Records available on microform

This is a summary of our most popular sources available on microfilm and fiche.

Many are also available to view at the Norfolk Heritage Centre (NHC) in the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library.

Parish records

• Registers for many Norfolk parishes c1538-c1900
• Other records: coverage varies widely from parish to parish, but they include:
  • Churchwardens' accounts
  • Overseers of the Poor accounts
  • Settlement and bastardy papers  

Archdeacons' and bishop's transcripts

Archdeacons' and bishop's transcripts c1600 - early 20th century: exact dates vary from parish to parish and there are often gaps, especially in the 17th and early 18th centuries

Free Church (Nonconformist) and Roman Catholic registers

• Registers of many Norfolk Nonconformist churches, including the mainly pre-1837 registers held by The National Archives
• Registers of Roman Catholic chapels:
  • Norwich Duke's Palace 1758-86
  • Garret Chapel 1787-92
  • St John Maddermarket 1793-1896
  • Willow Lane 1848-94
  • Costessey 1785-1896
  • King's Lynn St Mary 1802-1939

Norfolk censuses

• Norfolk censuses, 1841-1901
• Norfolk census indexes for 1851 and 1881

Probate records

• Wills, administrations and inventories proved in Norfolk church courts c1370-1857
• Norwich District Probate Sub-Registry wills 1858-1925 and indexes to wills and administrations, 1858-1941

Churchyard surveys and cemetery registers

• Copies of the inscriptions on gravestones and monuments in Norfolk churches and graveyards, covering about a third of Norfolk parishes and a few Nonconformist burial grounds
• Norwich cemeteries:
  • Rosary Cemetery registers 1821-1991
  • Earlham Cemetery registers 1855-1970 (with indexes to 1998)
• Great Yarmouth cemeteries:
  • Old and New Cemetery registers 1856-1987
  • Magdalen Cemetery registers 1958-87
  • Gorleston Old Cemetery registers 1879-1987
  • Caister Cemetery registers 1906-87
  • A transcript of the Market Gates Cemetery register 1828-64

School records

The majority of our school log books and admission registers prior to 1926 are available on microfilm.

Most of our records relate to closed local authority schools. Schools that are still open usually keep their own records.

Electoral registers

• Norfolk (county) 1845-1975
• Great Yarmouth 1832-1915 (1918-48 only available as original records; for 1949 onwards, see county series)
• King's Lynn burgess rolls and electoral registers 1834-1901 (for 1918 onwards, see the county series)

Poor Law records

• Poor Law Union records c18th century-c1927 (dates vary widely according to the union)
• Norwich poor relief records c1570-1909

Records of freemen and apprentices

• Norwich freemen's registers 1317-1981
• Great Yarmouth freemen's registers 1680-1856
• King's Lynn freemen's registers 1440-1868
• Norwich apprenticeship registers 1510-1749, with some apprenticeship indentures 1515-1774, 1826-38 and 1867
• Great Yarmouth apprenticeship registers 1662-1856
• King's Lynn apprenticeship registers 1648-1851

Rating and taxation records

• County land tax returns c1780-1832
• Norwich land and window tax assessments 1708-1832
• Great Yarmouth poor rate books 1741-1861
• King's Lynn borough poll and land tax returns 1689-1705

Records of prisoners and of the quarter sessions courts

• Norfolk quarter sessions court records 1752-1955
• Norwich quarter sessions court registers 1511-1851
• King's Lynn sessions court records 1620-1865
• Calendars (lists) of prisoners for various dates 1650-1896
• Norfolk County Gaol (Norwich Castle) records 1733-35, 1764-85 and 1809-87
• Norwich Prison records 1887-1937

City and borough records

• Norwich city court rolls 1285-1508
• Norwich Mayor's court books 1424-1835
• Great Yarmouth borough court records 1280-1312, 1577-1851
• King's Lynn hall books 1385-1731
• King's Lynn Guildhall court books 1591-1842

Norwich medical officer of health

• Birth returns 1904-61
• Death returns 1894-1965
• Vaccination registers 1882-1948

Diocesan

• Marriage licence bonds, Norwich Consistory Court 1557-1902
• Marriage licence bonds, Norfolk and Norwich Archdeaconry Courts c1660-c1915
• Bishop's registers 1299-1761
• Consistory Court act books 1508-1871
• Consistory Court depositions 1499-1788
• Diocesan Book (indexes of incumbents etc.) c1730-c1968

Manorial records

We hold court rolls, court books and other records for about 500 manors. Covering dates vary widely and records before 1733 are in Latin, except for the Commonwealth period.

Maps and plans

• Tithe maps and apportionments for almost every Norfolk parish 1836-c1850
• Some enclosure maps and estate maps