Discover Our New Archives Catalogue
We’re delighted to introduce our brand new Archives catalogue, making it easier than ever to explore the history of Manchester. It is free to use online by everyone, whether you’re at home, in our Libraries or on the move.
Using our new catalogue system is a great starting point to discover collections from both Manchester Archives and Greater Manchester Record Office held here at Central Library, it’s up to date and really easy to use – searching by name, place, collection reference or subject is very user friendly.
We have archives of all kinds here at Central Library from hospitals and workhouses, businesses, photographs, plans, letters and lots more. Whether you’re researching local history, tracing family connections, studying or simply interested in Manchester’s rich heritage, you’ll find a wealth of useful sources with over 3,000 collections to search or browse.
One new feature that we are excited to share is the searchable Indexes. Our staff and volunteers work hard on various projects including indexing different items from our collections. We currently have one index available relating to the George Wilson Papers (M20), a collection of correspondence containing letters from many well-known historical figures. We’re looking to add to these starting with our theatre collection and some of our nurses registers, so watch this space.
The new catalogue makes it easier than ever to book time in the Search Room and view original archive materials, simply by searching the catalogue and following the online booking links.
We know that a new archives catalogue for Manchester’s collections has been eagerly awaited. We encourage you to explore the catalogue, try out the new features, and let us know what you think. We would appreciate any feedback on the new site, with a feedback form available to complete until Monday 30th November 2026. This will help us continue to develop and improve the site over time.
We will also be holding a drop in session with the chance to try out the new catalogue with guidance from our friendly Archives team. The event will be held on Tuesday 20 October 2026, 11am – 2pm, in the Local Studies Computer Area on the Ground Floor of Manchester Central Library.
Start exploring today and discover the stories, people, and places that make our city so special.
