The Wakefield office of the West Yorkshire Archive Service acts as the Appointed Diocesan Record Office.

The office implements the legislation under the 1978 Parochial Registers and Record Measure and the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1992.

 

For full guidance on parish records and archives please download a copy of "Keep or Bin" (pdf 220kb).

West Yorkshire Archive Service, Wakefield
Registry of Deeds
Newstead Road
Wakefield
WF1 2DE

Contact the Senior Archivist on 01924 305980 or wakefield@wyjs.org.uk
Web site: www.archives.wyjs.org.uk

Please see the web site — Wakefield office entry — for opening hours and location (a map can be printed). Appointments are recommended for researchers, as the searchroom can get very busy.

Facilities

The Record Office provides the following facilities:

• advice on the safekeeping of all parish records, historic and current.
• sorting, listing and storage of parish records
• conservation of records
• access for researchers and parish officers as required
• genealogical research service for family historians, please feel free to forward any family history letters received
• temporary withdrawal service for exhibitions, legal enquires etc.
• loan of showcases for exhibitions and assistance with displays
• microfilming of parish registers

Archives can be brought in at any time but if assistance is required with a particular enquiry it is advisable to ring in advance.

The Diocesan Record Office staff are also available to visit parishes to survey, provide advice and collect records.

To view the database of holdings please visit the web site and click on "catalogues".

Other ecclesiastical (church) records

National Church of England records and archives are available online. Visit the Libraries and Archives section of the Church of England web site.