required to consult original archives. Admission is free, some services carry a small charge.
Coventry Register Office
Holdings include: Births, marriages and deaths registered in Coventry since 1837.
For marriages you need to know the parish before applying for a copy certificate.s (1837-1997)
Contact Details
Address: Coventry Register Office, Cheylesmore Manor House, Manor House Drive, Coventry CV1 2ND
Telephone: 024 7683 3141
e-mail: registeroffice@coventry.gov.uk
Web-site: http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/321/death-registering/507/register_office
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri 9.00am – 5.00pm.
The Research Room is only open on Saturdays for researchers who have ordered documents in advance.
A readers’ ticket (CARN) is required to consult original archives. Admission is free, some services carry a small charge.
Family History Centre,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Holdings include:
- GRO Birth, Marriage & Death Indexes for England & Wales 1837-1983
- IGI for the entire world + Vital Records for UK, US, Australia, Europe etc.
- 1881 Census Index for England, Wales & Scotland (fiche & CD)
- 1891 Census for England & Wales (not indexed)
- The LDS Family History Catalogue from which other records may be ordered
Contact Details
Address: Riverside Close, Coventry
Telephone: 024 7630 3316 (only when open)
Opening Hours:
Mon 10:00am – 1:00pm; Fri 10:00am – 2:00pm
Tue, Wed, Thu 10:00am – 2:00pm 7:00pm – 9:00pm.
Lichfield History Access Point
Holdings include:
- Anglican parish registers
- Nonconformist registers
- Census returns
- Electoral registers
- Lichfield polls 1710-1799
- Local newspapers.
Contact Details
Address: Lichfield History Access Point, Lichfield Library, St Mary’s, Market Square, Lichfield,
Staffordshire, WS13 6LG
Telephone: 0300 111 8000
Email: lichfield.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
Opening hours:
Monday : 8.30 am – 5.00 pm
Tuesday : 12.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Wednesday : 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Thursday : 9.00 am – 6.00 pm
Friday : 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Saturday : 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Sunday : Closed
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Holdings include:
- Estate papers of Gregory-Hood of Stivichall and Leigh of Stoneleigh
Contact Details
Address: The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, The Shakespeare Centre, Henley Street, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6QW
Telephone: 01789 204016
Web-site: www.shakespeare.org.uk and view their ‘Records’ pages
e-mail: records@shakespeare.org.uk
Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday 9.30-5.00; Saturday 9.30-12.30 except Saturday before bank holiday
Warwick County Record Office
Holdings include:
- Original Parish registers for Coventry & district
- Records of other Warwickshire parishes including those adjoining Coventry.
Contact Details
Address: Warwick County Record Office, Priory Park, Cape Road, Warwick CV34 4JS
Telephone: 01926 738959
e-mail: recordoffice@warwickshire.gov.uk
Web-site: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/countyrecordoffice
Opening Hours:
The office will open every week for these hours apart from two weeks in the Winter (dates to be confirmed) which will be used for cataloguing.
Wed 10-4pm
Thurs 10-4pm
Fri 10-4pm
Sat 10-1pm
Warwick University Modern Records Centre
Holdings include:
- Trade Union, Employers’ and Trade Association Archives.
Contact Details
Address: Modern Records Centre, University Library, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL
Telephone: 024 7652 4219 Fax: 024 7652 4211
e-mail: archives@warwick.ac.uk
web-site: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/mrc/
Opening Hours:
09:00 – 17:00 Monday-Thursday
09:00 – 16:00 Friday
The Centre is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.