Archives
The Museum holds a substantial archive containing the following resources: parish registers, local government records, manorial records, directories, photographs, maps and more.
There is a general index for all archives at the Museum. These records can be accessed by appointment. See our Research information further down the page for details.
Maps
We have around 650 historic maps and plans of Cambridgeshire and the Fens, the earliest of which dates back to c. 1590.
Townshend autograph letter collection
In this collection autograph means 'hand writing' and not, as it is commonly understood to mean, 'signature'. The collection assembled by Chauncy Hare Townshend comprises over 500 documents.
It features along with British and Foreign monarchs; Statesmen and Politicians; Writers - historian, Philosophers, Journalists, Editors, Novelists and Poets; Publishers, Scientists - Geologists, Naturalists, Chemists; Theologists, Preachers, Hymnologists and Missionaries, Musicians, Performers and Composers; Artists; Actors; Scientist; Educationalists and other lesser known professionals popular in Townshend's time.
Research
Local history research
Visitors are welcome to undertake independent research at the Museum. Please ring 01945 583817, or email info@wisbechmuseum.org.uk. The Research Room is available during Museum opening hours. If you wish to do research at the Museum, it is essential that you book in advance as space is limited. To make an appointment please telephone 01945 583817 or email info@wisbechmuseum.org.uk.
Overview of Resources Available for Consultation:
- Parochial Registers and Records for 28 parishes in the Wisbech area (from Cambridgeshire and Norfolk). For a full listing of the following archives click here to download documents
- Approximately 650 maps and plans
- Approximately 10,000 negatives, slides and photographs
- Trade directories eg Kelly's
We charge £5.00 per hour for research using the Parish Registers.
If you're a beginner and would like some advice on local and family history research why not download our fact sheets on Parish Registers and Deed Titles, click here to download documents
The research room is available
during opening hours
Currently open Wed - Sat 10am - 4pm.
Last admissions 3.45pm
Please phone or email
to make an appointment
Did you know?
Contact usRemote research
The Museum provides a limited postal research service into the parish registers at a charge of £20.00 per hour, this money is used exclusively for the conservation of the parish registers and other archives.
The Museum offers a service for postal enquiries into the archives (including photographs and maps) - a simple enquiry, taking no longer than 10 minutes is free, but after that any time spent is charged at £20.00 per hour.
Copies may be made of parish register entries. Charges are £1.00 per entry. Minimum charge is £3.00 including postage & packing.
