Using the Hub for your research

Archives bring history to life. They help shape national, communal and individual identity and they provide a stimulating environment for academic and personal research.  The information contained in archives can be extremely useful for all types of research project.

The Archives Hub provides access to information about collections of primary source material held throughout the UK, enabling you to easily find sources to enhance your research.

If you would like to join our users list, to receive updates about what is on the Hub and tips for using archives in your research, please visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives-hub-users to sign up.

Why use the Hub?

With thousands of descriptions from over 180 UK archives, the Archives Hub is an ideal starting-point for any kind of research.  We provide an easy way to search many of the UK’s rich and varied archive holdings, and you can use the Hub to find resources for study and research at all levels - from primary school to post-doctoral - as well as for personal research projects.

Types of archives which you can discover include those of notable persons, such as writers (Agatha Christie), actors (Robert Donat), artists (Tom Eckersley), and politicians (Michael Foot).  We also hold many descriptions of corporate and institutional archives, and those of groups and societies.

Archives are collections of primary source material, which is by definition unqiue, and may include specific information which cannot be found anywhere else.  These resources can be of great value to your research, adding depth and evidence, and giving you the chance to examine unique material.

Getting started using the Hub

If you know your research topic, you can search the Archives Hub for information about that person, place, or subject.  If you are undecided, you can browse through subjects, and the holdings of individual repositories, to find something that catches your interest.  The archives cover a wide range of subjects, from coal-mining to football, from fine art to brewing.  To get started with your searching, visit the search page.

Consulting material

The Archives Hub does not hold any materials.  This means that once you have identified the archive(s) you want to consult, you will need to contact the holding institution, and make arrangements with them to go and visit.  Contact details for the institutions are linked from each description, or can be found on our contributors page.
If you haven’t been to an archive before, there are some things you will need to know:

• You will sometimes need to contact the repository in advance to make an appointment to consult the materials. 
• Food and drink are not usually allowed while consulting the archives
• Pens are often not allowed, so you may want to take a pencil with you.
• Many repositories now have sockets for laptops, and wireless internet available, but it is worth checking this before you arrive
• You may be asked to prove that you are a genuine researcher, or for a letter of recommendation.  You will normally be allowed access if you have a genuine reason for wanting to consult the archive; the repository you wish to visit will be able to tell you what (if anything) you would need to provide
• You may be able to get copies made of parts of archives, either photocopies or photographs.  Please contact the holding repository for details of how to request this.

 

 

"I use the Archives Hub to get a sense of what is available for my research. It is critical in helping me to use my time most efficiently. Being able to evaluate archives online allows me to do in-depth historical research. If the Hub was unavailable, it would have a profound impact on UK archival research in general - such research would be increasingly rare" Lecturer, Loughborough University