On Thursday 16th April members of Selby Civic Society visited the North Yorkshire Archives in Northallerton. It proved to be very interesting and completely fascinating.
North Yorkshire Archives collects, preserves and makes accessible historic and current records of significance for the study of North Yorkshire and its people and holds them in trust for future generations. They care for millions of documents including manuscript maps from the sixteenth century to the present day, parish registers, the North Riding Registry of deeds, archives of district and parish councils and so much more.
Dan, Archivist, had kindly laid out many interesting and rare documents, from North Yorkshire and relating to Selby for members to look at. They included some very intriguing maps, title deeds from the time of Charles II, original drawings of Selby’s Swing Bridge and draftsman drawings for ships made by Cochrane’s, among other documents. The members also saw some conservation being carried out on an old map of York railway carriage works, to preserve it for the future.
It was also very useful to learn what is stored at the Archives and of its facilities. The documents which are held can be used to obtain information for a variety of purposes including family history and genealogy, local history, tracing the ownership of property and various other research projects. There is a large public search room and advice can be given on where all the items can be found. The members of the Selby Civic Society very much enjoyed the trip and found the information very interesting and useful.
The full programme of Selby Civic Society events for 2026 can be found on the website selbycivicsociety.org.uk and on Facebook at /selbycivicsociety
North Yorkshire Archives offer a series of public tours. More information can be found on their website at https://archiveshop.northyorks.gov.uk/events-tickets/public-tours.html
