Angus Archives is located in a beautiful rural setting at the Hunter Library, Restenneth Priory, just two miles outside Forfar. It is adjacent to the ruined 12th century Restenneth Priory, burial site of a son of Robert the Bruce.

Angus Archives was established in 1989 to collect, record and preserve all archive material and photographs relating to the Angus area. It houses and preserves 800 years of the area’s written history. This includes charters, letters, diaries, plans, poems, legal documents, photographs, minute books, school log books and much more. They represent the life and work of the people of Angus, past and present. Angus Archives catalogues these collections and makes them available to all who may need them. These include Angus Council staff, researchers, local history groups, family historians and school parties and authors amongst others.

Angus Archives is the archive of Angus Council and the repository for the records of the former burghs of Angus (Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose and Monifieth), Angus County Council and private papers of all types and ages, including letters from J M Barrie, an account of a pirate attack on Arbroath, a court martial of a Brechin soldier in India, and a death warrant for a Montrose murderess.

Catalogues, indexes, databases and selected transcripts provide access to the archive collection, which includes:

Burgh Records - a burgh is a town distinguished by trading privileges, the sole right to foreign trade and a form of self government granted by the king through a charter. These were known as Royal Burghs and include Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose. These were also burghs associated with abbeys or cathedrals such as Brechin. There were other types of burghs created in the 19th century such as those which adopted the Police Act. These include Carnoustie, Monifieth and Kirriemuir. All burghs were abolished in 1975. Their records include Town Council minutes, Police Commissioners, public health, Dean of Guild, charities, licensing, legal records etc. Detailed catalogues are available in the search room.

Angus County Council 1717-1975 - the County Council was established in 1895 to administer the areas which were not burghs. It was responsible for education and poor relief. Amongst the County records can also be found prison, lunacy, roads and militia material. A detailed catalogue is available in the search room.

Trades Incorporation and Guildry Records - trades and merchants guilds operated only within royal burghs. They illustrate the careers of men from apprentice to master in trades such as weaving, shoemaking, baking, tailoring and glove making. Trade regulations and infringements are also covered. Angus Archives holds trades records for Arbroath, Brechin and Forfar.

Angus Archives Miscellaneous Manuscript Collection - in this ever-growing collection of unique material can be found details of the gentry, writers, artists, burgesses, Jacobites, businessmen, scandalous women, children, ministers, lifeboat crews, landowners, Town Clerks, farmers, criminals and debtors amongst others. Further donations are always welcome. Detailed catalogues and an index is available in the search room giving name and subject access to this fascinating collection.

Architectural collection - Angus Archives holds an extensive collection of original plans of houses and commercial properties for the towns of Montrose, Carnoustie, Monifieth, Brechin and Arbroath ranging from the late 1890s to 1975. Rural area plans are available for the period 1965-1974.

Valuation Rolls - Angus Archives houses the only comprehensive collection of Valuation Rolls in Angus from 1855 onwards. Each individual library has microfilms for their own burgh from 1855-1905.

Other resources available in the Search Room include a reference library of standard local history works, historical reference books, genealogy, National Archives of Scotland indexes of sasines and deeds, the Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, Scots Peerage, Pre-1855 gravestones etc. The International Genealogical Index (IGI) is available for the whole of Scotland.

Research files cover all aspects and areas of Angus including industry, biographies, historic buildings, witchcraft, recreation, businesses, artists, crime etc. They provide an excellent starting point for general research.

A photocopying service is available and the Archives can also provide extracts of archival documents, indexes, transcripts and databases for a small charge.

Angus Archives is always delighted to accept donations of archival material and photographs relating to the Angus area, Angus people, businesses or societies.

Angus Archives can assist the visitor with a wide variety of research ranging from discovering more about a town or village, the name of your ghost, tracing your ancestors or the history of your house, school or community. Leaflets are available on tracing your family tree and on researching the history of your house on receipt of an SAE.

Angus Archive also offers an established Genealogy and Research Services on behalf of all Cultural Services service points. It provides a research service to those who cannot visit its resources in person. Family history research is conducted by experienced staff from extensive genealogical and local history resources. Single ancestors, entire family trees or other historical topics can be researched. An hourly rate of £21.76 inclusive is charged for research time and a report will be produced.