Archives magazine

Our new local history magazine Archives celebrates the rich and diverse history of Lancashire. It is full of stories about the people, places and events that shaped the county.

The magazine is on sale at Lancashire Archives and all Lancashire Libraries, priced at £3. Please contact Lancashire Archives for postal orders of the magazine, email us at archives@lancashire.gov.uk or call 01772 533039.

Archives– Issue 3, December 2023

The third issue of Archives is now on sale, featuring articles from all corners of Lancashire and beyond, from domino clubs in Preston to medieval wells in Clitheroe and into the skies above Europe during the Second World War. Dr Stephen Tate continues his exploration of the ‘Leather Hunters’ of Lancashire’s early football culture. Salomea Chlebowska examines the history of poor relief through the Lilford of Bank Hall collections and Shirley Penman uncovers the story of Clitheroe’s first all-women coroner’s jury. Bill Shannon looks at Preston’s links to the Irish revolutionary and authors John Boyle O’Reilly and Mary Keenan delve into the history of a Southport woodcarver and his surviving work at Rufford Old Hall.

Issue 4 will be published on 1 June 2024.

Archives– Previous issues

Don't worry if you've missed out on a copy of Archives. You can purchase previous hard-copy editions of the magazine from Lancashire Archives or access a free digital copy on this page.

How to contribute

Have you got a story to tell or some research to share? Would you like to see your local history story in print?  We are looking for submissions that relate to the history of Lancashire, its people, or places – from ancient history to the present day.

If you have an idea you’d like to discuss, please contact us at archives@lancashire.gov.uk and we’d be pleased to discuss your suggestion.  Contributions can be anything relating to the history of Lancashire. Subjects could include:

  • The history of your town or village, your home or street
  • The story of a famous or notable person from Lancashire
  • Stories of individuals or communities marginalised from previous documented history
  • Histories of important events or occurrences in the County
  • Reminiscence and personal stories about childhood, working lives or individual experiences
  • Family history research
  • The history of local businesses, clubs, societies or public organisations

General Contributor Information

  • Lancashire Archives will acknowledge all contributions received by authors.
  • Articles must be submitted prior to the advertised copy deadline to be considered for publication.
  • A decision to publish will be at the discretion of Lancashire Archives and articles may be held on file for future publication.
  • Lancashire Archives may edit your submission or include additional images or information.
  • Lancashire Archives is unable to pay contributor fees.

Submission Guidelines

  • Submissions should be sent in preference by email to archives@lancashire.gov.uk and clearly marked, or posted to Lancashire Archives, Bow Lane, Preston. The Archives will be unable to return content submitted by post unless by prior agreement.
  • Articles should be between 500 and 1500 words, but longer articles can be submitted for consider­ation by prior agreement.
  • Please include suitable images, if possible scanned at 300dpi as TIF files – please let us know if this is not possible so alternative images can be identified. Copyright and usage permissions should be provided for all images submitted.
  • Please include your name and contact details with your submission. Contact information will be held in compliance Lancashire Archives privacy notice.

Submission deadlines:

  • Issue 4 (1 June 2024) - submissions now closed
  • Issue 5 (December 2024) – Sunday 1 September 2024
  • Issue 6 (June 2025) – Saturday 1 March 2025