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Borthwick news

Find out about our exhibitions, projects, changes to opening times and other news.

For more in depth information about our projects and holdings, take a look at the Borthwick Institute blog.


Borthwick Newsletter - November 2024

Thursday 31 October 2024

Welcome to the Borthwick's November newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - October 2024

Monday 30 September 2024

Welcome to the Borthwick's October newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - September 2024

Thursday 29 August 2024

Welcome to the Borthwick's September newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - August 2024

Tuesday 30 July 2024

Welcome to the Borthwick's August newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - July 2024

Friday 28 June 2024

Welcome to the Borthwick' July newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - June 2024

Friday 31 May 2024

Welcome to the Borthwick's June newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - May 2024

Tuesday 30 April 2024

Welcome to the Borthwick's May newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - April 2024

Wednesday 27 March 2024

Welcome to the Borthwick's April newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - March 2024

Wednesday 28 February 2024

Welcome to the Borthwick's March newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - February 2024

Wednesday 31 January 2024

Welcome to the Borthwick's February newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - December 2023

Thursday 30 November 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's December newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - November 2023

Monday 30 October 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's November newsletter.


We’ve got a new look….

Monday 2 October 2023

The Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a newly designed visual identity and logo.


Borthwick Newsletter - October 2023

Thursday 28 September 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's October newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - September 2023

Wednesday 23 August 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's September newsletter.


Previously unseen poems by celebrated First World War poet published

Thursday 3 August 2023

Previously unseen poems by celebrated First World War poet John Stanley Purvis, first director of the Borthwick Institute, are being made available to the public by the University of York for the first time.


Borthwick Newsletter - August 2023

Monday 31 July 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's August newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - July 2023

Friday 30 June 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's July newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - June 2023

Wednesday 31 May 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's June newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - May 2023

Friday 28 April 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's May newsletter


Borthwick Newsletter - April 2023

Monday 3 April 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's April newsletter


Borthwick Newsletter - March 2023

Tuesday 28 February 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's March newsletter


Digital Creativity Week 2023

Monday 27 February 2023

Digital Creativity Week is a week-long event for students to work with digital and creative technologies, explore archival material and research, and develop skills, culminating in the creation of digital artefacts for an exhibition celebrating the University of York campus and collections.


Borthwick Newsletter - February 2023

Tuesday 31 January 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's February newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - January 2023

Thursday 5 January 2023

Welcome to the Borthwick's January newsletter


Borthwick Newsletter - December 2022

Wednesday 30 November 2022

Welcome to the Borthwick's December newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - November 2022

Tuesday 1 November 2022

Welcome to the Borthwick's November newsletter


Professor David M Smith

Friday 7 October 2022

We are devastated to hear of the death of Professor David Smith, Director of the Borthwick Institute from 1974 to 2000.


Borthwick Newsletter - October 2022

Friday 30 September 2022

Welcome to the Borthwick's October newsletter


Library and Archives services over the funeral bank holiday

Friday 16 September 2022

Monday 19th September has now been designated as a national bank holiday to allow as many people as possible to mark the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.


Borthwick Newsletter - September 2022

Thursday 1 September 2022

Welcome to the Borthwick's September newsletter


Borthwick Newsletter - August 2022

Friday 29 July 2022

Welcome to the Borthwick's August newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - July 2022

Wednesday 29 June 2022

Welcome to the Borthwick's July newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - June 2022

Monday 30 May 2022

Welcome to the Borthwick's June newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - May 2022

Friday 29 April 2022

Welcome to the Borthwick's May newsletter


Borthwick Newsletter - April 2022

Wednesday 30 March 2022

Welcome to the Borthwick's April newsletter


Borthwick Newsletter - March 2022

Monday 28 February 2022

Welcome to the Borthwick's March newsletter


Digital Creativity Week

Thursday 24 February 2022

Digital Creativity Week is a week-long event for students to work with digital and creative technologies, explore archival material and research, and develop skills, culminating in the creation of digital artefacts for an exhibition as part of York Festival of Ideas.


Borthwick Newsletter - February 2022

Monday 31 January 2022

Welcome to the Borthwick's February newsletter


Borthwick Newsletter - December 2021

Tuesday 30 November 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's December newsletter


Borthwick Newsletter - November 2021

Friday 29 October 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's November newsletter


The Frankie Howerd Archive

Thursday 21 October 2021

We are delighted to announce the acquisition of the Frankie Howerd Archive by the Borthwick Institute for Archives.


Borthwick Newsletter - October 2021

Wednesday 29 September 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's October newsletter


Borthwick Newsletter - September 2021

Thursday 26 August 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's September newsletter


Borthwick Newsletter - August 2021

Friday 30 July 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's August newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - July 2021

Wednesday 30 June 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's July newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - June 2021

Wednesday 26 May 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's June newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - May 2021

Friday 30 April 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's May newsletter.


Rowntree Colonial Histories: A Statement

Friday 16 April 2021

We welcome the acknowledgements from The Rowntree Society and Trusts of the company’s historic involvement in colonialism and racial exploitation.


Service Update: Visiting the Borthwick

Monday 12 April 2021

We are pleased to announce that, from 12th April 2021, appointments to visit the Borthwick will be able to be made by all members of the public as well staff and students of the University.


Resumption of Copying Services

Wednesday 7 April 2021

We are pleased to announce the resumption of our copying services.


Borthwick Newsletter - April 2021

Tuesday 30 March 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's April newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - March 2021

Sunday 28 February 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's March newsletter.


Ongoing Borthwick Closure

Wednesday 17 February 2021

Following a scheduled service review on 15th February and in the light of ongoing government restrictions, the Borthwick Institute will remain closed to staff and researchers until further notice.


Borthcat Downtime 7-8th February

Thursday 4 February 2021

Please note that Borthcat will be unavailable from 7-8th February owing to routine maintenance work.


Borthwick Newsletter - February 2021

Monday 1 February 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's February newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - January 2021

Thursday 7 January 2021

Welcome to the Borthwick's January newsletter.


Borthwick Closure

Tuesday 5 January 2021

Following the Government's announcement on 4th January 2021, the Borthwick will be closed to on site visitors until further notice.


Important Update: Visiting the Borthwick

Monday 4 January 2021

Following York's move to Tier 3, visits to the Borthwick will be limited to University of York staff and students only until further notice.


Ann Rycraft

Wednesday 16 December 2020

We were very sad to hear of the death last week of Ann Rycraft.


Christmas Closure 2020 and New Year Booking

Monday 7 December 2020

The Borthwick will be closed over the Christmas period between 18th December and 4th January.


Borthwick Newsletter - December 2020

Friday 27 November 2020

Welcome to the Borthwick's December newsletter.


Explore your archives

Sunday 22 November 2020

Add value to your assignments and research by exploring the unique resources, only available here at York, relating to a wide range of academic subjects, held on campus at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.


New COVID-19 restrictions

Tuesday 3 November 2020

Following the introduction of new national restrictions to control COVID-19, due to come into force on Thursday 5th November, we are making the following temporary changes to our services.


Borthwick Newsletter - November 2020

Thursday 29 October 2020

Welcome to the Borthwick's November newsletter.


Borthwick Newsletter - October 2020

Wednesday 30 September 2020

Welcome to the Borthwick Institute’s first monthly newsletter! We’ll be keeping you up to date with our new accessions and catalogues, exciting news and discoveries from the archives and the Borthwick in the media.


Friday Update Number Twenty Four

Friday 18 September 2020

We’re pleased to announce that the Borthwick has now officially re-opened so this will be the last closure update - but not the last regular update!


Friday Update Number Twenty Three

Thursday 10 September 2020

This week we’ve been taking bookings for the big reopening and adding a few more hospital records to Borthcat.


Friday Update Number Twenty Two

Friday 4 September 2020

This week we’ve added more Retreat and Clifton Hospital patient details, expanded our Southern African archives on Borthcat and begun reconfiguring the searchroom ready for our reopening on the 14th September.


Friday Update Number Twenty One

Thursday 27 August 2020

With only two weeks to go until we reopen we’ve been continuing work on our hospital catalogues and finalising the necessary changes to our usual service.


Friday Update Number Twenty

Thursday 20 August 2020

This week we’ve been turning our attention back to our hospital patient indexes and The Retreat Letter Project, adding more than 3,000 new entries to our online catalogue which detail the lives and experiences of men and women receiving psychiatric care in 19th century York.


Catalogue Downtime - 27th August

Wednesday 19 August 2020

Borthcat and the Lascelles Slavery Archive website will be unavailable between 07:30 and 09:30 on Thursday 27th August.


Friday Update Number Nineteen

Thursday 13 August 2020

With 3 weeks to go until we re-open to the public, we’ve been ironing out the necessary changes to our usual procedures as well as catching up on our retroconversion work and putting out a new video on the history of mental health in York.


Update 05/08/2020: Phased Return to On-site Services

Wednesday 5 August 2020

From 14th September the Borthwick will open to pre-booked researchers for access to archives and microfilm resources.


Remembering Trevor Cooper

Tuesday 4 August 2020

We were saddened to hear on the 24th July of the loss of our former Head of Conservation Trevor Cooper MBE.


Friday Update Number Eighteen

Thursday 30 July 2020

As we head into August we’ve added 17 new catalogues and 344 new archival descriptions to Borthcat as we continue to divide our time between working from home and our phased return to campus.


Friday Update Number Seventeen

Friday 24 July 2020

This week we have a new blog from our outgoing Archives Trainee and an update on our phased return to service.


Friday Update Number Sixteen

Thursday 16 July 2020

Our retroconversion work has slowed down this past week, but for a very good reason as we have completed the first steps of our phased return to on-site services.


Update: Phased Return to On-site Services

Monday 13 July 2020

From today a small number of staff will resume onsite working as part of our phased return to on-site services.


Friday Update Number Fifteen

Thursday 9 July 2020

This grey and drizzly week has given us plenty of time to stay inside and expand our online catalogue.


Friday Update Number Fourteen

Thursday 2 July 2020

It’s the beginning of our fifth month of working from home (the longest most of us have been away from the strongrooms) and the Community of the Resurrection catalogue is coming on apace.


Friday Update Number Thirteen

Thursday 25 June 2020

We’ve been enjoying high temperatures in York this week but our remote work goes on!


Friday Update Number Twelve

Thursday 18 June 2020

This week we have added two new complete catalogues to Borthcat and made two appearances in the regional and national press.


Friday Update Number Eleven

Thursday 11 June 2020

It has been a bumper week at the Borthwick with seven new complete catalogues added to Borthcat and a new blog delving into the connection between novelist Charles Dickens and our very own York Diocesan Archive.


Friday Update Number Ten

Friday 5 June 2020

After another busy week at the Borthwick we are pleased to bring you two new catalogues as well as an update from the university’s Rare Books collections.


Friday Update Number Nine

Thursday 28 May 2020

We hope you were all able to enjoy some of the good weather we had over the Bank Holiday weekend!


Friday Update Number Eight

Thursday 21 May 2020

This week we’ve made some impressive progress on our online catalogue Borthcat, adding 8 new complete catalogues comprising 677 individual archival descriptions!


Friday Update Number Seven

Thursday 14 May 2020

After a much appreciated long weekend, the Borthwick staff are back working from home.


Friday Update Number Six

Thursday 7 May 2020

A slightly earlier update this week as tomorrow is a Bank Holiday and we will all be taking the opportunity to take some time away from our computers and (hopefully) enjoy some fine spring weather.


Friday Update Number Five

Thursday 30 April 2020

The end of this week also marks the end of the Borthwick’s first full month of remote working.


Friday Update Number Four

Friday 24 April 2020

We’ve come to the end of another (very sunny!) week of remote working at the Borthwick Institute.


Friday Update Number Three

Friday 17 April 2020

The Borthwick was closed over the long Easter weekend but we are now back at work (at home...)


The York Covid-19 Archive

Monday 6 April 2020

These are unprecedented times - how are you making sense of them?


Friday Update Number Two

Friday 3 April 2020

Our second full week of remote working has seen 4 more catalogues uploaded to Borthcat, the continuation of valuable hospital indexing work, and unexpected Twitter success!


Enquiries Over Easter

Thursday 2 April 2020

The Borthwick's virtual service will close from 8th to 13th April for Easter.


Friday Update Number One

Thursday 26 March 2020

In our first full week working from home, we wanted to update you on what we've been doing...


Borthwick Closure

Wednesday 18 March 2020

The Borthwick Institute is closed until further notice.


IMPORTANT - Service Status

Tuesday 17 March 2020

Please note that the Borthwick's services will be disrupted for the foreseeable future.


URGENT - Closure 17th March 2020

Monday 16 March 2020

On Tuesday 17th March the Borthwick Institute for Archives will be closed.


City of Our Dreams - J.B. Morrell Publication

Tuesday 10 March 2020

The Borthwick Institute is pleased to announce the publication of Borthwick Texts and Studies number 44, City of our Dreams: J. B. Morrell and the shaping of modern York


April Opening Hours

Wednesday 4 March 2020

On the 3rd, 22nd and 23rd of April the Borthwick Searchroom will open at 10:00 am. The Searchroom will be closed all day on the 10th and 13th of April.


Digital Creativity Week 2020 (cancelled)

Thursday 27 February 2020

This event has been cancelled.


Online Resources - Downtime

Monday 24 February 2020

On Wednesday 26th February, some of our online resources will be unavailable owing to scheduled technical maintenance.


Searchroom Closure - Morning 19th February 2020

Monday 10 February 2020

On Wednesday 19th February the main searchroom will be closed until 1:30pm for a general staff meeting.


William Peckitt Notebook

Tuesday 17 December 2019

The University of York has acquired a notebook belonging to celebrated glass artist William Peckitt (1731-95) depicting some of his techniques and recipes for colour mixing.


Seasonal Opening Hours

Tuesday 17 December 2019

If you’re planning to visit us across December and the festive season, please be aware of the following closures.


Pay and Display Parking Charge Changes

Wednesday 11 December 2019

As of Monday 16 December 2019, pay and display parking charges across the University will be increasing for the first time since 2011.


New Digital Preservation Archivist

Tuesday 29 October 2019

Dorothy Waugh has been appointed as the Borthwick Institute's new digital preservation archivist.


Searchroom Closure - 3rd September 2019

Monday 19 August 2019

On Tuesday 3rd September 2019 the main searchroom will be closed until 2pm for a general staff meeting.


Publications news

Tuesday 13 August 2019

We’re pleased to announce three new exciting publications, available to purchase via our online shop.


New Keeper of Archives and Special Collections

Thursday 1 August 2019

Gary Brannan has been appointed as the new Keeper of Archives and Special Collections at the University of York.


Searchroom Refurbishment, Temporary Service Changes and Graduation: W/C 15th July 2019

Thursday 11 July 2019

The Searchroom will be closed on 15th July, with temporary service changes until 22nd July, owing to refurbishment work. Graduation ceremonies will be taking place on Campus from 17th to 20th July.


Lascelles Slavery Archive Website Downtime - Wednesday 17th July

Thursday 11 July 2019

The Lascelles Slavery Archive website will be unavailable on Wednesday 17th July owing to essential maintenance.


Wartime love story discovered in the archives

Wednesday 19 June 2019

Archivists at the University of York have discovered a record of the wartime romance of Margaret and Sidney who met in York in 1943 and married the following year.


Forthcoming Searchroom Closures

Friday 3 May 2019

The Borthwick Institute will be closed on Monday 6th May, Monday 27th May and the morning of Tuesday 21st May.


Chris and Katherine Webb

Wednesday 3 April 2019

Chris and Katherine Webb retire from The Borthwick Institute on 5th April 2019.


Launch of The Northern Way

Monday 4 February 2019

A 3 year project funded by AHRC and run in partnership with the National Archives to investigate the political role of the 14th century archbishops of York.


Yorkshire Historical Dictionary Launch Event

Wednesday 2 January 2019

Friday 11 January 2019, 7.00pm to 8.45pm, Room RCH/037, Ron Cooke Hub


Explore your archives

Sunday 18 November 2018

Add value to your assignments and research by exploring the unique resources, only available here at York, relating to a wide range of academic subjects, held on campus in our archives.


Seasonal Opening Hours

Tuesday 13 November 2018

If you’re planning on visiting us across November, December and the festive season, please be aware of the following closures......


Lord Nelson’s Marriage Register

Friday 26 October 2018

The parish register recording the marriage of Admiral Lord Nelson has arrived at the Borthwick Institute for urgently-needed repairs.


Borthwick Open

Wednesday 17 October 2018

The Borthwick Institute for Archives, including the searchroom and microform room, will be open today as usual.


Borthwick joins the AtoM Foundation

Wednesday 19 September 2018

We have joined an international initiative to support the future development of Access to Memory


Searchroom - Closure 13th September 2018

Thursday 6 September 2018

The searchroom will be closed all day on Thursday, 13 September 2018.


Searchroom closure

Monday 13 August 2018

On Monday 20 August 2018 the main searchroom will be closed until 2pm for a general staff meeting.


Archives Accreditation Celebration

Tuesday 31 July 2018

Borthwick staff and volunteers celebrate Archives Accreditation


Digital Archive Traineeship

Tuesday 24 July 2018

Applications are invited for a technical traineeship in digital archives


Searchroom - Early Closure 24 July 2018

Tuesday 17 July 2018

The searchroom will be closing early at 3.30 p.m. on 24 July 2018.


Borthwick Paper 128 - Respectability and Popular Movements in Early Victorian York, by Charles Walter Masters - is now available to purchase.

Wednesday 16 May 2018

The latest Borthwick paper examines the social attitudes of the population of York in the early Victorian period, and challenges the assumption that the peaceful nature of the city suggested social harmony between the classes.


New version of the Borthwick Catalogue released

Thursday 3 May 2018

A new version of our catalogue is now available. Additional functionality includes searching by date range and a clipboard feature


New Borthwick Paper published

Tuesday 17 April 2018

This new publication describes the life of Josiah Collier, an advocate and promoter of the Grindletonian theology which established itself in the early seventeenth-century.


Archive Service Accreditation

Thursday 29 March 2018

We are pleased to announce that the Borthwick Institute for Archives has been awarded Archive Service Accreditation by the National Archives.


Searchroom closure

Thursday 15 February 2018

On Monday 19th February the main searchroom will be closed until 2pm for a general staff meeting.


Bridging the digital gap

Wednesday 14 February 2018

We are involved in a new digital training scheme with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund


Retreat archive online

Thursday 11 January 2018

200 years of mental health history from the Retreat Archive is now available to view online


International Digital Preservation Day

Friday 24 November 2017

The 30th November is the first International Digital Preservation Day.


December closures

Wednesday 8 November 2017

If you’re planning on visiting us across November, December and the festive season, please be aware of the following closures.


Eric James and the Founding of the University of York

Wednesday 1 November 2017

"From a green field site and no staff, he inspired the evolution of a University." In our latest publication, Allen Warren writes about Eric James and his vision for education.


August searchroom closures

Thursday 10 August 2017

The main searchroom will be closed or have limited opening across two days in August.


Work Experience Placements

Tuesday 6 June 2017

The Borthwick Institute for Archives has an opportunity for University of York students interested in buildings history to work in a stimulating and fast-paced environment.


Searchroom Closure

Tuesday 2 May 2017

On the afternoon of Monday 22 May the main searchroom will be closed for a general staff meeting.


THELMA Award shortlisting

Wednesday 12 April 2017

The Library and The Borthwick Institute for Archives have been shortlisted for Outstanding Library Team in the Times Higher Education Leadership & Management (THELMA) Awards.


Yorkshire Wildlife Trust catalogue released

Tuesday 28 March 2017

You can now search the online catalogue of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust archive


Easter and May searchroom closures

Monday 6 March 2017

The main searchroom will be closed across several days for Easter break and the May bank holidays.


Work Experience Placements

Thursday 23 February 2017

The Borthwick Institute for Archives has an opportunity for University of York students interested in buildings history to work in a stimulating and fast-paced environment.


Searchroom closure

Friday 20 January 2017

On the afternoon of Monday 13 February the main searchroom will be closed for a general staff meeting.


Price changes in 2017

Friday 16 December 2016

There will be some changes to our reprographics charges in the new year.


In my will I bequeath you... a brown cow and a chamber pot

Thursday 8 December 2016

More than 700 wills and other documents dating from 1576 – 1650 have been digitised, indexed and made freely available by the University of York.


Counting down to Christmas

Wednesday 30 November 2016

Our 2016 Advent Calendar is here to help you count down the days until Christmas.


Digital Preservation Awards 2016

Tuesday 29 November 2016

The winners of the Digital Preservation Awards will soon be announced!


Christmas break and December closures

Monday 21 November 2016

Our main searchroom will be closed across several days in December and during the Christmas break.


New digital preservation report released

Wednesday 19 October 2016

Final project report for Filling the Digital Preservation Gap is now available


Photographs from Retreat archive online

Wednesday 7 September 2016

A collection of over 1500 photographs from the Retreat archive is now available to view online


Digital Preservation Awards finalist

Wednesday 7 September 2016

We are finalists in the Research and Innovation Category of the prestigious Digital Preservation Awards!


Borthwick staff at the ARA conference

Friday 26 August 2016

Several members of Borthwick staff will be presenting at the Archives and Records Association conference this year.


Searchroom Closures - August and September

Friday 12 August 2016

The main searchroom will be closed or have limited opening across two days in August and September.


New exhibition at Fairfax House

Friday 29 July 2016

A number of our archives and special collections are on loan to Fairfax House for a major new exhibition.


Filming in the Searchroom, 25 July 2016

Wednesday 20 July 2016

Visitors should be aware that on Monday 25th July between 14:00 and 15:00 filming will be taking place in the searchroom.


Our excellent customer service

Tuesday 17 May 2016

For the third year running, Information Services (Library, IT and Archives) have successfully achieved the Customer Service Excellence Award.


Searchroom Closure

Tuesday 12 April 2016

During the morning of Monday 16 May the searchroom will be closed for a general staff meeting.


Have a look at our new catalogue

Wednesday 6 April 2016

A wealth of information about our holdings can now be accessed via our new online catalogue.


Can you help test our catalogue?

Thursday 24 March 2016

We are looking for people to test our new online catalogue before launch


Refurbishment of the Burton Reading Room

Monday 14 March 2016

The Burton Reading Room will be closed from Monday 14 March, and will remain closed throughout the Easter vacation.


Easter and May searchroom closures

Friday 11 March 2016

The main searchroom will be closed across several days for the Easter break and May Bank holidays.


Work Experience Placements

Wednesday 2 March 2016

The Borthwick Institute for Archives has an opportunity for University of York students interested in buildings history to work in a stimulating and fast-paced environment.


Launch of a digital goldmine: York’s Archbishops’ Registers online for first time

Monday 29 February 2016

The University of York will, on 1 March, launch a website that makes one of the most important collections of historical materials to survive in England today available online.


New report on digital preservation released

Friday 5 February 2016

A new report has been released detailing our work with the University of Hull to use Archivematica for the preservation of digital research data


Searchroom Closure

Friday 5 February 2016

During the morning of Monday 15 February the searchroom will be closed for a general staff meeting.


Setting standards in the Borthwick

Monday 1 February 2016

We set service standards for many aspects of the services that we deliver, and measure ourselves against them to ensure that we’re meeting your requirements.


Archives staff help make it a drier January for flood victims

Wednesday 13 January 2016

Experts at the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York have stepped in to help householders and businesses save precious family mementos and important documents damaged by floods.


Need advice on flood-damaged documents?

Friday 8 January 2016

Following severe flooding in York and surrounding areas, we have put together the following guidance to help flood-hit residents and businesses recover important documents, photographs and books.


Christmas opening times

Wednesday 2 December 2015

We're making lots of preparations here ahead of the festive season with a few early presents in store if you can’t wait until the 25th!


Visiting the Borthwick - new access arrangements

Tuesday 24 November 2015

We're changing how you get into the Library buildings.


Car Parking Advice

Thursday 12 November 2015

The onset of the University term, combined with building work on our Heslington West campus is currently causing a shortage of pay and display parking spaces.


Searchroom closure

Wednesday 4 November 2015

During the morning on Tuesday 17 November the searchroom will be closed due to a general staff meeting.


Heidi Fraser-Krauss - our new Director

Thursday 1 October 2015

We're pleased to announce that Heidi Fraser-Krauss has now begun work in her new role as Director of Information Services and University Librarian. Heidi has been Deputy Director of Information and Head of IT Services for three years, having joined us from St Andrews in 2012.


Searchroom closures in August

Tuesday 18 August 2015

During the morning of Thursday 20 August and on Monday 31 August the searchroom will be closed due to a general staff meeting and the Bank holiday.


Filling the Digital Preservation Gap

Tuesday 14 July 2015

The Borthwick has been collaborating with colleagues at York and Hull to produce a report about the preservation of research data


Conservation Volunteering Opportunity

Thursday 2 July 2015

We are currently looking to recruit Conservation Volunteers for the surface cleaning of the Atkinson-Brierley Architectural Archive in the Borthwick Institute for Archives.


September Work Experience placements

Wednesday 17 June 2015

The Borthwick Institute for Archives has an opportunity for University of York students interested in buildings history to work in a stimulating and fast-paced environment.


Searchroom Closure

Wednesday 6 May 2015

During the morning on Monday 11 May the searchroom will be closed due to a general staff meeting.


Disruption to document production

Friday 24 April 2015

On Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 April there may be some disruption to our original document production service.


Reduced Service April 23rd to May 8th

Thursday 9 April 2015

Due to essential work on our air handling system, the search-room and microfilm room at the Borthwick Institute will be closed from Thursday April 23rd.


Further images from Retreat archive now available

Tuesday 7 April 2015

Over 75,000 digital images from the Retreat archive can now be viewed via the Wellcome Library website


Easter and May Bank Holiday service

Wednesday 25 March 2015

The main searchroom will be closed across several days for the Easter break and May Bank holidays.


Work Experience placements

Thursday 26 February 2015

The Borthwick Institute for Archives has an opportunity for University of York students interested in buildings history to work in a stimulating and fast-paced environment.


Searchroom Closure

Friday 6 February 2015

During the morning on Monday 9 February the searchroom will be closed due to a general staff meeting.


First batch of Retreat archive online

Thursday 29 January 2015

The first batch of images from the Wellcome Library funded Retreat digitisation project are now available to view online


Low temperature in the searchroom

Monday 5 January 2015

We are experiencing some issues with the temperature levels in the Borthwick searchroom at present and as such it may be colder than usual.


Collections development and Christmas service

Thursday 27 November 2014

The main searchroom will be closed for one week commencing Monday 8th December for collection development.


Early closure, Tuesday 25 November

Monday 24 November 2014

On Tuesday 25 November the searchroom will close early at 3.00pm.


Our enquiry and reprographics service

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Due to an extraordinarily high demand, users of our enquiry and reprographics service may experience a longer response time than normal.


Access to the Retreat archive

Friday 17 October 2014

As we prepare the Retreat archive for digitisation, some disruption to access to the documents via the searchroom will be unavoidable.


Parish Records online

Tuesday 30 September 2014

Over 3.2 million entries from the historic Parish Registers and Bishops' transcripts which we care for are now available online in conjunction with Findmypast


Who were the Aero Girls?

Thursday 25 September 2014

An exciting new virtual exhibition about the Aero Girls is now available


Service notice

Monday 22 September 2014

On Monday 10 November please note that the searchroom will be closed for staff training and development.


Japanese collector donates medieval manuscripts

Wednesday 3 September 2014

A prominent Japanese academic has donated fragments of Latin medieval manuscripts and seven fragments of early printed books to the University of York.


Bank Holiday service

Wednesday 20 August 2014

On Monday 25 August the main searchroom will be closed for the Bank Holiday.


Searchroom Closure

Friday 25 July 2014

During the morning on Monday 18 August the searchroom will be closed due to staff meetings.


Searchroom closures

Monday 7 July 2014

Our main searchroom will be closed between 9-11 July.


Customer Service Excellence award for Library, IT and Archives

Tuesday 1 July 2014

The Information Directorate - Library, IT and Archives - has recently been accredited with the Customer Services Excellence (CSE) award.


War Memorials exhibition

Thursday 26 June 2014

An exhibition of architectural material from the Atkinson Brierley archive takes in the different forms in which First World War memorials were conceived and realised


Work Experience Placements available

Friday 20 June 2014

The Borthwick Institute for Archives has an opportunity for University of York students interested in buildings history to work in a stimulating and fast-paced environment.


The Pity of War

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Conflict and remembrance in the Special Collections at the University of York


Searchroom closures

Monday 17 March 2014

Over the Easter break and select days in May our main searchroom will be closed.


New Borthwick website launched

Tuesday 25 February 2014

We have redesigned our website and hope you will find the new structure clear and easy to navigate.


Who were the Aero Girls?

Tuesday 25 February 2014

Talk & discussion exploring the mystery behind 20 enigmatic portraits used in Rowntree's 1950s Aero chocolate adverts


Changes to our reprographics service

Thursday 21 November 2013

Starting in January 2014, we will be making a number of changes to our reprographics service.


New exhibition - The Borthwick at 60

Tuesday 12 November 2013

While the University has been celebrating its 50th anniversary year, the Borthwick Institute is commemorating its 60th birthday.


Announcing a new Opening Up Archives Event: Unwrapping the Chocolate City - Re-imagining the Chocolate Apple

Wednesday 6 November 2013

‌Part of a programme of ‘Opening Up Archives’ events being curated by our National Archives trainees Francesca Taylor and Kerstin Doble.


Explore Your Archive event: Arnold Rowntree and conscientious objection

Friday 1 November 2013

The life and beliefs of Arnold Rowntree, nephew of philanthropist and chocolate manufacturer Joseph Rowntree.


Closed week and Christmas opening hours

Tuesday 15 October 2013

The Borthwick's annual closure week will take place on the week commencing Monday 16 December 2013.


Announcing a new Opening Up Archives exhibition: Who were the Aero Girls? Discovering Hidden Art in the Archives

Tuesday 10 September 2013

This is the second event in our Opening Up Archives programme being curated by our National Archives trainees Kerstin Doble and Francesca Taylor.


Work experience placements

Monday 12 August 2013

Calling all budding archivists - the Borthwick Institute has an opportunity for all students of the University of York to join us in the archive for a week and work closely with original documents.


Microfilm Photography trial

Monday 11 February 2013

Starting on Monday 4 March 2013, visitors to the microfilm room should be aware that we will be starting a trial for permits allowing photography of microfilm entries. The trial will last for one month and will be free of charge - feedback from this service will be gratefully received.


Work experience placements

Friday 8 February 2013

Interested in a career in archives? The Borthwick has an opportunity for all students of the University of York to experience what it's like to work with original archival documents.


Self-service photography in the Searchroom

Friday 1 June 2012

From Wednesday 6 June, the Borthwick will now allow users to use their own camera in the searchroom for a fee.


New Cause Paper images online

Thursday 1 December 2011

Images from the digitisation of the York Cause Paper project are now online.


Exhibition: The Tuke family archive

Tuesday 3 May 2011

This exhibition highlights the richness of the Tuke family archive, cared for by the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York.


Borthwick publications on Google Books

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Google books offers another way for you to access Borthwick publications.


On-line access to even more probate indexes and marriage bond indexes

Tuesday 8 March 2011

We are delighted to announce that our partner, the UK internet genealogical specialists Origins, now has the probate indexes for the Prerogative and Exchequer Courts of York, 1688-1858, all the peculiar court probate indexes, and all the probate records before 1500.


Digitisation of the York Cause Papers

Tuesday 8 March 2011

We are very pleased to announce we have been successful in securing funding from JISC to help us take forward our Cause Paper Digitisation.


New publications

Sunday 12 September 2010

All our books can be purchased from the University of York online store.


New accessions

Tuesday 22 December 2009

The following collections are now available for public consultation in the Borthwick's searchrooms.