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Archive Collections

We are not able to provide access to our archive collections while we wait for our new home at Spindles to open, but if you would like to know more about what we hold, please use our online catalogue.

Search Archive Collections

Archives are unique, original documents created in the course of everyday activities.

Oldham’s archives date from 1597 and cover an enormous range of subjects and activities:

  • Hospital records
  • Poor Law Union records
  • Coroners Court records
  • Local Authority records including Chadderton, Crompton, Failsworth, Lees, Oldham, Royton and Saddleworth
  • Schools and education records
  • Records for statutory bodies like the police force
  • Church and religious records
  • Business records
  • Solicitors and estate agents records
  • Trade unions and associations records
  • Co-operative Society records
  • Sports, entertainment and leisure records
  • Personal, family and property records
  • Society and Association records
  • Records of Oldham communities

Donate your Archives

Oldham Local Studies and Archives is always on the look out for new archives to add to the collections.

Records that might seem unimportant to you now could be of immense value to researchers in the future.

Have you ever kept a diary, run your own business, or acted as secretary for a local society? You could have Oldham’s future history hidden away in your home or office.

If you think that you might have something in which we would be interested, please get in touch. We will be happy to find out more. Our contact details are on the Oldham Local Studies and Archives page.

Please note that, while we wait for the completion of our new building at Spindles, we are not currently accepting donations.

Catalogues

Catalogues listing what we hold can be found on the following websites although none of these sites offers a comprehensive list.

Some of our catalogues are only available in paper format so if you cannot find what you are looking for email archives@oldham.gov.uk.

Oldham Council Heritage Collections

As well as a selection of archive catalogues it includes catalogues for local studies, social history, natural history, art and fine art collections held in Oldham.

GM Lives

a searchable website which allows users to find information about documents, books, maps, photographs and more held by archives and local history libraries within Greater Manchester.

The National Archives Discovery

The National Archives Discovery database contains catalogue information that describes archives held nationally and locally in England and Wales. The database includes catalogue information about the archive collections held by Oldham Local Studies and Archives. Rename the web link to The National Archives Discovery.

Map of the route taken by the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies on the Women's Suffrage Pilgrimage in July 1913. Document reference: M90/6/7/3/1
M90/6/7/3/1
Photograph of members of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies taken during the Women's Suffrage Pilgrimage in July 1913. Document reference: M90/6/7/3/8
M90/6/7/3/8
Details of the route taken by the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies on the Women's Suffrage Pilgrimage in July 1913. Document reference: M90/6/7/3/1
M90/6/7/3/1
Image of a ship with the name Progress with the names of six mills on the sails, each part of Shiloh Spinners Ltd. Collection reference: SPLC
SPLC
Front cover of a Yorkshire Penny Bank Ltd bank book for the School Bank held at St John's CofE School in Failsworth, 1958-1959. Document reference: S21/5/1/2
S21/5/1/2
Plan showing the flank elevation of the Boys' school at Waterhead Church School by architect W Tittensor, 1852. Document reference: S3/8/3
S3/8/3
Untitled sketch by Sam Fitton showing two women in Edwardian dress conversing outside about another woman's hair dying practice, 1910. The caption reads: [Woman 1] "What do you think dear? Miss Fortee dyes her hair Black, but don't tell anybody?" [Woman 2] "Why shouldn't I?" [Woman 1] "Well, she wants to keep it dark, I suppose." Document reference: FIT/1/1/13
FIT/1/1/13
Cast list from the Oldham Repertory Theatre Club performance of The Boy Friend. This play was the first professional appearance on stage of Barbara Knox, then known as Barbara Mullaney. Document reference: COL/2/5/26/13/1
COL/2/5/26/13/1
Pupil-teacher agreement for Minnetta Bunting to serve under a certified teacher at Chadderton Bourne Street Board School. Document reference: S4/1/2/1
S4/1/2/1
Page 5 from a commemorative book presented to Marjory Lees in December 1919 by the Executive Committee of the Oldham Society for Women's Suffrage in recognition of her role as leader of the Society. The page features a photograph of the Executive Committee with the names of the sitters written underneath. Document reference: M90/6/7/10/2
M90/6/7/10/2
Pages from Charles Lees' Diary recording a trip to Egypt and Europe, November 1864-May 1865, recording a visit to Karnak to view a newly found mummy. Document reference: M90/4/1/3
M90/4/1/3
Illustration by Sam Fitton to the poem 'It's cowd to-neet' published in Gradely Lancashire. The sketch shows an old couple seated in front of a fire where a kettle is boiling. Document reference: FIT/1/1/2
FIT/1/1/2