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Welcome to the West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Searching for names? We’ve got over 20 million of them

Your ancestors may be found in The West Riding Registry of Deeds - a nationally unique resource for family historians.

To find out more about how our experienced staff can help you, click here

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Interested in family history, but not sure where to start?

 

We’re running two FREE events in May to help you get started! With hints, tips and advice from our in-house experts you’ll be able to discover the wide range of resources held both by WYAS and further afield that can help you put some leaves on that family tree!

Find out more about our events here

 

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Luddite Bicentenary

 

2012 is the bicentenary year of the Luddites in West Yorkshire. In 1812 certain areas of the West Riding of Yorkshire saw major outbreaks of violence by people who have come to be known as 'Luddites'. The Luddites were mainly croppers, a small and highly skilled group of cloth finishers, who, at a time of the worst trade depression since the 1760s, facing deepening poverty, rising wheat prices and food scarcity, turned their anger on the new cropping machine, which they feared would put them out of work.

 

Find out more about our events and publications to commemorate the bicentenary here

 

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Treasures of the West Yorkshire Archive Service

 

The top five treasures of the archives from a total of 25 nominations across WYAS have been chosen! Find out more information here.

 

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Parish Registers on Ancestry

Parish Registers now available on Ancestry! See here