Angus Archives

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Angus Archives

Angus Archives is a treasure trove of 800 years of the history of Angus and its people.

Our collections cover Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Monifieth, Montrose, and the rural parishes of the County of Angus. Angus Archives houses and preserves the area's written, printed and photographic history covering the historic burghs of Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose and Monifieth, the villages of Edzell, Letham, Friockeim and Newtyle, and the

wider County of Angus. We hold burgh records and Angus Council records including school and poor relief records, as well as private records such as diaries, legal documents and plans. Whether you are a professional researcher, or an amateur family history enthusiast, you are welcome to visit the archives where you can search all of our resources free of charge. Unfortunately we cannot undertake research requests via Facebook – please give us a call to chat through your requirements.

09/06/2026

📸 This photograph shows members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) gathered outside Gerard Hall in Monifieth during World War I, documenting the dedicated nurses who served the community during the war effort. Photograph c.1914-1919.

Angus Archives Ref: 747/56/130

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05/06/2026

📸 This photograph shows a charitable performance at Montrose Beach by musicians David Shepherd (drums), Bill Mackie (trombone), Alistair Soutar (piano), Bill Towns (clarinet), and John McPherson (trumpet). 🎵 Playing entirely for the love of music rather than personal gain, the ensemble gathered crowds on the sand to raise funds for their community. All proceeds from their beachside concerts were handed over to the town council to support local charities. Photograph c. August 1959.

Angus Archives Ref: 1020/1/1396

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04/06/2026

We were absolutely delighted to welcome a very special visitor to our search room this week. Emma travelled all the way from Brisbane, Australia, to research her maternal family history. 🦘

Emma arrived with specific goals in mind: she was searching for records of her 4th Great-Grandmother, Elizabeth White, who was born in Montrose in 1796. She was also keen to uncover more details about Elizabeth’s parents, Jean Boyick and John White, a Montrose shoemaker. 👞✨

Our collections certainly delivered! Emma uncovered some fantastic insights into the family’s past, including a rather amusing historical incident involving John White during a swim in Montrose. 🏊‍♂️

The research journey isn't over yet, either. We have requested further documents from our main archive store, which will be ready and waiting for Emma’s next visit. 📦🙌

Thank you for visiting us, Emma, and best of luck as you continue to piece together your Angus ancestry!

02/06/2026

📸 This photograph shows Jack Duncan standing outside Duncan's Cycles and Garage on St. Mary's Street in Brechin 🚴. Captured on June 2, 1953, the image features festive Coronation decorations adorning the building just above the storefront sign.

Angus Archives Ref: MS1020/3/2328

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29/05/2026

📸 This photograph shows pupils working in a neatly maintained kitchen garden 🏡 of Newtyle School on North Street. The plot features orderly rows of soft fruit bushes, such as currants or raspberries, alongside vegetable patches and tilled soil. In rural 1920s and 1930s Britain, school gardening was a formal, graded part of the educational curriculum. Photograph c.1931.

Angus Archives Ref: 1290/1/60/2

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26/05/2026

📸 This photograph shows the the interior of the Fairway Garage 🚗, Carnoustie. Several vintage automobiles from the late 1920s and 1930s are parked throughout the space. Six men are posed across the garage floor, likely the mechanics, drivers, or owners of the establishment. Photograph c.1930.

Angus Archives Ref: N1/24/182

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22/05/2026

📸 This photograph shows the staff of David Y. Walker’s butcher shop at the corner of 1 Millgate Loan and West Grimsby, Arbroath. The image features a young girl on the left, a clerkess and a dog by a hanging carcass in the doorway, and three men in striped aprons. The man on the far right is identified as Edwin Smith, a casualty of World War I. Photograph c.1900.

Angus Archives Ref: 747/18/456

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19/05/2026

📚 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 📚

Are you interested in local and family history? Angus Archives is looking for volunteers to assist with indexing the Angus entries within the Calendars of Confirmation for Scotland.

These fascinating volumes contain extracts from last wills and testaments and are an invaluable resource for anyone researching family history.

This is a fantastic opportunity to:

🔍 Gain hands-on archive/work experience
🧬 Help make family history research more accessible for everyone
🤝 Meet like-minded volunteers

Volunteers can attend during our opening hours:

Monday: 10am – 4pm
Tuesday: 10am – 4pm
Wednesday: 10am – 2pm
Thursday: 2pm – 4pm
Friday: 10am – 4pm

If you would like to find out more or express an interest in volunteering, please contact Angus Archives:

📧 [email protected]
📞 01241 465563

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15/05/2026

📸 This photograph shows a street promotion in Forfar. A man is dressed as a nurse pushing a pram to advertise a Tiny Tots Orchestra concert at the Reid Hall. Captured outside Sturrock & Son near Forfar Parish Church, the pram features the slogan: "The Rain 🌧 would spoil our Perms, But Oh Boy! Hear our Percussion 🥁." Photograph c. 1934.

Angus Archives Ref: MS747/33/709

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12/05/2026

Have you visited our new search room yet?

Whether you’re researching family history, exploring local heritage, or simply curious about the treasures held in the archives, our welcoming new space is ready for you to visit.

Come along and discover history up close at Angus Archives in Arbroath Library.

Opening time:

Monday: 10am to 4pm
Tuesday: 10am to 4pm
Wednesday: 10am to 2pm
Thursday: 2pm to 4pm
Friday: 10am to 4pm

📞 01241 465563
📧 [email protected]

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Address

Arbroath

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 2pm

Telephone

01307 468644

Website

https://linktr.ee/angusalive

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