City Council Archives
 

 

The collection of the archives of Glasgow Corporation and its sucessor authorities is the largest and most significant held in Archives and Special Collections.

 

The records include:

 

  • Council minutes: the main record of the council from 1574
  • Architecture archives: detailed plans of almost every building erected or altered within the city boundaries since 1885
  • School archives: log books and admission registers for over 300 city schools

 

 

Photograph of Glasgow City Council chambers in George Square, 19th century

A 19th century photograph of the City Chambers building in George Square

 

 

  • Poor law archives: records of the various parochial boards in the city and more than 1,000,000 applications for poor relief
  • Annexed Burghs: archives of the burghs and other areas annexed to the city in the 19th century including Anderston, Govan, Hillhead and Partick

There is also a large quantity of records covering the other functions of the city including:

  • Fire brigade
  • Housing
  • Transport
  • Water supply
  • Health services
  • Licencing
  • Parks, galleries and museums
  • Gas and electricity
  • Telephones

 

 Burgess ticket of the City of Glasgow, 21 August 1752

Burgess ticket of the City of Glasgow, 21 August 1752 (reference code: TD154)

The collections include maps, plans and photographs of the city. Many of the photographs are on the Virtual Mitchell website.

 

The functions of the Corporation were taken over in 1975 by Strathclyde Regional Council

 

Architecture Collections

Illustration of building plan of the McLellan Galleries showing elevation to Rose Street (ref. no. B4/12/1/9658)

Building Plans for Glasgow from 1885 until the present day ...read more about Architecture Collections

County Council Archives

Archives of County Councils in the West of Scotland ...read more about County Council Archives

Police Archives

The archives of police forces in Glasgow and the West of Scotland from 1825 to the present day ...read more about Police Archives

Poor Law Archives

Photograph of children breaking sticks (ref. no. C0073)

Poor relief applications for Glasgow and the West of Scotland ...read more about Poor Law Archives

Rutherglen burgh

Records of the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen ...read more about Rutherglen burgh

School Archives

Illustration of Children

Archives of Education in Glasgow and the West of Scotland held in The Mitchell ...read more about School Archives

Strathclyde Regional Council Archives

The archives of Strathclyde Regional Council covering Glasgow and the West of Scotland ...read more about Strathclyde Regional Council Archives

Voters' rolls and valuation rolls

Records of those registered as eligible to vote and of the rateable value of property ...read more about Voters' rolls and valuation rolls