Dumfries and Galloway Library Service Catalogue

 

Welcome to our Heritage Service, where we tell the story of 600 years of Dumfries and Galloway’s history, culture and people.

 

The Heritage Service promotes, preserves, and provides access to historical collections and resources including official archives and records of individuals, estates, businesses, and organisations.  We have a wealth of resources to help with family history and genealogy research. 

 

Let us help you discover the distinct local history and culture of our region.

 

You can visit our sites and view our collections for free. We welcome the opportunity to give advice about using the Heritage Service resources.  We can undertake quick catalogue searches, outline what’s available and our help is free of charge for the first half hour.

If the assistance you need from us will take longer than 30mins we’ll provide you with a quote based on a £35 per hour charge.

How can we help you?

• Research: We can carry out research on your behalf or support you individually for an agreed period. 
• Family History/Genealogical Research: We can help you research your family tree, the history of your house, a local area, or a specific subject. 
• Other Research Services: if you’d like assistance with something just ask us and we’ll let you know if we can help.

How does it work?

• Contact us: email at heritage@dumgal.gov.uk telling us what you’d like to research.
• More Information: a member of our team will be in touch to ask more details.
• Quote: you’ll be provided with a personalised quote before you book any services.
• Confirm: confirm you’re happy to progress.
• Invoice: we’ll send you an invoice which you can pay online.
• Research: we’ll conduct the work we’ve agreed on in the quote.
• Outcome: you’ll receive any documents and reports included in the quote such as brief or detailed reports, printed or digital, and can include images, certificates, and maps where appropriate.

Details on all fees and charges are included below.

If you are a Commercial Customer please contact us.

Professional Research/Support	Research services and supported visits taking longer than 30 minutes can be provided by our Heritage Officer, Team Leader or Researchers relating to complex enquiries, virtual services, genealogical research.	£35 per hour
Digitised Images	Enabling customers to take images of heritage resources held within DGC collections for personal use. Alongside completion of a Copyright Declaration Form. Heritage appointments are 3 hours minimum and this would enable images to be taken during the supervised appointment.	£20 per appointment
Vehicle Registration Extract	Production of a certified extract from local vehicle registers (1903 – 1975) which enable customers to reregister original number plates with the DVLA.	£25
Heritage Talks	Talks delivered about the Heritage Service Collections and Services	Free
	Talks delivered on bespoke topics by professional Heritage Service Team.	£35 per hour to be charged on a project basis including preparation and talk delivery.

These charges will be in effect from 1^st April 2022.

If you have an enquiry or would like us to do research on your behalf, please email heritage@dumgal.gov.uk or call us on 01387 260285. 

Some of our collections :

 

• Agricultural and Estate Records
• Census Returns
• Church Records
• Court, Criminal and Police Records
• Education Records
• Health Records including the Crichton Royal Institute
• Maps and Plans
• Military Records
• Newspapers and Journals
• Photographs
• Sasines
• Valuation Records
• Vehicle Registrations

 

 

Special Collections
 

• RC Reid Collection: 196 volumes of history and genealogy of the region relating to 1500 – 1700
• Frank Miller Collection: an antiquarian and book collector with a particular interest in poetry and border Ballads.
• AC Wolffe Collection: (1920-2016) architectural drawings, client files and paperwork from his architect practice.  Held on behalf of Historic Environment Scotland

 

• Library catalogue – to search for local history materials including books, photographs and pamphlets

 

• Archive catalogue – to search for collections and archives

 

• Online photograph collection has 15,000 images from around the region.

 

• Crichton Royal Hospital The Crichton Royal Institution, Dumfries, initially called Crichton Institution for Lunatics, opened on 3 June 1839. It gained its Royal title in 1840. The Wellcome Trust has digitised and made freely available the majority of records relating to the Crichton Royal Hospital including:

 

• Records relating to the Founding of the Hospital
• Patient Records, 1838-c.1999
• Staff Records, 1843-2005
• Photographic Material, 1873-2005
• Prints, Engravings and Drawings, 1892-2002

 

Historical Indexes

Friends of the Archives Dumfries and Galloway have transcribed and indexed historical records including 1851 Census, Chamberlain Accounts 1793 – 1801, Dean of Guild Plans for the Burghs of Dumfries, Lockerbie and Moffat, Jail Books 1714-1810,

 

Ancestry.co.uk can be browsed free of charge from any of Customer Service Centres.

Ancestry.co.uk is the world’s largest genealogy website where you can search your family tree using birth records, census data, burial records, obituaries and more..

Book a PC for free at any Customer Service Centre or by telephoning 01387 260196

 

The Heritage Service is based within the Ewart Library, Dumfries.

We ask that you make an appointment before visiting so we can gather the items you require and reserve you a space.

Many of our collections are stored off site and we therefore require a minimum of 7 working days’ notice prior to the appointment to arrange for records to brought to site.

 

When are you open?  

The Heritage Room is open for you to access a range of resources

 

Monday, Tuesday, Friday          9.00am – 17.00pm

Wednesday and Thursday        9.00am – 18.00pm

Saturday                                    9.00am – 12 noon

 

Please note staff are available for basic support other than on Saturdays

To view any other collections and resource material please make an appointment.

 

How do I book?

To book an appointment, make an enquiry, reserve a space and order collections please

Email:               heritage@dumgal.gov.uk

Telephone:       01387 260285

  

Contact Us

Heritage Service

Ewart Library

Catherine Street

Dumfries

DG1 1JB

 

Email – heritage@dumgal.gov.uk

Telephone  - 01387 260285

 

Follow us:

Facebook @dumfriesandgallowayheritageservice

Instagram @dumfriesandgallowayheritage

 

Can I use my laptop?

Yes, but please ensure that your laptop is fully charged before you come as there may be no access to a power point.

 

Can I use my camera?

You may use a digital camera but staff must agree there will be no risk to the document.  We charge for a digital licence for camera use.

In addition, you will be asked to sign a declaration form confirming that you are not photographing items for a commercial purpose or for publication.  The majority of documents in the Archive are protected by copyright.  However, please be aware that it is your responsibility to ensure you are not breaking copyright law by photographing any items. No flash photography of any kind is permitted.

 

Can anyone use the Heritage Service Collections?

All are welcome to visit and use the collections and resources.  And its free!

 

Will someone help me when I visit the Heritage Service?

Yes of course, our staff are on hand to help you find the best resources to answer your enquiry and show you how to use the guides and finding aids in the Heritage Room.