Family history can be studied at both Archives: Wigan and Leigh and Wigan Local Studies.
Our collections support your family tree research as we hold:
- Local parish registers, census records, directories
- Electoral registers
- Maps, rate books, newspapers
- Access to birth, marriage and death indexes
- Free access to Ancestry and Find My Past.
Wigan Local Studies has the International Genealogical Index (IGI) and Boyd’s Marriage Index. The following guides list some of the collections in more detail:
Please note some of these collections are available on microfilm so we recommend contacting us before your visit to book a microfilm reader.
Family History Helpdesk
Volunteers from Leigh Family History Society are running a dedicated remote family history helpdesk from Archives: Wigan & Leigh. All enquiries are being done remotely. To find out how to go about tracing your family tree contact Contact Archives: Wigan and Leigh for family history information.
Viewing the collections
The collections at Archives: Wigan and Leigh cover the Leigh side of the borough, while Wigan Local Studies holds collections for the Wigan side.
We are able to offer a free 15 minute research service. More in depth enquiries cost £15 per 30 mins. To find out more about our collections, you can visit: