Copyright © 2004 the Brewery History Society

The National Archives: Historical Manuscripts Commission (NA:HMC), in its annual Accessions to Repositories exercise, collects information from over two hundred record repositories throughout the British Isles about manuscript accessions received in the previous twelve months. The information is then edited and used to produce a number of thematic digests which are distributed for publication in a number of learned journals and newsletters, as well as being made available in full on the Commission’s website (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk).

The information is also added to the indexes of the National Register of Archives (NRA), the central point for collecting and disseminating information about the location of manuscript sources relating to British history outside the public records. The NRA, which currently contains over 44,000 lists and catalogues of archives, can be consulted at the National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU (from December 2003). Alternatively, searchers may access the indexes to the NRA and certain linked on-line catalogues via the website. Limited and specific enquiries can be dealt with by post, or email (nra@nationalarchives.gov.uk).

Readers should note that dates for records in this digest are given when known, but that these are covering dates which do not necessarily indicate the presence of records for all intervening years. Records have been included in the digest regardless of whether the deposit has yet been fully catalogued, and readers are advised to check with the relevant repository as to whether this, or any other factors, may prohibit access to the documents.