Manx National Heritage Library and Archives
- Related Resources
- Guides to the collections
- Sources for Family History guide
- Finding aids for manuscript and printed resources can be searched using our iMuseum https://www.imuseum.im/ which also holds selected digitized photographs, posters, maps, prints and sound recordings.
- Access to digitized Manx newspapers up to 1960 is via https://www.imuseum.im/newspapers/
- Web
- Telephone
- Address
- Manx Museum, Kingswood Grove, Douglas, IM1 3LY, Isle of Man
- Opening Hours
- Wednesday to Saturday: 10:00 - 16:30
- Access Information
- On your first visit you will be asked to complete a registration form and provide proof of your identity, showing your current address. A library card is issued to repeat users, displaying your name and membership number which is used when signing in to use our Reading Room on each visit. By registering, you are signing to accept our general terms and conditions including copyright restrictions.
- Advance Orders
- Advance requests for access to particular resources may be emailed to us at library@mnh.im
- Photocopying Services
- A limited copying service is available, subject to the condition of original resources and copyright restrictions. Use of cameras is permitted to take images for private research. For those unable to visit in person use of a researcher on island is an option to obtain information and copies. Contact details are here: https://manxnationalheritage.im/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Contacts-updated-Dec-2023.pdf
- Accessible
- No
- Archival and Other Holdings
- The Manx Museum in Douglas opened in November 1922 on the site of an old hospital. The library has been an integral part of the museum from the beginning, holding Isle of Man-related archival and printed matter. Our collections help inform on many aspects of Manx history as well as our archaeological, cultural and environmental heritage. All are welcome from general enquirers at our counter to those working on school projects, academic research, family history, media content, publishing and other purposes. Our subject matter is diverse and includes Manx language, genealogy, folklore, landholding, internment, politics and motorsport.
- Access to our resources and assistance from our library team is free. Visitors will see multiple donation boxes and contactless pay points dotted around the museum given we are a charity but there is no expectation of donations in lieu of services.
- The archives include:
- Early records of the legislature (Tynwald Court), judiciary and executive government of the Isle of Man.
- Some early public records including those from the Isle of Man Government Rolls Office and those known as the Castle Rushen Papers.
- Papers of the Earls of Derby and the Dukes of Atholl, former Lords of Mann.
- Land tenure records (from the early 16th century) and registered deeds to 1910.
- Probate records from early 1600s to 1910.
- Business records for banking, retail and entertainment sectors; mining, textile manufacture, agriculture (dairy farming), shipping and rail transportation companies.
- Correspondence and accounts of 18th and early 19th century merchants trading in the Irish Sea area as well as Europe and North America.
- Associational archives including friendly societies (Rechabites, Oddfellows &c), Manx antiquarian societies (Manx Society, Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society), sports and social clubs and charitable associations. Also the Isle of Man Employers' Federation and trade union archives.
- Private, family and literary papers, including papers of the Goldie-Taubmans, Drinkwaters of Kirby, Quayles of Bridge House, Castletown and authors such as Sir T H Hall Caine and Nigel Kneale.
- Papers of Manx clergymen, archaeologists and antiquarians.
- Internment records (the Isle of Man was used by the British Government for the internment of 'enemy aliens' during both World Wars).
- Records for the Royal Manx Fencibles.
- Ecclesiastic archives for the diocese of Sodor and Man from the 17th century; also non-conformist and Roman Catholic church records.
- Printed and hand-drawn maps and plans including Ordnance Survey, estate and landholding surveys and abandoned lead mining plans.
- Photographic collection from the early days of photography to the present day, documenting the Isle of Man and its people.
- Posters, prints, notices and proclamations issued during the 19th and early 20th centuries by the respective Lieutenant Governors.
- Moving images from 1914 to the present including tourist films, the TT motorcycle races and home movies.
- Sound recordings from the early 1900s to the present day, including the last native Manx speakers, general Manx oral history, music and public broadcasts.
- Dissertations and theses with Manx content
- There are a range of information sheets to help answer frequently asked questions available at:
- https://manxnationalheritage.im/collections/library-and-archives/
List of Collections(View as Search Results)
- The Harrison Collection - papers amassed by Vicar-General James Wilks and his descendents, including documents relating to Colonel Mark Wilks FRS, papers of Sir Mark Cubbon KCB and papers of Canon Mark Wilks Harrison MA
- The Manx Folk-Life Survey Archive
- The papers of the Dukes of Atholl relating to their administration of the Isle of Man
- Archaeological excavation records of Gerhard Bersu
- Archives of the Isle of Man District and individual Tent records of the Independent Order of Rechabites, later the Rechabite Friendly Society
- Archives of the Isle of Man Oddfellows (District and Lodges)
- Archives of the Laxey Industrial (Provident) Co-operative Society Limited
- Archives of the Palace and Derby Castle Company Limited
- Archives of the Postcard Censoring Committee
- Archives of the Ramsey Steamship Company Ltd, with associated records of the Island Steamship Company Ltd and J.B. Kee (1930) Ltd
- Banking records of George Quayle & Co., also known as the Isle of Man Bank Company and Quayle's Bank of Bridge House, Castletown
- Crew lists and agreements for vessels registered to Isle of Man ports
- Diaries of Robert Williamson of Laxey and his daughter Edith, with accompanying biographical notes on family members
- Douglas Alien Detention Camp records
- Family and business papers of the Quayle family of Glenmaye, Patrick
- Family papers of Sir Mark Edlmann Collet, including Buchan, Wilks, Cubbon and Collet relatives
- Files prepared by Canon R D Kermode, Vicar of St George's Church, Douglas on the whereabouts and condition of men from his parish serving in the First World War
- Historical records of Castletown Heritage
- Historical records of Heron & Brearley Limited
- Historical records of the 2nd and 3rd Corps of the Royal Manx Fencibles
- Historical records of the Isle of Man Municipal Association
- Historical records of the Isle of Man branch of the Celtic League
- Historical records of the Ramsey Amusements Company Limited
- Historical records of the Transvaal Manx Association
- Isle of Man Cripples' Guild Archive
- Literary papers of Mary Ann Watterson (Treljah)
- Literary papers of Nancy Gaffikin
- Literary papers of playwright and author Thomas Nigel Kneale including screenplays, scripts, correspondence and press reviews
- Manuscript and published poetry of Horace Claflin Bayley with accompanying documentation
- Manx Millennium Chronicles
- Minute book of the Palace (Douglas, Isle of Man) Ltd
- Minute Books of the Transvaal Manx Association
- Notes on old Douglas and other themes compiled by John James Frowde (chemist) together with miscellaneous news cuttings
- Papers from the office of Llewellyn S Kneale (Advocate), 28 Athol Street, Douglas
- Papers of Basil Richardson Stanley Megaw, archaeologist and Eleanor Mary Megaw, archaeologist and anthropologist
- Papers of Benno Kahn (Internee), school master in Douglas Alien Detention Camp
- Papers of Cyril R. M. Cuthbert, one-time Commandant of the Married Internees Camp during the Second World War
- Papers of David Wood, manager of the late Joey Dunlop OBE MBE
- Papers of Felix Henry Gale
- Papers of Graham 'Baby Bob' Stewart, one time Radio Caroline Disc Jockey
- Papers of James T. Baily, Industrial Superintendent, Knockaloe Alien Detention Camp (First World War)
- Papers of John Henry Lockhart Cowin (Advocate and Notary) of Gelling and Cowin, 29 Athol St, Douglas and Cowin and Co. of 62 Athol Street, Douglas
- Papers of John McCauley
- Papers of John Ronald Bruce, deputy director of the Port Erin Marine Biological Station and Trustee of the Manx Museum and National Trust
- Papers of Kermode family including Philip M.C. Kermode, his sister Josephine (Cushag) and other relatives
- Papers of Major Keith Grimble Groves OBE JP of Thie Varrey, Port Lewaigue, Maughold
- Papers of Miss Constance Mona Douglas
- Papers of Pierre Henri Joseph Baume and estate related documentation in the hands of his advocates
- Papers of Reverend Theophilus Talbot, antiquarian and retired clergyman.
- Papers of Reverend Thomas Elliott, predominantly concerning his teaching at Bishop Wilson Theological College, Bishopscourt
- Papers of Robert Thomson, Scholar and Linguist
- Papers of Sir Ralph Claremont Skrine Stevenson (1895-1977), Diplomat, with small quantity of additional papers of Henry Wickham Stevenson (father) and Mrs Avery Stevenson (daughter in law)
- Papers of Sir Thomas Henry Hall Caine (1853-1931)
- Papers of Sophia Morrison
- Papers of T. E. Brown
- Papers of the Earls of Derby, Kings and Lords of Mann, relating to the Isle of Man, known as the Derby Papers
- Papers of the Henry Bloom Noble Trust
- Papers of the Isle of Man political party Mec Vannin
- Papers of the Isle of Man War Rights' Union
- Papers of the Quine family, including Canon John Quine, Lieutenant Commander John Lindsay Quine and Marjorie Quine
- Papers of The Reverend William Ward, Bishop of Sodor and Man, and family
- Papers of the Stevensons of Balladoole, Arbory
- Papers of the Tynwald Millennium Committee and its sub-committees
- Papers of Wilhelm Anton Friedrich Paul Steiner, onetime internee in Central Camp, Douglas
- Papers of William Cubbon, Secretary and Librarian and later Director of the Manx Museum and National Trust
- Papers of William T. Quirk
- Papers of William Thomas Kneale
- Papers relating to the evacuation of Guernsey school children on board the SS Viking
- Parochial records of Lezayre, predominantly for Holy Trinity Kirk Christ Lezayre but also St Stephen’s Chapel of Ease, Sulby and Glen Auldyn Chapel of Ease
- Radio Caroline North pirate radio memorabilia
- Records of Bishop Wilson Theological College, Bishopscourt
- Records of Isle of Man Authors Group
- Records of Laxey Pipes Ltd, The Quay, Laxey
- Records of Peel Fishing (I.O.M.) Company Limited
- Records of Quiggin and Co. Ltd
- Records of Teare and Sons, Sail Makers and Ship Chandlers of Peel
- Records of The Castletown (Isle of Man) Steam Navigation Company
- Records of the Ellan Vannin Club
- Records of the Great Laxey Mining Company Limited
- Records of the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society (IOMNHAS)
- Records of the Laxey Industrial (Provident) Co-operative Society Limited
- Records of the Manx Co-operative Society Limited
- Records of the Manx Society for Publication of National Documents of the Isle of Man
- Records of the Old Isle of Man Volunteers Comrades' Association
- Records of the Stoney Mountain Opposition Group (SMOG)
- Research papers of Cyril Ingram Paton, naturalist