Bristol Archives

About

'B' Bond, the home of Bristol Archives, is one of three former bonded warehouses standing in Cumberland Basin at the entrance to Bristol's Floating Harbour, and was built during the boom in the tobacco import trade in the early years of the 20th century. It was constructed in 1908. Bristol Archives occupies only a small part of its massive nine storeys (five floors on the western side, looking up the Avon Gorge towards the Clifton Suspension Bridge - one of the best views in Bristol!). The eastern half of the building is occupied by the CREATE Centre, set up by the City Council to promote environmental awareness.

Bristol Archives looks after the records of the city of Bristol and makes them available to everybody. Everyone is welcome to visit the searchroom to look at the records and ask advice on their own research. There is no charge for this. Many records are available on microform in a self-service system. There are computers available, on which visitors can access the Internet, digital reference sources and a digital picture library of over 6000 images. High quality copies of documents can be supplied on request. There are also regular exhibitions and the Bristol & Avon Family History Society opens its Research Room Wednesday am and Thursday pm for family historians seeking advice on their family trees.

Who uses the Bristol Archives?

Family historians
Archaeologists
Local and Community Historians
Students of all ages
Teachers and academics
Authors
Solicitors
Architects
Council officers
Press, Television and Radio