The archives of our local churches, circuits and districts are a unique and irreplaceable treasure and can become invaluable source material.
The Revd Dr Jonathan Hustler, Secretary of the Conference.
Methodist Archivists' Handbook
Created in 2024 with funding from The National Archives, the Methodist Archivists' Handbook equips volunteer archivists with guidance to deal with the records in your care with confidence.
It will be a key source of reference for you, but, as you will see, it is just one element of the advice and support available. Our goal is to support you to secure the archival legacy of your church, circuit or district – the records that tell your story – and to preserve them for the future.
Alongside the Archivists' Handbook are a series of short complementary videos that introduce key chapters.
Other useful documents
Templates
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer archivist for the church?
Get in touch with your Circuit / District Administrator to enquire if there are any volunteer archivist vacancies local to you. Linked below are role descriptions:
I need some advice. Who can help?
Volunteer Circuit and District Archivists support churches in their area and the circuit/district teams to manage their records, including appraising records for disposal or preservation as archives and preparing archival material for transfer to a local archive service. Once deposited (as a long-term loan) the archives will be catalogued, and then made available to researchers.
In most cases, you can contact your Circuit Archivist via your Circuit Administrator and your District Archivist via your district office. If you do not have a Circuit Archivist in your circuit, contact your District Archivist.
It would be very helpful if you could update us about any vacant volunteer circuit and district posts at : heritage@methodistchurch.org.uk
I would like to do some research using records of the church - where should I look?
There are lots of resources and tips available via the Methodist Heritage website linked here.
Reproducing Baptismal, Marriage and Burial Registers
There is a great deal of interest among family historians in baptismal, marriage and burial records. As Record Offices quite rightly wish to preserve the actual documents, they may ask for permission to microfilm or digitise the registers.
Permission may be granted by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, and these requests should be forwarded to:
Liz Millard
Senior Administrator
Methodist Church House
25 Tavistock Place
London WC1H 9SF
020 7467 5214 [direct line]
millardl@methodistchurch.org.uk