Abingdon-on-Thames has a distinguished history in the County of Berkshire, including being the county town from shortly after the time of the Borough Charter in 1556 until 1869.
The council is fortunate to have the voluntary services of an Honorary Archivist who vigilantly cares and logs the council’s records and documents, some of which date back as far as 1556.
From May 2016 the archives have temporarily been relocated to the Berkshire Records Office to allow for building work at the Guildhall.
Researchers who are interested in accessing the town’s borough and civic archives may do so by appointment. Please call 01235 522642 or email archivist@abingdon.gov.uk with details of your enquiry and to make an appointment. The Honorary Archivist, Mrs Jackie Smith, is currently available on Thursdays and notice is normally required.
Records useful for genealogy and family research are available through the Oxfordshire Studies Centre and the Berkshire Records Office. Free access can also be obtained to many on-line resources through Abingdon Library.
The town council’s archives are specifically in relation to information from the Borough of Abingdon and town civic archives.
