Isle of Man Public Record Office

We're hiring! Would you like to join our team and play a vital role in helping to preserve and promote the historical records of Isle of Man public bodies? Find out more: tinyurl.com/ymv2kmem #ManxArchives #LoveArchives #Heritage #History

Our early inquests relate not only to deaths but to cases such as trespass, property damage, and libel. In 1822, Peter Bold, editor of The Rising Sun newspaper, and advocate William Roper went to court over mutual besmirching of reputations. Most ungentlemanly! #ManxArchives

In honour of #StPatricksDay, here is none other than St Patrick's Isle in Peel, one of many historical sites in the Isle of Man linked to the saint. This 1881 plan shows 'Ye Giant's Grave', the resting place of one of St Patrick's vanquished pagan foes! #ManxArchives ☘️🇨🇮🇮🇲

Yesterday we welcomed Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer on his third visit to the Isle Of Man Public Record Office. His Excellency and Lady Lorimer viewed an array of historical records relating to Government House, and caught up with the recent work of the team. #ManxArchives

Our Annual Report 2024-2025 is now available online: tinyurl.com/2mck7k47. The report includes a full list of all records transferred to our archives in the period, as well as other team achievements. Make a drink, take a break, and dive in! #ManxArchives

We love these images of brewery delivery trucks on Finch Road, Douglas. Our vehicle registration records tell us that the Ford (left) was first registered in the Isle of Man in 1963 to Okell & Son, while the Austin (right) was registered to Heron & Brearley in 1966. #ManxArchives

This week's edition of #TithePlanTuesday takes us to Laxey Village in 1862. Shown here are the lands belonging to Captain Richard Rowe, Manager of the Great Laxey Mining Company. #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan #LaxeyWheel

Well, our closed week is a wrap! Records transferred; collections reboxed; stores cleaned; and catalogues updated. It's amazing what can be accomplished with truly great teamwork. #ManxArchives #LoveArchives

A public service notice from our friends at the Manx Museum Library & Archives.

In honour of National Hat Day, here is a fine gathering of gentlemen in... hats. We believe that the photograph (circa 1900-1905), part of a collection transferred to us from Manx Utilities, is connected to the construction of West Baldwin Reservoir. #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan

We'd like to wish everyone near and far a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! The PRO will be closed Thursday 25th-Friday 26th December, and Thursday 1st-Friday 2nd January. Advance notice: Our annual Closed Week will be Monday 19th-Friday 23rd January 2026. Slaynt Vie!

Today, we're enjoying two of our favourite pastimes: examining old photograph albums in our archives, and getting hashtags wrong. #ArchiveElves #ArchiveAdventCalendar #IsleOfMan

We're late to the #ArchiveAdventCalendartheme of #Shoppingbut we must share today's Very Long Plan discovery! Drawn up in 1903, it shows the names of all the business owners along Strand Street, the main shopping area in Douglas, #IsleOfMan. #ManxArchives #ExploreYourArchive

On today's theme of #ChristmasCards, here's a lovely one from William and Dazine Hoggatt to unknown recipients. The photograph within the card shows the artist and his wife in their home at The Darragh, Port Erin. #ManxArchives #ArchiveAdventCalendar #IsleOfMan #Christmas

@DCLAReadingRoom It's never too early for biscuits, especially in the winter months!

Library Van- Then Vs Now

The Isle of Man Sea Terminal turned sixty this year! The Modernist design with its 'crow's nest' was in complete contrast to the Victorian structure it replaced. Our wonderful Harbours records start with the first Commissioners' minutes from 1771. #EYAAnniversaries #ManxArchives

An extraordinary moment in our history witnessed by… a cat 🐈 It's @explorearchives week and today's theme is pets! While the Gallery has never had an official pet, animals, especially cats, have long made themselves at home in our pictures. During the Second World War, the collection was moved from London to a disused slate mine in Snowdonia for safekeeping. During the 1941 evacuation to Manod Quarry, Assistant Keeper Martin Davies gained a furry companion: Peng the cat, photographed here playing with and being fed by him. #EYAPets

@SwindonLocal What a story!

The people of Swindon were begging for silence during the cricket plague of 1923! The noise was so unrelenting that it was blamed for nervous breakdowns exacerbated by lack of sleep. #EYASilence

Archives play a vital role in ensuring that the lives of vulnerable people in society are not lost in the silence of the past. Pictured is the earliest patient casebook from Ballamona Hospital, which opened in 1868: tinyurl.com/4bxwcdnj #EYASilence #ManxArchives #IsleOfMan

A jewel in the Isle of Man's heritage crown, Castle Rushen is one of the best-preserved Medieval fortresses in the British Isles. These plans from circa 1904 relate to a major restoration project led by architect Armitage Rigby. #EYAMedieval #ExploreYourArchive #ManxArchives