24/7 archive

Using Plymouth's archives at any time day or night

Plymouth and West Devon Record Office is open to the public four days a week. Details of our opening times and location can be found on our visiting us page. At evenings, weekend and when the record office is closed, our records can still be used in a number of ways.

Online resources for family historians

A selection of indexes and websites are available to use free of charge from the record office and Plymouth City Council. Some require a Plymouth library card and a pin number in order to use them.

• Please see our Family history resources page for more details.

Online resources for local historians

A selection of indexes and websites are available to use free of charge from the record office and Plymouth City Council. Some require a Plymouth library card and a pin number in order to use them.

• Please see our Local history resources page for more details.

Online resources for maritime historians

• Please see our Plymouth shipping records catalogue and our maritime history pages for more details.

Online resource for motor vehicle historians

A catalogue is available discovering motor vehicles registered in Plymouth with registrations CO, DR and JY from 1921 to 1970s. The catalogue gives details of the surviving motor vehicle licensing cards used prior to the setting up of the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) centralised system in 1978. The cards cover all vehicles registered in Plymouth including cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles and even battery powered milk floats.

• Please see our Plymouth motor vehicle registrations page for more details.