Archives and family history
Unfortunately Caernarfon Record Office continues to be closed due to necessary electrical work to the Building. Due to unforeseen problems the Record Office will not be able to re-open until April. Staff are on the premises, therefore if you have an enquiry please contact (01286) 679 095 or email archifau@gwynedd.llyw.cymru.
Direct telephone contact may be difficult from time to time when we lose power therefore please contact Dolgellau Record Office during those times on (01341) 424 682. We apologise for any inconvenience.
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Archives and family history
Gwynedd Archives are home to a wide range of documents, photographs, maps and newspapers.
Search and browse the online archive catalogue
Only a percentage of our catalogues are available on-line, but you can see a list here of the collections held by the Record Office.
View list of collections held by the Record Office
Caernarfon Record Office
Opening hours:
Caernarfon opening hours
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|
| Monday |
Closed |
| Tuesday |
Closed |
| Wednesday |
9:30 - 12:30
13:30 - 17:00
|
| Thursday |
9:30 - 12:30
13:30 - 17:00
|
| Friday |
9:30 - 12:30
13:30 - 17:00
|
Meirionnydd Record Office
Opening hours:
Meirionnydd Opening hours
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|
| Monday |
9:30 - 12:30
13:30 - 17:00
|
| Tuesday |
9:30 - 12:30
13:30 - 17:00
|
| Wednesday |
Closed |
| Thursday |
Closed |
| Friday |
Closed |
Online research
Whether you’re interested in local Gwynedd history or want to research your family history our online archive catalogue has over 12,000 pages and 2,000 images you can search at a click of a button.
Search the online archive catalogue
Only a percentage of our catalogues are available online, but you can see a list here of the collections held by the Record Office.
View list of collections held by the Record Office
Help is at hand at both Record Offices if you are unable to find relevant information.
The guides below can help you with your research:
Visiting the Record Offices
You can copy the majority of material, the cost of copying is 30p a page. View a list of prices and the request for copies form below. We do not allow the use of cameras, camera phones or scanning equipment.
Research service
If it’s impossible for you to come to a records office, we offer a research service by post. The fee for up to 30 minutes' work by an experienced researcher is £15.
Conservation Service
The Conservation Unit repairs documents and binds books for the Archives Service, the public and various institutions. For more information, email archifau@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or phone (01286) 679 095
Depositing Documents
Many of our collections have been given or deposited by the public, businesses, institutions and societies. If you have any documents that relate to Gwynedd or the people of Gwynedd and would like for them to be safeguarded you can add them to our collections. They can be deposited on loan or as a gift.
Education service
The Education Officer can visit a school to present images of old photographs, maps, newspapers, and a variety of documents from the collections. Copies of original material can be prepared in response to a school’s individual request.
Schools are also welcome to visit both Record Offices and experience a tour of the buildings and collections.
To arrange a visit to the Records Office, Lloyd Georege Museum or Gwynedd Museum, Bangor contact the education service:
Maritime Wales
The Archives Service publishes Maritime Wales annually. The publication includes articles relating to the maritime history of Wales.
Policies
Our policies can be viewed here: