There is an extensive range of microfilms available on open access in the Barker Research Library. Perhaps the most significant, and the most heavily used, are the microfilms of local newspapers, especially Durham's own Advertiser (back to 1814) and Chronicle (back to 1820) , invaluable for all aspects of local historical research into the 19th and 20th centuries. The newspapers also include a number of publications of the 18th and earlier 19th centuries for other parts of the North East, such as Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and Stockton.
Other series of microfilms available include the Harvester Press series of bishops' registers, and some medieval cartularies of English cathedrals.
The collection of microfiche is not so extensive but does include the national probate indexes for post 1858.
These collections have not been digitised, so that only the catalogues are currently available online.
If you would like to purchase digital copies of specific items from any of our collections, please get in touch.
If you are a member of teaching staff at Durham University and would like to use material from Archives and Special Collections within your lectures or seminars, we may be able to scan or photograph items for this purpose. Please contact us as early as possible with any teaching digitisation requests.
See also our guide to Digitised Collections Online for further information on our digital resources.
The collections mentioned above are located at Palace Green Library. Our current opening hours are as follows, but see also below.
For further information on visiting to use the collections, please use our enquiry form.
See separate Libraries and Site Information guide for further information on Palace Green Library.
Appointments are strongly recommended for all visits, please use the enquiry form to book. Please give three working days notice when possible and include a full list of document references or shelfmarks so that we can best enable your research access.
