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Archives, Libraries & Museums
Record Offices in Devon
Which Record Office...?
There are 3 Record Offices in Devon based in Exeter, Barnstaple and Plymouth each of them holding archive collections relating to their own geographical area. Therefore, before visiting it is important to establish where the records are held that you wish to view.
See: Visiting and accessing Devon's historic archives.
If in doubt though, staff are always happy to answer queries, so it is worth contacting them in advance. Remember that some records are only available to view on microfiche or microfilm, so you may need to book a fiche or film reader in advance.
Research Service
Devon Heritage Centre (Exeter) offer a professional research service while North Devon and Plymouth and West Devon Record Offices provide lists of Independent Researchers or Record Agents that you can hire.
- Devon Heritage Centre (Exeter) - Professional Research and Copying Service.
- North Devon Record Office (Barnstaple) - Research service provided by North Devon Athenaeum.
- Plymouth Archives and Local Studies - Contact Plymouth Archives for a list of Independent Researchers (Record Agents).
Contact Details for each of the Record Offices
Devon Heritage Centre
Great Moor House
Bittern Road
Sowton
Exeter
Devon
EX2 7NL
Tel No: 01392 888700
Email:
North Devon Record Office
Library and Record Office
Tuly Street
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1EL
Tel No: 01271 318792
Email:
Plymouth Archives
The Box
Tavistock Place
Plymouth
Devon
PL4 8AX
Tel No: 01752 305940
Email:
Libraries & Museums
- Devon Museums - This site provides a guide to the museums and galleries in Devon, with contact details and links to their individual websites.
- Devon Service Points - These are other places that offer access to historical records on microfiche or microfilm.
- Barnstaple Local Studies Library - Located within North Devon Record Office.
- Exmouth Library - Local studies resources.
- Plymouth Local History - Located at Plymouth Central Library now at 167 - 171 Armada Way, Plymouth, PL1 1HZ (opposite the Armada Centre).
- Plymouth Naval History - This collection includes books, images, journals and other artefacts providing an interesting history of the Royal Navy in Plymouth. The main naval history collection is based at Devonport Library located at St Aubyn Church, Chapel Street, Devonport, Plymouth, PL1 4DP.
- Torbay Archive Service - Devon Heritage Centre offer an archive service on behalf of Torbay Council. There are also three service points in Torbay where you can access microfiche copies of historical records for the local area. The service points are located at Brixham Heritage Museum, Paignton Library and Torquay Library.
- Torbay Local Studies - The main collection of Local Studies materials are held at Torquay Central Library. Branch libraries at Brixham, Churston and Paignton also have local study collections on general topics and works specific to their locality.