Heritage Service

Our archives, local studies and family records tell the story of 600 years of Dumfries and Galloway's history, culture and people.

Collections and records

We have a vast range of collections and records including:

  • agricultural and estate records
  • allegiance oaths
  • building and planning records
  • burgesses
  • burial records
  • census returns
  • church records
  • council minutes
  • court, criminal and police records
  • customs and excise records
  • directories and guide books
  • education records
  • family and genealogical records
  • graveyard maps and memorial inscriptions
  • health records, including the Crichton Royal Institute
  • irregular narriage records
  • literary records
  • maps and plans
  • military records
  • national sources
  • newspapers and journals
  • old parochial registers
  • photographs, prints, paintings and drawings
  • poor welfare records
  • registration of births, deaths and marriages
  • sasines
  • service of heirs records
  • testaments
  • trade and business records
  • transport and infrastructure records
  • valuation and taxation records
  • voting records

We also have some special collections:

  • RC Reid Collection; 196 volumes of history and genealogy of the region, covering 1500 to 1700
  • Frank Miller Collection; antiquarian and book collection, with a particular focus on poetry and border ballads
  • AC Wolffe Collection, 1920 to 2016; architectural drawings, client files and paperwork from AC Wolffe's architect practice, held on behalf of Historic Environment Scotland

Further details can found by searching our online catalogues and resources.