Borthwick Closure

Posted on 18 March 2020

The Borthwick Institute is closed until further notice.

For information on the University's response to the Coronavirus outbreak, along with a list of official sources of information, please consult the University's Coronavirus updates page.

In light of the continuing developments related to coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK, we have taken the decision to close The Borthwick Institute for Archives until further notice. This means that both our searchroom and microfilm rooms are closed.

This has been taken in the light of our need to discharge our duty of care to our staff, students and research community.

Some of our online services will also be affected during this period, as they rely on staff having access to our building and collections.

This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We are acutely aware of the needs of our research community and depositors; and the vital role we play in helping those around us explore more about the world through their research - be that through academic studies; family history; community history; or through self-discovery and curiosity.

Archives can - and do - change the world, and we must never forget that. The actions we are taking will ensure that we can all do the jobs and research we love again in the very near future.

Can I still get research advice while you are closed?

We will be able to respond to enquiries via email and social media during this time, but unable to respond to phone or postal enquiries. We will be unable to complete searching or transcription and translation service requests at this time. Our online catalogue - Borthcat - is still available.

Email: borthwick-institute@york.ac.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/uoyborthwick

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UoYBorthwick

How can I get access to your resources?

While our on-site service may be closed, many of our Parish registers, Bishops’ Transcripts and Marriage Bonds and Allegations are available via Find My Past, and our Cause Papers, Archbishops' Registers, and Retreat hospital archive are available, for free, 24/7 online.

I placed an order for copies of records, can I still expect to receive it?

We are not accepting new orders until further notice. As all of our reprographics services require access to the Borthwick site, we have paused any reprographics requests currently in the system.

When will you be back?

We are constantly assessing the situation in line with University and Government guidance. Once we are able to offer a safe, reliable service, we will be back in action. However, we anticipate that for the immediate future our services will be delivered online.