Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Story is home to five collections relating to County Durham. On this page we answer some of our most frequently asked questions about these collections and the services we offer. If you don't find the information you are looking for, check our 'Popular topics' page, ask a member of staff or email us at collections@thestorydurham.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Story is home to five collections relating to County Durham. On this page we answer some of our most frequently asked questions about these collections and the services we offer. If you don't find the information you are looking for, check our 'Popular topics' page, ask a member of staff or email us at collections@thestorydurham.org.
How can I access the collections?
Collections at The Story are available in a number of different ways.
Permanent and temporary exhibitions
On the ground floor there is a permanent exhibition that introduces visitors to the history of County Durham. It includes items from all five of our collections as well as some wonderful loans from other museums. There is also a temporary exhibition space where we explore other topics. See our website for further information.
Cerificate Issue
On the first floor you can find Certificate Issue, for copies of birth, marriage or death certificates. For further information see: Ordering a copy certificate. Please note that charges apply.
Search and Discover
Search and Discover is the starting point for most research. This welcoming space includes:
- Sixteen computer terminals that allow you to access our digital collection (see below).
- Two interactive map tables that allow you to explore maps of the historic county of Durham from the 1850s to the present day.
- Two free-standing access points for our online database.
- A small selection of printed works from our extensive library collection.
- A small display case to showcase items from the collections.
Digital Collections
Some of our most heavily used collections are available to view in our digital collections area, 'Search and Discover'. This space is open seven days per week and there is no need to book in advance. Sixteen work stations are available to view the following collections:
- Parish registers covering baptism, banns of marriage, marriages and burials from 1538 up to about 1950. A database of registers we hold by church can be searched here.
- Non-conformist church registers including Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and Society of Friends
- Electoral registers up to 2002
- County Durham Newspapers from 1814 including Durham Advertiser, Durham Chronicle, Consett Guardian, Auckland Chronicle
- Cemetery and crematoria records
- Durham Light Infantry records including enlistment books and war diaries
In addition to our collections, we also provide free access to FindMyPast and the British Newspaper Archive.
Accessing original collection items
The vast majority of our collections have not been digitised, and can be viewed in our Collections Room by appointment. This includes:
- Parish registers containing entries dated from 1951 onwards. You can search The Story's full catalogue here: Online Collection - The Story
- Parish records including churchwarden, tithe, and vestry records
- Durham Light Infantry Collection - archives and objects
- Estate and family papers including Londonderry Collection, Strathmore Collection, Brancepeth Estate, and many others
- Local authority records including those of Durham County Council and its predecessor authorities
- Many other record types including business, industry, charity, education, and antiquarian records, as well as a large local studies library.
Access is by appointment and a booking can be made via our website: Access our Collections - The Story. Appointment slots are generally made available one-month in advance so please keep checking back if the date you require is not yet available.
Opening hours: Visit - The Story
Archive collections will usually be available on demand on the day of your visit. You will need to identify the exact items you wish to see, including item reference numbers. You can request three archive items at a time. We recommend that you search the archives catalogue before your visit to find out the kinds of records we hold: Online Collection - The Story. If you aren’t sure which document you need or require advice, please email us at collections@thestorydurham.org.
Local Studies collections are available on demand, please use the catalogue to find out what we hold.
For DLI medals, we require at least 72 hours notice and pre-ordering is required.
For DLI objects, we require 10 days notice and pre-ordering is required. Please do not book travel until you have received an email confirmation from our collections team that your objects or medals will be available.
How can I access the collections?
Collections at The Story are available in a number of different ways.
Permanent and temporary exhibitions
On the ground floor there is a permanent exhibition that introduces visitors to the history of County Durham. It includes items from all five of our collections as well as some wonderful loans from other museums. There is also a temporary exhibition space where we explore other topics. See our website for further information.
Cerificate Issue
On the first floor you can find Certificate Issue, for copies of birth, marriage or death certificates. For further information see: Ordering a copy certificate. Please note that charges apply.
Search and Discover
Search and Discover is the starting point for most research. This welcoming space includes:
- Sixteen computer terminals that allow you to access our digital collection (see below).
- Two interactive map tables that allow you to explore maps of the historic county of Durham from the 1850s to the present day.
- Two free-standing access points for our online database.
- A small selection of printed works from our extensive library collection.
- A small display case to showcase items from the collections.
Digital Collections
Some of our most heavily used collections are available to view in our digital collections area, 'Search and Discover'. This space is open seven days per week and there is no need to book in advance. Sixteen work stations are available to view the following collections:
- Parish registers covering baptism, banns of marriage, marriages and burials from 1538 up to about 1950. A database of registers we hold by church can be searched here.
- Non-conformist church registers including Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and Society of Friends
- Electoral registers up to 2002
- County Durham Newspapers from 1814 including Durham Advertiser, Durham Chronicle, Consett Guardian, Auckland Chronicle
- Cemetery and crematoria records
- Durham Light Infantry records including enlistment books and war diaries
In addition to our collections, we also provide free access to FindMyPast and the British Newspaper Archive.
Accessing original collection items
The vast majority of our collections have not been digitised, and can be viewed in our Collections Room by appointment. This includes:
- Parish registers containing entries dated from 1951 onwards. You can search The Story's full catalogue here: Online Collection - The Story
- Parish records including churchwarden, tithe, and vestry records
- Durham Light Infantry Collection - archives and objects
- Estate and family papers including Londonderry Collection, Strathmore Collection, Brancepeth Estate, and many others
- Local authority records including those of Durham County Council and its predecessor authorities
- Many other record types including business, industry, charity, education, and antiquarian records, as well as a large local studies library.
Access is by appointment and a booking can be made via our website: Access our Collections - The Story. Appointment slots are generally made available one-month in advance so please keep checking back if the date you require is not yet available.
Opening hours: Visit - The Story
Archive collections will usually be available on demand on the day of your visit. You will need to identify the exact items you wish to see, including item reference numbers. You can request three archive items at a time. We recommend that you search the archives catalogue before your visit to find out the kinds of records we hold: Online Collection - The Story. If you aren’t sure which document you need or require advice, please email us at collections@thestorydurham.org.
Local Studies collections are available on demand, please use the catalogue to find out what we hold.
For DLI medals, we require at least 72 hours notice and pre-ordering is required.
For DLI objects, we require 10 days notice and pre-ordering is required. Please do not book travel until you have received an email confirmation from our collections team that your objects or medals will be available.
Can I get a copy of my baptism certificate?
We are not able to provide copy baptism certificates but it is possible to get a copy of a baptism register entry.
For pre-1950 registers, you are welcome to check the register yourself in our Search and Discover space. You will need to know the name of the church and the approximate date. For post-1950 registers you will need to make a booking in our collections room to view the register: Access our Collections - The Story
If you are not able to visit us, we can check a register for you and provide a copy through our Quick Search service. The search costs £9.00 for which we will search a period of one calendar year in a single register and supply a copy of the entry if found. Please note that the £9.00 fee covers the staff time involved to carry out the search and is non-refundable, even if no entry is found.
We can provide certified copies of a register entry, for example, if you need evidence of baptism for entry to a school, marriage, or for ordination. The cost for this service is £12.50 (£9.00 Quick Search charge, plus £3.50 for certified copy upgrade).
To request a Quick Search for a baptism entry please email collections@thestorydurham.org with the following information:
- The full name of the church
- The start date for the year that you wish to be searched
- The full name of individual to be searched for
A database of the registers we hold for any given church can be viewed here. Please check if we have the relevant church and year you need or email us if you have any questions.
Once you have provided all the necessary details we can send a payment request link from our online shop for the £9.00 search fee.
Can I get a copy of my baptism certificate?
We are not able to provide copy baptism certificates but it is possible to get a copy of a baptism register entry.
For pre-1950 registers, you are welcome to check the register yourself in our Search and Discover space. You will need to know the name of the church and the approximate date. For post-1950 registers you will need to make a booking in our collections room to view the register: Access our Collections - The Story
If you are not able to visit us, we can check a register for you and provide a copy through our Quick Search service. The search costs £9.00 for which we will search a period of one calendar year in a single register and supply a copy of the entry if found. Please note that the £9.00 fee covers the staff time involved to carry out the search and is non-refundable, even if no entry is found.
We can provide certified copies of a register entry, for example, if you need evidence of baptism for entry to a school, marriage, or for ordination. The cost for this service is £12.50 (£9.00 Quick Search charge, plus £3.50 for certified copy upgrade).
To request a Quick Search for a baptism entry please email collections@thestorydurham.org with the following information:
- The full name of the church
- The start date for the year that you wish to be searched
- The full name of individual to be searched for
A database of the registers we hold for any given church can be viewed here. Please check if we have the relevant church and year you need or email us if you have any questions.
Once you have provided all the necessary details we can send a payment request link from our online shop for the £9.00 search fee.
How do I donate objects and documents to The Story?
DLI objects and medals
Please email collections@thestorydurham.org with images of the items you would like to donate, including as much information you have on the item and previous owner.
Please do not bring in items to donate without first making an appointment with our team.
Archives (including DLI photographs or documents)
Please email a description of the documents to collections@thestorydurham.org, including photographs if possible. We will then get back to you to advise if your documents fit within our collections policy and, if so, arrange a time for them to be dropped off or collected. We accept archives as both a gift deposit and on long-term loan.
How do I donate objects and documents to The Story?
DLI objects and medals
Please email collections@thestorydurham.org with images of the items you would like to donate, including as much information you have on the item and previous owner.
Please do not bring in items to donate without first making an appointment with our team.
Archives (including DLI photographs or documents)
Please email a description of the documents to collections@thestorydurham.org, including photographs if possible. We will then get back to you to advise if your documents fit within our collections policy and, if so, arrange a time for them to be dropped off or collected. We accept archives as both a gift deposit and on long-term loan.
Can I get copies of a document?
Copies of most documents are available upon request, priced at £9.00 for documents under A2 size and £20.00 for documents over A2. Please contact us for a digitisation order form.
Once we have a completed form, we can provide you with a quote. If the quote is for a large number of documents, there may be a charge of £15.00 for the quote to cover the time required to asses all of the required documents.
Can I get copies of a document?
Copies of most documents are available upon request, priced at £9.00 for documents under A2 size and £20.00 for documents over A2. Please contact us for a digitisation order form.
Once we have a completed form, we can provide you with a quote. If the quote is for a large number of documents, there may be a charge of £15.00 for the quote to cover the time required to asses all of the required documents.
Do I need an archives Reader’s Ticket to visit?
No, we do not require you to hold a Reader’s Ticket to visit the Collections Room.
Anyone can book an appointment on our website: Access our Collections - The Story.
Do I need an archives Reader’s Ticket to visit?
No, we do not require you to hold a Reader’s Ticket to visit the Collections Room.
Anyone can book an appointment on our website: Access our Collections - The Story.
Can I take photos of the documents or objects?
If you are visiting the Collections Room, you can buy a camera permit and take unlimited photographs using a mobile phone or handheld camera (no flash photography or tripods). The permit is priced at £15.00 per day.
Photography of our digital collections in Search & Discover is not permitted. However, print outs are available for £1.00 per page.
Can I take photos of the documents or objects?
If you are visiting the Collections Room, you can buy a camera permit and take unlimited photographs using a mobile phone or handheld camera (no flash photography or tripods). The permit is priced at £15.00 per day.
Photography of our digital collections in Search & Discover is not permitted. However, print outs are available for £1.00 per page.
Is The Story the permanent home of the DLI Collection?
Whilst the DLI Museum and Art Gallery closed in 2016, The DLI Collection moved into 'The Story at Mount Oswald' in June 2024, an exciting new local history centre which brought into one central location the story of the history and heritage of the county, as told through historic records, photographs and objects.
The Story has sector leading storage facilities, which provides a permanent home for the whole DLI Collection. This has allowed us to explore the stories of the Regiment and those who were involved within them, sharing them with the public through our exciting exhibitions within The Story and engaging future generations with our outreach and education programs.
The former DLI Museum and Art Gallery is also undergoing redevelopment and expansion, and will be reopened as an exhibition centre, gallery and hospitality venue called The Light.
Medals and objects are available to view in the Collections Room at The Story by appointment: Access our Collections - The Story.
Is The Story the permanent home of the DLI Collection?
Whilst the DLI Museum and Art Gallery closed in 2016, The DLI Collection moved into 'The Story at Mount Oswald' in June 2024, an exciting new local history centre which brought into one central location the story of the history and heritage of the county, as told through historic records, photographs and objects.
The Story has sector leading storage facilities, which provides a permanent home for the whole DLI Collection. This has allowed us to explore the stories of the Regiment and those who were involved within them, sharing them with the public through our exciting exhibitions within The Story and engaging future generations with our outreach and education programs.
The former DLI Museum and Art Gallery is also undergoing redevelopment and expansion, and will be reopened as an exhibition centre, gallery and hospitality venue called The Light.
Medals and objects are available to view in the Collections Room at The Story by appointment: Access our Collections - The Story.
Do you value or identify items?
We do not do valuations. For this you would need to contact a reputable auction house or antique dealer. We also do not identify items for enquirers but we do answer questions relating to our collections.
Do you value or identify items?
We do not do valuations. For this you would need to contact a reputable auction house or antique dealer. We also do not identify items for enquirers but we do answer questions relating to our collections.
Do you have WiFi, parking and refreshments?
Yes, we have free WiFi and parking on site. There are also free lockers for bags if you are visiting the Collections Room.
We also have a cafe on site. No food or drink is allowed in the Collections Room but you are allowed drinks with lids and snacks in our Search & Discover area (just ask the cafe for a takeaway cup).
Do you have WiFi, parking and refreshments?
Yes, we have free WiFi and parking on site. There are also free lockers for bags if you are visiting the Collections Room.
We also have a cafe on site. No food or drink is allowed in the Collections Room but you are allowed drinks with lids and snacks in our Search & Discover area (just ask the cafe for a takeaway cup).