Collections

SOME DETAILS OF THE ARCHIVES which are held at our Antiquarian and Heritage Centre, 6 Douro Terrace, Sunderland, are listed below. These can be viewed by Members and visitors on Wednesday and Saturday mornings 9.30-noon. The Society now publishes articles and photographs for its members on the Members Only area of this website. If you would like to become a member you can register here.

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Census:

1851 for Bishopwearrnouth and Monkwearmouth; 1861 for Southwick.

Parish Registers/Bishop's Transcripts:

Some printed PRs. Original Presbyterian Registers for Malings Rigg Chapel, Sunderland; and Sessions Books, etc., Fir Presbyterian Chapels now amalgamated into United Reformed Church.

Indexes:

Files on various places in Sunderland area. Generally indexing is ongoing, with still much work to do. Street/Trade/Commercial Directories: Most of the printed directories. Wills/Probate Records: The River Wear Commissioners Transfer Deeds record much Probate detail. These are indexed but mostly cover well-to-do people. Some 18c & 19c wills are amongst the Indentures. School Records: Some general records - e.g. Bede School journals and photos.

Maps:

Extensive collection from 18c to OS maps, inc. detailed maps of port, harbour & town.

Modern Day OS Maps:

Full set for North-East of England.

Hearth Tax Returns:

For Sunderland.

Newspapers/periodicals:

Collection covering Sunderland and area (at present being indexed). Several shipbuilding & marine journals available. Apprentice/Freeman Records: Collection of apprenticeships documents. Protestation Oath Returns: For Sunderland.

Every Sunderland Daily Echo 1874 - 1975 (a few gaps in early 1920s but otherwise we have a copy of every edition, including all the Football Echoes).  We also hold negatives of many thousands of Echo photographs, Work continues  on digitising them for easy access.

Military Records:

Some late 18c (Volunteers) documents; WW/I & WW/[I material for Sunderland area.

Title Deeds/Mortgages:

Collection of property deeds and indentures from l8c & 19c

Tithe/Enclosure Awards:

Bishopwearmouth tithe accounts.

Other Poor Law Records:

Overseers Accounts and other misc. records.

Pedigree Collections:

Our ‘Continuing Corder" Project is at present collecting Sunderland Pedigrees. We accept any pedigree researches with gratitude for future generations.

Heraldic Records:

Collection of North East brass rubbings and seals.

Local History Literature:

Very large library for Sunderland & district. Most ‘classics' concerning the history of NBL and DUR (Archaeologia Aeliana, Surtees Society, etc). Some rare volumes and MSS - old and modern of Sunderland area.

Others:

Collection of posters and bills for Co. Durham elections (I 800s); Pew Rents; Doxford Shipping Archive (photos, news books & details of ship launches & workmen); River Wear Commissioners files l900-70s; photographic collection: material from 18c on keelmen, shipping, harbour, lighthouses, etc.; large collection of North-East Methodist material (1 8c onwards); Presbyterian church material for Sunderland; collections on football, transport, employment, laundry, law & order, shipping firms, papermaking, glassmaking, mining, bridges, politics, elections (local & national from 18c onwards), bill-headings, etc..