Cultural Collections is a site that is focused on research and local information and covers items held in Lincolnshire’s Archives, Libraries, Museums and Tennyson Research Centre. Essentially it is a search engine that provides a single place from which to search through a wide range of cultural collections across Lincolnshire. This database is not a complete catalogue of our holdings, but is an ongoing project that shows the range of material that is available. Additional entries will be added regularly. The collections available through this online presence are:
- Archives
Lincolnshire Archives is the public archive service for Lincolnshire (http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/archives). The Archives centre in Lincoln offers an accessible search room for researchers investigating the extensive archive and reference library collections. This search engine includes the following:
- Documents
A catalogue of over 100,000 original documents relating mainly to Lincolnshire, dating from the 11th Century to the present day. Types of records include those of the Diocese of Lincoln, Church of England parishes, other religious denominations, landed estates, businesses, solicitors, organisations, local authorities, courts, schools and other public bodies. Not all the catalogues of the Archives are yet available on-line, but they will be added to regularly [we always welcome volunteers who can help with our project to re-key over 50 years’ worth of typescript catalogues].
When requesting documents, please make sure that you use references from the lowest level of the relevant catalogue, by using the navigation links in the Sequence Details section.
- Books
A catalogue of nearly 25,000 books and periodicals relating mainly to the history of Lincolnshire, held in the Foster Library at the Archives, and at some other libraries.
- Convicts Database
A database of Lincolnshire convicts known to have been transported Australia, Gibraltar and Bermuda between 1788 and 1868. There are nearly 2,000 convicts listed here with details of their convictions and sentencing.
- Parish Register Microfiche
An index to nearly 21,000 microfiche of Lincolnshire Parish Registers, providing references for the baptism, marriage and burial registers dating from 1538 to the 20th Century.
- Probate Index
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An index of nearly 75,000 probate records in the following series:
- Lincoln Consistory Court Wills, 1801-1858
- Lincoln Consistory Court Administrations, 1674-1701 & 1729-1858
- Archdeaconry of Stow Wills, 1700-1834
- Archdeaconry of Stow Administrations, 1700-1834
- Wills in the Dean & Chapter Act Books, 1305-1534
- Miscellaneous Wills, Inventories and Administrations, series J-Q, 1525-1857
- Various “Aylmer” Wills, 1489-1588
- Office Copy Wills from Lincoln Probate Registry, 1858-1910
- Prebendal Court of Empingham, Rutland, Wills, Administrations & Inventories, 1751-1835
- Prebendal Court of Nassington, Northamptonshire, Wills, 1748-1844
- Wills from the “White Book”, 1467-1618
- Newspaper Index
A subject index of over 23,000 newspaper articles, mainly from 19th Century issues of the Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury. Microfilms of the newspapers are available for consultation at Lincoln Central Library, Boston Library, Grantham Library, Sleaford Library and Stamford Library.
Please note that the Archives section of this search engine does not include images at this stage. Issues relating to archival images are currently being explored as part of another exciting project.
- Tennyson Research Centre
The Tennyson Research Centre, at Lincoln Central Library (http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/section.asp?sectiontype=listmixed&catid=21712) holds the most significant collection of books, letters, printers’ proofs, photographs illustrations and objects relating to Alfred Tennyson and his family. At present this database contains only details of Library Books, but more will be added in due course.
- Museums
Search the superb collections of Lincolnshire County Council. There are thousands of objects to choose from, from gold rings to photographs, ammonites to Turner paintings. There are currently over 6,000 items to search including thumbnail and high quality images. See http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/section.asp?sectiontype=listmixed&catid=19772 for links to details of individual sites.
Please note that considerably more museum catalogue entries will be added to this search engine in the Autumn, once our existing databases have been amalgamated.
- Libraries
This search engine includes reference, local studies and non-fiction items from the holdings of Lincolnshire County Council’s libraries. For the full Library Catalogue, including details of how to reserve books and availability at library branches throughout the County, please see http://virtuallibrary.lincolnshire.gov.uk .